eSIM Profile Provisioning via Representative Device Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for managing eSIM profiles in devices with M2M communication consume significant installation time and cost, especially during provisioning and device replacement, due to the sequential performance of provisioning on multiple devices and the need for creating new profiles.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing eSIM profiles involve installing a common profile in multiple devices, selecting a representative device, establishing a communication channel, and transferring profile information using a server and internal networks, with encryption and signing using a secret key, allowing profiles to be reused and installed efficiently across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential provisioning is performed on multiple devices, then each device receives proper profile installation, but significant installation time and cost are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual provisioning operations into a single bulk provisioning operation. The representative device receives all profile information from the server in one operation, then distributes it to multiple devices locally. This combining approach maintains installation completeness while dramatically reducing total provisioning time and cost compared to sequential individual installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The representative device serves as an intermediary between the server and multiple target devices. It receives profile information from the server once, stores it locally, and then distributes it to other devices through direct communication. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for each device to communicate individually with the server, reducing time and cost while ensuring complete profile installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new profile is created for device replacement, then the new device can be provisioned, but significant installation time and cost are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The representative device pre-stores profile information locally before device replacement occurs. When a device needs replacement, the new device can immediately receive the pre-prepared profile information from the representative device without needing to create a new profile or contact the server. This preliminary preparation enables rapid device replacement while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The new device receives an exact copy of the profile information from the representative device rather than creating a new profile. This copying approach ensures the new device can immediately assume the same network identity and permissions as the replaced device, enabling seamless replacement while eliminating the time and cost of new profile creation and activation.
3Reliability
If individual provisioning is performed for each device, then profile security is maintained, but installation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the provisioning process into two distinct phases: a secure server-to-representative-device transmission phase, and a local representative-device-to-device distribution phase. The security-sensitive profile information is transmitted only once from the server to the representative device through secure channels. The subsequent local distribution among devices occurs through direct device-to-device communication, eliminating repeated server interactions and reducing costs while maintaining security through the use of encrypted channels and authentication mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for managing an embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) profile. The method may include installing a common profile in multiple devices to perform provisioning, selecting a representative device from among the multiple devices, establishing a communication channel in the representative device, receiving, by the representative device, profile information for the multiple devices from a server, and transferring, by the representative device, the profile information to the respective devices.