eSIM Provisioning via Server Reservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile wireless devices purchased without a physical SIM card require users to acquire and insert an active SIM card for cellular wireless service, and there is a need for methods to provision and activate electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) as part of the device activation process, especially for online or retail sales.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves reserving one or more eSIMs for a mobile wireless device during the sales order process, which are then activated after the device is received by the user, allowing for eSIM installation in place of or in addition to physical SIM installation, with user verification and communication between device manufacturer servers and MNO servers to authorize and confirm eSIM activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mobile wireless devices are sold without physical SIM cards to reduce complexity and enable eSIM provisioning, then device complexity is reduced and service activation is streamlined, but users cannot immediately access cellular wireless service without separate SIM card acquisition steps
Solution Approach 1:
The eSIM is reserved and provisioned in advance during the sales order process, but activation is delayed until device activation. This preliminary provisioning reduces device complexity by eliminating physical SIM cards while ensuring service availability when needed, resolving the contradiction between reduced complexity and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an eSIM provisioning system as an intermediary between the device and cellular network. The eSIM acts as a digital substitute for physical SIM cards, enabling service activation without physical card insertion, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation through automated provisioning.
2Extent of automation
If eSIMs are reserved during sales order process for later activation, then service activation is streamlined and automated, but the activation process requires complex coordination between multiple servers and user verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The activation process is segmented into distinct phases: eSIM reservation during sales order, device activation triggering the activation process, user verification, and final service activation. This segmentation allows automated coordination between device manufacturer servers and MNO servers while managing complexity through structured process steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where device manufacturer servers communicate with MNO servers to verify device activation status, confirm eSIM provisioning, and coordinate service activation. This feedback mechanism enables high automation while managing system complexity through standardized communication protocols and verification steps.
Data Source
AI summary
This Application sets forth techniques for provisioning and activating electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) for mobile wireless devices. An eSIM is reserved during a sales order process and later activated during device activation after receipt by a user. An option for eSIM installation in place of (or in addition to) physical SIM installation is provided when purchasing the mobile wireless device. The reserved eSIM can replace a previous SIM/eSIM or be a new eSIM. During device activation, installation and activation of the eSIM occurs. Activation of the eSIM can occur before or after deactivation of a transferred SIM/eSIM. The mobile wireless device accounts for propagation delay of eSIM activation through MNO servers by disabling and re-enabling the eSIM until initial attachment to an MNO cellular wireless network succeeds or a maximum number of retry attempts is reached.