eSIM Sharing Framework for Seamless UE Transfer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physical SIMs (pSIMs) pose mechanical damage risks and increase device size, while eSIMs lack ease of transferability between devices, limiting efficient sharing of cellular services.
Innovation Solution
A framework for seamlessly sharing embedded subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) among multiple user equipment (UE) by preserving ICCID and MSISDN associations, enabling authorized UE transfers and usage restrictions, facilitated by an eSIM sharing manager within the wireless network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical SIM (pSIM) is used, then ease of transferability between devices is improved, but mechanical damage risk and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses eSIM technology to create a digital copy of the SIM card functionality embedded in the device's chip, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card while maintaining the ability to transfer subscriber identity between devices through remote provisioning and profile migration
2Ease of operation
If a physical SIM (pSIM) is used, then ease of transferability between devices is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical SIM card with an embedded eSIM chip that stores subscriber identity data, eliminating the need for a physical SIM slot and card while maintaining transferability through remote profile management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the SIM card functionality from its physical form and embeds it directly into the device's chip architecture, removing the mechanical component while preserving the essential function of identifying and authenticating the device on the network
3Volume of moving object
If an eSIM is used, then device size is reduced, but ease of transferability between devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic profile management where eSIM profiles can be remotely provisioned, updated, and transferred between devices through network-based communication, enabling flexible and on-demand transferability without physical handling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network-based intermediary system (including profile management servers and authentication entities) that facilitates the transfer and management of eSIM profiles between devices, enabling seamless transferability through remote administrative control
4Stability of the object's composition
If eSIM sharing framework is implemented, then service continuity is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the eSIM sharing system into distinct functional components including profile management servers, authentication entities, and device-side eSIM modules, with clear interfaces and protocols between components to manage complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary authentication and authorization actions where the network verifies device eligibility and establishes secure contexts before allowing eSIM profile transfers, ensuring service continuity is maintained through pre-conditioned security measures
Data Source
AI summary
Embedded subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) may be shared among multiple user equipment (UE). Each UE has a SIM chip that has a unique embedded identity document (EID), and each eSIM has a unique integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID) and an associated mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN, e.g., phone number). When the eSIMs are moved among UEs, the ICCID remains consistent for the eSIM, and the MSISDN may also remain consistently associated with a particular eSIM. Each eSIM has an associated profile that identifies authorized UEs that have permission to employ that eSIM, and may further identify usage restrictions (e.g., data usage, authorized networks and/or geographical limits) and a state, such as “in use” (when in a UE) and “not in use” when in storage. Organizations may maintain a pool of eSIMs, with the eSIMs moved among employees based on travel assignments and/or need for a company-provided phone.