eSIM Switching via Secure Element Credit System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network operators are hesitant to adopt electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) technologies due to security concerns about unsupervised switching, which limits the flexibility and benefits of virtualized access control clients in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for controlled switching of eSIMs within a mobile device's secure element, using a credit system and rate limiting mechanisms to manage eSIM operations without network access, ensuring secure and supervised transactions through authentication and human interaction verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If eSIM switching is allowed without network supervision, then user flexibility and autonomy are improved, but security risks and potential misuse increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-authorizing a limited number of eSIM switching operations through a credit system before network supervision is available. The secure element is pre-loaded with credits that allow offline switching, and these credits are later reconciled with the network. This resolves the contradiction by enabling user flexibility through pre-approved operations while maintaining security through predetermined limits and subsequent network verification.
2Reliability
If network supervision is required for eSIM switching, then security is improved, but user autonomy and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the eSIM switching control into two independent parts: offline autonomous switching capability stored in the secure element, and online network supervision for credit management. This segmentation allows users to perform switching operations independently without real-time network connection, while the network maintains ultimate control through credit issuance and validation. This resolves the contradiction by separating security management from operational execution.
3Ease of operation
If multiple eSIM switching operations are permitted offline, then user convenience is improved, but potential for high-frequency misuse increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the number of available credits based on user authentication results and usage patterns. The system can issue different numbers of credits (e.g., 1, 5, or 10 operations) depending on the security level and user trust, and can revoke or limit credits if misuse is detected. This resolves the contradiction by making the switching limit a flexible parameter rather than a fixed constraint, balancing convenience with misuse prevention.
4Reliability
If credit-based control is implemented, then eSIM switching security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing the credit verification and switching control logic directly within the secure element itself, rather than requiring external verification for each operation. The secure element autonomously manages its own credit balance, validates switching operations against available credits, and automatically reconciles with the network when connected. This resolves the contradiction by embedding the security mechanism within the existing secure element hardware, minimizing additional system complexity while maintaining strong security.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for providing controlled switching of electronic access control clients (e.g., electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs)) without requiring network access are set forth herein. In one embodiment, a method for swapping of subscriptions and/or profiles for without network supervision that prevents possibly malicious high frequency switching is disclosed. For example, a secure element included in a mobile device can be configured to issue, to a security module included in the mobile device, a request for the security module to carry out an authentication of a user of the mobile device. Upon determining, based on results received from the security module, that the authentication is successful, the secure element can generate one or more credits in accordance with the results, where each credit of the one or more credits can be used to carry out an eSIM management operation within the secure element.