eUICC eSIM Manager Shared Binary Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

The transition from removable Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICCs) to non-removable embedded UICCs (eUICCs) in wireless communication devices is costly and time-consuming due to the need for complete re-writing or re-programming of software, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an embedded UICC (eUICC) that leverages the GlobalPlatform™ Specification and other telecommunication standards to manage multiple electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs), including standardized applications and security domains, allowing for a streamlined transition by eliminating the need to store individual binary packages for each eSIM and merging functions within the GlobalPlatform™ framework.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software is completely re-written or re-programmed to accommodate eUICC hardware configuration, then the eUICC can function as a non-removable UICC, but the transition becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to eUICC hardware configurationVSAvoidtransition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal software architecture based on GlobalPlatform Specification that can operate across both removable UICC and embedded eUICC hardware configurations. The eUICC manager and security domains are designed to be hardware-agnostic, allowing the same software to manage multiple eSIMs on eUICC while maintaining compatibility with traditional UICC operations, thereby eliminating the need for complete software re-writing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic configuration where the eUICC manager can adapt its behavior based on the underlying hardware configuration. The system dynamically manages multiple eSIM profiles and security domains, enabling flexible activation and deactivation of different eSIMs without requiring static, hardware-specific software implementations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If software is completely re-written or re-programmed to accommodate eUICC hardware configuration, then the eUICC can function as a non-removable UICC, but the transition becomes costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to eUICC hardware configurationVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal software architecture based on GlobalPlatform Specification that can operate across both removable UICC and embedded eUICC hardware configurations. The eUICC manager and security domains are designed to be hardware-agnostic, allowing the same software to manage multiple eSIMs on eUICC while maintaining compatibility with traditional UICC operations, thereby eliminating the need for complete software re-writing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes binary packages that can be copied and instantiated across multiple eSIMs. Standardized applications are packaged in a format that can be efficiently replicated and deployed to multiple security domains without requiring separate development for each eSIM, significantly reducing development and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If individual binary packages are stored for each eSIM, then each eSIM has complete functionality, but the size of eSIMs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveeSIM functionalityVSAvoideSIM size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple eSIMs by implementing a shared repository of binary packages. The eUICC manager consolidates standardized applications and their binary packages at the eUICC level, allowing multiple eSIMs to share common functionality. This merging approach ensures that each eSIM has access to complete functionality through shared resources while minimizing redundant storage of identical binary packages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal software architecture based on GlobalPlatform Specification that can operate across both removable UICC and embedded eUICC hardware configurations. The eUICC manager and security domains are designed to be hardware-agnostic, allowing the same software to manage multiple eSIMs on eUICC while maintaining compatibility with traditional UICC operations, thereby eliminating the need for complete software re-writing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10015165B2Methods and apparatus to support GlobalPlatform™ usage on an embedded UICC (eUICC)

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 APPLE INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a technique for managing one or more electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs) on an embedded UICC (eUICC). In particular, the technique involves leveraging the GlobalPlatform™ Specification and/or other telecommunication standards to support the eSIMs on the eUICC. Each eUICC can include an Issuer Security Domain (ISD) owned by a device manufacturer and an eSIM manager that manages the plurality of eSIMs on the eUICC. Notably, binaries of one or more applications shared between different eSIMs can be standardized and stored in a manner that enables each eSIM to utilize the one or more applications (via the eSIM manager) without needing to individually store the binaries. Using this approach, the overall size and complexity of each eSIM can be reduced, which can increase the amount of available memory within the eUICC as well as the overall performance of the eUICC.