Embedded UICC Profile Management for Seamless Network Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in switching between different wireless communication service providers due to the need for separate universal integrated circuit cards (UICCs) and the risk of losing or mismanaging these cards, limiting their ability to use services from various communication service providers.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) that can download and manage profiles from different communication service providers, allowing users to seamlessly switch between networks and services without the need for physical card changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users use separate UICCs for different communication service providers, then they can access services from multiple providers, but they face difficulty in managing multiple cards and risk of losing cards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use services from multiple communication service providersVSAvoiddifficulty in managing and switching between multiple physical UICCs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple communication service provider profiles into a single UICC. The UICC now contains multiple profiles (e.g., profile 1 for provider A, profile 2 for provider B) that can be stored and switched between electronically, eliminating the need for multiple separate physical cards while maintaining the ability to access services from different providers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The UICC is designed to be universal by incorporating the capability to store and activate multiple profiles from different communication service providers. This multi-functional UICC can serve multiple providers within a single card, making the device adaptable to different service providers without requiring physical card changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users carry multiple UICCs to access different communication service providers, then they can switch between providers, but the device complexity and risk of mismanagement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provider switching capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple physical cards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple provider-specific UICCs into one unified UICC that electronically stores multiple profiles. This reduces the physical number of cards from multiple separate UICCs to a single UICC, thereby reducing device complexity and the potential for mismanagement while preserving multi-provider access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies of multiple provider profiles within a single UICC. Instead of requiring multiple physical cards, the system creates and stores profile copies (profile 1, profile 2, etc.) that can be electronically activated, simplifying management and reducing physical card handling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If users need to change UICCs when switching communication service providers, then they can access different networks, but the service transition becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service provider switchingVSAvoidtime required for physical card extraction and insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing multiple communication service provider profiles within the UICC before the user needs to switch providers. The profiles are already loaded and ready for electronic activation, eliminating the need for physical card changes and reducing the time required for service transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically extracting and inserting UICCs with an electronic system that activates different profiles through software control. This substitution eliminates the manual card handling process, reducing the time and effort required for provider switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If users keep multiple UICCs for different providers, then they can access various services, but the risk of losing or mismanaging cards increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple communication servicesVSAvoidrisk of UICC loss or mismanagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple provider profiles into a single UICC, reducing the number of physical cards from multiple separate UICCs to one. This consolidation reduces the risk of loss or mismanagement while maintaining access to multiple communication services through electronic profile switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates and stores multiple profile copies within a single UICC, eliminating the need for multiple physical cards. This digital copying approach ensures that all provider information is retained in one secure location, reducing the risk of loss while maintaining service access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10531285B2Method of changing profile using identification module and electronic device implementing same

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of changing a profile by using an identification module and an electronic device for implementing the same are provided. The electronic device may enable a profile stored in an embedded identification module to receive a wireless communication network service corresponding to the enabled profile. The method includes identifying a network selected by a user, determining whether a profile, which can use the network, is included in the identification module in accordance with the identified network, downloading the profile corresponding to the network and enabling the downloaded profile when the profile is not included in the identification module, enabling the profile when the profile is included in the identification module, and making a connection to the network based on the enabled profile.