eUICC Profile Switching for Network Loss Duration Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of embedded UICC cards in communication devices poses challenges in managing network loss events, as they are not replaceable, requiring efficient methods to switch profiles and maintain network connectivity, especially when network issues are temporary or permanent.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing integrated circuit cards, such as eUICC, that utilize a heuristic approach to determine the duration of network loss events by analyzing network rejection events, enabling or switching profiles based on estimated duration thresholds, and communicating with a remote server to update and store average resolution times for specific device types and locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UICC is soldered/embedded in the hosting device, then robustness of contacts and antitheft protection are improved, but replaceability and ease of repair deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the UICC functionality into multiple profiles stored within a single embedded card. The card itself remains soldered for robustness, while the software profiles can be individually managed, enabled, or disabled without physical replacement, thus maintaining reliability while enabling repair flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the embedded UICC by introducing profile enablement/disablement mechanisms. Instead of physical replacement, the system modifies the operational state of profiles through network-based provisioning, allowing repair and operator changes without compromising the soldered connection's robustness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UICC is made hardly accessible/embedded, then antitheft protection is improved, but ability to perform device repairing and operator change deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the operator subscription data from the physical UICC card and stores it as separate profile data within the card's memory. This allows the card to remain embedded for security while the profile information can be remotely provisioned, modified, or deleted through network communication, enabling repair operations without physical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a network-based provisioning server as an intermediary between the user and the embedded UICC. This mediator enables operator changes and profile management through remote communication, eliminating the need for physical card access while maintaining antitheft protection from the embedded design.
3Reliability
If fallback mechanism is activated immediately on network loss, then network connectivity is improved, but unnecessary profile switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing multiple operator profiles within the embedded UICC before network loss occurs. When network loss is detected, the system can immediately switch to a pre-configured fallback profile without needing to download or provision new profiles, thus maintaining connectivity while avoiding unnecessary switching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism that monitors network status and determines whether network loss is temporary or permanent based on predefined criteria. This feedback control prevents unnecessary profile switching by only activating the fallback mechanism when truly needed, thus maintaining connectivity reliability while reducing unnecessary operations.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes: receiving a notification of a network loss from a mobile communication network, the notification comprising a current network loss cause; selecting a network loss event duration estimate among a plurality of network loss event duration estimates stored on an integrated circuit card and indexed according to a corresponding plurality of network loss cause indices; selecting a stored profile of a plurality of stored profiles on the integrated circuit card based on the selected network loss event duration estimate, wherein the plurality of stored profiles are associated with user subscriptions; and attaching to the mobile communication network using the selected stored profile when the selected stored profile is not already enabled.