eUICC Remote Profile Management for 5G IoT Service Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, face challenges in efficiently managing and installing communication services across different devices and networks, especially when users need to switch between mobile operators, leading to inconvenience and high costs for roaming services.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) to download and install communication profiles remotely, allowing users to select and manage communication services through a server that registers events with opening mediation servers, enabling seamless service connection and management across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical SIM cards are used for communication services, then service reliability is maintained, but device complexity and user convenience deteriorate due to physical card handling and operator switching requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating a virtual replica of the physical SIM card functionality through the eUICC (embedded universal integrated circuit card) and remote SIM provisioning system. Instead of requiring physical SIM cards, the system creates digital copies that can be remotely managed, allowing users to switch operators and manage services without handling physical cards, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing the complexity of physical card management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical SIM card system with an electronic/digital system. The eUICC embedded in the device substitutes for physical SIM cards, and the remote provisioning server replaces the manual process of physical card switching. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical card handling while maintaining service reliability, directly addressing the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
2Productivity
If traditional SIM card switching is used for operator changes, then service reliability is maintained, but loss of time occurs due to physical card replacement and reconfiguration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring communication profiles and services on the eUICC before the actual service switching is needed. The system can prepare and store multiple operator profiles in advance, allowing rapid switching without time-consuming physical card replacement and reconfiguration. This enables fast service installation and switching while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical process of physical SIM card switching with a digital remote provisioning system. The server can remotely install, update, or switch profiles on the eUICC without requiring physical card handling, dramatically reducing the time needed for service changes while maintaining service reliability
3Ease of operation
If centralized server management is implemented for communication profiles, then ease of operation is improved through remote management, but device complexity increases due to additional server interactions and configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the eUICC and remote provisioning system to handle multiple functions through a single integrated approach. The eUICC can store, manage, and switch between multiple operator profiles, while the remote server can perform various operations (installation, updating, switching, deletion) through standardized interfaces. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system architecture despite the added complexity of server interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote provisioning server as an intermediary between the user device and the communication network operators. This intermediary handles the complex server interactions and configuration requirements centrally, shielding the end user from complexity while providing easy remote management. The server acts as a mediator that manages the complexity of profile management, allowing users to interact through simple interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a communication method and a system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car, a connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes a transceiver, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor controls the transceiver to transmit a first message requesting an event to an opening mediation server, receive event-related information from the opening mediation server in response to the first message, transmit a second message requesting an event to a profile providing server based on the event-related information, and receive information related to event processing from the profile providing server in response to the second message.