OTA Update Delivery via Primary Device Link Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companion user devices with powered-off cellular modems are unable to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates from wireless carrier networks, leading to technical issues such as failed PLMN list updates for eSIM profiles, resulting in decreased OTA success rates and the need for manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
The OTA platform of a wireless carrier network commands the primary user device to terminate its short-range wireless communication link with the companion user device, forcing it to establish a cellular communication link with the network, allowing OTA updates to be pushed via the cellular link, and retrying updates if initial attempts fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the companion user device uses the cellular data service of the primary user device with the cellular modem powered off, then battery consumption is reduced and cellular data usage is minimized, but the companion user device becomes unable to receive OTA updates from the wireless carrier network
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the companion device establish a cellular communication link with the network before the OTA update is needed. The network stores association information between the companion device and primary device, enabling the network to proactively manage connection states and ensure update capability is established in advance when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary user device acts as an intermediary that facilitates OTA updates for the companion device. When the companion device needs an update, the network uses the association information to route the update request through or via the primary device, which then forwards the update to the companion device, solving the connectivity issue without requiring the companion's cellular modem to be continuously on.
2Ease of operation
If the companion user device maintains a short-range wireless communication link with the primary user device, then continuous connectivity and data sharing are enabled, but OTA updates cannot be delivered to the companion device
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages the communication state by allowing the companion device to switch between short-range wireless mode (for normal operation) and cellular mode (for updates). The network can trigger state changes based on update requirements, enabling the device to adapt its connectivity mode dynamically rather than being locked into a single mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary user device serves as a mediator that enables OTA updates to reach the companion device while maintaining the short-range wireless connection for normal operations. The network uses association information to route update requests through the primary device, which then delivers the update to the companion device without breaking the existing wireless connection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the cellular modem of the companion user device is powered off to reduce battery consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device cannot establish cellular communication links for OTA updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing association information between the companion device and the network in advance. This stored association data enables the network to proactively manage connection states and trigger cellular link establishment only when OTA updates are required, rather than requiring the modem to be continuously on or manually activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary user device acts as an intermediary that enables cellular communication for the companion device without requiring the companion's cellular modem to be actively powered on. The network uses the association information to route communication through or via the primary device, which facilitates cellular link establishment for the companion device indirectly.
Data Source
AI summary
A primary user device may receive a termination command from an over-the-air (OTA) platform of a wireless carrier network to terminate a short-range wireless communication link with a companion user device. The primary user device may terminate a short-range wireless communication with the companion user device in response to the termination command to trigger the companion user device to establish a cellular communication link with the wireless carrier network. The primary user device may initiate a countdown of a predetermined time period for the companion user device to receive an OTA update from the OTA platform via the cellular communication link. When the countdown indicates that the predetermined time period has elapsed, the primary user device may reestablish the short-range wireless communication link with the companion user device to trigger the companion user device to terminate the cellular communication link.