Profile Management Unit for Multi-Module Communication Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The rollout of embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (eUICCs) in communication devices is challenging due to a lack of standards and motivation from mobile network operators, leading to coexistence with traditional SIMs, which complicates profile management and network credential provisioning.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a profile management unit that distributes profiles across multiple processing modules based on eligibility tests, ensuring compatibility and resource balancing, and allows user-selectable profiles with support for switching and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processing modules (SIMs, eUICCs, secure elements) are used in a communication device, then the device can support multiple profiles and network credentials, but the complexity of managing and distributing profiles across these modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a profile management unit as an intermediary component that mediates between the multiple processing modules (SIMs, eUICCs, secure elements) and the profiles. This unit centralizes the management functions, including eligibility testing, profile distribution decisions, and coordination of profile installation across different modules, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining multi-profile support capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If eUICCs are rolled out in communication devices, then embedded SIM functionality is achieved, but the lack of standards and motivation from mobile network operators hinders widespread adoption
Solution Approach 1:
The profile management unit is designed to work with multiple types of processing modules including traditional SIMs, eUICCs, and secure elements through a unified interface and standardized eligibility testing mechanism. This universal approach allows the system to support eUICC functionality while maintaining compatibility with existing SIM-based systems, addressing the standards compliance issue by providing a multi-functional management layer
3Productivity
If profiles are distributed across multiple processing modules, then resource utilization is optimized, but ensuring compatibility and selecting the appropriate module for each profile becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary eligibility testing as a prerequisite step before profile distribution. The profile management unit performs compatibility assessments and eligibility tests on each processing module beforehand, evaluating factors such as module type, security capabilities, and resource availability. This preliminary action ensures that profiles are only distributed to compatible modules, optimizing resource utilization while simplifying the compatibility assessment process
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: a plurality of processing modules arranged to process data and to store one or more profiles, and a profile management unit arranged to manage one or more profiles stored on said processing modules. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method is conceived of managing profiles on a communication device, said communication device comprising a plurality of processing modules arranged to process data and to store one or more profiles, wherein a profile management unit of said communication device manages one or more profiles stored on said processing modules. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding computer program is provided.