Remote SIM Profile Provisioning via Location-Based Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SIM provisioning technologies face challenges in efficiently managing and updating multiple SIM profiles on wireless devices, particularly in scenarios where the operator may change frequently, leading to costs and technical complexities associated with pre-storing all potential profiles and securing agreements with multiple providers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for remote SIM profile provisioning that uses a SIM profile management arrangement to determine the most appropriate set of profiles based on location information and wireless communication resources, allowing for dynamic selection and storage of relevant profiles on eUICC or iUICC, enabling seamless switching between operators while minimizing unnecessary costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple SIM profiles are pre-stored on the SIM card to ensure connectivity across different operators, then reliability of communication service is improved, but device complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication service availabilityVSAvoidSIM profile management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic SIM profile selection based on location information. The system automatically determines which SIM profile to use according to the device's current location and service coverage conditions, rather than requiring all possible profiles to be pre-stored. This dynamic adaptation reduces the number of profiles needed while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a profile management arrangement as an intermediary between the device and multiple operators. This intermediary handles the complexity of managing multiple SIM profiles by receiving location information, determining appropriate profiles, and providing them to the device. The device itself only needs to store and manage a limited set of profiles, while the intermediary handles the overall coordination and selection logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all potential SIM profiles are pre-downloaded and stored on the device, then adaptability to different operators is improved, but loss of substance (storage space and data) increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator switching capabilityVSAvoidstorage space consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the device with a limited set of default SIM profiles and establishing the mechanism for dynamic profile acquisition. Rather than pre-downloading all possible operator profiles, the system prepares the framework for on-demand profile retrieval based on location, thus maintaining adaptability while minimizing initial storage consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of profile availability from static (all profiles always stored) to dynamic (profiles retrieved based on location conditions). The system uses location information as a variable parameter to determine which profiles to download and store, allowing the profile set to adapt to changing environmental conditions rather than requiring all profiles to be permanently stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the device continuously monitors and updates SIM profiles based on location, then reliability of communication service is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication connectivityVSAvoidpower consumption for profile management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by updating SIM profiles based on location changes rather than continuous monitoring. The system triggers profile updates when the device moves to a new location or when service conditions change, rather than constantly checking and potentially updating profiles. This periodic approach maintains communication reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3677058B1SIM provisioning
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3677058B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677058B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677058B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods, arrangements and computer program products for remote subscriber identification module (SIM) provisioning. When performed in a telematics control arrangement, the SIM provisioning method comprises establishing a wireless connection with one or more SIM profile management arrangement and obtaining a plurality of SIM profiles from at least one of the one or more SIM profile management arrangements based on location information for the telematics control arrangement and/or on capabilities of wireless communication resources accessible to the telematics control arrangement. Each SIM profile comprises personalized SIM information for communication in at least one wireless communication network of a respective service provider.