Secure Element Multi-Profile Management for Concurrent Network Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless devices can only support one active subscription at a time, limiting their ability to connect to multiple network services simultaneously, despite supporting multiple radio frequencies and Universal SIMs, which increases costs and restricts multi-persona scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A single radio device with a secure element, such as an eUICC, that stores multiple subscription profiles, allowing multiple profiles to be active simultaneously, enabling the device to connect to multiple network services of a single or multiple carriers, including voice and messaging services, using a protocol stack to manage access and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SIM cards or USIMs are supported in a wireless device, then the device can access multiple network services, but the device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single radio device to perform multiple functions by supporting multiple subscription profiles simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate physical SIM cards or USIMs for different network services, the system allows one radio device to access multiple networks through software-based profile management, thereby reducing hardware costs while maintaining multi-network capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual copies of subscription profiles that can be stored and switched between in the secure element. Rather than physically replicating multiple SIM cards, the system creates profile copies that can be loaded, stored, and activated as needed, reducing the need for expensive physical multi-SIM hardware while maintaining the ability to access multiple network services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SIM trays are used to support multiple SIM cards, then multiple subscriptions can be active, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple subscription profiles into a single secure element storage area. Instead of having separate physical SIM trays for each subscription, the system merges all profile management into one integrated secure element, reducing physical complexity while maintaining the ability to support multiple active subscriptions through software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the subscription profile management functionality from the physical SIM card hardware and places it within the secure element's memory. This extraction allows the system to maintain multiple subscriptions without requiring corresponding physical SIM trays, simplifying device structure while preserving multi-subscription capability through virtual profile management.
3Ease of operation
If only one subscription is active at a time, then the device remains simple to manage, but multi-persona scenarios cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the system to transition between different subscription profiles dynamically. The secure element can activate different profiles based on user needs, allowing the device to adapt its network service access in real-time. This dynamic profile switching supports multi-persona scenarios while maintaining operational simplicity through automated profile management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-storing multiple subscription profiles in the secure element before they are needed. The system prepares and stores profile data in advance, allowing for rapid activation when needed without requiring complex real-time configuration. This preliminary profile preparation enables multi-persona support while keeping user interaction simple through pre-configured options.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide storing multiple subscription profiles on a secure element; detecting a triggering event; using, by a first stack of a wireless end device, one of the subscription profiles to register with a first network service via a first network; indicating that the one of the subscription profiles is enabled; querying, by a second stack of the wireless end device, the secure element for another one of the subscription profiles; obtaining, by the second stack, access information to the other one of the subscription profiles; selecting, by the second stack, the other one of the subscription profiles; using, by the second stack, the other one of the subscription profiles to register with a second network service via a second network; and indicating that the other one of the subscription profiles is enabled.