Shared Provisioning eSIM Control for IMSI Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices face issues with uniquely assigned provisioning SIM/eSIMs leading to potential conflicts and access interference due to shared use, necessitating mechanisms for dynamic management and configuration of non-unique provisioning SIM/eSIMs to facilitate connectivity with various cellular networks.
Innovation Solution
An on-device shared provisioning SIM/eSIM controller manages a non-unique SIM/eSIM, selecting an initial IMSI value from a pool based on selection criteria such as geographic location, user preference, and OEM agreements, and dynamically reconfigures it to connect to different networks, monitoring for errors and switching IMSI values as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a uniquely assigned provisioning SIM/eSIM is used for each wireless device, then connectivity reliability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single shared provisioning SIM/eSIM to serve multiple wireless devices through dynamic configuration. The SIM/eSIM can be assigned to different devices as needed, allowing one SIM to perform the provisioning function across multiple devices rather than requiring unique SIMs for each device, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining connectivity reliability
2Device complexity
If a shared provisioning SIM/eSIM is used across multiple wireless devices, then device complexity is reduced, but IMSI collision and network access interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic configuration of the shared provisioning SIM/eSIM. The SIM/eSIM can dynamically change its assignment status and configuration parameters based on which wireless device needs provisioning services. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt the SIM's state to prevent collisions while maintaining shared usage, transforming a static harmful situation into a dynamically manageable one
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors and detects when a shared provisioning SIM/eSIM is being used by a particular wireless device. This feedback information is used to configure the SIM appropriately for that specific device, ensuring proper assignment and preventing IMSI collisions. The feedback loop enables the system to respond to actual usage conditions and adjust the SIM configuration accordingly
3Adaptability or versatility
If a non-unique provisioning SIM/eSIM is configured with a null identifier, then adaptability to different networks is improved, but network access capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by enabling the provisioning SIM/eSIM to dynamically modify its identifier parameters (IMSI) based on the target wireless device and network conditions. The system can change the SIM's identifier from a null value to a valid IMSI when network access is needed, and revert to null when adaptability is required. This dynamic parameter modification allows the SIM to transition between different operational states, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and network access capability
Data Source
AI summary
This application sets forth techniques for dynamically managing a shared provisioning electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) for a wireless device. A shared (non-unique) provisioning eSIM is installed in the wireless device to provide limited functionality connectivity to services, such as for device activation and user eSIM provisioning. The shared provisioning eSIM includes records of IMSI values organized into groups of IMSI pools and priorities for selecting IMSI values for configuring the shared provisioning eSIM. An on-device shared provisioning SIM/eSIM controller resident on a cellular baseband processor of the wireless device selects and configures the shared provisioning eSIM with IMSI values based on the priorities and on results from scanning for available public land mobile networks (PLMNs). The shared provisioning eSIM can be re-configured with different IMSI values selected from different IMSI pools until successful registration using the configured provisioning eSIM occurs or a maximum number or retries occurs.