Subscriber Identity Module Subscription Data Update Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for updating subscriber identity module (SIM) subscription data in consumer electronic devices are often cumbersome and require subscriber involvement, limiting service provider management and control, and impacting user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for updating SIM subscription data, where a remote device generates an indication for updating the SIM, and the terminal device acquires extended information to trigger and execute the update procedure, allowing for subscriber-transparent operations, improving system security and user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional SIM subscription data update methods are used, then subscriber involvement is required, but this limits service provider management and control

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSubscriber involvement in update processVSAvoidService provider management and control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device automatically detects update indications, acquires extended information, triggers update procedures, and applies updates without requiring subscriber intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the entire subscription data update process, thereby eliminating the need for manual subscriber involvement while maintaining full service provider control through the automated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual update procedures are used, then user experience is impacted, but automated updates lack transparency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUser experienceVSAvoidTransparency of update process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the terminal device receives update indications from remote devices, processes extended information, executes update procedures, and applies updates while maintaining visibility of the process. This feedback loop ensures that automated updates remain transparent and informative, improving user experience without sacrificing process visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If subscriber intervention is required for updates, then security control is maintained, but update efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSecurity controlVSAvoidUpdate efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device acts as an intermediary between the service provider's remote device and the SIM subscription data. It receives update indications, processes extended information autonomously, triggers update procedures, and applies updates while maintaining security protocols. This intermediary role enables efficient automated updates without direct subscriber intervention, thereby improving update efficiency while preserving security control through the structured intermediary process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4178239A1Method, device, apparatus and computer-readable medium for updating subscriber subscription data
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4178239A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4178239A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4178239A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, device and apparatus for updating subscriber subscription data of a subscriber identity module, and a computer-readable medium. The method includes: at a terminal device, based on determining that an indication to indicate an initial subscription data file of a subscriber identity module is to be updated is received from a remote device, acquiring, from the indication, extended information for supporting a subscription data file update procedure; triggering the subscription data file update procedure at the terminal device based on the extended information; and updating the initial subscription data file based on subscription data file update information acquired in the subscription data file update procedure. In this way, a subscription data file update operation of a CPE can be implemented in a subscriber-transparent manner, thereby improving the system security and the subscriber experience.