Subscription Profile Creation via Device Capability Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating subscription profiles for eUICCs and other subscriber entities are complex and prone to errors, particularly when the mobile network operator (MNO) lacks information about the device capabilities, leading to potential incompatibilities.

Innovation Solution

A subscription provisioning server that obtains capability information from the subscriber entity and uses this information to create a subscription profile, thereby enabling automatic selection of the best-suited profile type based on provided information, reducing the need for manual allocation and minimizing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual profile allocation is used by MNO, then profile creation can be performed, but errors occur due to incorrect device capability information and incompatibility issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile compatibilityVSAvoidmanual allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The subscriber entity autonomously provides accurate capability information to the SM-DP+ server during profile download initiation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual intervention by the MNO in gathering device capabilities, ensuring accurate and reliable information is available for compatible profile selection without human error.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the subscriber entity's capability information is directly fed back to the SM-DP+ server during the profile download process. This feedback loop enables the server to automatically select compatible profiles based on actual device capabilities, replacing error-prone manual allocation with automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If MNO requests subscriber device information for profile allocation, then profile type can be determined, but the process becomes error-prone and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile matching accuracyVSAvoidinformation gathering time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The subscriber entity prepares and provides capability information proactively during the profile download initiation phase, before the SM-DP+ server needs to select a profile. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary information is available upfront, enabling immediate automated profile selection without time-consuming manual information gathering by the MNO.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If generic profiles are ordered without eUICC capability information, then batch subscriptions can be processed, but compatibility issues arise with specific devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatch processing efficiencyVSAvoidprofile compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single generic profile for all devices in a batch, the system applies local quality by customizing profile selection based on each subscriber entity's specific capability information. The SM-DP+ server selects profiles tailored to individual device characteristics within the batch, ensuring compatibility while maintaining efficient automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the key parameter of capability information from unknown (in generic batch processing) to known and specific (through subscriber-provided information). This parameter change enables the SM-DP+ server to differentiate between devices in a batch and select appropriate profiles, maintaining productivity while improving compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4176605B1Ordering and creating a subscription profile for a subscriber entity
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4176605B1 patent drawingFigure 1~12
  • EP4176605B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4176605B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided mechanisms for creating a subscription profile for a subscriber entity. A method is performed by a subscription provisioning server. The method comprises obtaining, from the subscriber entity, a request for download of the subscription profile. The request comprises capability information of the subscriber entity. The method comprises creating the subscription profile based on the capability information as obtained from the subscriber entity.