Mobile Device UIM Card Provisioning via BIP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication protocols do not allow mobile wireless devices to initiate or control the provisioning process of user identity module (UIM) cards, leading to limited control over provisioning data transfer and status determination, resulting in inefficient data throughput and user experience variability across different service providers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the processor in the mobile wireless device detects user commands to provision the UIM card, establishes a bearer independent protocol (BIP) data connection to a server, and exchanges provisioning data, including updating the UIM card software version and provisioning date/time, using a standardized file structure for provisioning status information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If circuit switched (CS) connection is used for UIM card provisioning, then compatibility with legacy wireless networks is maintained, but data throughput is limited and provisioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection type parameter from circuit switched (CS) to packet switched (PS) for provisioning data transfer. This allows the system to utilize the higher data rates of PS connections while maintaining CS connections for voice services, thereby improving provisioning speed without sacrificing legacy compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connection management into two independent paths: CS connections for voice services and PS connections for provisioning data. This segmentation allows each connection type to be optimized for its specific purpose, with PS connections handling high-speed provisioning while CS connections maintain legacy compatibility
2Ease of operation
If UIM card firmware initiates provisioning automatically, then provisioning can occur without user intervention, but the processor cannot control or monitor the provisioning process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the processor can query the UIM card for provisioning status information and receive notifications about provisioning progress. This allows the processor to monitor and control the provisioning process while maintaining automatic initiation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary file structure in the UIM card that stores provisioning status information accessible to the processor. This intermediary layer enables the processor to detect and measure provisioning status without directly interfering with the automatic provisioning process initiated by UIM card firmware
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If standardized provisioning status file structure is implemented in UIM card, then processor can easily read and determine provisioning state, but additional storage requirements are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a partial file structure approach, creating a standardized provisioning status file with only the essential fields needed for processor detection (provisioning status, software version, provisioning date/time). This provides sufficient information for provisioning monitoring while minimizing storage space consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A processor in a mobile wireless device provisions a user identity module (UIM) card in the mobile wireless device in response to a user command. The processor detects a user command to provision the UIM card and reads a provisioning status of the UIM card from a UIM card provisioning status file in the UIM card. When the provisioning status is “not provisioned”, the processor establishes a bearer independent protocol (BIP) data connection to a server in a wireless network and exchanges provisioning data between the server and the UIM card until the UIM card commands the processor to close the BIP data connection. In representative embodiments, the UIM card provisioning status file includes fields for a UIM card provisioning status, a UIM card software version and a UIM card provisioning date/time, and the processor updates the fields during provisioning.