Wireless Device Subscription Credential Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing subscription credentials in wireless communication devices, particularly for M2M applications, is challenging due to impracticalities in provisioning and re-configuring devices across large geographical areas and changing subscription plans, especially when devices lack user interfaces and have limited functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for wireless communication devices to autonomously revert from long-term to temporary access credentials when network access fails, using temporary access credentials to gain new or updated subscription credentials through temporary network access, allowing devices to detect and change subscription agreements without user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices use long-term subscription credentials for network access, then network connectivity is maintained, but the ability to change subscription plans or operators becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The device stores multiple long-term subscription credentials in advance before they are needed. When a subscription change is required, the device can immediately switch to a pre-stored credential set, avoiding the need for expensive and complex re-provisioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically changes the parameter of active subscription credentials by selecting different stored credential sets based on network conditions and subscription requirements, enabling flexible plan changes without hardware modification.
2Area of stationary object
If M2M devices are deployed in remote locations or factory-installed in equipment, then device coverage area is expanded, but manual reconfiguration becomes impractical or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The M2M device autonomously manages its own subscription credentials by detecting network conditions and automatically switching between pre-stored credential sets without requiring manual intervention, making the device self-reconfigurable regardless of location.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is equipped with multiple subscription credentials that enable it to operate across different networks and geographical areas, making a single device universally applicable to multiple deployment scenarios without requiring physical reconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices hold multiple long-term subscription credentials, then subscription flexibility is improved, but device memory requirements and credential management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device continuously monitors network conditions and subscription status, using this feedback to automatically select the appropriate pre-stored credential set, simplifying management by eliminating the need for manual credential selection or complex provisioning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple subscription credentials are pre-configured in the device during manufacturing or initial setup, eliminating the need for complex field reconfiguration and reducing the operational complexity of credential management.
4Ease of operation
If conventional USIM provisioning is used for M2M devices, then individual consumer convenience is achieved, but scalability for mass device deployment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple subscription credentials are pre-loaded into M2M devices during manufacturing, enabling mass deployment without requiring individual provisioning operations for each device, thus dramatically improving deployment efficiency while maintaining the ability to switch subscriptions when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the teachings presented herein, a wireless communication device (10) reverts from subscription credentials to temporary access credentials, in response to detecting an access failure. The device uses its temporary access credentials to gain temporary network access, either through a preferred network (40), e.g., home network, or through any one of one or more non-preferred networks (46), e.g., visited networks. After gaining temporary access, the device determines whether it needs new subscription credentials and, if so, uses the temporary access to obtain them. Correspondingly, in one or more embodiments, a registration server (54) is configured to support such operations, such as by providing determination of credential validity and/or by redirecting the device to a new home operator for obtaining new subscription credentials.