Access data provisioning apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A method for provisioning electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs) to wireless devices, the method comprising, at an eSIM provisioning server:
- receiving, from a wireless device manufacturer, a plurality of unique identifiers, wherein each unique identifier is pre-associated with a respective wireless device of a plurality of wireless devices;
assigning each unique identifier of the plurality of unique identifiers to a respective eSIM included in a plurality of eSIMs that are not assigned to wireless devices;
receiving, from a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices, a request to activate the wireless device, wherein the request includes the unique identifier that is pre-associated with the wireless device; and
providing, to the wireless device, an authorization that causes the wireless device to utilize the respective eSIM assigned to the unique identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for activating a purchased or previously deployed device by a subscriber. In one embodiment, activation includes authenticating the device to a service provider or carrier, and providing the device with data necessary for enabling the service to the device. In one variant, a user device is activated at a retail store, with the assistance of a carrier representative. In another variant, user equipment is activated via a communications network without the assistance of a representative. In yet another variant, the user equipment is activated via the Internet without the assistance of a representative. The provision of access data includes pre-assigning eSIM from a population of unassigned eSIMs to certain devices for various carrier networks. Alternatively, the eSIM may be assigned on an as-needed basis. Unassigned and/or unused eSIMs can be released (or sold back to the vendor) and/or reused. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.
33 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for provisioning electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs) to wireless devices, the method comprising, at an eSIM provisioning server:
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receiving, from a wireless device manufacturer, a plurality of unique identifiers, wherein each unique identifier is pre-associated with a respective wireless device of a plurality of wireless devices; assigning each unique identifier of the plurality of unique identifiers to a respective eSIM included in a plurality of eSIMs that are not assigned to wireless devices; receiving, from a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices, a request to activate the wireless device, wherein the request includes the unique identifier that is pre-associated with the wireless device; and providing, to the wireless device, an authorization that causes the wireless device to utilize the respective eSIM assigned to the unique identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) provisioning server configured to provision eSIMs to wireless devices, the eSIM provisioning server comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the eSIM provisioning server to; receive, from a wireless device manufacturer, a plurality of unique identifiers, wherein each unique identifier is pre-associated with a respective wireless device of a plurality of wireless devices; assign each unique identifier of the plurality of unique identifiers to a respective eSIM included in a plurality of eSIMs that are not assigned to wireless devices; receive, from a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices, a request to activate the wireless device, wherein the request includes the unique identifier that is pre-associated with the wireless device; and provide, to the wireless device, an authorization that causes the wireless device to utilize the respective eSIM assigned to the unique identifier. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for provisioning electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs) to wireless devices, the method comprising, at a wireless device:
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receiving a pre-assignment of a unique identifier, wherein; the unique identifier is correspondingly assigned to an eSIM that is selected from a plurality of eSIMs that are not assigned to wireless devices, and the plurality of eSIMs are managed by an eSIM provisioning server configured to interface with a plurality of wireless devices that includes the wireless device; receiving a first request to activate the wireless device; providing, to an eSIM provisioning server, a second request to utilize the eSIM, wherein the second request includes the unique identifier; and in response to receiving an authorization from the eSIM provisioning server; utilizing the eSIM to access wireless services provided by a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) associated with the eSIM. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A wireless device, comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the wireless device to; receive a pre-assignment of a unique identifier, wherein; the unique identifier is correspondingly assigned to an eSIM that is selected from a plurality of eSIMs that are not assigned to wireless devices, and the plurality of eSIMs are managed by an eSIM provisioning server configured to interface with a plurality of wireless devices that includes the wireless device; receive a first request to activate the wireless device; provide, to an eSIM provisioning server, a second request to utilize the eSIM, wherein the second request includes the unique identifier; and in response to receiving an authorization from the eSIM provisioning server; utilize the eSIM to access wireless services provided by a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) associated with the eSIM. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification