CN112261642B

CN112261642B - Method for transferring subscription and electronic device for supporting the same

Info

Publication number: CN112261642B
Application number: CN202010635980.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李相晖; 郑知恩; 朴知民; 潘亨镇; 徐载弦; 尹睿振; 黄善民
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-03
Filing date: 2020-07-03
Publication date: 2024-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-03
Also published as: KR20210004809A; CN112261642A

Abstract

A method according to an embodiment, comprising: establishing a short-range communication connection between the electronic device and an external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit configured to support a first communication protocol; obtaining subscription information for a first profile stored in a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of an external electronic device from the external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit; transmitting at least a portion of the subscription information through a second wireless communication circuit configured to support a second communication protocol; acquiring authentication information provided by a first server from an external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit; transmitting authentication information to the first server through the second wireless communication circuit; acquiring, by the second wireless communication circuit, a second profile corresponding to the first profile from a second server associated with the first server based on sending the authentication information to the first server; and storing the second profile to a second SIM of the electronic device.

Description

Method for transferring subscription and electronic device for supporting the same

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a method for transferring subscriptions and an electronic device supporting the method.

Background

The electronic device may perform wireless communication using a network provided by a communication carrier. The electronic device may use the profile stored in the electronic device to authenticate with a server provided by the communication carrier, thereby using a network provided by the communication carrier.

A Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) is a smart card used by being inserted into a mobile communication terminal. The UICC may store personal information of a mobile communication subscriber and perform subscriber authentication and service security key generation when accessing a mobile communication network, thereby enabling secure use of mobile communication.

When manufacturing a card, the UICC is manufactured as a dedicated card for a corresponding operator at the request of a specific mobile communication operator, and authentication information for network access of the corresponding operator, such as Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) application and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), may be preloaded at the time of shipment.

Recently, embedded UICCs (euiccs) have been developed that can be embedded in an electronic device (e.g., a motherboard of the electronic device) and can be installed by remotely downloading a profile. The eUICC is small in size (or can be miniaturized) as compared to a detachable physical UICC that can be inserted into or detached from an electronic device, and can store multiple profiles.

Conventionally, a user transfers and inserts a physical UICC (which is inserted into an existing electronic device) into a new electronic device, thereby transferring a subscriber to the new electronic device while maintaining authentication information, mobile communication telephone numbers, and personal phonebooks stored in the UICC.

However, when a subscription is intended to be transferred from a conventionally used UICC to a new electronic device that includes an eUICC, if the new electronic device does not include a structure for inserting a physical UICC (e.g., a slot for inserting a UICC), it may be difficult to transfer the subscription in a manner that the physical UICC inserted into the existing electronic device is transferred and the new electronic device is inserted.

Further, a method for transferring a subscription from an existing electronic device comprising an eUICC to a new electronic device comprising an eUICC may be required.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for transferring subscriptions capable of transferring subscriptions without transferring a physical UICC from an existing terminal to a new electronic device, and an electronic device supporting the method.

An electronic device according to an example embodiment may include: the wireless communication device includes a first wireless communication circuit configured to support a first communication protocol, a second wireless communication circuit configured to support a second communication protocol, at least one processor operatively coupled with the first wireless communication circuit and the second wireless communication circuit, and a memory operatively coupled with the at least one processor. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the electronic device to: the method includes establishing a short-range communication connection between the electronic device and an external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit, obtaining subscription information for a first profile stored in a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of the external electronic device from the external electronic device through the first wireless communication circuit, transmitting at least a portion of the subscription information to a first server through a second wireless communication circuit, obtaining authentication information provided by the first server from the external electronic device through the first wireless communication circuit, transmitting the authentication information to the first server through the second wireless communication circuit, obtaining a second profile corresponding to the first profile from a second server associated with the first server through the second wireless communication circuit based on transmitting the authentication information to the first server, and storing the second profile to a second SIM card of the electronic device.

A method according to an example embodiment may include: the method includes establishing a short-range communication connection between the electronic device and the external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit configured to support a first communication protocol, obtaining subscription information for a first profile stored in a first SIM of the external electronic device from the external electronic device through the first wireless communication circuit, transmitting at least a portion of the subscription information to a first server through a second wireless communication circuit configured to support a second communication protocol, obtaining authentication information provided by the first server from the external electronic device through the first wireless communication circuit, transmitting the authentication information to the first server through the second wireless communication circuit, obtaining a second profile corresponding to the first profile from a second server associated with the first server through the second wireless communication circuit based on transmitting the authentication information to the first server, and storing the second profile to a second SIM card of the electronic device.

An electronic device according to an example embodiment may include a communication circuit, at least one processor operatively coupled with the communication circuit, and a memory operatively coupled with the at least one processor. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the electronic device to: the method includes confirming that a physical first SIM is inserted into the electronic device, authenticating the first server and a user of the electronic device through the communication server based on performing authentication of the user using a first profile of the first SIM, retrieving, through the communication circuit, a second profile corresponding to the first profile from a second server associated with the communication circuit, and storing the second profile in a second SIM card of the electronic device.

Drawings

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device in a network environment, according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example processor, a communication processor, an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM), and a physical SIM (pSIM) included in an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example system for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17A is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17C is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17D is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20C is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment; and

fig. 20D is a diagram illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100 according to various embodiments. Referring to fig. 1, an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100 may communicate with an electronic device 102 via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network) or with an electronic device 104 or server 108 via a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicate with the electronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include a processor 120, a memory 130, an input device 150, a sound output device 155, a display device 160, an audio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module 190, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., display device 160 or camera module 180) may be omitted from electronic device 101, or one or more other components may be added to electronic device 101. In some embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as a single integrated circuit. For example, the sensor module 176 (e.g., fingerprint sensor, iris sensor, or illuminance sensor) may be implemented embedded in the display device 160 (e.g., display).

The processor 120 may run, for example, software (e.g., program 140) to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware component or software component) of the electronic device 101 that is connected to the processor 120, and may perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or calculation, the processor 120 may load commands or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communication module 190) into the volatile memory 132, process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory 132, and store the resulting data in the non-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120 may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or an Application Processor (AP)) and an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Image Signal Processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor or a Communication Processor (CP)) that is operatively independent or combined with the main processor 121. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor 123 may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or to be specifically adapted for a specified function. The auxiliary processor 123 may be implemented separately from the main processor 121 or as part of the main processor 121.

The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one of the components of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the display device 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) when the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or the auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one of the components of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the display device 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) with the main processor 121 when the main processor 121 is in an active state (e.g., running an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module 180 or the communication module 190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176). The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., program 140) and input data or output data for commands associated therewith. Memory 130 may include volatile memory 132 or nonvolatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored as software in the memory 130, and the program 140 may include, for example, an Operating System (OS) 142, middleware 144, or applications 146.

The input device 150 may receive commands or data from outside the electronic device 101 (e.g., a user) to be used by other components of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 120). The input device 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus).

The sound output device 155 may output a sound signal to the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output device 155 may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. Speakers may be used for general purposes such as playing multimedia or playing a album and receivers may be used for incoming calls. Depending on the embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separate from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

Display device 160 may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., user) of electronic device 101. The display device 160 may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector, and a control circuit for controlling a corresponding one of the display, the holographic device, and the projector. According to an embodiment, the display device 160 may include touch circuitry adapted to detect touches or sensor circuitry (e.g., pressure sensors) adapted to measure the strength of forces caused by touches.

The audio module 170 may convert sound into electrical signals and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtain sound via the input device 150, or output sound via the sound output device 155 or headphones of an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102) that is directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly connected to the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101 and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an Infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

Interface 177 may support one or more specific protocols that will be used to connect electronic device 101 with an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, interface 177 may include, for example, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Secure Digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

The connection end 178 may include a connector via which the electronic device 101 may be physically connected with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to an embodiment, the connection end 178 may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 may convert the electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration or motion) or an electrical stimulus that may be recognized by the user via his sense of touch or kinesthetic sense. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrostimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture still images or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, an image signal processor, or a flash.

The power management module 188 may manage power supply to the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the power management module 188 may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC).

Battery 189 may power at least one component of electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, battery 189 may include, for example, a primary non-rechargeable battery, a rechargeable battery, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module 190 may include one or more communication processors capable of operating independently of the processor 120 (e.g., an Application Processor (AP)) and supporting direct (e.g., wired) or wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 may include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN) communication module or a Power Line Communication (PLC) module). A respective one of these communication modules may communicate with external electronic devices via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network such as bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a cellular network, the internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or Wide Area Network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multiple components (e.g., multiple chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module 192 may identify and authenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, using user information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) stored in the user identification module 196.

The antenna module 197 may transmit signals or power to the outside of the electronic device 101 (e.g., an external electronic device) or receive signals or power from the outside of the electronic device 101 (e.g., an external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include a plurality of antennas. In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module 190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192). Signals or power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, further components (e.g., a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC)) other than radiating elements may additionally be formed as part of the antenna module 197.

At least some of the above components may be interconnected via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., bus, general Purpose Input Output (GPIO), serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), or Mobile Industrial Processor Interface (MIPI)) and communicatively communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween.

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be sent or received between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 104 via the server 108 connected to the second network 199. Each of the electronic device 102 and the electronic device 104 may be the same type of device as the electronic device 101 or a different type of device from the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, all or some of the operations to be performed at the electronic device 101 may be performed at one or more of the external electronic device 102, the external electronic device 104, or the server 108. For example, if the electronic device 101 should automatically perform a function or service or should perform a function or service in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101 may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or service instead of or in addition to the function or service, or the electronic device 101 may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or service. The one or more external electronic devices that received the request may perform the requested at least part of the function or service or perform another function or another service related to the request and transmit the result of the performing to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 may provide the result as at least a partial reply to the request with or without further processing of the result. For this purpose, cloud computing technology, distributed computing technology, or client-server computing technology, for example, may be used.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a household appliance. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to those described above.

It should be understood that the various embodiments of the disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to the particular embodiments, but rather include various modifications, equivalents or alternatives to the respective embodiments. For the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to refer to like or related elements. It will be understood that a noun in the singular corresponding to a term may include one or more things unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of the phrases such as "a or B", "at least one of a and B", "at least one of a or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B or C" may include any or all possible combinations of items listed with a corresponding one of the plurality of phrases. As used herein, terms such as "1 st" and "2 nd" or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish one element from another element and not to limit the element in other respects (e.g., importance or order). It will be understood that if the terms "operatively" or "communicatively" are used or the terms "operatively" or "communicatively" are not used, then if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being "coupled to," "connected to," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it is intended that the element can be directly (e.g., wired) connected to, wireless connected to, or connected to the other element via a third element.

As used herein, the term "module" may include units implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with other terms (e.g., "logic," "logic block," "portion" or "circuitry"). A module may be a single integrated component adapted to perform one or more functions or a minimal unit or portion of the single integrated component. For example, according to an embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

The various embodiments set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., program 140) comprising one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory 138) readable by a machine (e.g., electronic device 101). For example, under control of a processor, a processor (e.g., processor 120) of the machine (e.g., electronic device 101) may invoke and execute at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium with or without the use of one or more other components. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function in accordance with the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code capable of being executed by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein the term "non-transitory storage medium" is a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), but the term does not distinguish between data being semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and data being temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer that temporarily stores data.

According to embodiments, methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be used as a product for conducting transactions between sellers and buyers. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), or may be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store, such as a playstore (tm), or may be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) directly between two user devices, such as smartphones. If published online, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., the downloadable application) may be temporarily generated, or at least a portion of the computer program product may be stored at least temporarily in a machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a forwarding server.

According to various embodiments, each of the above-described components (e.g., a module or program) may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform the one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as the corresponding one of the plurality of components performed the one or more functions prior to integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, a program, or another component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic manner, or one or more of the operations may be performed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating an example processor, a communication processor, an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM), and a physical SIM (pSIM) included in an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 101 of fig. 1) according to an embodiment may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 210 (e.g., processor 120 of fig. 1), a communication processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 220 (e.g., communication module 190 of fig. 1), and an eSIM 230 (e.g., SIM 196 of fig. 1). pSIM 240 (SIM 196 of fig. 1) may be inserted into electronic device 101. Although the eSIM 230 is illustrated in fig. 2 as being included in the electronic device 101 by way of example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the eSIM 230 can be implemented such that it can be inserted into the electronic device 101 and separated from the electronic device 101 (e.g., a structure (or medium) in which the eSIM 230 is embedded can be inserted into the electronic device 101 or separated from the electronic device 101).

In an embodiment, the eSIM 230 can be embedded in the electronic device 101 and can store a first profile related to a first communication service.

In an embodiment, pSIM 240 may store a second profile associated with a second communication service as an insertable or detachable SIM or SIM card. In an embodiment, the structure associated with pSIM 240 may be omitted. For example, the electronic device 101 may not include a slot for receiving the pSIM 240, and the electronic device 101 may include only the eSIM 230. In an embodiment, if the electronic device 101 does not include a slot for housing pSIM 240, the electronic device 101 may not include the second protocol stack 225 and/or the task 217 associated with pSIM.

In an embodiment, the communication processor 220 may include various processing circuitry and control pSIM 240 and eSIM 230. The communication processor 230 may use the second profile included in pSIM 240 to authenticate with a server managed by an operator providing the second communication service. Based on the authentication result regarding the second communication service, the communication processor 220 may perform data transmission or reception using the second communication service. The communication processor 220 can use the first profile stored in the eSIM 230 to authenticate with a server managed by an operator providing the first communication service. Based on the authentication result regarding the first communication service, the communication processor 220 may perform data transmission or reception using the first communication service.

In an embodiment, the communication processor 220 can include a SIM interface 221 for sending and/or receiving data relative to pSIM 240 or eSIM 230. The communication processor 220 may support data communication between the processor 210 and pSIM 240 or between the processor 210 and eSIM 230 through a SIM interface 221.

In an embodiment, the first protocol stack 223 and the second protocol stack 225 may be implemented on the communication processor 220. The first protocol stack 223 and the second protocol stack 225 can include a set of protocols related to operation of the eSIM 230 or pSIM 240. The first protocol stack 223 can include a task for confirming whether the eSIM 230 is present or a task for sending a polling signal to the eSIM 230 for a preset period of time. The second protocol stack 225 may include a task for confirming whether pSIM 240 exists or a task for transmitting a polling signal to pSIM 240 for a preset period of time. The communication processor 220 may support a plurality of protocol stacks including a first protocol stack 223 and a second protocol stack 225. One protocol stack may support at least one wireless communication technology among various communication schemes (e.g., GSM, UMTS, LTE, CDMA and 5G).

In an embodiment, the interface 221, the first protocol stack 223, or the second protocol stack 225 may be implemented in software on the communication processor 220.

In an embodiment, the Local User Interface (LUI) 211, the local profile assistant (LPAd) 213 in the device, and the framework 215 may be implemented in software on the processor 210.

In an embodiment, the LUI 211 may provide a user interface related to the configuration of the first communication service or management of the first profile that may be supported by the eSIM 230.

According to an embodiment, the LPAd 213 can include an application for performing management of at least one profile that can be stored in the eSIM 230. The LPAd 213 can perform management of the first profile (e.g., various management including installing, activating, deactivating, and modifying the first profile, deleting the first profile, updating the first profile).

In an embodiment, a framework (e.g., a telephony framework) 215 (e.g., middleware 144 of fig. 1) may provide various functions to applications such that the functions provided from one or more resources of electronic device 101 may be used by the applications. The framework 215 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a telephone framework capable of supporting a first communication service or a second communication service.

In an embodiment, the frame 215 may include: an eSIM related task 216 to support functions of a first communication service corresponding to the eSIM 230; and pSIM-related tasks 217 running on framework 215 to support the functionality of the second communication service corresponding to pSIM 240.

In an example embodiment, the instructions, when executed, may cause the at least one processor to control the electronic device to: the method includes requesting the external electronic device to provide subscription information in response to establishing a short-range communication connection between the electronic device and the external electronic device, and obtaining the subscription information from the external electronic device through the first wireless communication circuit in response to requesting the external electronic device to provide the subscription information.

In an example embodiment, the subscription information may include at least one of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the first SIM and a mobile station international subscriber directory number (mistn).

In an example embodiment, the authentication information may include a one-time password (OTP) generated in the first server.

In an example embodiment, the instructions, when executed, may cause the processor to control the electronic device to: the method includes transmitting, to a first server via a second wireless communication circuit, a port number of a port of an external electronic device for receiving an Identifier (ID) of the electronic device and authentication information, and at least a portion of subscription information.

In an example embodiment, the second SIM may include an embedded SIM (eSIM). The eSIM can be embedded in an electronic device or can be implemented in a detachable manner.

In an example embodiment, the MSISDN included in the second profile may be the same as the MSISDN of the first SIM.

In an example embodiment, the electronic device 101 may further include a processor coupled to the second SIM. Based on the second profile being activated, the communication processor may be configured to perform communication using the activated second profile.

In an example embodiment, the instructions, when executed, may cause the processor to control the electronic device to send, via the second wireless communication circuit, a list of profiles stored in the second SIM including the second profile to the first server based on storing the second profile in the second SIM of the electronic device.

An electronic device according to an example embodiment may include: the apparatus includes a communication circuit, at least one processor operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to control the electronic device to: the method includes confirming that a physical first SIM is inserted into the electronic device, authenticating the first server and a user of the electronic device through the communication server based on performing authentication of the user using a first profile of the first SIM, retrieving a second profile corresponding to the first profile from a second server associated with the first server through the communication circuit, and storing the second profile in a second SIM card of the electronic device.

In an example embodiment, the second SIM may comprise an eSIM. The eSIM can be embedded in an electronic device or can be implemented in a detachable manner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating an example system for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 3, in an embodiment, a system for transferring subscriptions may include an electronic device 101, an external electronic device 103, a first server 108-1, and a second server 108-2.

In an embodiment, a "Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC)" which may refer to a smart card used by being inserted into the electronic device 101 (or the external electronic device 103), for example, to enable use of secure mobile communication by performing subscriber authentication and traffic security key generation when accessing a mobile communication network such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, may include a chip for storing personal information such as network access authentication information, a phonebook, or SMS of a mobile communication subscriber. Depending on the type of mobile communication network that the subscriber can access, the UICC may be equipped with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), universal SIM (USIM), or IP multimedia SIM (ISIM) communication application, and may provide advanced security functions to load various applications such as e-wallet, ticketing, electronic passwords, and the like.

In an embodiment, the UICC may include a detachable physical UICC (e.g., pSIM 240 of fig. 2) and/or an eUICC (e.g., eSIM 230 of fig. 2) that may be inserted into the electronic device 101 or that may be detached from the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, an embedded UICC (eUICC) may include a built-in chip type security module included in the electronic device 101, rather than a detachable type that may be inserted into the electronic device 101 or detachable from the electronic device 101. The eUICC can be installed by downloading the profile, for example, through over-the-air (OTA) technology. The eUICC can be applied as a UICC that can be installed by downloading a profile.

In an embodiment, the method of installing the eUICC by downloading a profile via OTA technology may also be applied to a detachable UICC that can be inserted into or detached from a terminal. For example, the eUICC may be applied not only to euiccs fixed (or installed) to the electronic device 101, but also to euiccs that may be installed and not fixed to the electronic device 101 (or mobile) by downloading profiles via OTA technology.

In an embodiment, the UICC may comprise a soft SIM, which may be installed by downloading the profile into the memory of the electronic device 101 via OTA technology.

Hereinafter, the UICC may be used with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), and the eUICC may be used with an embedded SIM (eSIM).

In an embodiment, the profile may include access information used by the electronic device 101 or the external electronic device 103 to access a server of the communication carrier (e.g., the first server 108-1), for example. In an embodiment, the profile may include at least one of, for example, but not limited to, an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), a value that needs to be used when authenticating using a network provided by a server of a communications carrier (e.g., a particular authentication key value), an authentication token (or access token), and the like. However, the information included in the profile is not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

In an embodiment, the subscription transfer may include a transfer of a subscription of a user (or subscriber) that owns an existing electronic device (or an electronic device currently used by a user of the electronic device 101) (e.g., the external electronic device 103) and a new electronic device (or an electronic device to be used by a user of the electronic device 101) (e.g., the electronic device 101) and that has registered with the same (or one) communication carrier (or communication service of the communication user) from the existing electronic device to the new electronic device. For example, when a subscription is transferred from an existing electronic device to a new electronic device, portions of the profile of the new electronic device (or the profile to be installed in the new electronic device), such as the communications carrier identity information (mobile country/region code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC)) and MSISDN (or telephone number), may be identical to portions of the profile of the existing electronic device (or the profile installed in the existing electronic device). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, as the above-mentioned existing electronic device (or an electronic device currently used by a user of the electronic device 101), the external electronic device 103 (e.g., the electronic devices 102 and 104 of fig. 1) may assist (or mediate) the operation of user authentication performed by the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may include a SIM storing a profile corresponding to a user of the external electronic device 103. For example, the external electronic device 103 may include a SIM that can identify a profile of a user of the external electronic device 103 with respect to a communication carrier (or a server provided by the communication carrier). In an embodiment, the user of the external electronic device 103 and the user of the electronic device 101 may be the same (or one) user. For example, the user of the external electronic device 103 and the user of the electronic device 101 may be the same user (or subscriber) who has registered with (or has authorization to use) a communication service provided by the same (or one) communication carrier. In an embodiment, the SIM included in the external electronic device 103 may be a physical SIM or an eSIM. Hereinafter, the SIM included in the external electronic device 103 may be referred to as a "first SIM", and the profile stored in the first SIM may be referred to as a "first profile".

In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may be communicatively connected with the electronic device 101 through, for example, a short-range wireless communication scheme. For example, the external electronic device 103 may be communicatively connected to the electronic device 101 by, for example, but not limited to, bluetooth, near Field Communication (NFC), or Wi-Fi Direct. However, the short-range wireless communication scheme used when the external electronic device 103 is communicatively connected with the electronic device 101 is not limited to the above-mentioned example. Further, the scheme of communication connection of the external electronic device 103 with the electronic device 101 is not limited to the short-range wireless communication scheme.

An embodiment of operations in which the external electronic device 103 assists the operation of user authentication performed by the electronic device 101 will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 4, 5, 6A, and 6B.

In an embodiment, as the above-mentioned new electronic device, the electronic device 101 may perform a user authentication operation with respect to a server provided by a communication carrier, and then may download a profile from the server provided by the communication carrier. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include a SIM for storing a profile to be downloaded from (or a server provided by) a communication carrier. For example, the electronic device 101 may include a SIM for downloading (or storing) a profile capable of identifying a user of the electronic device 101 with respect to a communications carrier. The SIM included in the electronic device 101 can be an eSIM (e.g., eSIM 230). However, without limitation, the electronic device 101 may house a physical SIM (e.g., eSIM 240) through a slot other than an eSIM. Hereinafter, the SIM included in the electronic device 101 may be referred to as a "second SIM", and the profile to be downloaded to the second SIM may be referred to as a "second profile".

An embodiment of an operation in which the electronic apparatus 101 performs a user authentication operation with respect to a server provided by a communication carrier and then downloads a profile from the server provided by the communication carrier will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9A, 9B, 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 13, 14A, and 14B (hereinafter may be referred to as fig. 4 to 14B or fig. 4 to 14B).

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may include a management server and an authentication server.

In an embodiment, the management server may be a server that manages the status of subscriptions, communication services, and profiles. For example, the management server may include an authorization server that controls operations for transferring subscriptions from the external electronic device 103 to the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the authentication server may be a server for authenticating a user of the electronic device 101. For example, the authentication server may comprise an Authentication Authorization Accounting (AAA) server or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may also include a web server. For example, the management server may control the web server such that the electronic device 101 displays web pages related to subscription transfers.

In the embodiment, although the first server 108-1 is illustrated in the above-mentioned example as including the management server, the authentication server, and the web server by way of example, it is not limited thereto, and the management server, the authentication server, and the web server may be separate servers configured independently or may be a combination of one or more servers.

In an embodiment, the second server 108-2 may be a server that manages (or generates) a profile and provides the profile to the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the second server 108-2 may be represented as a subscription manager data preparation (SM-DP), a subscription management data preparation Plus (SM-dp+), an off-card entity of a profile domain, a profile encryption server, a profile generation server, a profile preconfigurer (or profile provider), or a Profile Provisioning Credential (PPC) holder.

Hereinafter, an example embodiment of a method for transferring subscriptions will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 4 to 14B.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart 400 illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

Operations 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, and 421 (may be referred to as operations 401 to 421 hereinafter) according to an embodiment may be performed in the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 120) of fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 4, in operation 401, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection with an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3).

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection with the external electronic device 103 through a first wireless communication circuit (e.g., a short-range wireless communication circuit). For example, the processor 210 may control the first wireless communication circuit (e.g., the communication module 190) such that the electronic apparatus 101 and the external electronic apparatus 103 are connected by a device-to-device (D2D) communication connection (e.g., bluetooth, near Field Communication (NFC), or Wi-Fi Direct) communication connection. However, the short-range wireless communication scheme is not limited to the above-mentioned example. For example, the processor 210 may allow the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 to be communicatively connected in a wired communication.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection with the external electronic device 103 in response to receiving an input from the user for subscription transfer. For example, the processor 210 may display a configuration screen for transferring subscriptions via a display (e.g., the display device 160 of fig. 1). After receiving input from the user for selecting an object (or icon) for transferring the subscription, the processor 210 may display a list of external electronic devices 103 capable of establishing a short-range communication connection through a display (e.g., display device 160). The processor 210 may control the first wireless communication circuit in response to an input for selecting at least one external electronic device 103 from the list of external electronic devices 103 such that the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 are connected (or paired) in short-range communication.

Although the processor 210 is shown in the embodiment of operation 401 using a short-range communication scheme such that the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 are communicatively connected by way of example, it is not limited thereto and various communication schemes may be applied.

In operation 403, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain subscription information for (or stored (or installed) in) a first profile of a first SIM of the external electronic device 103 from the external electronic device 103 through the first wireless communication circuit.

In an embodiment, the subscription information of the first profile may include at least one of an IMSI and an MSISDN (or telephone number) corresponding to a user of the external electronic device 103. However, the information included in the subscription information of the first profile is not limited to at least one of the IMSI and the MSISDN. In an embodiment, the telephone number (or MSISDN) of the external electronic device 103 may be stored in a memory (or a specified area of memory) of the external electronic device 103 and may alternatively or additionally be used as part of the subscription information of the first profile.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain subscription information for the first profile from the external electronic device 103 via the first wireless communication circuit in response to the short-range communication connection between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103. For example, in response to a short-range communication connection between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103, the processor 210 may request, via the first wireless communication circuit, the external electronic device 103 to provide subscription information for the first profile. In response to requesting the subscription information for the first profile, the processor 210 may obtain the subscription information for the first profile from the external electronic device 103 through the first wireless communication circuit.

In an embodiment, the first SIM may be a physical SIM inserted into the external electronic device 103, or may be an eSIM or a soft SIM embedded in the external electronic device 103.

In operation 405, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send at least a portion of the obtained subscription information (e.g., at least one of the MSISDN and the IMSI) of the first profile to a first server (e.g., the first server 108-1 of fig. 3) via a second wireless communication circuit (e.g., the communication module 190).

In an embodiment, the second wireless communication circuit may be a communication circuit supporting a communication scheme (e.g., wi-Fi) capable of connecting the electronic device 101 and the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, the second wireless communication circuit may be a communication circuit supporting a different communication scheme than the first wireless communication circuit. For example, the first wireless communication circuit may be a bluetooth enabled communication circuit and the second wireless communication circuit may be a Wi-Fi enabled communication circuit. However, without being limited thereto, the second wireless communication circuit may be a communication circuit supporting the same communication scheme as the first wireless communication circuit. For example, the first wireless communication circuit and the second wireless communication circuit may be Wi-Fi enabled communication circuits. In an embodiment, when the first wireless communication circuit and the second wireless communication circuit are implemented as communication circuits supporting the same communication scheme, the first wireless communication circuit and the second wireless communication circuit may be included in the same (or one) chipset or may be included as one integrated circuit.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may identify the communication carrier (or the communication carrier related to the first profile) based on the MCC and MNC of the IMSI included in the subscription information of the first profile. The processor 210 may send at least a portion of the subscription information (e.g., at least one of an MSISDN and an IMSI) of the first profile to the first server 108-1 provided by the communications carrier via the second wireless communications circuitry.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., an ID of the electronic device 101) to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile. For example, in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile, the processor 210 may also send an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit. However, the unique information sent to the electronic device 101 of the first server 108-1 is not limited to the IMEI. Thus, the unique information of the electronic device 101 transmitted to the first server 108-1 may include at least one of a protocol version, a vendor of the electronic device 101, a model name, and a software version, in addition to the IMEI.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may send a port number of a port of the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1 over the second wireless communication circuit for receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1 in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may send the unique information of the electronic device 101 and the port number of the port of the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit for receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1 in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile.

In operation 407, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain authentication information provided by the first server 108-1 from the external electronic device 103 through the first wireless communication circuit.

In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may generate a one-time password (OTP) as authentication information. However, the authentication information that may be generated by the first server 108-1 is not limited to OTP. The first server 108-1 may send authentication information to the external electronic device 103 using at least a portion of the subscription information (e.g., at least one of MSISDN and IMSI) of the first profile. For example, the first server 108-1 may use the MSISDN or IMSI of the external electronic device 103 to confirm (or identify) the user of the electronic device 101 (or the user of the external electronic device 103). After confirming (or identifying) the user of the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may send authentication information to the external electronic device 103 corresponding to the MSISDN or IMSI of the external electronic device 103. In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives the port number of the port of the external electronic device 103 for receiving the authentication information from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may transmit the authentication information to the port of the external electronic device 103 corresponding to the received port number. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a message including authentication information to the external electronic device 103. For example, the first server 108-1 may send a Short Message Service (SMS) message including authentication information to the external electronic device 103. However, the scheme in which the first server 108-1 transmits authentication information to the external electronic device 103 is not limited to the scheme based on SMS message transmission. In an embodiment, after receiving the authentication information from the first server 108-1, the external electronic device 103 may send the authentication information to the electronic device 101 using a short-range communication scheme. In an embodiment, after receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1 through a port corresponding to the designated port number, the external electronic device 103 may transmit the received authentication information to the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, instead of receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1 through a port corresponding to a specified port number, the external electronic device 103 may transmit the received authentication information to the electronic device 101 after receiving authentication information (or a message including the authentication information) having a specified format from the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, an embodiment for operation between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 in operations 401, 403, and 407 may be performed according to a specified protocol (or policy or rule).

In operation 409, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may transmit authentication information acquired from the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit.

In an embodiment, although not shown in fig. 4, when the processor 210 transmits authentication information to the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the authentication information received from the electronic device 101 is identical to the authentication information transmitted to the external electronic device 103. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the authentication information received from the electronic device 101 is identical to the authentication information sent to the external electronic device 103, the processor 210 may receive a response indicating that authentication is complete (or successful) from the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit. For example, the processor 210 may receive a response from the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit that includes a token (or access token) required by the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1.

In operation 411, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may transmit unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit in order to confirm authorization of the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use a communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108-1). For example, the processor 210 may send the IMEI of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit. For another example, the processor 210 may send at least one of a protocol version, a vendor of the electronic device 101, a model name, and a software version to the first server 108-1 over the second wireless communication circuit in addition to the IMEI of the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives the unique information of the electronic device 101 from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the received unique information of the electronic device 101 (or the unique information of the electronic device 101 and the user information). In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send the electronic device 101 an authorization indicating that the electronic device 101 has information to access the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, or may send a web page URL so that the electronic device 101 displays a web page of the first server 108-1 (e.g., a default web page of the first server 108-1).

In operation 413, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription through the second wireless communication circuit. For example, in response to receiving information from the first server 108-1 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the processor 210 may send information requesting the first server 108-1 to transfer information via the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 415, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may receive information from the first server 180-1 via the second wireless communication circuit to confirm the subscription transfer. For example, the processor 210 may receive, from the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit, a URL of a web page capable of allowing the electronic device 101 to display at least one of information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the external electronic device 103 (e.g., IMEI of the external electronic device 103), information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., IMEI of the electronic device 101), and MSISDN of the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may access the URL of the received web page to display, via a display (e.g., display device 160), at least one of information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the external electronic device 103, information of the electronic device 101, and subscription information of the first profile (e.g., MSISDN). However, the information displayed by the URL of the received web page is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In operation 417, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send information indicating an acknowledgement of the subscription transfer to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit. For example, the processor 210 may receive user input for confirming the subscription transfer (or for agreeing to the subscription transfer) while displaying at least one of information indicating that the subscription transfer will occur, information of the external electronic device 103, information of the electronic device 101, and subscription information of the first profile (e.g., MSISDN).

In an embodiment, in response to receiving the user input to approve the subscription transfer, the processor 210 may send information to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit indicating that the user confirms the subscription transfer.

Although not shown in fig. 4, when the user of the electronic apparatus 101 performs a process for agreeing to subscription transfer at the point of sale of the communication carrier (for example, when information indicating agreement about subscription transfer is transmitted to the first server 108-1 using an apparatus installed at the point of sale of the communication carrier), the embodiments of operations 415 and 417 may be omitted.

In operation 419, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain (or download) a second profile from the second server 108-2 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In an embodiment, the MSISDN of the second profile may be identical to the MSISDN of the first profile of the first SIM. In an embodiment, the IMSI included in the second profile may be identical to or different from the IMSI of the first profile. For example, the IMSI included in the second profile may be identical to or different from the IMSI of the first profile, depending on the policy of the communications carrier.

Although not shown in fig. 4, when the first server 108-1 receives information from the electronic device 101 indicating confirmation of subscription transfer, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) a second profile. In response to receiving a request from the first server 108-1 to generate the second profile, the second server 108-2 may generate the second profile. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 and the second server 108-2 may perform communications according to the Global System for Mobile communications (GSMA) standard. For example, the first server 108-1 and the second server 108-2 may perform communications directly according to the GSMA standard. However, without being limited thereto, the first server 108-1 and the second server 108-2 may perform communication through a server of another communication carrier. Further, the first server 108-1 and the second server 108-2 may perform communication using a communication scheme that does not conform to the GSMA standard.

In an embodiment, when the second server 108-2 completes the generation of the second profile, the first server 108-1 may send information allowing the electronic device 101 to display information indicating that the second server 108-2 completes the generation of the second profile. For example, when the second server 108-2 completes the generation of the second profile, the first server 108-1 may allow the electronic device 101 to display information indicating that the second server 108-2 completes the generation of the second profile through a web page, or may send information indicating that the second server 108-2 completes the generation of the second profile to the electronic device 101 using a push scheme. In an embodiment, when it is identified in operation 411 that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may pre-register (or pre-generate) information indicating that the second server 108-2 has completed the generation of the second profile, which information is to be sent to the electronic device 101 using a push scheme.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain the second profile from the second server 108-2 based on a global system for mobile communications (GSMA) sgp.22 standard.

In operation 421, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may store the second profile in the first SIM (e.g., eSIM 230) through the communication processor 220.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may install a second profile stored in a second SIM. In an embodiment, the second SIM may be an eSIM (e.g., eSIM 230) or a soft SIM. In an embodiment, as the second SIM, the eSIM may be an eSIM fixed (or installed) to the electronic device 101 or an eSIM not fixed to the electronic device 101 (or detachable (or movable) from the electronic device 101).

Although not shown in fig. 4, in an embodiment, when the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM, the processor 210 may transmit the profile list stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit by including the second profile. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may send information indicating that the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to receiving a list of profiles including the second profile or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM from the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may enable (or activate) a second profile of a second SIM connected to the communication processor 220. In an embodiment, the processor 210 or the communication processor 220 may use the activated second profile to use a network (e.g., a cellular network) provided by a communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1.

Although not shown in fig. 4, an embodiment of an authentication operation performed by the external electronic device 103 connected in short-range communication with the electronic device 101 may be replaced with an embodiment of an authentication operation performed by a cloud server connected in communication with the electronic device 101. For example, the processor 120 may obtain subscription information for the first profile stored in the first SIM from a cloud server communicatively connected to the electronic device 101. After acquiring the subscription information of the first profile from the cloud server, the processor 210 may transmit at least a portion of the subscription information to the first server 108-1, and acquire authentication information provided by the first server 108-1 from the cloud server, and transmit the acquired authentication information to the first server 108-1 to perform an authentication operation. Detailed embodiments of authentication operations by a cloud server communicatively connected to the electronic device 101 will be omitted because they are at least partially identical or similar to embodiments of authentication operations performed by an external electronic device 103 communicatively connected to the electronic device 101 over a short distance.

Fig. 5 is a signal flow diagram 500 illustrating an example system and example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 5 may illustrate an example embodiment of the operations of fig. 4 for an electronic device 101 (e.g., electronic device 101, external electronic device 103, first server 108-1, and second server 108-2) on a system.

Referring to fig. 5, in operation 501, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 may establish a short-range communication connection. For example, the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 may be connected by device-to-device (D2D) communication (e.g., bluetooth, near Field Communication (NFC), or Wi-Fi Direct).

In operation 503, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may obtain subscription information (or stored (or installed) in a first SIM) for a first profile of a first SIM of the external electronic device 103 transmitted from the external electronic device 103 through a first wireless communication circuit supporting a short-range wireless communication scheme.

In an embodiment, the subscription information of the first profile may include at least one of an IMSI and an MSISDN (or telephone number) corresponding to a user of the external electronic device 103. However, the information included in the subscription information of the first profile is not limited to at least one of the IMSI and the MSISDN.

In operation 505, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send at least a portion of the subscription information (e.g., MSISDN or IMSI) of the first profile to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In an embodiment, the second wireless communication circuit may be a communication circuit supporting a communication scheme (e.g., wi-Fi) capable of connecting the electronic device 101 and the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., an ID of the electronic device 101) to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile. For example, in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile, the processor 210 may also send an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit. However, the unique information of the electronic device 101 transmitted to the first server 108-1) is not limited to the IMEI. Thus, the unique information of the electronic device 101 transmitted to the first server 108-1 may include at least one of a protocol version, a vendor of the electronic device 101, a model name, and a software version, in addition to the IMEI.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send a port number of a port of the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit for receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1 in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile.

In an embodiment, in addition to at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile, the electronic device 101 may also transmit unique information of the electronic device 101 and a port number of a port of the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit for receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1.

In operation 507, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send authentication information to the external electronic device 103 using the MSISDN or IMSI of the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives at least a portion of the subscription information of the first profile from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may generate a one-time password (OTP) as authentication information. However, the authentication information that may be generated by the first server 108-1 is not limited to OTP.

In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives the port number of the port of the external electronic device 103 for receiving the authentication information from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may transmit the authentication information to the port of the external electronic device 103 corresponding to the received port number. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a message including authentication information to the external electronic device 103. For example, the first server 108-1 may send a Short Message Service (SMS) message including authentication information to the external electronic device 103. However, the scheme in which the first server 108-1 transmits authentication information to the external electronic device 103 is not limited to the scheme based on SMS message transmission.

In operation 509, in an embodiment, after receiving the authentication information from the first server 108-1, the external electronic device 103 may transmit the authentication information to the electronic device 101 using a short-range communication scheme.

In operation 511, in an embodiment, the electronic apparatus 101 may transmit the authentication information acquired from the external electronic apparatus 103 to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 513, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 in response to receiving the authentication information.

In an embodiment, although not shown in fig. 5, when the electronic apparatus 101 transmits authentication information to the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the authentication information received from the electronic apparatus 101 is identical to the authentication information transmitted to the external electronic apparatus 103. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the authentication information received from the electronic device 101 is identical to the authentication information transmitted to the external electronic device 103, the first server 108-1 may transmit a response indicating that authentication is completed (or successful) to the electronic device 101. For example, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 that includes a token (or access token) that is required by the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1.

In operation 515, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit to request confirmation of authorization of the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use a communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108-1). For example, the electronic device 101 may send the IMEI of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit. For another example, in addition to the IMEI of the electronic device 101, the electronic device 101 may also transmit at least one of a protocol version, a vendor of the electronic device 101, a model name, and a software version to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 517, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 after receiving the unique information of the electronic device 101 from the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, upon receiving the unique information of the electronic device 101 from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the received unique information of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, or may send a web page URL so that the electronic device 101 displays a web page of the first server 108-1.

In operation 519, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription via the second wireless communication circuit. For example, in response to receiving information from the first server 108-1 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the electronic device 101 may send information requesting the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription via the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 521, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send information to confirm the subscription transfer to the electronic device 101. For example, the first server 108-1 may send to the electronic device 101 a URL capable of allowing the electronic device 101 to display a web page indicating at least one of information that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the external electronic device 103 (e.g., IMEI of the external electronic device 103), information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., IMEI of the electronic device 101), and MSISDN of the external electronic device 103.

In operation 523, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer to the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may access the URL of the received web page to display at least one of the information indicating that the subscription transfer will occur, the information of the external electronic device 103, the information of the electronic device 101, and the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103 via a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1). However, the information displayed by the URL of the received web page is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may receive user input for confirming the subscription transfer (or for agreeing to the subscription transfer) while displaying at least one of information indicating that the subscription transfer will occur, information of the external electronic device 103, information of the electronic device 101, and an MSISDN of the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, in response to receiving a user input to approve the subscription transfer, the electronic device 101 may send information to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit indicating that the user confirms the subscription transfer.

In operation 525, in an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives information from the electronic device 101 indicating that the subscription transfer is confirmed, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) the second profile.

In operation 527, in an embodiment, in response to receiving a request from the first server 108-1 to generate the second profile, the second server 108-2 may generate the second profile and may send the generated second profile to the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, when the user of the electronic device 101 performs a process related to an operation for generating the second profile by accessing the point of sale of the communication carrier before performing the embodiments of operations 525 and 527 (for example, when the first server 108-1 is requested to generate the second profile using a device installed in the point of sale of the communication carrier), the embodiments related to the generation in operations 525 and 527 may be omitted. For example, the first server 108-1 may send a second profile transmission request to the second server 108-2. In response to receiving the second profile transmission request, the second server 108-2 may send the second profile to the electronic device 101.

In operation 529, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may acquire (or download) a second profile from the second server 108-2 via the second wireless communication circuit and may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In operation 531, in an embodiment, when the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM, the electronic device 101 may transmit the list of profiles stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit by including the second profile. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information indicating that the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 533, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 in response to the received list of profiles or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM.

In operation 535, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to receiving a list of profiles including the second profile or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM from the electronic device 101.

Although not shown in fig. 5, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may activate a second profile of a second SIM connected to the communication processor 220. For example, in operation 533, the electronic device 101 may activate the second profile of the second SIM after receiving the response signal from the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, using the activated second profile, the electronic device 101 may use a network (e.g., a cellular network) provided by a communications carrier associated with the first server 108-1.

Fig. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 6A and 6B may be diagrams illustrating example user interface screens related to an embodiment of the operations of fig. 4.

In an embodiment, the operations of fig. 6A and 6B may be performed in the electronic device 101 of fig. 3 (e.g., the processor 120).

Referring to fig. 6A and 6B, in an example 610, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may display a configuration screen 611 associated with the subscription transfer via a display (e.g., the display device 160 of fig. 1). In example 610, in an embodiment, object 613 may be an object mapped to a function for adding a subscription (or for registering a new subscription). Object 615 may be an object that maps to a function for transferring subscriptions.

In example 620, in response to receiving input of object 613 from a user, processor 210 may display a screen 621 including objects 623, 625, and 627 via a display (e.g., display device 160), the screen 621 including an indication of an external electronic device 101 that may be in short-range communication connection with electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, when at least one object 623 is selected among objects 623, 625, and 627 indicating an external electronic device 103 that can be connected to the electronic device 101 by short-range communication, a short-range communication connection can be established with at least one external electronic device 103 corresponding to the selected at least one object 623.

In an embodiment, in response to a short-range communication connection between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device 103 (e.g., the external electronic device 103 corresponding to the object 623), the processor 210 may request, via the first wireless communication circuit, the external electronic device 103 to provide subscription information for the first profile. In response to the request for subscription information for the first profile, the processor 210 may obtain the subscription information for the first profile from the external electronic device 103 through the first wireless communication circuit.

In example 630, in an embodiment, processor 210 may display, via a display (e.g., display device 160), a screen 631 including information for confirming subscription transfer based on the information received from first server 108-1. For example, the processor 210 may display text 635 for querying whether to transfer a subscription of the electronic device 101, subscription information (e.g., MSISDN) 637 of the first profile, and an object 633 for receiving input for confirming a subscription transfer of the electronic device via a display (e.g., display device 160).

In example 640, in an embodiment, in response to receiving input from a user for object 633, processor 210 may display a screen 641 via a display (e.g., display device 160) indicating that the subscription transfer is in preparation (or is running an operation for generating a second profile for the subscription transfer). For example, processor 210 may display a screen 641 including an object 643 and text 645 indicating that a subscription transfer is in preparation via a display (e.g., display device 160).

In example 650, in an embodiment, after completing the operations of retrieving the second profile from the second server 108-2 and storing (or installing) the second profile in the second SIM, the processor 210 may display a screen 651 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes an object 653 indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM. For example, comparing examples 610 and 650, the processor 210 may also display an object 653 indicating that the screen 651 stores a second profile, as compared to the screen 611.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart 700 illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, operations 701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, and 713 (may be referred to as operations 701 through 713 hereinafter) may be performed in the electronic apparatus (e.g., processor 120) of fig. 3.

In fig. 7, it may be assumed that the user of the electronic apparatus 101 is in a state of registering with a communication carrier (or a server using a network provided by a current (or existing) communication carrier), and it may be confirmed that subscription of a first profile corresponding to registration information of the communication carrier is in a state of being activated in the first server 108-1. For example, in the embodiment of fig. 7, it may be assumed that there is a first SIM (or an external electronic device 103 into which the first SIM is inserted or embedded) and that the subscription of the first profile is active in the first server 108-1. However, without being limited thereto, the embodiment of fig. 7 may include the following: the subscription of the first profile is active in the first server 108-1 even if the first SIM storing the first profile is separate from the external electronic device 103 or not embedded in the external electronic device 103.

Referring to fig. 7, in operation 701, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may transmit user information for authenticating a user of the electronic device 101 to a first server (e.g., the first server 108-1 of fig. 3) through a communication circuit (e.g., the communication module 190 of fig. 1).

In an embodiment, to authenticate using an authentication scheme defined in open authentication (OAuth), the processor 210 may send the user information to the first server 108-1 via the communication circuitry. For example, the processor 210 may send an account (e.g., an ID) and a password registered in the first server 108-1 to the first server 108-1 via the communication circuit. However, the authentication scheme for authenticating the user of the electronic apparatus 101 is not limited to OAuth.

In an embodiment, after receiving input from the user to register a subscription for a communications carrier (or to register a new subscription) and select a communications carrier, the processor 210 may send user information to the first server through a communication circuit (e.g., the communication module 190) to authenticate the user of the electronic device 101. For example, the processor 210 may display a screen including an object for selecting a subscription registration for a communication carrier through a display (e.g., the display device 160 of fig. 1). Upon receiving an input from the user for selecting an object registered for subscription of the communication carrier, the processor 210 may display a screen including the object for selecting the communication carrier through a display (e.g., the display device 160). After receiving an input for inputting user information (e.g., an account and a password registered in the first server 108-1) after receiving an input for selecting an object of a communication carrier, the processor 210 may transmit user information for authenticating a user of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 through a communication circuit.

Although not shown in fig. 7, when the processor 210 transmits the user information, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the user information received from the electronic device 101 is identical to the user information registered in the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the user information received from the electronic device 101 is identical to the user information registered in the first server 108-1, the processor 210 may receive a response indicating that authentication is complete (or successful) from the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit. For example, the processor 210 may receive a response from the first server 108-1 via the communication circuit that includes a token (or access token) through which the electronic device 101 accesses the first server 108-1.

In operation 703, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send the unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the wireless communication circuit to confirm the authorization of the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use the communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108-1). For example, the processor 210 may send the IMEI of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit. For another example, in addition to the IMEI of the electronic device 101, the processor 210 may send at least one of a protocol version, a vendor of the electronic device 101, a model name, and a software version to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives the unique information of the electronic device 101 from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the received unique information of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, or may send a web page URL so that the electronic device 101 displays a web page of the first server 108-1.

In operation 705, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may request, via the communication circuit, the first server 108-1 to register for a subscription. For example, the processor 210 may send, over the communication circuit, information requesting the first server 108-1 to register for a subscription in response to receiving authorization from the first server 108-1 indicating that the electronic device 101 has information to access the first server 108-1.

In operation 707, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may receive information from the first server 180-1 via the communication circuit to confirm subscription registration or subscription transfer. For example, the processor 210 may receive information from the first server 108-1 via the communication circuit to confirm (or select) whether to register a new subscription with the communication carrier or transfer the subscription from the external electronic device 103 to the electronic device 101. Upon receiving information for confirming whether to register a new subscription for a communication carrier or whether to transfer a subscription from the external electronic device 103 to the electronic device 101, the processor 210 may display the received information through a display (e.g., the display device 160). In an embodiment, the processor 210 may display a web page via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes at least one of the following information: information indicating that a subscription can be transferred from the external electronic device 103 to the electronic device 101, information of the external electronic device 103 (e.g., IMEI of the external electronic device 103), information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., IMEI of the electronic device 101), and MSISDN of the external electronic device 103, as well as an object for registering a new subscription for a communication carrier and an object for transferring a subscription. However, the information displayed through the web page is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

Although not shown in fig. 7, if the user of the electronic apparatus 101 is authenticated through operation 701, or if it is recognized through operation 703 that the electronic apparatus 101 (and/or the user of the electronic apparatus 101) has authorization, the first server 108-1 may confirm that the user of the electronic apparatus 101 is in a state of being registered with a communication carrier (or a server using a network provided by the communication carrier), and may confirm that subscription of the first profile corresponding to registration information for the communication carrier is in a state of being activated in the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, upon recognizing that the subscription of the first profile corresponding to the registration information for the communication carrier is in a state of being activated in the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may transmit to the electronic apparatus 101 not only information for confirming subscription registration but also information for confirming (or inducing) subscription transfer so that the user of the electronic apparatus 101 may recognize the presence of the first profile corresponding to the registration information for the communication carrier.

In operation 709, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send information indicating a confirmation of the subscription transfer to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit. For example, the processor 210 may receive user input for agreeing to a subscription transfer (e.g., for selecting an object for subscription transfer). In response to receiving the user input to approve the subscription transfer, the processor 210 may send information to the first server 108-1 via the communication circuitry indicating that the user confirms the subscription transfer. Although not shown in fig. 7, the processor 210 may receive user input for registering a new subscription for the communication carrier (e.g., user input for selecting an object to register a new subscription for the communication carrier). Upon receiving a user input to register a new subscription for the communications carrier, the processor 210 may send a subscription registration request to the first server 108-1 via the communications circuitry.

In operation 711, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2 through the communication circuit.

In operation 713, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

Since the embodiments of operations 711 and 713 are at least partially identical or similar to the embodiments of operations 419 and 412, a detailed description thereof may not be repeated herein.

Although not shown in fig. 7, in an embodiment, when the processor 210 transmits a subscription registration request to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit, the processor 210 may acquire a third profile from the second server 108-2 and store (and install) the third profile in the second SIM. In an embodiment, the third profile may be different from the first profile and the second profile. For example, the subscription information (e.g., MSISDN) of the third profile may be different from the subscription information of the first profile and the second profile.

Fig. 8 is a signal flow diagram 800 illustrating an example system and an example method for transferring subscriptions in accordance with an example embodiment. For example, fig. 8 may be a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the operation of fig. 5 for the electronic device 101 on the system (e.g., the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1, and the second server 108-2).

Referring to fig. 8, in an embodiment, in operation 801, the processor 210 may transmit user information for authenticating a user of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 through a communication circuit. In an embodiment, to authenticate using an authentication scheme defined in open authentication (OAuth), the processor 210 may send the user information to the first server 108-1 via the communication circuitry.

In operation 803, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 after receiving the user information from the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, in response to receiving the user information from the electronic apparatus 101, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the user information received from the electronic apparatus 101 is identical to the user information registered in the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the user information received from the electronic device 101 is identical to the user information registered in the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send a response indicating that authentication is complete (or successful) to the first server 108-1.

In operation 805, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the communication circuitry to request confirmation of authorization of the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to access the first server 108-1 followed by use of a communication service provided by the first server 108-1).

In operation 807, in an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives the unique information of the electronic device 101 from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the received unique information of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, or may send a web page URL so that the electronic device 101 displays a web page of the first server 108-1.

In operation 809, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request, via the communication circuitry, the first server 108-1 to register for a subscription. For example, the electronic device 101 may send, via the communication circuitry, information requesting the first server 108-1 to register for a subscription in response to receiving information from the first server 108-1 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-.

In operation 811, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 confirming subscription registration or subscription transfer. For example, the first server 108-1 may transmit information for confirming (or selecting) whether the electronic device 101 registers a new subscription with the communication carrier or whether to transfer the subscription from the external electronic device 103 to the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, if the user of the electronic apparatus 101 is authenticated through operations 801 and 803 or if it is recognized through operations 805 and 807 that the electronic apparatus 101 (and/or the user of the electronic apparatus 101) has authorization, the first server 108-1 may confirm that the user of the electronic apparatus 101 is in a state of being registered with a communication carrier (or a server using a network provided by the communication carrier), and may confirm that subscription of the first profile corresponding to registration information for the communication carrier is in a state of being activated in the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, when it is recognized that the subscription of the first profile corresponding to the registration information for the communication carrier is in a state of being activated in the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may transmit to the electronic apparatus 101 not only information for confirming subscription registration but also information for confirming (or inducing) subscription transfer so that the user of the electronic apparatus 101 can recognize the presence of the first profile corresponding to the registration information for the communication carrier.

In operation 813, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit. For example, the electronic device 101 may receive user input for agreeing to a subscription transfer. In response to receiving the user input to approve the subscription transfer, the processor 210 may send information to the first server 108-1 over the communication circuitry indicating that the user confirms the subscription transfer.

In operation 815, in an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives information from the electronic device 101 indicating that the subscription transfer is confirmed, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) a second profile.

In operation 817, in an embodiment, in response to receiving a request from the first server 108-1 to generate the second profile, the second server 108-2 may generate the second profile and may send the generated second profile to the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, when the user of the electronic apparatus 101 performs a process related to an operation for generating the second profile by accessing the point of sale of the communication carrier before performing the embodiments of operations 815 and 817, the embodiments related to the generation in operations 815 and 817 may be omitted.

In operation 819, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may obtain (or download) a second profile from the second server 108-2 via the second wireless communication circuit and may store the obtained second profile in the second SIM.

In operation 821, in an embodiment, when the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM, the electronic device 101 may send the list of profiles stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit by including the second profile. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information indicating that the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 823, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 in response to the received list of profiles or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM.

In operation 825, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to receiving a profile list including the second profile or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM from the electronic device 101.

Fig. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 9A and 9B may be diagrams illustrating example user interface screens related to an embodiment of the operations of fig. 7.

In an embodiment, the operations of fig. 9A and 9B may be performed in the electronic device 101 of fig. 3 (e.g., the processor 120). Referring to fig. 9A and 9B, in an example 910, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may display a configuration screen 911 related to subscription transfer via a display (e.g., the display device 160 of fig. 1). In example 910, in an embodiment, object 913 may be an object mapped to a function for adding a subscription (or for registering a new subscription). Object 915 may be an object that maps to a function for transferring subscriptions.

In example 920, in response to receiving an input for object 913 from a user, processor 210 may display a screen 921 including objects 923 and 925 indicating a communications carrier via a display (e.g., display device 160).

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may receive a user input for selecting the object 923 among the objects 923 and 925 indicating the communication carrier. In an embodiment, the communication carrier indicated by the object 923 may be a communication carrier that provides communication services through the first server 108-1 and the second server 108-2. In an embodiment, the user of the electronic apparatus 101 may be in a state of registering with the communication carrier indicated by the object 923, and there may be a first SIM (or an external electronic apparatus 103 into which the first SIM is inserted or embedded) storing a first profile corresponding to registration information of the user of the electronic apparatus 101 of the communication carrier indicated by the object 923.

In an embodiment, when the processor 210 receives a user input for selecting the object 923, the processor 210 may perform an authentication operation and an authorization confirmation operation for the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may confirm that the user of the electronic apparatus 101 is in a state of being registered with the communication carrier (or a server using a network provided by the communication carrier) using an authentication operation or an authorization confirmation operation, and may confirm that the subscription of the first profile corresponding to registration information for the communication carrier is in a state of being activated in the first server 108-1.

In an example 930, the processor 210 may display a screen 931 via a display (e.g., the display device 160), the screen 931 including at least one of information 932 indicating that a subscription transfer from the external electronic device 103 to the electronic device 101 is possible, information 934 of the external electronic device 103 (e.g., an IMEI of the external electronic device 103), information 935 of the electronic device 101 (e.g., an IMEI of the electronic device 101), and subscription information 933 of the first profile (e.g., an MSISDN), and an object 937 for registering a new subscription for a communication carrier (or requesting registration of a new subscription for a communication carrier) and an object 936 for a subscription transfer (or a request for a subscription transfer). However, the information displayed through the screen 931 is not limited to the above-mentioned example. In an embodiment, upon receiving user input for object 937, processor 210 may send a subscription registration request to first server 108-1 via communication circuitry.

In example 940, in an embodiment, in response to receiving input from the user for object 933, processor 210 may display a screen 941 via a display (e.g., display device 160) indicating that the subscription transfer is in preparation (or is running an operation for generating a second profile for the subscription transfer). For example, the processor 210 may display a screen 941 via a display (e.g., display device 160), the screen 941 including an object 943 and text 945 indicating that the subscription transfer is in preparation.

In example 950, in an embodiment, upon completion of the operation of retrieving the second profile from the second server 108-2 and storing (or installing) the second profile in the second SIM, the processor 210 may display a screen 951 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes an object 953 indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM. For example, comparing examples 910 and 950, the processor 210 may also display an object 953 indicating that the screen 951 stores the second profile, as compared to the screen 911.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, operations 1001, 1003, 1005, 1007, 1009, 1011, 1013, and 1015 (may be referred to as operations 1001 to 1015 hereinafter) may be performed in the electronic apparatus (e.g., processor 120) of fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 10, in operation 1001, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may confirm that a first SIM (e.g., pSIM 240 of fig. 3) is inserted into the electronic device 101 (e.g., a SIM-capable slot of the electronic device 101 of fig. 1).

In an embodiment, the first SIM may be a physical SIM that is inserted into the electronic device 101 after being separated from the external electronic device 103, the SIM including a first profile from the external electronic device 103 corresponding to registration information of a user of the electronic device 101 for a communication carrier.

In operation 1003, in an embodiment, based on the subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM, the processor 210 may send information for user authentication to a first server (e.g., the first server 108-1 of fig. 3) through a communication circuit (e.g., the communication module 190 of fig. 1).

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may perform operations to authenticate the first server 108-1 and the user based on subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM. For example, the processor 210 may perform the operations of authenticating the first server 108-1 and the user through an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) scheme, an Internet Protocol (IP) authentication, a header enrichment scheme (header enrichment scheme), or an OTP authentication scheme using a message (e.g., an SMS message). However, the scheme in which the processor 210 authenticates the first server 108-1 and the user based on the subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may perform the operation of authenticating the first server 108-1 and the user of the electronic device 101 using the OAuth scheme shown in fig. 7 without having to use subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM.

In operation 1005, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the communication circuit to confirm authorization of the electronic device to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use a communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108-1).

In operation 1007, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription through the communication circuitry.

In operation 1009, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may receive information for confirming the subscription transfer from the first server 180-1 through the communication circuit.

In operation 1011, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send information indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit.

In operation 1013, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2 through the communication circuit.

In operation 1015, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

Since the embodiments of operations 1005 and 1015 are at least partially identical or similar to the embodiments of operations 411 and 421 of fig. 4, a detailed description thereof may not be repeated herein.

Although the physical first SIM separated from the external electronic device 103 is shown in fig. 10 as being inserted into the electronic device 101 by way of example, at least some of the embodiments of fig. 10 may be equally or similarly applied to a case in which a SIM embedded in the external electronic device 103 is included in a state of being inserted into the physical first SIM and the second profile is stored in the SIM embedded in the external electronic device 103.

Fig. 11 is a signal flow diagram 1100 illustrating an example system (e.g., an electronic device 101, a first server 108-1, and a second server 108-2) and showing an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 11 may be a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the operation of fig. 10 for the electronic device 101 on the system.

Referring to fig. 11, in operation 1101, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may confirm that a first SIM is inserted into the electronic device 101 (e.g., a slot of the electronic device 101 of fig. 1 capable of receiving a SIM).

In operation 1103, in an embodiment, based on the subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM, the processor 210 may send information for user authentication to a first server (e.g., the first server 108-1 of fig. 3) through the communication circuit.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may perform an operation of authenticating the first server 108-1 and the user based on subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM. For example, the electronic device 101 may perform the operations of authenticating the first server 108-1 and the user through an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) scheme, an Internet Protocol (IP) authentication, a header enrichment scheme, or an OTP authentication scheme using a message (e.g., an SMS message). However, the scheme in which the electronic device 101 authenticates the first server 108-1 and the user based on the subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may perform the operation of authenticating the first server 108-1 and the user of the electronic device 101 using the OAuth scheme shown in fig. 7 without having to use subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM.

In operation 1105, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 in response to receiving the information for user authentication.

In operation 1107, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit to request confirmation of authorization of the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use a communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108-1).

In operation 1109, in an embodiment, upon receiving the unique information of the electronic device 101 from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1111, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription through the communication circuit. For example, the electronic device 101 may send, via the communication circuit, information requesting the first server 108-1 to transfer information in response to receiving information from the first server 108-1 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In operation 1113, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send information to confirm the subscription transfer to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1115, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer to the first server 108-1.

In operation 1117, in an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives information from the electronic device 101 indicating confirmation of subscription transfer, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) the second profile.

In operation 1119, in an embodiment, in response to receiving a request from the first server 108-1 to generate the second profile, the second server 108-2 may generate the second profile and may send the generated second profile to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1121, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may acquire (or download) a second profile from the second server 108-2 through the second wireless communication circuit and may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In operation 1123, in an embodiment, when the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM, the electronic device 101 may transmit the list of profiles stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit by including the second profile. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information indicating that the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 1125, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 in response to the received list of profiles or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM.

In operation 1127, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to receiving a profile list including the second profile or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM from the electronic device 101.

Fig. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 12A and 12B may be diagrams illustrating example user interface screens related to an embodiment of the operations of fig. 10.

In an embodiment, the operations of fig. 12A and 12B may be performed in the electronic device 101 of fig. 3 (e.g., the processor 120).

Referring to fig. 12A and 12B, in an example 1210, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may display a configuration screen 1211 related to subscription transfer via a display (e.g., the display device 160 of fig. 1). In example 1210, in an embodiment, object 1213 may be an object indicating a physical first SIM inserted into electronic device 101. The object 1215 may be an object mapped to a function for subscription transfer.

In example 1220, in an embodiment, upon receiving input from a user for mapping to an object 1215 for subscription transfer functionality, processor 210 may display, via a display (e.g., display device 160), a screen 1221 including an object 1223 indicating a first SIM for performing user authentication.

In an embodiment, in response to receiving input from the user for selecting the object 1223, the processor 210 may perform an operation of authenticating the first server 108-1 and the user based on subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM indicated by the object 1223.

In example 1230, in an embodiment, based on the information received from the first server 108-1, the processor 210 may display a screen 1231 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes information to confirm the subscription transfer. For example, the processor 210 may display, via a display (e.g., display device 160), at least one of text 1233 for querying whether to transfer the subscription of the electronic device 101, subscription information (e.g., MSISDN) 1235 included in the first profile of the first SIM indicated by the object 1223, and an object 1237 for receiving input for confirming the subscription transfer of the electronic device 101.

In example 1240, in an embodiment, in response to receiving input of object 1237 from the user, processor 210 may display a screen via a display (e.g., display device 160) indicating that the subscription transfer is in preparation (or is running an operation for generating a second profile for the subscription transfer). For example, the processor 210 may display a screen 1241 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes an object 1243 and text 1245 indicating that the subscription transfer is in preparation.

In example 1250, in an embodiment, upon completion of the operation of retrieving the second profile from the second server 108-2 and storing (or installing) the second profile in the second SIM, the processor 210 may display a screen 1251 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes an object 1255 indicating that an object 1253 indicating the first SIM and the second profile is to be stored in the second SIM.

Although not shown in example 1250, in an embodiment, upon receiving information from first server 108-1 indicating that the first SIM is deactivated, processor 210 may display object 1253 (or change its display) to indicate that the first SIM is deactivated. For example, the processor 210 may shadow or obscure the object 1253 to indicate that the first SIM is deactivated. However, the display indicating that the first SIM is deactivated is not limited to the above-mentioned example. For example, the processor 210 may display text indicating that the first SIM is deactivated via a display (e.g., display device 160). In an embodiment, after completing the operation of storing (or installing) the second profile from the second server 108-2, the processor 210 may display the object 1253 (or change its display) via a display (e.g., the display device 160) to indicate that the first SIM is deactivated.

Fig. 13 is a signal flow diagram 1300 illustrating an example system (e.g., electronic device 101, external electronic device 103, first server 108-1, and second server 108-2) and showing an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 13, in operation 1301, in an embodiment, the electronic apparatus 101 may receive input of subscription information for inputting a first profile of a first SIM from a user. For example, the electronic device 101 may receive an input from the user via a display (e.g., display 160 of fig. 1) for entering the MSISDN of the first profile of the first SIM.

In an embodiment, after receiving an input for selecting a communication carrier from a user, the electronic device 101 may receive an input from the user for inputting subscription information of the first profile of the first SIM. For example, upon receiving an input from a user for selecting a communications carrier, the electronic device 101 may display a field (or portion) of the MSISDN of the first profile for the first SIM via a display (e.g., display device 160). The electronic device 101 may receive an input from the user for inputting the MSISDN of the first profile of the first SIM into a field for inputting the MSISDN of the first profile of the first SIM. However, the operation of receiving an input for selecting a communication carrier from the user may be omitted. For example, if the communication carrier can be identified (or determined) by the MSISDN of the first profile of the first SIM, an operation of receiving an input for selecting the communication carrier from the user may be omitted.

In operation 1303, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1 through a communication circuit (e.g., the communication module 190).

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 (or an ID of the electronic device 101) to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit in addition to the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103. For example, in addition to the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103, the processor 210 may also send an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 via the communication circuitry. However, the unique information sent to the electronic device 101 of the first server 108-1 is not limited to the IMEI. Thus, the unique information of the electronic device 101 transmitted to the first server 108-1 may include at least one of a protocol version, a vendor of the electronic device 101, a model name, and a software version, in addition to the IMEI.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send the port number of the port of the external electronic device 103 for receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1 to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit in addition to the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send the unique information of the electronic device 101 and the port number of the port of the external electronic device 103 for receiving authentication information from the first server 108-1 to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit in addition to the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1305, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send authentication information to the external electronic device 103 using the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103 from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may generate a one-time password (OTP) as authentication information. However, the authentication information that may be generated by the first server 108-1 is not limited to OTP.

In an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives the port number of the port of the external electronic device 103 for receiving the authentication information from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may transmit the authentication information to the port of the external electronic device 103 corresponding to the received port number. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a message including authentication information to the external electronic device 103. For example, the first server 108-1 may send a Short Message Service (SMS) message including authentication information to the external electronic device 103. However, the scheme in which the first server 108-1 transmits authentication information to the external electronic device 103 is not limited to the scheme based on SMS message transmission. In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may display the received authentication information (e.g., OTP).

In operation 1307, in an embodiment, the electronic apparatus 101 may receive an input from the user for inputting authentication information, which is displayed (or output) to the external electronic apparatus 103 and transmitted to the external electronic apparatus 103 by the first server 108-1.

In operation 1309, in an embodiment, the electronic apparatus 101 may transmit the authentication information received from the user to the first server 108-1 through the communication circuit.

In operation 1311, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 in response to receiving the authentication information.

In an embodiment, although not shown in fig. 13, when the electronic apparatus 101 transmits authentication information to the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the authentication information received from the electronic apparatus 101 is identical to the authentication information transmitted to the external electronic apparatus 103. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the authentication information received from the electronic device 101 is identical to the authentication information transmitted to the external electronic device 103, the first server 108-1 may transmit a response indicating that authentication is completed (or successful) to the electronic device 101. For example, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 that includes a token (or access token) that is required by the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1.

In operation 1313, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 over the second wireless communication circuit to request confirmation of authorization of the electronic device 101 to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use a communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108-1).

In operation 1315, in an embodiment, upon receiving unique information of the electronic device 101 from the electronic device 101, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, upon receiving the unique information of the electronic apparatus 101 from the electronic apparatus 101, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic apparatus 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the received unique information of the electronic apparatus 101.

In operation 1317, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request, via the communication circuitry, the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription. For example, the electronic device 101 may send, via the communication circuitry, information requesting the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription in response to receiving information from the first server 108-1 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In operation 1319, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send information to confirm the subscription transfer to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1321, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information to the first server 108-1 indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer.

In operation 1323, in an embodiment, when the first server 108-1 receives information from the electronic device 101 indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) the second profile.

In operation 1325, in an embodiment, in response to receiving a request from the first server 108-1 to generate the second profile, the second server 108-2 may generate the second profile and may send the generated second profile to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1327, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may acquire (or download) a second profile from the second server 108-2 through the second wireless communication circuit and may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In operation 1329, in an embodiment, when the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM, the electronic device 101 may send the list of profiles stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 through the second wireless communication circuit by including the second profile. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information indicating that the second profile is stored (or installed) in the second SIM to the first server 108-1 via the second wireless communication circuit.

In operation 1331, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 in response to the received list of profiles or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM.

In operation 1333, in an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to receiving a profile list including the second profile or information indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM from the electronic device 101.

Fig. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 14A and 14B may be diagrams illustrating user interface screens related to an embodiment of the operations of fig. 13.

Referring to fig. 14A and 14B, in an example 1410, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may display a configuration screen 1411 related to subscription transfer via a display (e.g., display device 160). In example 1410, in an embodiment, object 1413 may be an object mapped to a function for subscription transfer.

In example 1420, in an embodiment, in response to receiving input from a user for object 1413, processor 210 may display screen 1421 via a display (e.g., display device 160) for receiving input from the user for selecting a communications carrier. For example, the processor 210 may display objects 1423 and 1425 indicating the communication carrier through a display (e.g., the display device 160). Processor 210 may receive input from a user for selecting object 1423 among objects 1423 and 1425.

In example 1430, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may receive an input from the user to enter the MSISDN of the first profile of the first SIM.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may display a screen 1431 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes a field 1433 for entering the MSISDN of the first profile of the first SIM from the user. In response to receiving user input via field 1433 for entering MSISDN 1433 of the first profile of the first SIM, processor 210 may send information including the MSISDN of external electronic device 103 to first server 108-1.

In example 1440, in an embodiment, processor 210 may receive input from a user for entering authentication information, the input being displayed to external electronic device 103 and sent by first server 108-1 to external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, processor 210 may display a screen 1441 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes a field 1443 for entering authentication information from a user. In response to receiving user input for entering authentication information via field 1443, processor 210 may send authentication information entered from the user to first server 108-1.

In example 1450, in an embodiment, based on the information received from the first server 108-1, the processor 210 may display a screen 1451 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes information for confirming the subscription transfer. For example, the processor 210 may display text 1453 for querying whether to transfer a subscription of the electronic device 101, an MSISDN 1455 of the external electronic device 103, and an object 1457 for receiving input for confirming a subscription transfer of the electronic device via a display (e.g., display device 160).

In example 1460, in an embodiment, in response to receiving input from a user for object 1457, processor 210 may display a screen via a display (e.g., display device 160) indicating that a subscription transfer is in preparation (or is running an operation for generating a second profile for the subscription transfer). For example, processor 210 may display a screen 1461 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes an object 1463 and text 1465 indicating that a subscription transfer is in preparation.

In an example 1470, in an embodiment, upon completion of the operations of retrieving the second profile from the second server 108-2 and storing (or installing) the second profile in the second SIM, the processor 210 may display a screen 1471 via a display (e.g., display device 160) that includes an object 1473 indicating that the second profile is stored in the second SIM.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart 1500 illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

Operations 1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1560, 1570, 1580, and 1590 (may be referred to as operations 1510 through 1590 hereinafter) according to an embodiment may be performed in a user's existing electronic apparatus. In an embodiment, the user's existing electronic device may be an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 101 of fig. 3).

Referring to fig. 15, in operation 1510, the processor 210 of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 2) may establish a short-range communication connection with a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3).

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection with a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) through a first wireless communication circuit (e.g., a short-range wireless communication circuit). In an embodiment, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection between the electronic device 101 and a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) through a D2D communication connection (e.g., bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi Direct).

In an embodiment, in response to receiving an input from a user for subscription transfer, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection with a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3). For example, the processor 210 may display a configuration screen for transferring subscriptions via a display (e.g., the display device 160 of fig. 1). In an embodiment, upon receiving input from a user to select an object (or icon) for transferring a subscription, the processor 210 may display, via a display (e.g., display device 160), a list of external electronic devices 103 capable of establishing a short-range communication connection. The processor 210 may control the first wireless communication circuit in response to an input for selecting at least one external electronic device 103 from the list of external electronic devices 103 such that the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 are connected (or paired) in short-range communication.

In operation 1520, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may receive device information from a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3). In an embodiment, the device information may include a profile list of the new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3), unique information, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the profile list may indicate a list of at least one profile stored in a second SIM of the new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3). In an embodiment, the unique information may include an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), an Integrated Circuit Card Identity (ICCID), an EUICC Identity (EID), or a combination thereof.

In operation 1530, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may identify transferable subscription information stored in at least one first profile in the first SIM of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, based on configuration information received from the configuration server (or config server), the processor 210 may identify a first profile of a communication carrier supporting subscription transfer in the at least one first profile, and may identify the subscription indicated by the identified first profile as a transferable subscription. In an embodiment, based on the configuration information, the processor 210 may identify communication carrier identity information (mobile country code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC)) of a communication carrier supporting subscription transfer, identify a first profile having the same communication carrier identity information as that identified in at least one first profile stored in the first SIM, and identify the subscription indicated by the identified first profile as a transferable subscription.

In an embodiment, if transferable subscription information is identified, the processor 210 can send the transferable subscription information to a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3).

In an embodiment, a new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may confirm whether to transfer the subscription based on the transferable subscription information. In an embodiment, a new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may confirm whether to transfer a subscription based on received user input while displaying a screen through a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1) indicating that a subscription transfer is possible.

In an embodiment, if there are two or more transferable subscriptions, the new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may display a screen indicating that two or more subscriptions may be transferred. In an embodiment, a new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may confirm whether to transfer each of the two or more subscriptions based on received user input while displaying a screen indicating that the two or more subscriptions may be transferred.

In an embodiment, a new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may send to electronic device 101 whether to transfer the subscription.

In operation 1540, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may perform authentication with the first server 108-1 based on the selected subscription information. In an embodiment, authentication may be performed based on an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) scheme.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may perform authentication with the first server 108-1 based on subscription information received from a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3). In an embodiment, the processor 210 may identify the first server 108-1 to manage the profile indicated by the transferable subscription information and may perform authentication with the first server 108-1 for transferring the subscription. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may perform authentication for subscription transfer by sending an authentication request to the first server 108-1 including the IMSI, IMEI, or combination thereof of the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a challenge (challenge) to the electronic device 101 in response to an authentication request of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the challenge may be a random number for authenticating the first SIM of the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may use the first SIM of the electronic device 101 to obtain the payload of the challenge. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may send a challenge to the first SIM. In an embodiment, the first SIM may obtain the payload of the challenge based on the authentication key value. In an embodiment, the first SIM may send the payload to the processor 210. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may send the payload to the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may determine whether authentication was successful based on the payload. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may determine whether authentication was successful by comparing the payload to a value converted from a challenge according to a pre-designed key for the first SIM. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may determine that the authentication was successful if the value converted from the challenge according to the pre-designed key for the first SIM is the same as the payload.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the electronic device 101 indicating whether the authentication was successful.

In operation 1550, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may transmit device information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 in order to confirm authorization of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, upon receiving a response from the first server 108-1 indicating that authentication was successful, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to confirm authorization. In an embodiment, the device information sent to the first server 108-1 may be unique information of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the unique information may include at least one of an EID, an IMEI, a protocol version, a vendor of the existing electronic device 111, a model name, and a software version.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the unique information received from the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In operation 1560, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription in response to receiving information indicating that there is authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 confirming the subscription transfer in response to a subscription transfer request of the electronic device 101. For example, the first server 108-1 may send the electronic device 101 a URL of a web page capable of allowing the electronic device 101 to display at least one of information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of a new electronic device (e.g., EID or IMEI of the external electronic device 103), information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., IMEI of the electronic device 101), and MSISDN of the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may access the URL of the received web page to display a screen including at least one of information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the electronic device 101, information of a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3), and an MSISDN of the electronic device 101. However, the information displayed by the URL of the received web page is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may receive user input for confirming the subscription transfer (or for agreeing to the subscription transfer) while the screen is displayed.

In an embodiment, in response to receiving a user input to approve the subscription transfer, the processor 210 may send information to the first server 108-1 indicating that the user confirms the subscription transfer.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) the second profile in response to receiving information from the electronic device 101 indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send the second profile download information to the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the second profile download information may include URL information of the second server 108-2 to be accessed to download the second profile. In an embodiment, the second profile download information may include an activation code.

In operation 1570, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send second profile download information received from the first server 108-1 to a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3).

In an embodiment, the new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may access the second server 108-2 based on the second profile download information. In an embodiment, the new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may access the second server 108-2 based on URL information of the second server 108-2 included in the second profile download information. In an embodiment, based on the second profile download information, the new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may obtain (or download) the second profile from the accessed second server 108-2. In an embodiment, the new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may obtain (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2, and may store the obtained second profile in the second SIM. In an embodiment, the new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may obtain (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2 based on the second profile download information. In an embodiment, the new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In an embodiment, the new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may notify the electronic device 101 that the download of the second profile is complete.

In operation 1580, in an embodiment, when the new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) completes the download of the second profile, processor 210 may request first server 108-1 to deactivate the first profile. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to update the subscription.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to the subscription update request.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may notify the electronic device 101 that the subscription to the update is complete. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may notify the electronic device 101 that the first profile is disabled (or disabled).

In operation 1590, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send information indicating that the subscription transfer is complete to a new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3).

In an embodiment, the new electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may use the second profile when notifying that the subscription transfer is complete. In an embodiment, upon notification of the completion of the subscription transfer, the new electronic device (e.g., external electronic device 103 of fig. 3) may enable (or activate) the second profile of the second SIM and may use a network (e.g., a cellular network) provided by the communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1 using the activated second profile.

Fig. 16 is a flow chart 1600 illustrating an example system and showing an example method for transferring subscriptions in accordance with an example embodiment. For example, fig. 16 may be a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the operations of fig. 15 for an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 111 of fig. 2) on a system (e.g., existing electronic device 111, new electronic device 113, first server 108-1, and second server 108-2).

The existing electronic device 111 according to an embodiment may download configuration information from a configuration server (not shown). In an embodiment, the configuration information may include information (e.g., a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)) regarding whether each communication carrier supports subscription transfer and information (e.g., a URL)) that enables access to the first server 108-1 of each communication carrier.

In an embodiment, in operation 1603, the existing electronic device 111 and the new electronic device 113 may establish a short-range communication connection. For example, the existing electronic device 111 and the new electronic device 113 may be connected by D2D communication (e.g., bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi Direct).

In an embodiment, in operation 1605, the new electronic device 113 may identify a list of profiles. In an embodiment, the list of profiles may be a list of profiles stored in a second SIM of the new electronic device 113.

In an embodiment, in operation 1607, the new electronic device 113 may send the device information to the existing electronic device 111. In an embodiment, the device information may include a profile list, unique information, or a combination thereof for the new electronic device 113. In an embodiment, the profile list may indicate a list of at least one profile stored in the second SIM of the new electronic device 113. In an embodiment, the unique information may include IMEI, ICCID, EID or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, in operation 1609, the existing electronic device 111 may identify transferable subscription information in at least one first profile stored in a first SIM of the existing electronic device 111. In an embodiment, based on the configuration information, the existing electronic device 111 may identify a first profile of a communication carrier supporting subscription transfer in at least one first profile, and may identify the subscription indicated by the identified first profile as a transferable subscription. In an embodiment, based on the configuration information, the existing electronic device 111 may identify communication carrier identity information (mobile country code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC)) of a communication carrier supporting subscription transfer, identify communication carrier identity information having the same communication carrier identity information as identified in at least one first profile stored in the first SIM, and identify the subscription indicated by the identified first profile as a transferable subscription.

In an embodiment, in operation 1611, the existing electronic device 111 may send transferable subscription information to the new electronic device 113.

In an embodiment, in operation 1613, the new electronic device 113 may confirm whether to transfer the subscription from the existing electronic device 111 to the new electronic device 113. In an embodiment, the new electronic device 113 may confirm whether to transfer the subscription based on the received user input while displaying a screen indicating that subscription transfer is possible through a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1). In an embodiment, if the user input received while the screen indicating that subscription transfer is possible is displayed indicates that subscription transfer is being performed, the new electronic device 113 may recognize that subscription transfer is being performed. In an embodiment, if a user input received while displaying a screen indicating that subscription transfer is possible indicates that subscription transfer is not to be transferred, the new electronic device 113 may recognize that subscription transfer is not to be performed.

In an embodiment, if there are two or more transferable subscriptions, the new electronic device 113 may display a screen indicating that two or more subscriptions can be transferred. In an embodiment, while displaying a screen indicating that two or more subscriptions may be transferred, based on the received user input, the new electronic device 113 may confirm whether to transfer each of the two or more subscriptions.

In an embodiment, in operation 1615, the new electronic device 113 may send information to the existing electronic device 111 indicating whether to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, the information indicating whether to transfer the subscription may indicate whether to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, the information indicating whether to transfer the subscription may include subscription information for making a subscription transfer. In an embodiment, if there are two or more subscriptions to be transferred, the information indicating whether to transfer the subscription may include subscription information for each subscription to be transferred.

In an embodiment, in operation 1617, the existing electronic device 111 and the first server 108-1 may perform authentication.

In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may request the first server 108-1 to perform authentication. In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may request the first server 108-1 to perform authentication based on an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) scheme. In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may send an authentication request including the IMSI, IMEI, or combination thereof of the existing electronic device 111 to the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send the challenge to the existing electronic device 111 in response to the authentication request. In an embodiment, the challenge may be a random number used to authenticate the first SIM of the existing electronic device 111.

In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may use the first SIM of the existing electronic device 111 to obtain the payload for the challenge. In an embodiment, based on the authentication key value, the existing electronic device 111 may use the first SIM to obtain the payload of the challenge. In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may send the payload to the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, based on the payload, the first server 108-1 may determine whether the authentication was successful. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may determine whether authentication was successful by comparing the payload to a value converted from a challenge according to a pre-designed key for the first SIM. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may determine that the authentication was successful if the value converted from the challenge according to the pre-designed key for the first SIM is the same as the payload.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a response to the existing electronic device 111 indicating whether the authentication was successful.

In an embodiment, in operation 1619, the existing electronic device 111 and the first server 108-1 may confirm authorization of the existing electronic device 111. In an embodiment, upon receiving a response from the first server 108-1 indicating that authentication was successful, the existing electronic device 111 may request the first server 108-1 to confirm authorization.

In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may request the first server 108-1 to confirm authorization to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use the communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108). In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may send unique information of the existing electronic device 111 to the first server 108-1 to confirm the authorization. In an embodiment, the unique information may include at least one of an EID, an IMEI, a protocol version, a vendor of the existing electronic device 111, a model name, and a software version.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the existing electronic device 111 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the unique information received from the existing electronic device 111. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to make a subscription transfer based on the unique information received from the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, if the electronic device 101 does not have authorization for the subscription transfer, the first server 108-1 may confirm that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1. If the subscription of the electronic device 101 cannot be transferred (e.g., in the case of a subscription using a predetermined rate plan (e.g., a business rate plan)), the first server 108-1 may confirm that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the existing electronic device 111 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the existing electronic device 111 indicating that the existing electronic device 111 has authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the existing electronic device 111 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the existing electronic device 111 indicating that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, or may send a web page URL so that the existing electronic device 111 displays a web page of the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, in operation 1620, the existing electronic device 111 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, in response to receiving information indicating that the existing electronic device 111 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the existing electronic device 111 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may send a subscription transfer request to the first server 108-1 that includes unique information for the existing electronic device 111 and the new electronic device 113. In an embodiment, the unique information of the existing electronic device 111 and the new electronic device 113 may include IMEI, ICCID, EID or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send information to confirm the subscription transfer to the existing electronic device 111 in operation 1621. For example, the first server 108-1 may send to the existing electronic device 111 a URL capable of displaying a web page indicating at least one of information that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the new electronic device 113 (e.g., EID or IMEI of the external electronic device 103), information of the existing electronic device 111 (e.g., IMEI of the electronic device 101), and MSISDN of the existing electronic device 111.

In an embodiment, in operation 1623, the existing electronic device 111 may send information to the first server 108-1 indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer.

In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may access the URL of the received web page to display a screen including at least one of: information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the existing electronic device 111, information of the new electronic device 113, and the MSISDN of the existing electronic device 111. However, the information displayed by the URL of the received web page is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In an embodiment, the existing electronic device 111 may receive user input for confirming the subscription transfer (or for agreeing to the subscription transfer) while displaying the screen.

In an embodiment, in response to receiving a user input to confirm the subscription transfer, the existing electronic device 111 may send information to the first server 108-1 indicating that the user confirms the subscription transfer.

In an embodiment, in operation 1625, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) the second profile in response to receiving information from the existing electronic device 111 indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send the second profile download information to the existing electronic device 111 in operation 1626. In an embodiment, the second profile download information may include URL information of the second server 108-2 to be accessed to download the second profile. In an embodiment, the second profile download information may include an activation code.

In an embodiment, in operation 1627, the existing electronic device 111 may send the second profile download information received from the first server 108-1 to the new electronic device 113.

In an embodiment, in operation 1629, the new electronic device 113 may acquire (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2 and may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM. In an embodiment, the new electronic device 113 may obtain (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2 based on the second profile download information. In an embodiment, the new electronic device 113 may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In an embodiment, in operation 1631, the new electronic device 113 may notify the existing electronic device 111 that the download of the second profile is complete.

In an embodiment, in operation 1633, the existing electronic device 111 may request the first server 108-1 to update the subscription upon informing that the download of the second profile is complete.

In an embodiment, in operation 1635, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to the subscription update request.

In an embodiment, in operation 1637, the first server 108-1 may notify the existing electronic device 111 that the subscription update is complete. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may notify the existing electronic device 111 that the first profile is disabled (or disabled).

In an embodiment, in operation 1639, upon notifying that the subscription update is complete, the existing electronic device 111 may notify the new electronic device 113 that the subscription transfer is complete.

In an embodiment, in operation 1641, the new electronic device 113 may use the second profile when notifying that the subscription transfer is complete. In an embodiment, upon notification of the completion of the subscription transfer, the new electronic device 113 may enable (or activate) the second profile of the second SIM and may use a network (e.g., a cellular network) provided by the communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1 using the activated second profile.

In an embodiment, if the second profile of the second SIM is activated, the new electronic device 113 may inform the existing electronic device 111 that the second profile is activated.

In an embodiment, the new electronic device 113 and/or the existing electronic device 111 may display a screen indicating that the subscription transfer is completed, thereby informing the user that the subscription transfer is completed. In an embodiment, the screen indicating that the subscription transfer is complete may include information indicating that the network provided by the communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1 may be used using the second profile activated by the new electronic device 113. In an embodiment, the screen indicating that the subscription transfer is complete may include information indicating that the network provided by the communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1 cannot be used using the first profile deactivated by the existing electronic device 111.

Fig. 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D are diagrams illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D may be diagrams illustrating example user interface screens related to an embodiment of the operations of fig. 16.

Referring to example 1710 of fig. 17A, the existing electronic device 111 may display a screen 1711 indicating that a communication connection is established with the new electronic device 113 via a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1).

Referring to example 1720 of fig. 17A, new electronic device 113 may display, via a display (e.g., display device 160), a screen 1721 indicating that subscription information may be obtained from existing electronic device 111. In an embodiment, the screen 1721 may include an object 1725 for performing the acquisition of subscription information and an object 1729 for ending or skipping the acquisition of subscription information. In an embodiment, after the short-range communication connection is established in operation 1603, an example 1710 may be displayed. In an embodiment, an example 1720 may be displayed after operation 1609. In an embodiment, an example 1720 may be displayed during operation 1613.

In an embodiment, upon selection of the object 1725 in the screen 1721, a subscription transfer process between the existing electronic device 111 and the new electronic device 113 may be performed.

Referring to example 1730 of fig. 17B, based on information received from the first server 108-1, the existing electronic device 111 may display a screen 1731 including information for confirming subscription transfer. For example, the existing electronic device 111 may display text 1735 for querying whether to transfer a subscription, subscription information (e.g., MSISDN) 1737 of the first profile, and an object 1733 for receiving input for confirming the subscription transfer. In an embodiment, example 1730 may be a screen indicated by a web page URL received from server 108-1. In an embodiment, after the existing electronic device 111 receives information from the first server 108-1 confirming the subscription transfer to the existing electronic device 111 in operation 1621, example 1730 may be displayed.

Referring to example 1740 of fig. 17B, the new electronic device 113 may display a screen 1741, the screen 1741 including information indicating subscription transfer through the existing electronic device 111. In an embodiment, the new electronic device 113 may display a screen 1741 including text 1745, the text 1745 indicating content for transferring subscriptions through the existing electronic device 111. In an embodiment, after the new electronic device 113 identifies whether to transfer the subscription in operation 1613, an example 1740 may be displayed.

Referring to example 1750 of fig. 17C, in response to receiving input from a user for object 1733, existing electronic device 111 may display screen 1751 indicating that a subscription transfer is being performed. In an embodiment, after the existing electronic device 111 receives user input confirming the subscription transfer (or agreeing to the subscription transfer) in the screen indicated by the web page URL received from the server 108-1 in operation 1623, an example 1750 may be displayed. In an embodiment, example 1750 may not be displayed until existing electronic device 111 receives a second profile store complete message from new electronic device 113.

Referring to example 1760 of fig. 17C, the new electronic device 113 may display a screen 1761 indicating that the subscription is being transferred. In an embodiment, screen 1761 may include an object 1753 and text 1765 indicating that the subscription is being transferred.

Referring to example 1770 of fig. 17D, the existing electronic device 111 may display a screen 1771 indicating deactivation of the first profile in response to receiving information from the first server 108-1 indicating deactivation of the first profile. For example, after the existing electronic device 111 receives the first profile deactivation notification in operation 1637, example 1770 may be displayed.

Referring to example 1780 of fig. 17D, the new electronic device 113 may display a screen 1781 indicating activation of the second profile in response to receiving information from the existing electronic device 111 indicating that the subscription transfer is complete. For example, after the existing electronic device 111 receives the subscription update completion notification in operation 1639, example 1780 may be displayed.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram 1800 illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment.

Operations 1801, 1805, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1890 (may be referred to as operations 1801 through 1890 hereinafter) according to embodiments may be performed in a new electronic device of a user. In an embodiment, the new electronic device of the user may be an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 101 of fig. 1).

Referring to fig. 18, in operation 1801, a processor of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 2) may establish a short-range communication connection with an existing electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 103 of fig. 3).

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection with the external electronic device 103 through a first wireless communication circuit (e.g., a short-range wireless communication circuit). In an embodiment, the processor 210 may establish a short-range communication connection between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 through a D2D communication connection (e.g., bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi Direct).

In operation 1805, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain profile information from the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, when a short-range communication connection is established between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103, the processor 210 may request the external electronic device 103 to provide information of at least one profile stored in the second SIM of the external electronic device 103, and may receive information of at least one profile from the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1810, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may identify transferable subscription information based on information of at least one first profile of the external electronic device 103. In an embodiment, based on configuration information received from the configuration server, the processor 210 may identify a profile of a communication carrier supporting subscription transfer in at least one profile, and may identify a subscription indicated by the identified profile as a transferable subscription. In an embodiment, based on the configuration information, the processor 210 may identify communication carrier identity information (MCC and MNC) of the communication carrier supporting subscription transfer, identify a profile having the same communication carrier identity information as the communication carrier identity information identified in the at least one profile of the external electronic device 103, and identify the subscription indicated by the identified first profile as a transferable subscription.

In an embodiment, while displaying a screen indicating transferable subscription information, the processor 210 may confirm whether to transfer the subscription based on the received user input. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may confirm whether to transfer the subscription based on the received user input while a screen indicating that subscription transfer may be made is displayed through a display (e.g., the display device 160 of fig. 1).

In an embodiment, if there are two or more transferable subscriptions, the processor 210 can display a screen indicating that two or more subscriptions can be transferred. In an embodiment, while displaying a screen indicating that two or more subscriptions may be transferred, the processor 210 may confirm whether to transfer each of the two or more subscriptions based on the received user input.

In operation 1820, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the external electronic device 103 to perform user authentication for subscription transfer.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the external electronic device 103 to perform user authentication for subscription transfer based on the transferable subscription information.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may perform user authentication in response to a user identification request. In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may perform user authentication in response to a user authentication request for subscription transfer. In an embodiment, the user authentication may include authentication based on biometric information of the user (e.g., fingerprint authentication). In an embodiment, user authentication may include various methods provided in the external electronic device 103 (e.g., passwords, PINs, patterns, biometric information of the user (e.g., authentication based on fingerprint, iris, and/or facial recognition)).

In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may perform user authentication based on the received user information (e.g., password, PIN, pattern, biometric information) while displaying a screen for requesting confirmation of whether to make a subscription transfer through a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1).

In operation 1830, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to perform authentication based on the selected subscription information. In an embodiment, in response to receiving from the external electronic device 103 that the user authentication is identified, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to perform the authentication. In an embodiment, authentication may be performed based on an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) scheme. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send an authentication request to the first server 108-1 including the IMSI, IMEI, or combination thereof of the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may perform authentication with the first server 108-1 based on subscription information received from the external electronic device 103. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may identify the first server 108-1 to manage the profile indicated by the transferable subscription information and may perform authentication with the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send a challenge to the electronic device 101 in response to an authentication request of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the challenge may be a random number for authenticating the first SIM of the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1840, the processor 210 may send the challenge received from the first server 108-1 to the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may use the first SIM of the external electronic device 103 to obtain the payload for the challenge. In an embodiment, based on the authentication key value, the external electronic device 103 may use the first SIM to obtain the payload for the challenge. The external electronic device 103 may send a payload for the challenge to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1850, the processor 210 may transmit the payload received from the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1.

In operation 1860, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may send the device information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 in order to confirm the authorization of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, upon receiving a response from the first server 108-1 indicating that authentication was successful, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to confirm authorization. In an embodiment, the device information sent to the first server 108-1 may be unique information of the electronic device 101.

In an embodiment, the unique information may include at least one of an IMEI, a protocol version, a vendor of the existing electronic device 111, a model name, and a software version.

In operation 1870, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription in response to receiving information indicating that there is authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 confirming the subscription transfer in response to a subscription transfer request of the electronic device 101. For example, the first server 108-1 may send the electronic device 101 a URL of a web page capable of allowing the electronic device 101 to display at least one of information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the external electronic device 103 (e.g., IMEI), information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., IMEI), and MSISDN information of the external electronic device 103.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may access the URL of the received web page to display a screen via a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1) that includes at least one of information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the external electronic device 103 (e.g., IMEI), information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., IMEI), and the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103. However, the information displayed by the URL of the received web page is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In an embodiment, while the screen is displayed, the processor 210 may receive user input for confirming the subscription transfer (or for agreeing to the subscription transfer).

In operation 1880, in an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2 and may store the obtained second profile in the second SIM. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may access the second server 108-2 based on the URL information of the second server 108-2 included in the second profile download information. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may obtain (or download) the second profile from the accessed second server 108-2 based on the second profile download information. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In operation 1890, in an embodiment, upon completion of the download of the second profile, the processor 210 may request that the first server 108-1 deactivate the first profile. In an embodiment, the processor 210 may request the first server 108-1 to update the subscription.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 may use the second profile after notifying the subscription transfer is complete. In an embodiment, after notification of the subscription transfer completion, the processor 210 may enable (or activate) the second profile of the second SIM and may use a network (e.g., a cellular network) provided by a communications carrier associated with the first server 108-1 using the activated second profile.

Fig. 19 is a signal flow diagram 1900 illustrating an example system and illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions in accordance with an example embodiment. For example, fig. 19 may be a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the operations of fig. 18 for an electronic device 101 (e.g., electronic device 101, external electronic device 103, first server 108-1, and second server 108-2) on a system.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may download the configuration information from the configuration server. In an embodiment, the configuration information may include information (e.g., a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)) regarding whether each communication carrier supports subscription transfer and information (e.g., a URL)) that enables access to the first server 108-1 of each communication carrier.

Referring to fig. 19, in operation 1903, the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 may establish a short-range communication connection. For example, the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 may be connected through D2D communication (e.g., bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi Direct).

In operation 1905, the electronic device 101 may identify a profile list. In an embodiment, the list of profiles may be a list of profiles stored in a second SIM of the electronic device 101.

In operation 1907, the electronic apparatus 101 may request transmission of subscription information of the external electronic apparatus 103. In an embodiment, the subscription information may include at least one of an IMSI and an MSISDN (or telephone number) corresponding to a user of the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1909, the external electronic device 103 may transmit subscription information to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1911, the electronic device 101 may identify transferable subscription information based on at least one first profile stored in a first SIM of the external electronic device 103. In an embodiment, based on configuration information received from the configuration server, the electronic device 101 may identify a first profile of a communication carrier supporting subscription transfer in the at least one first profile, and may identify the subscription indicated by the identified first profile as a transferable subscription. In an embodiment, based on the configuration information, the electronic device 101 may identify communication carrier identity information (MCC and MNC) of the communication carrier supporting subscription transfer, identify a first profile having the same communication carrier identity information as that identified in at least one first profile stored in the first SIM, and identify the subscription indicated by the identified first profile as a transferable subscription.

In operation 1913, the electronic device 101 may confirm whether to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, while a screen indicating that subscription transfer is possible is displayed through a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1), electronic device 101 may confirm whether to transfer the subscription based on the received user input. In an embodiment, if a user input received while a screen indicating that subscription transfer is possible is displayed indicates that subscription transfer is being performed, the electronic device 101 may recognize that subscription transfer is being performed. In an embodiment, if a user input received while a screen indicating that subscription transfer is possible is displayed indicates that subscription is not transferred, the electronic device 101 may recognize that subscription transfer is not performed.

In an embodiment, if there are two or more transferable subscriptions, the electronic device 101 may display a screen indicating that two or more subscriptions may be transferred. In an embodiment, while displaying a screen indicating that two or more subscriptions may be transferred, the electronic device 101 may confirm whether to transfer each of the two or more subscriptions based on the received user input.

In operation 1915, the electronic apparatus 101 may request the external electronic apparatus 103 to confirm the user. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request the external electronic device 103 to confirm the user as to whether to make a subscription transfer.

In operation 1917, the external electronic device 103 may perform user authentication in response to the user identification request. In an embodiment, user authentication may include various methods provided in the external electronic device 103 (e.g., passwords, personal Identification Numbers (PINs), patterns, biometric information of the user (e.g., fingerprint, iris and/or facial recognition based authentication)).

In operation 1919, the external electronic device 103 may transmit the authentication result to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1921, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to perform authentication. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to perform authentication in response to receiving an identification of user authentication from the external electronic device 103. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request to perform authentication based on an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) scheme. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send an authentication request to the first server 108-1 including the IMSI, IMEI, or combination thereof of the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1923, the first server 108-1 may send a challenge to the electronic device 101 in response to the authentication request. In an embodiment, the challenge may be a random number for authenticating the first SIM of the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1925, the electronic device 101 may send the challenge received from the first server 108-1 to the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1927, the external electronic device 103 may use the first SIM of the external electronic device 103 to obtain the payload for the challenge. In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may obtain the payload for the challenge based on the authentication key value of the first SIM.

In operation 1929, in an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may send the payload obtained from the first SIM to the electronic device 101.

In operation 1931, the electronic device 101 may send the payload received from the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1.

In operation 1933, the electronic device 101 and the first server 108-1 may confirm the authorization of the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, upon receiving a response from the first server 108-1 indicating that authentication was successful, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to confirm authorization.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to confirm authorization to access the first server 108-1 (or authorization to use a communication service provided by the first server 108-1 after accessing the first server 108-1). In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send unique information of the electronic device 101 to the first server 108-1 to confirm the authorization. In an embodiment, the unique information may include at least one of an IMEI, a protocol version, a vendor of the electronic device 101, a model name, and a software version.

In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1 based on the unique information received from the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may confirm whether the electronic device 101 has authorization to make a subscription transfer based on the unique information received from the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, if the electronic device 101 does not have authorization for the subscription transfer, the first server 108-1 may confirm that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1. If the subscription of the electronic device 101 cannot be transferred (e.g., in the case of a subscription using a predetermined rate plan (e.g., a business rate plan)), the first server 108-1 may confirm that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send the electronic device 101 an authorization indicating that the electronic device 101 has information to access the first server 108-1.

In an embodiment, if the first server 108-1 confirms that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 indicating that the electronic device 101 does not have authorization to access the first server 108-1, or may send a web page URL so that the electronic device 101 displays a web page of the first server 108-1.

In operation 1934, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, in response to receiving information indicating that the electronic device 101 has authorization to access the first server 108-1, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to transfer the subscription. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send a subscription transfer request including unique information of the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 to the first server 108-1. In an embodiment, the unique information of the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 may include IMEI, ICCID, EID or a combination thereof.

In operation 1935, the first server 108-1 may send information to the electronic device 101 confirming the subscription transfer. For example, the first server 108-1 may send the electronic device 101 a URL capable of displaying a web page indicating at least one of information that the subscription transfer is to occur, information of the external electronic device 103 (e.g., EID or IMEI of the external electronic device 103), information of the electronic device 101 (e.g., IMEI of the electronic device 101), and MSISDN of the external electronic device 103.

In operation 1937, in an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may send information to the first server 108-1 indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may access the URL of the received web page to display a screen comprising at least one of: information indicating that a subscription transfer is to occur, information of the electronic device 101, information of the external electronic device 103, and the MSISDN of the external electronic device 103. However, the information displayed by the URL of the received web page is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may receive user input for confirming the subscription transfer (or for agreeing to the subscription transfer) while displaying the screen.

In an embodiment, in response to receiving a user input to approve the subscription transfer, the electronic device 101 may send information to the first server 108-1 indicating that the user confirms the subscription transfer.

In operation 1939, in response to receiving information from the electronic device 101 indicating confirmation of the subscription transfer, the first server 108-1 may request the second server 108-2 to generate (or prepare) the second profile.

In operation 1940, the first server 108-1 may send the second profile download information to the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the second profile download information may include URL information of the second server 108-2 to be accessed to download the second profile. In an embodiment, the second profile download information may include an activation code.

In operation 1941, the electronic device 101 may acquire (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2, and may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM. In an embodiment, based on the second profile download information, the electronic device 101 may obtain (or download) the second profile from the second server 108-2. In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may store the acquired second profile in the second SIM.

In operation 1943, after completing the download of the second profile, the electronic device 101 may request the first server 108-1 to update the subscription.

In operation 1945, the first server 108-1 may deactivate (or disable) the first profile in response to the subscription update request.

In operation 1947, the first server 108-1 may notify the electronic device 101 that the subscription update is complete. In an embodiment, the first server 108-1 may notify the electronic device 101 that the first profile is disabled (or disabled).

In operation 1949, after notifying that the subscription transfer is completed, the electronic device 101 may use the second profile. In an embodiment, after notifying the subscription transfer is completed, the electronic device 101 may enable (or activate) the second profile of the second SIM and may use a network (e.g., a cellular network) provided by a communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1 using the activated second profile.

In an embodiment, although not shown, if the second profile is activated, the electronic device 101 may inform the external electronic device 103 that the second profile is activated and/or that the first profile is deactivated.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 101 and/or the external electronic device 103 may display a screen indicating that the subscription transfer is completed, thereby notifying the user of the subscription transfer completion. In an embodiment, the screen indicating that the subscription transfer is completed may include information indicating that the network provided by the communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1 may be used using the second profile activated by the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the screen indicating that the subscription transfer is completed may include information indicating that the network provided by the communication carrier associated with the first server 108-1 cannot be used using the first profile deactivated by the external electronic device 103.

Fig. 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are diagrams illustrating an example method for transferring subscriptions, according to an embodiment. For example, fig. 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D may be diagrams illustrating example user interface screens related to an embodiment of the operations of fig. 19.

Referring to example 2010 of fig. 20A, external electronic device 103 may display a screen 2011 indicating that a communication connection with electronic device 101 is established through a display (e.g., display device 160 of fig. 1).

Referring to example 2020 of fig. 20A, electronic device 101 may display a screen 2021 via a display (e.g., display device 160) indicating that subscription information may be obtained from external electronic device 103. In an embodiment, the screen 2021 may include an object 2025 for performing acquisition of subscription information and an object 2029 for ending or skipping acquisition of subscription information. In an embodiment, examples 2010 and 2020 may be displayed after a short-range communication connection is established between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 103 in operation 1903. In an embodiment, after the short-range communication connection is established in operation 1903, an example 2010 may be displayed. In an embodiment, the example 2020 may be displayed after operation 1911. For example, the example 2020 may be displayed during operation 1913.

In an embodiment, after selecting the object 2025 in the screen 2021, a subscription transfer process between the external electronic apparatus 103 and the electronic apparatus 101 may be performed.

Referring to example 2030 of fig. 20B, the external electronic device 103 may display a screen 2031 indicating that subscription transfer is being performed by the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 may display a screen 2031 including text 2035, the text 2035 indicating content for subscription transfer by the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, after the external electronic device 103 transmits the device information to the electronic device 101 in operation 1909, an example 2030 may be displayed in the external electronic device 103.

Referring to example 2040 of fig. 20B, based on the information received from the first server 108-1, the electronic device 101 may display a screen 2041 including information for confirming subscription transfer. For example, the electronic device 101 may display text 2045 for querying whether to transfer the subscription, subscription information (e.g., MSISDN) 2047 for the first profile, and an object 2043 for receiving input for confirming the subscription transfer. In an embodiment, the example 2040 may be a screen indicated by a web page URL received from the server 108-1. In an embodiment, after the electronic device 101 receives the web page URL from the first server 108-1 in operation 1935, the example 2040 may be displayed.

Referring to example 2050 of fig. 20C, in response to the electronic device 101 receiving an input from a user for the object 2043, the external electronic device 103 may display a screen 2051 indicating that a subscription transfer is being performed.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 and the electronic device 101 may transmit and receive information indicating the current state of each other to each other while performing an operation for subscription transfer. In an embodiment, the external electronic device 103 and the electronic device 101 may change screens based on the current state of the electronic devices 101 and 103. In an embodiment, in example 2050, electronic device 101 may receive user input to confirm the subscription transfer (or to agree to the subscription transfer) in a screen indicated by the web page URL received from server 108-1 in operation 1923, although not shown, electronic device 101 may send information to external electronic device 103 indicating receipt of the user input. The external electronic device 103 may display the example 2050 after receiving information indicating receipt of the user input. In an embodiment, example 2050 may not be displayed until external electronic device 103 receives a notification from electronic device 101 indicating activation of the second profile and/or deactivation of the first profile.

Referring to example 2060 of fig. 20C, electronic device 101 may display screen 2061 indicating that a subscription transfer is being performed. In an embodiment, the screen 2061 may include an object 2063 and text 2065 indicating that a subscription transfer is being performed.

Referring to example 2070 of fig. 20D, although not shown, the external electronic device 103 may display a screen 2071 indicating deactivation of the first profile in response to receiving information indicating activation of the second profile and/or deactivation of the first profile from the electronic device 101. In an embodiment, after the first profile is deactivated by the first server 108-1 in operation 1945, an example 2070 may be displayed.

Referring to the example 2080 of fig. 20D, in response to receiving information indicating that the subscription transfer is complete from the first server 108-1 in operation 1947, the electronic device 101 may display a screen 2081 indicating activation of the second profile. In an embodiment, examples 2070 and 2080 may be displayed after the electronic device 101 receives a notification indicating that the subscription transfer is complete in operation 1947.

Further, the structure of the data used in the above-described embodiments may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium via various means. The computer readable recording medium may include storage media such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, or hard disks) and optical read-out media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs)).

The above-mentioned method according to an example embodiment may include: establishing a short-range communication connection between the electronic device and an external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit configured to support a first communication protocol; obtaining, by the first wireless communication circuit, subscription information for a first profile stored in a first SIM of the external electronic device from the external electronic device; transmitting at least a portion of the subscription information through a second wireless communication circuit configured to support a second communication protocol; acquiring authentication information provided by a first server from an external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit; transmitting authentication information to the first server through the second wireless communication circuit; obtaining, by the second wireless communication circuit, a second profile corresponding to the first profile from a second server associated with the first server based on sending the authentication information to the first server; and storing the second profile to a second SIM of the electronic device.

In an example embodiment, the acquisition of subscription information for the first profile may include: requesting the external electronic device to provide subscription information in response to establishing the short-range communication connection between the electronic device and the external electronic device; and in response to requesting the external electronic device to provide the subscription information, obtaining the subscription information from the external electronic device through the first wireless communication circuit.

In an example embodiment, the subscription information may include at least one of an IMSI and a mistn of the first SIM.

In an example embodiment, the authentication information may include an OTP generated in the first server.

In an example embodiment, transmitting at least a portion of the subscription information to the first server may include transmitting, to the first server, a port number of the external electronic device for receiving the ID and authentication information of the electronic device and at least a portion of the subscription information through the second wireless communication circuit.

In an example embodiment, the method may further include: based on the second profile being activated, communicating using the activated second profile by a processor coupled to the second SIM.

In an example embodiment, the method may further include: after storing the second profile in the second SIM of the electronic device, the list of profiles stored in the second SIM is sent to the first server over the second wireless communication circuit by including the second profile.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the various exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. It will be further understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the present disclosure including the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first wireless communication circuit configured to support a first communication protocol;

a second wireless communication circuit configured to support a second communication protocol;

at least one processor operatively coupled with the first wireless communication circuit and the second wireless communication circuit; and

a memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the electronic device to:

establishing a short-range communication connection between the electronic device and an external electronic device through the first wireless communication circuit;

receiving, by the first wireless communication circuit, subscription information for a first profile stored in a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of the external electronic device from the external electronic device;

Transmitting a first subscription transfer request to the external electronic device via a first wireless communication circuit based at least on subscription information of the first profile;

receiving, by the first wireless communication circuit, authentication information confirmed by a first server from the external electronic device in response to transmitting a first subscription transfer request to the external electronic device, wherein the authentication information is acquired by the external electronic device based on a challenge provided to the external electronic device for authenticating a first SIM;

transmitting the authentication information and a second subscription transfer request received from the external electronic device to the first server through the second wireless communication circuit;

receiving, by the second wireless communication circuit, a second profile in response to sending a second subscription transfer request to the first server; and

store the second profile to a second SIM of the electronic device,

wherein the second profile is received from a second server through the second wireless communication circuit.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the authentication information is received from the first server by the external electronic device.

3. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control an electronic device to: information indicating that a second profile is stored in a second SIM is sent to the first server via the second wireless communication circuit.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the authentication information is an authentication token.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second SIM comprises an embedded SIM (eSIM).

6. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) in the second profile identical to an MSISDN of the first SIM.

7. A method performed by an electronic device, comprising:

establishing a short-range communication connection between the electronic device and an external electronic device through a first wireless communication circuit configured to support a first communication protocol;

transmitting the authentication information and a second subscription transfer request received from the external electronic device to the first server through a second wireless communication circuit;

store the second profile to a second SIM of the electronic device,

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the authentication information is received from the first server by the external electronic device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the authentication information comprises an authentication token.

10. The method of claim 7, the second SIM comprising an embedded SIM (eSIM).

11. The method of claim 7, wherein a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) included in the second profile is the same as an MSISDN of the first SIM.