U.S. patent application number 15/474622 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-20 for method of backing up profile and apparatus therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to KT Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is KT Corporation. Invention is credited to Kwan Lae KIM, Hyung Jin LEE, Jin Hyoung LEE, Chul Hyun PARK.
Application Number | 20170208452 15/474622 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49756848 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170208452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Kwan Lae ; et
al. |
July 20, 2017 |
METHOD OF BACKING UP PROFILE AND APPARATUS THEREFOR
Abstract
A method and apparatus for backing up a profile of in a
repository are disclosed. The method of backing up a profile is a
method of backing up a profile in a subscriber management server,
and includes receiving a backup request for a profile stored in an
authentication module from the authentication module, providing
information for at least one repository to the authentication
module, the information being generated by confirming a state of
the at least one repository to back up the profile according to the
backup request, and storing the profile in a repository selected by
the authentication module based on the information for at least one
repository. Therefore, the user can directly select a reliable
repository and back up the profile of the authentication
module.
Inventors: |
KIM; Kwan Lae; (Seoul,
KR) ; PARK; Chul Hyun; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Jin
Hyoung; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Hyung Jin; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KT Corporation |
Seongnam-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
KT Corporation
Seongnam-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
49756848 |
Appl. No.: |
15/474622 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13918471 |
Jun 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
15474622 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/27 20190101;
G06F 2201/80 20130101; G06F 11/1451 20130101; H04W 8/205 20130101;
H04L 63/102 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 8/20 20060101
H04W008/20; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; G06F 11/14 20060101
G06F011/14; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 15, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0064316 |
Jun 5, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0064900 |
Claims
1. A method of backing up a profile in an eUICC device, the method
comprising: transmitting a backup request for backup of a profile
stored in the eUICC device with credential information of a user to
a subscriber management server; receiving information for at least
one repository from the subscriber management server receiving the
backup request, the information being generated by the subscriber
management server after receiving, at the subscriber management
server, confirmation of a state of the at least one repository from
the at least one repository; and selecting a repository to store
the profile through a user interface of the eUICC device based on
the information for at least one repository.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the credential information
includes information for identifying the eUICC device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the repository is located in at
least one of a mobile network operator (MNO), a ucloud, and a
dropbox which communicates with the subscriber management
server.
4. The method of claim 3, the receiving of the information for at
least one repository from the subscriber management server includes
receiving the information for at least one repository including
list information and availability information for the at least one
repository from the subscriber management server.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting
the profile to the subscriber management server to be stored in the
selected repository.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the transmitting of the
profile to the subscriber management server includes encrypting the
profile and transmitting the encrypted profile to the subscriber
management server.
7. A method of backing up a profile in a subscriber management
server, the method comprising: receiving a backup request for a
profile stored in an eUICC device with credential information of a
user from the eUICC device; providing information for at least one
repository to the eUICC device, the information being generated by
confirming a state of the at least one repository to back up the
profile according to the received backup request; and storing the
profile in a repository selected by the eUICC device based on the
information for at least one repository.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the subscriber management server
identifies the eUICC device using the credential information of the
user.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the repository is located in at
least one of a mobile network operator (MNO), a ucloud, and a
dropbox which communicates with the subscriber management
server.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the providing of the information
for the at least one repository to the eUICC device includes
generating the information for at least one repository including
list information and availability information for the at least one
repository, and delivering the information to the eUICC device.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the storing of the profile in
the repository selected by the eUICC device includes receiving a
profile encrypted by the eUICC device and storing the encrypted
profile in the repository selected by the eUICC device.
12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the storing of the
profile in the repository selected by the eUICC device includes
storing the profile to two or more repositories selected by the
eUICC device.
13. An apparatus for backing up a profile, the apparatus
comprising: a backup request reception unit configured to receive a
backup request for a profile stored in an eUICC device with
credential information of a user from the eUICC device; a
repository information providing unit configured to provide
information for at least one repository to the eUICC device, the
information being generated by recognizing a state of the at least
one repository to back up the profile according to the received
backup request; and a profile delivery unit configured to deliver
the profile to a repository selected by the eUICC device based on
the information for at least one repository.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the credential information
includes information for identifying the eUICC device.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the repository is located in
at least one of a mobile network operator (MNO), a ucloud, and a
dropbox which communicates with the subscriber management
server.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the repository
information providing unit generates the information for at least
one repository including list information and availability
information for the at least one repository and delivers the
information to the eUICC device.
17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the profile
delivery unit receives a profile encrypted by the eUICC device and
delivers the encrypted profile to the repository selected by the
eUICC device.
18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the profile
delivery unit delivers the profile to two or more repositories
selected by the eUICC device.
Description
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
13/918,471, filed Jun. 14, 2013, which is based upon and claims
priority from Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2012-0064316 filed
on Jun. 15, 2012, and 10-2013-0064900 filed on Jun. 5, 2013 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] Example embodiments of the present invention relate to
technology for managing a profile of an eUICC, and more
specifically, to a method and apparatus for backing up a profile of
an eUICC in a repository.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] A UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) is a smart card
that can be used as a module for user authentication that is
inserted into a terminal. The UICC may store personal information
of a user and operator information for a mobile network operator to
which the user has subscribed. For example, the UICC may include
IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) for identifying a
user.
[0006] Further, a UICC may be called a SIM (Subscriber Identity
Module) card when using a GSM (Global System for Mobile
communications) scheme. The UICC may be called a USIM (Universal
Subscriber Identity Module) card when using a WCDMA (Wideband Code
Division Multiple Access) scheme.
[0007] When a user mounts a UICC on a terminal of the user, user
authentication is automatically performed using information stored
in the UICC, enabling the user to conveniently use the terminal.
Further, when the user replaces an existing terminal, the user can
easily replace the terminal by mounting a UICC detached from the
existing terminal on a new terminal.
[0008] Meanwhile, it is difficult to miniaturize a terminal
requiring miniaturization, such as a terminal for machine to
machine (M2M) communication, when the terminal is manufactured with
a structure in which a UICC is capable of being attached or
detached. Accordingly, an embedded UICC (eUICC) structure in which
an UICC is incapable of being attached or detached has been
proposed.
[0009] An existing UICC is capable of being attached to or detached
from a terminal, enabling a user to open the terminal regardless of
a type of the terminal and a mobile network operator. However, IMSI
in the eUICC is allowed to be allocated only when a UICC embedded
upon manufacturing a terminal should be used for only a specific
mobile network operator. Accordingly, information (e.g., IMSI) of a
user of a UICC must be installed in the eUICC using a method such
as downloading, for tasks such as ordering, opening and terminating
for the terminal.
[0010] In other words, an existing UICC is capable of being
attached to or detached from a terminal. Accordingly, when a
terminal is replaced, personal information of a user and
information of an operator to which the user has subscribed can be
moved to a new device by detaching and inserting the UICC. However,
in the case of an eUICC, it is difficult to move personal
information of an existing user and information of an operator to
another device, or bring the personal information of the user and
the information of the operator from another device, due to
physical properties of the eUICC.
SUMMARY
[0011] Accordingly, example embodiments of the present invention
are provided to substantially obviate one or more problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0012] Example embodiments of the present invention provide a
method of backing up a profile in an environment in which an eUICC
is used.
[0013] Other example embodiments of the present invention provide
an apparatus for backing up a profile in an environment in which an
eUICC is used.
[0014] In some example embodiments, a method of backing up a
profile in a subscriber management server includes: receiving a
backup request for a profile stored in an eUICC device from the
eUICC device; providing information for at least one repository to
the eUICC device, the information being generated by confirming a
state of the at least one repository to back up the profile
according to the received backup request; and storing the profile
in a repository selected by the eUICC device based on the
information for at least one repository.
[0015] Here, the receiving of the backup request may include
receiving credential information of a user of the eUICC device
together with the backup request.
[0016] Here, the providing of the information for the at least one
repository to the eUICC device may include generating the
information for at least one repository including list information
and availability information for the at least one repository, and
delivering the information to the eUICC device.
[0017] Here, the storing of the profile in the repository selected
by the eUICC device may include receiving a profile encrypted by
the eUICC device and storing the encrypted profile in the
repository selected by the eUICC device.
[0018] Here, the storing of the profile in the repository selected
by the eUICC device may include storing the profile to two or more
repositories selected by the eUICC device.
[0019] In other example embodiments, a method of backing up a
profile in an eUICC device includes: transmitting a backup request
for backup of a profile stored in the eUICC device to a subscriber
management server; receiving information for at least one
repository from the subscriber management server that receives the
backup request, the information being generated by the subscriber
management server through confirmation of a state of the at least
one repository; and selecting a repository to store the profile
through a user interface of the eUICC device based on the
information for at least one repository.
[0020] Here, the transmitting of the backup request to the
subscriber management server may include transmitting credential
information of a user of the eUICC device together with the backup
request to the subscriber management server.
[0021] Here, the receiving of the information for at least one
repository from the subscriber management server may include
receiving the information for at least one repository including
list information and availability information for the at least one
repository from the subscriber management server.
[0022] Here, the method may further include transmitting the
profile to the subscriber management server to be stored in the
selected repository.
[0023] Here, the transmitting of the profile to the subscriber
management server may include encrypting the profile and
transmitting the encrypted profile to the subscriber management
server.
[0024] In still other example embodiments, an apparatus for backing
up a profile includes: a backup request reception unit configured
to receive a backup request for a profile stored in an eUICC device
from the eUICC device; a repository information providing unit
configured to provide information for at least one repository to
the eUICC device, the information being generated by recognizing a
state of the at least one repository to back up the profile
according to the received backup request; and a profile delivery
unit configured to deliver the profile to a repository selected by
the eUICC device based on the information for at least one
repository.
Effects of the Invention
[0025] With the method and apparatus for backing up a profile
according to example embodiments of the present invention as
described above, a user can directly select a reliable repository
and back up the profile of the eUICC device.
[0026] Further, the operator can easily back up the profile of the
eUICC using the subscriber management server instead of a user of
the eUICC.
[0027] Furthermore, a plurality of repositories can be selected to
back up the profile, thereby coping with emergency situations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] Example embodiments of the present invention will become
more apparent by describing in detail example embodiments of the
present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of
backing up a profile according to an example embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of backing up a
profile according to an example embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of backing up a
profile in a subscriber management server according to an example
embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of backing up a
profile in an eUICC device according to an example embodiment of
the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram illustrating a user
interface of an eUICC for repository selection according to an
example embodiment of the present invention; and
[0034] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
backing up a profile according to an example embodiment of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Example embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein. However, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of
describing example embodiments of the present invention, however,
example embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in
many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to
example embodiments of the present invention set forth herein.
[0036] Accordingly, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof
are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there
is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout the description of the figures.
[0037] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only
used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first
element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second
element could be termed a first element, without departing from the
scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items.
[0038] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be
directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening
elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred
to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another
element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words
used to describe the relationship between elements should be
interpreted in a like fashion (i.e., "between" versus "directly
between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).
[0039] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or
"including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0041] Hereinafter, preferred example embodiments of the present
invention will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of
backing up a profile according to an example embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, the method of backing up a profile
according to an example embodiment of the present invention may be
performed by an eUICC device 100, a subscriber management server
200, and a repository 300.
[0044] The eUICC device 100 may mean an apparatus on which an
embedded UICC incapable of being attached or detached has been
mounted. For example, the eUICC device 100 may mean a terminal for
machine to machine (M2M) communication. However, in an example
embodiment of the present invention, a type of the eUICC device 100
is not particularly limited.
[0045] The subscriber management server 200 may mean a server
managed by an operator and providing communication service to
subscribers. Here, the operator may mean a mobile network operator
and may be called an MNO.
[0046] The repository 300 may mean a data storage device in which a
profile can be backed up, and may be configured as a part of the
subscriber management server 200 and may be configured as an
external device that is in conjunction with the subscriber
management server 200. Further, the repository 300 may be a data
storage device or a server managed by the operator or by a third
party. Here, the third party may mean a management entity other
than a user of the eUICC device 100 and the operator.
[0047] The user of the eUICC device 100 (hereinafter referred to as
a "user") may request the subscriber management server 200 to back
up the profile stored in the eUICC using the eUICC device 100
(S110). For example, the user may request the subscriber management
server 200 to back up the profile using a user interface provided
by the eUICC device 100.
[0048] The profile may include personal information of the user and
information of the operator to which the user has subscribed. For
example, the profile may mean a SIM (Subscriber Identification
Module) profile.
[0049] The subscriber management server 200 that receives the
backup request may confirm states of a plurality of repositories
300, generate information for the repositories and transmit the
information to the eUICC device 100 (S120). Here, the information
for the repositories may include list information and availability
information of the plurality of repositories.
[0050] The user may confirm the list information and the
availability information for the repositories through the eUICC
device 100, and select the repository 300 to store the profile
(S130). For example, the eUICC device 100 may provide a user
interface that enables the user to select the repository 300.
[0051] Further, the user may transmit the profile to be backed up
to the subscriber management server 200 through the eUICC device
100, and the subscriber management server 200 may deliver the
received profile to the selected repository 300 to be stored
(S140).
[0052] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of backing up a
profile according to an example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, the method of backing up a profile,
which is performed by the eUICC device 100, the subscriber
management server 200 and the repository 300, will be described in
greater detail. The eUICC device 100 may back up the profile stored
in the eUICC device 100 through the subscriber management server
200.
[0054] The eUICC device 100 may transmit a backup request for
backup of the profile to the subscriber management server 200
(S210). In other words, as the backup request is transmitted to the
subscriber management server 200, the method of backing up a
profile according to an example embodiment of the present invention
starts.
[0055] Further, the eUICC device 100 may transmit credential
information of the user together with the backup request to the
subscriber management server 200. Here, the credential information
of the user is information that can identify the user and may mean
information specific to the user, such as an ID and a password.
Therefore, the subscriber management server 200 may identify the
eUICC device 100 using the credential information of the user, and
may be in conjunction with the eUICC device 100 and the repository
300 based on the credential information of the user.
[0056] The subscriber management server 200 may confirm states of
the plurality of repositories 300 (S220). In other words, the
subscriber management server 200 may connect to the plurality of
repositories 300 to confirm or check the states of the plurality of
repositories 300. For example, the subscriber management server 200
may confirm the states such as available capacity of the plurality
of repositories 300.
[0057] After confirming the states of the plurality of repositories
300, the subscriber management server 200 may generate information
for the repositories including the list information and the
availability information of the repositories (S230).
[0058] The subscriber management server 200 may provide the
generated information of the repositories to the eUICC device 100
(S240). The eUICC device 100 having received the information for
the repositories may provide the information for the repositories
to the user through the user interface (S240).
[0059] The user may select the repository 300 to store the profile
based on the information for the repositories provided through the
user interface of the eUICC device 100, and may provide the profile
to be backed up to the subscriber management server 200 (S250).
Further, the eUICC device 100 may encrypt the profile to be backed
up and provide the encrypted profile to the subscriber management
server 200, enabling the profile to be backed up more safely in the
repository 300.
[0060] Furthermore, the user may select the plurality of
repositories 300 to store the profile through the user interface of
the eUICC device 100. In other words, the profile can be more
safely managed by being backed up in the plurality of repositories
300.
[0061] The subscriber management server 200 may deliver the profile
received from the eUICC device 100 to the repository 300 selected
by the eUICC device 100 (S260). Further, the subscriber management
server 200 may deliver the profile to the plurality of repositories
300 selected by the eUICC device 100.
[0062] Therefore, the repository 300 having received the profile
from the subscriber management server 200 may store the
profile.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of backing up a
profile in the subscriber management server according to an example
embodiment of the present invention.
[0064] A method of backing up a profile in the subscriber
management server 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.
The method of backing up a profile in the subscriber management
server 200 may be divided into a step of receiving a backup request
for a profile, a step of providing information for a repository to
the eUICC device 100, and a step of storing a profile in the
repository 300 selected by the eUICC device 100.
[0065] The backup request for the profile stored in the eUICC
device 100 may be received from the eUICC device 100 (S310). In
other words, a user may request a subscriber server to back up the
profile using the user interface of the eUICC device 100.
[0066] Further, the subscriber management server 200 may receive
credential information of the user together with the backup
request. For example, the subscriber management server 200 may
identify the eUICC device 100 using the credential information of
the user and back up the profile.
[0067] The subscriber management server 200 that receives the
backup request may confirm states of a plurality of repositories
300 to back up the profile and generate information for the
repositories (S320). For example, the subscriber management server
200 may be in conjunction with the plurality of repositories 300
and confirm or recognize the states of the plurality of
repositories 300. Therefore, the subscriber management server 200
may confirm the states of the plurality of repositories 300 and
generate the information of the repositories. Here, the information
for the repositories may include list information and availability
information for a plurality of repositories.
[0068] The subscriber management server 200 may provide the
generated information for the repositories to the eUICC device 100
(S330). In other words, the subscriber management server 200
provides the generated information for the repositories to the
eUICC device 100 so that the user of the eUICC device 100 can
select the repository 300 to store the profile based on the
information of the repositories. Here, the user may select two or
more repositories 300 to back up the profile.
[0069] The subscriber management server 200 may deliver the profile
received from the eUICC device 100 to the repository 300 selected
by the eUICC device 100 such that the profile can be stored in the
repository 300 selected by the eUICC device 100 (S340).
[0070] Further, it is understood that the subscriber management
server 200 may deliver the profile received from the eUICC device
100 to a plurality of repositories 300 selected by the eUICC device
100 such that the profile can be stored in the plurality of
repositories 300 selected by the eUICC device 100. Accordingly, the
plurality of repositories 300 may receive the profile delivered
from the subscriber management server 200 and store the
profile.
[0071] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of backing up a
profile in the eUICC device according to an example embodiment of
the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram
illustrating the user interface of the eUICC for repository
selection according to an example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0072] The method of backing up a profile in the eUICC device 100
will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0073] The eUICC device 100 may transmit a backup request for
backup of a profile stored in the eUICC device 100 to the
subscriber management server 200 (S410). In this case, the eUICC
device 100 transmits credential information of the user together
with the backup request such that the subscriber management server
200 can identify the eUICC device 100 using the credential
information of the user and back up the profile.
[0074] The eUICC device 100 may receive information for a plurality
of repositories from the subscriber management server 200 that
receives the backup request, the information being generated by the
subscriber management server 200 by confirming states of the
plurality of repositories 300 (S420). Here, the information for the
repositories may include list information and availability
information for the repositories.
[0075] Further, referring to FIG. 5, the eUICC device 100 may
provide the information for the repositories to the user through
the user interface. In other words, FIG. 5 illustrates a screen 110
on which the information for the repositories provided through the
user interface of the eUICC device 100 is displayed.
[0076] The eUICC device 100 may display available capacity of each
repository 300 together with a list of repositories 300. For
example, the repository 300 in conjunction with the subscriber
management server 200 may include a MNO repository, ucloud, and
Dropbox, which are repositories managed by the operator.
[0077] The user may select the repository 300 to store the profile
based on the information for the plurality of repositories
displayed on the user interface of the eUICC device 100 (S430).
Further, it is understood that that the user may select a plurality
of repositories 300 to store the profile through the user interface
of the eUICC device 100.
[0078] The eUICC device 100 transmits the profile to the subscriber
management server 200 (S440) so that the profile can be backed up
in the repository 300 selected by the eUICC device 100. Further,
the eUICC device 100 may encrypt the profile and transmit the
encrypted profile to the subscriber management server 200 such that
the profile can be transmitted more safely.
[0079] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
backing up the profile according to an example embodiment of the
present invention.
[0080] An apparatus for performing the method of backing up a
profile according to the example embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. An eUICC
device 100 may back up a profile in a repository 300 through a
subscriber management server 200. Therefore, the profile backup
apparatus may be the subscriber management server 200.
[0081] The subscriber management server 200 includes a backup
request reception unit 210, a repository information providing unit
220, and a profile delivery unit 230.
[0082] The backup request reception unit 210 may receive a backup
request of a profile stored in the eUICC device 100 from the eUICC
device 100. Further, the backup request reception unit 210 may
receive credential information of a user of the eUICC device 100
together with the backup request. In other words, the eUICC device
100 may be identified based on the credential information of the
user and the profile may be backed up.
[0083] The repository information providing unit 220 may provide
the eUICC device 100 with information for a plurality of
repositories 300 generated by recognizing states of the plurality
of repositories 300 to back up the profile according to the
received backup request. Here, the information for the repositories
may include list information and availability information for the
repositories.
[0084] The profile delivery unit 230 may deliver the profile to the
repository 300 that is selected by the eUICC device 100 based on
the information for the plurality of repositories. Further, the
profile delivery unit 230 may receive the profile encrypted by the
eUICC device 100 and deliver the encrypted profile to the
repository 300 selected by the eUICC device 100.
[0085] Furthermore, it is understood that the profile delivery unit
230 may deliver the profile to two or more repositories 300
selected by the eUICC device 100.
[0086] While each component of the subscriber management server 200
according to the example embodiment of the present invention has
been described as a separate component for convenience of
description, at least two of the components may be combined as a
one component, or one component may be divided into a plurality of
components, to perform functions. Embodiments in which the
components are combined or divided are included within the scope
and spirit of the present invention.
[0087] With the method and apparatus for backing up a profile
according to the example embodiment of the present invention
described above, a user can directly select a reliable repository
and back up the profile of the eUICC device.
[0088] Further, the operator can easily back up the profile of the
eUICC using the subscriber management server instead of a user of
the eUICC.
[0089] Furthermore, a plurality of repositories can be selected to
back up the profile, thereby coping with emergency situations.
[0090] While example embodiments of the present invention and their
advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood
that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made
herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
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