Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling the distribution of electronic access clients to a device. In one embodiment, a virtualized Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) can only load an access client such as an electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) according to an activation ticket. The activation ticket ensures that the virtualized UICC can only receive eSIMs from specific carriers (“carrier locking”). Unlike prior art methods which enforce carrier locking on a software application launched from a software chain of trust (which can be compromised), the present invention advantageously enforces carrier locking with the secure UICC hardware which has, for example, a secure code base.

Abstract: Representative embodiments described herein set forth techniques for optimizing large-scale deliveries of electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs) to mobile devices. Specifically, instead of generating and assigning eSIMs when mobile devices are being activated—which can require significant processing overhead—eSIMs are pre-generated with a basic set of information, and are later-assigned to the mobile devices when they are activated. This can provide considerable benefits over conventional approaches that involve generating and assigning eSIMs during mobile device activation, especially when new mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, etc.) are being launched and a large number of eSIM assignment requests are to be fulfilled in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for user authentication and human intent verification of administrative operations for eSIMs of an eUICC included in a mobile device are disclosed. Certain administrative operations, such as import, modification, and/or export, of an eSIM and/or for an eUICCs firmware can require user authentication and/or human intent verification before execution of the administrative operations are performed or completed by the mobile device. A user of the mobile device provides information to link an external user account to an eSIM upon (or subsequent to) installation on the eUICC. User credentials, such as a user name and password, and/or information generated therefrom, can be used to authenticate the user with an external server. In response to successful user authentication, the administrative operations are performed. Human intent verification can also be performed in conjunction with user authentication to prevent malware from interfering with eSIM and/or eUICC functions of the mobile device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling the distribution of electronic access clients to a device. In one embodiment, a virtualized Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) can only load an access client such as an electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) according to an activation ticket. The activation ticket ensures that the virtualized UICC can only receive eSIMs from specific carriers (“carrier locking”). Unlike prior art methods which enforce carrier locking on a software application launched from a software chain of trust (which can be compromised), the present invention advantageously enforces carrier locking with the secure UICC hardware which has, for example, a secure code base.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficiently distributing and storing access control clients within a network. In one embodiment, the access clients include electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs), and an eSIM distribution network infrastructure is described which enforces eSIM uniqueness and conservation, distributes network traffic to prevent “bottle necking” congestion, and provides reasonable disaster recovery capabilities. In one variant, eSIMs are securely stored at electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) appliances which ensure eSIM uniqueness and conservation. Access to the eUICC appliances is made via multiple eSIM depots, which ensure that network load is distributed. Persistent storage is additionally described, for among other activities, archiving and backup.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for distributing access control clients. In one exemplary embodiment, a network infrastructure is disclosed that enables delivery of electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) to secure elements (e.g., electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (eUICCs), etc.) The network architecture includes one or more of: (i) eSIM appliances, (ii) secure eSIM storages, (iii) eSIM managers, (iv) eUICC appliances, (v) eUICC managers, (vi) service provider consoles, (vii) account managers, (viii) Mobile Network Operator (MNO) systems, (ix) eUICCs that are local to one or more devices, and (x) depots. Moreover, each depot may include: (xi) eSIM inventory managers, (xii) system directory services, (xiii) communications managers, and/or (xiv) pending eSIM storages. Functions of the disclosed infrastructure can be flexibly partitioned and/or adapted such that individual parties can host portions of the infrastructure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling programming of electronic identification information of a wireless apparatus. In one embodiment, a previously purchased or deployed wireless apparatus is activated by a cellular network. The wireless apparatus connects to the cellular network using an access module to download operating system components and/or access control client components. The described methods and apparatus enable updates, additions and replacement of various components including Electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) data, OS components. One exemplary implementation of the invention utilizes a trusted key exchange between the device and the cellular network to maintain security.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for large scale distribution of electronic access control clients. In one aspect, a tiered security software protocol is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a server electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) and client eUICC software comprise a so-called “stack” of software layers. Each software layer is responsible for a set of hierarchical functions which are negotiated with its corresponding peer software layer. The tiered security software protocol is configured for large scale distribution of electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for storing and controlling access control clients. In one embodiment, transmitting and receiving devices ensure that only one copy of an eSIM is active at any time. Specifically, each transferred eSIM is encrypted for the destination device; the eSIM from the source device is deleted, deactivated, or otherwise rendered unusable. Various aspects of network infrastructure are also described, including electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) appliances, and mobile devices. Various scenarios for transfer of eSIMs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling programming of electronic identification information of a wireless apparatus. In one embodiment, a previously purchased or deployed wireless apparatus is activated by a cellular network. The wireless apparatus connects to the cellular network using an access module to download operating system components and/or access control client components. The described methods and apparatus enable updates, additions and replacement of various components including Electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) data, OS components. One exemplary implementation of the invention utilizes a trusted key exchange between the device and the cellular network to maintain security.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for storing and controlling access control clients. In one embodiment, transmitting and receiving devices ensure that only one copy of an eSIM is active at any time. Specifically, each transferred eSIM is encrypted for the destination device; the eSIM from the source device is deleted, deactivated, or otherwise rendered unusable. Various aspects of network infrastructure are also described, including electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) appliances, and mobile devices. Various scenarios for transfer of eSIMs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for distributing electronic access client modules for use with electronic devices. In one embodiment, the access client modules are virtual subscriber identity modules (VSIMs) that can be downloaded from online services for use with cellular-equipped devices such as smartphones. The online services may include a point of sale (POS) system that sells electronic devices to users. A broker may be used to facilitate the selection of a virtual subscriber identity module. A provisioning service may also be used to provision the selected VSIM.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing multiple user access control entities or clients. For example, in one embodiment, a “wallet” of electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) may be stored and used at a user device and/or distributed to other devices for use thereon. In another embodiment, a networked server may store and distribute eSIM to a plurality of user devices in communication therewith. A database of available eSIM is maintained at the wallet entity and/or at the network which enables request for a particular eSIM to be processed and various rules for the distribution thereof to be implemented. Security precautions are implemented to protect both user and network carrier specific data as the data is transmitted between networked entities. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for large scale distribution of electronic access control clients. In one aspect, a tiered security software protocol is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a server electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) and client eUICC software comprise a so-called “stack” of software layers. Each software layer is responsible for a set of hierarchical functions which are negotiated with its corresponding peer software layer. The tiered security software protocol is configured for large scale distribution of electronic Subscriber Identity Modules (eSIMs).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for using an online resource to manage credentials on an electronic device are provided. In one example embodiment, a method, at an electronic device, includes, inter alia, receiving account data via an online resource, accessing commerce credential status data from a secure element of the electronic device, providing initial credential management option data via the online resource based on the received account data and based on the accessed commerce credential status data, in response to the providing, receiving a selection of an initial credential management option via the online resource, and changing the status of a credential on the secure element based on the received selection. Additional embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for storing and controlling access control clients. In one embodiment, transmitting and receiving devices ensure that only one copy of an eSIM is active at any time. Specifically, each transferred eSIM is encrypted for the destination device; the eSIM from the source device is deleted, deactivated, or otherwise rendered unusable. Various aspects of network infrastructure are also described, including electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) appliances, and mobile devices. Various scenarios for transfer of eSIMs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling programming of electronic identification information of a wireless apparatus. In one embodiment, a previously purchased or deployed wireless apparatus is activated by a cellular network. The wireless apparatus connects to the cellular network using an access module to download operating system components and/or access control client components. The described methods and apparatus enable updates, additions and replacement of various components including Electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) data, OS components. One exemplary implementation of the invention utilizes a trusted key exchange between the device and the cellular network to maintain security.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing multiple user access control entities or clients. For example, in one embodiment, a “wallet” of electronic subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) may be stored and used at a user device and/or distributed to other devices for use thereon. In another embodiment, a networked server may store and distribute eSIM to a plurality of user devices in communication therewith. A database of available eSIM is maintained at the wallet entity and/or at the network which enables request for a particular eSIM to be processed and various rules for the distribution thereof to be implemented. Security precautions are implemented to protect both user and network carrier specific data as the data is transmitted between networked entities. Solutions for eSIM backup and restoration are also described.

Abstract: If a user loses an electronic device that has the capability to conduct financial transactions, the user may report that the electronic device is lost using a lost-device software application to a management electronic device associated with a provider of the electronic device. In response to receiving this information, a disabling command is sent to a payment network associated with the financial account of the user to temporarily disable use of the electronic device to conduct the financial transactions. In particular, the electronic device may include a secure element that stores a payment applet for a financial account, and the disabling command may disable a mapping from a virtual identifier for the financial account to a financial primary account number. Subsequently, if the user finds the electronic device, the user may re-enable the capability (and, thus, the mapping) by providing authentication information to the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for provisioning credentials on an electronic device are provided. In one example embodiment, a secure platform system may be in communication with an electronic device and a financial institution subsystem.