Electronic device, external electronic device, and method for managing eSIM of external electronic device

Disclosed according to various embodiments are an electronic device for opening a communication service and a method for an operation of the electronic device. The electronic device may comprise: a display; a memory for storing device information about the electronic device and an application for activating a communication service for an external electronic device; a first communication module for establishing a first communication channel to communicate with at least one of a first external server in which information about a plurality of service providers providing communication services is stored, a second external server related to the activation of communication services, and a third external server for providing a profile for the use of communication services; a second communication module for establishing a second communication channel to communicate with the external electronic device; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the application to: transmit the device information about the electronic device to the external electronic device by using the second communication module; receive, from the external electronic device, information for activating a communication service identified on the basis of the device information about the electronic device; and display a screen for activating the communication service for the external electronic device according to whether each of two or more activation methods for the communication service and contained in the information for activating the communication service is supported.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase Entry of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2019/005964, which was filed on May 17, 2019, and claims a priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0092466, which was filed on Aug. 8, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method for operating an external electronic device and an electronic device and, more specifically, to a technology for managing the eSIM of an external electronic device connected to an electronic device.

BACKGROUND ART

An electronic device may use a network provided by a communication service operator in order to perform wireless communication. In order to use a network provided by the operator, authentication between a server provided by the operator and the electronic device is necessary. The electronic device may perform authentication with the server provided by the operator by using a profile stored in the electronic device.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

If electronic devices include a UICC card, a separate subscription service provided by a communication service provider (for example, a subscription service at a shop run by the communication service provider) may be used to perform subscription and management regarding a communication service available to multiple electronic devices (for example, a communication service of using a cellular network provided by the communication service provider).

In order to perform a communication service activation operation including communication service subscription regarding multiple electronic devices, it is necessary to access a communication service management server or a profile providing server, which is run by the communication service provider. If the address for accessing the communication service management server or the profile providing server run by the communication service provider is not provided, communication service activation may fail.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may display a screen for performing activation of a communication service according to information regarding whether each of communication service activation schemes is supported, which is received from an external server that stores information regarding multiple operators providing a communication service, and may then perform activation of a communication service with an external electronic device.

Solution to Problem

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include: a display; a memory configured to store device information of the electronic device and an application for activating a communication service of an external electronic device; a first communication module configured to establish a first communication channel with at least one server among a first external server storing information associated with a plurality of operators that provide communication services, a second external server related to activation of a communication service, and a third external server that provides a profile for use of a communication service; a second communication module configured to establish a second communication channel with the external electronic device; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: transmit the device information of the electronic device to the external electronic device using the second communication module; receive, from the external electronic device, information for activation of a communication service identified based on the device information of the electronic device; and control the application so as to display a screen for performing activation of a communication service of the external electronic device based on information, which is associated with whether each of at least two activation schemes for the communication service is supported and is included in the information for activation of the communication service.

An operation method of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include: generating a first communication channel for performing data transmission and/or reception with at least one server among a first external service that stores information associated with a plurality of operators that provide communication services, a second external server related to activation of a communication service, and a third external server that provides a profile for use of a communication service, and generating a second communication channel for performing data transmission and/or reception with an external electronic device; transmitting device information of the electronic device to the external electronic device; receiving, from the external electronic device, information for activation of a communication service of the external electronic device which is identified based on the device information of the electronic device; and displaying a screen for activating the communication service of the external electronic device based on information, which is associated with whether each of at least two activation schemes of the communication service is supported and is included in the information for activation of the communication service.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

An electronic device and a method for operating the electronic device, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, may activate a communication service of a communication service provider available to an external electronic device by using information regrading communication service activation provided by a first external server that stores information regarding multiple communication service providers.

An electronic device and a method for operating the electronic device, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, may display a different screen for activating a communication service according to a communication service activation scheme supported by an operator who provides a communication service, thereby facilitating the user's operations of subscribing to a communication service regarding an external electronic device and managing the same.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG.2is a block diagram200illustrating the program140according to various embodiments. According to an embodiment, the program140may include an operating system (OS)142to control one or more resources of the electronic device101, middleware144, or an application146executable in the OS142. The OS142may include, for example, Android™, iOS™, Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, or Bada™. At least part of the program140, for example, may be pre-loaded on the electronic device101during manufacture, or may be downloaded from or updated by an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102or104, or the server108) during use by a user.

The OS142may control management (e.g., allocating or deallocation) of one or more system resources (e.g., process, memory, or power source) of the electronic device101. The OS142, additionally or alternatively, may include one or more driver programs to drive other hardware devices of the electronic device101, for example, the input device150, the sound output device155, the display device160, the audio module170, the sensor module176, the interface177, the haptic module179, the camera module180, the power management module188, the battery189, the communication module190, the subscriber identification module196, or the antenna module197.

The middleware144may provide various functions to the application146such that a function or information provided from one or more resources of the electronic device101may be used by the application146. The middleware144may include, for example, an application manager201, a window manager203, a multimedia manager205, a resource manager207, a power manager209, a database manager211, a package manager213, a connectivity manager215, a notification manager217, a location manager219, a graphic manager221, a security manager223, a telephony manager225, or a voice recognition manager227.

The application manager201, for example, may manage the life cycle of the application146. The window manager203, for example, may manage one or more graphical user interface (GUI) resources that are used on a screen. The multimedia manager205, for example, may identify one or more formats to be used to play media files, and may encode or decode a corresponding one of the media files using a codec appropriate for a corresponding format selected from the one or more formats. The resource manager207, for example, may manage the source code of the application146or a memory space of the memory130. The power manager209, for example, may manage the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery189, and determine or provide related information to be used for the operation of the electronic device101based at least in part on corresponding information of the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery189. According to an embodiment, the power manager209may interwork with a basic input/output system (BIOS) (not shown) of the electronic device101.

The database manager211, for example, may generate, search, or change a database to be used by the application146. The package manager213, for example, may manage installation or update of an application that is distributed in the form of a package file. The connectivity manager215, for example, may manage a wireless connection or a direct connection between the electronic device101and the external electronic device. The notification manager217, for example, may provide a function to notify a user of an occurrence of a specified event (e.g., an incoming call, message, or alert). The location manager219, for example, may manage locational information on the electronic device101. The graphic manager221, for example, may manage one or more graphic effects to be offered to a user or a user interface related to the one or more graphic effects.

The security manager223, for example, may provide system security or user authentication. The telephony manager225, for example, may manage a voice call function or a video call function provided by the electronic device101. The voice recognition manager227, for example, may transmit a user's voice data to the server108, and receive, from the server108, a command corresponding to a function to be executed on the electronic device101based at least in part on the voice data, or text data converted based at least in part on the voice data. According to an embodiment, the middleware244may dynamically delete some existing components or add new components. According to an embodiment, at least part of the middleware144may be included as part of the OS142or may be implemented as another software separate from the OS142.

The application146may include, for example, a home251, dialer253, short message service (SMS)/multimedia messaging service (MMS)255, instant message (IM)257, browser259, camera261, alarm263, contact265, voice recognition267, email269, calendar271, media player273, album275, watch277, health279(e.g., for measuring the degree of workout or biometric information, such as blood sugar), or environmental information281(e.g., for measuring air pressure, humidity, or temperature information) application. According to an embodiment, the application146may further include an information exchanging application (not shown) that is capable of supporting information exchange between the electronic device101and the external electronic device. The information exchange application, for example, may include a notification relay application adapted to transfer designated information (e.g., a call, message, or alert) to the external electronic device or a device management application adapted to manage the external electronic device. The notification relay application may transfer notification information corresponding to an occurrence of a specified event (e.g., receipt of an email) at another application (e.g., the email application269) of the electronic device101to the external electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the notification relay application may receive notification information from the external electronic device and provide the notification information to a user of the electronic device101.

The device management application may control the power (e.g., turn-on or turn-off) or the function (e.g., adjustment of brightness, resolution, or focus) of the external electronic device or some component thereof (e.g., a display device or a camera module of the external electronic device). The device management application, additionally or alternatively, may support installation, delete, or update of an application running on the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) is a smart cart which is inserted into a mobile communication terminal for use, and is a chip that enables secure mobile communication by authenticating a subscriber and generating a traffic secure key when accessing a mobile communication network. Depending on the type of mobile communication network that a subscriber accesses, the UICC may include a communication application such as a subscriber identification module (SIM), a universal SIM (USIM), or an IP multimedia SIM (ISIM). Also, a high-level secure function may be provided in order to contain various applications, such as an electronic wallet, ticketing, or an electronic passport.

According to various embodiments, an embedded UICC (eUICC) may be a secure module provided in the form of a chip embedded in a terminal, as opposed to a removable form which is capable of being inserted into, or detached from, a terminal. The eUICC may download a profile via over the air (OTA) technology, and may install the same. The eUICC may be referred to as a UICC that is capable of downloading and installing a profile.

The method of downloading a profile via the OTA technology, and installing the same in the eUICC according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be applicable to a removable UICC which is capable of being inserted into and detached from a terminal. In the embodiments of the disclosure, the method may be applied to a UICC that is capable of downloading a profile via the OTA and installing the same.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the term “UICC” may be interchangeably used with a “subscriber identification module (SIM)”, and the term “eUICC” may be interchangeably used with an “embedded SIM (eSIM)”.

According to various embodiments in the specification, a profile may be a package in which at least one of an application, a file system, and an authentication key value stored in the UICC is packaged in the form of software.

According to various embodiments in this specification, a USIM profile may have the same meaning as a profile, or may be a package in which information incorporated in a USIM application in a profile is packaged in the form of software.

According to various embodiments in this specification, a profile provision server may be expressed as a subscription manager data preparation (SM-DP), a subscription manager data preparation plus (SM-DP+), an off-card entity of profile domain, a profile encryption server, a profile generation server, a profile provisioner (PP), a profile provider, a profile provisioning credentials holder (PPC holder), or a server.

According to various embodiments in this specification, a profile information transfer server may be expressed as a discovery and push function (DPF), or a subscription manager discovery service (SM-DS).

According to various embodiments in this specification, a profile management server may be expressed as a subscription manager secure routing (SM-SR), a subscription manager secure routing plus (SM-SR+), an off-card entity of eUICC profile manager, a profile management credentials holder (PMC holder), or an eUICC manager (EM).

According to various embodiments in this specification, a profile server may be expressed as a server that is capable of performing any one or more of operations performed by the profile provision server, the profile management server, or the profile information transfer server.

According to various embodiments in the specification, the term “terminal” may be referred to as a mobile state (MS), a user equipment (UE), a user terminal (UT), a wireless terminal, an access terminal (AT), a terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station (SS), a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a mobile node, a mobile, or other terms. Various examples of the terminal may include a cellular phone, a smart phone having a wireless communication function, a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a wireless communication device, a wireless modem, a portable computer having a wireless communication function, a photographing device, such as a digital camera having a wireless communication function, a gaming device having a wireless communication function, electric appliance for storing and reproducing music, which has a wireless communication function, Internet electric appliance capable of accessing and browsing the Internet in a wireless manner, a wearable device detachable from the body of a user, and portable units or terminals which include combinations of the functions. Furthermore, a terminal may include, but is not limited to a machine to machine (M2M) terminal and a machine type communication (MTC) terminal/device. According to various embodiments in this specification, the terminal may also be referred to as an electronic device.

According to various embodiments in the specification, an electronic device or an external electronic device may contain a UICC that is capable of downloading and installing a profile. If a UICC is not included in the electronic device, the UICC that is physically separate from the electronic device may be inserted into the electronic device and may be connected thereto. For example, the UICC may be inserted into the electronic device, in the form of a card. The electronic device may include the terminal, and in this instance, the terminal may be a terminal that includes a UICC that is capable of downloading and installing a profile. The UICC may be contained in or inserted into the terminal. The UICC that is capable of downloading and installing a profile may be, for example, referred to as an eUICC.

According to various embodiments in this specification, a profile identifier may be referred to as a factor that matches a profile ID, an integrated circuit card ID (ICCID), an ISD-P, or a profile domain (PD). The profile ID may be the unique identity of each profile.

According to various embodiments in this specification, an eUICC identity (eUICC ID) may be the unique identity of an eUICC embedded in a terminal, and may be referred to as eUICC ID (EID). Alternatively, if a provisioning profile is included in an eUICC, that may be the profile identity (profile ID) of the corresponding provisioning profile. Alternatively, that may be a terminal ID if an eUICC chip and a terminal do not separate. Alternatively, that may indicate a predetermined secure domain of an eUICC chip.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure will be described.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating the relationship among an electronic device300, an external electronic device400, a first external server450, a second external server470, and/or a third external server490according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300, the external electronic device400, the first external server450, the second external server470, and the third external server490may include at least a part of the various component elements included in the electronic device101ofFIG.1.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device300may be connected to the external electronic device400via various communication devices (e.g., various communication devices capable of performing data transmission and/or reception, including a short-range communication device, such as Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi, or a long-range communication device, such as LTE or 5G). According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may perform an operation so that the external electronic device400activates a communication service provided by a communication service provider (e.g., an operator that provides a data transmission and/or reception support service using various communication devices). The electronic device300may establish a communication connection with the first external server400so that the external electronic device400is capable of performing data transmission and/or reception with the first external server450. For example, the electronic device300may transmit, to the first external server450, device information of the electronic device300and a signal for requesting information for activation of a communication service of the external electronic device400, which are transmitted from the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may access the address of the second external server470included in the information for activation of the communication service. The electronic device300may activate the communication service of the external electronic device400using data transmitted to and/or received from the second external server470. For example, the electronic device300may subscribe to the communication service. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may perform at least a part of operations for management (e.g., changing a communication service rate system, deactivating a communication service, or cancelling a communication service) of the communication service used via the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, if subscribing to the communication service is completed, the second external server470may transmit data related to subscription to the communication service to the third external server490, and may request the third external server490to generate a profile to be installed in the external electronic device400. The third external server490may generate a profile using the data, which is related to subscription to the communication service and is received from the second external server470, and may store the generated profile. The electronic device300may receive the profile from the third external server490, and may perform at least a part of an operation of installing the profile in the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic deice400may be an electronic device that transmits and/or receives various data using a communication service provided by a communication service provider. For example, the external electronic device400may be a smart phone, a wearable device, or one of the various electronic devices that support network communication. A profile may be installed in the external electronic device400so that the external electronic device400uses a communication service provided by a communication service provider.

According to various embodiments, the external electronic device400may contain a UICC that is capable of downloading and installing a profile. Alternatively, the UICC that is physically separate from the external electronic device400may be inserted into the electronic device and may be connected thereto. For example, the UICC may be inserted, into the external electronic device400, in the form of a card. The UICC may be embedded in the external electronic device400, or may be inserted into the external electronic device400and may be connected to the external electronic device400. The UICC that is capable of downloading and installing a profile may be, for example, referred to as an eUICC.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the profile may be access information used for accessing a communication service operator that manages communication that the external electronic device400uses. The access information may include an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) which is a type of a subscriber identifier, and a value for authentication for the use of a network provided by the communication service operator, together with the subscriber identity.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first external server450may store information associated with at least one operator that provides a communication service that the electronic device300and the external electronic device400are capable of using. The first external server450may receive device information transmitted from the electronic device300or the external electronic device400, and may select an operator that provides a communication service that the electronic device300or the external electronic device400is capable of using among the operators stored in the first external server450, based on the device information. The first external server450may transmit, to the electronic device300or the external electronic device400, information for activation of a service provided by the selected operator.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second external server470may be a server (e.g., an entitlement server) that manages the right for a communication service that the external electronic device400or the electronic device300uses. The second external server470may store information associated with a rate system that a user of the electronic device300or the external electronic device400is capable of using and/or information associated with at least one service that the external electronic device400is capable of using, and may transmit the identity of each of the at least one service that the user of the electronic device300or the external electronic device400is capable of using to the electronic device300or the external electronic device400, in response to a request from the electronic device300or the external electronic device400. As another example, the second external server470may determine whether the electronic device300or the external electronic device400has the right to use a communication service, based on data transmitted from the electronic device300(e.g., the device information of the electronic device300and/or the device information of the external electronic device400). According to various embodiments, the second external server470may have a lower security level than that of the third external server490that provides a profile. For example, the second external server470may provide data (e.g., at least one identity or configuration information related to a communication service) that requires lower security than that the profile requires.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the configuration information related to a communication service may be data that may be used for activation or deactivation of the communication service. For example, the configuration information related to the communication service may include various information, such as information indicating whether to activate or deactivate at least one communication service, or indicating whether to activate or deactivate at least a part of functions related to the communication service (e.g., information provided in a flag type that expresses data indicating activation of a function using “1” and expresses data indicating deactivation of a function using “0”), or information indicating whether to activate other services related to the communication service corresponding to the configuration information.

According to various embodiments, the third external server490may generate and store a profile based on information (e.g., the right to use a communication service), which is transmitted from the second external server470and is associated with a communication service that the electronic device300and/or the external electronic device400uses. The third external server490may transmit the profile to the electronic device300or the external electronic device400.

Although the single external electronic device400is illustrated inFIG.3, this is merely for ease of description, and multiple external electronic devices400may be connected to the electronic device300.

FIG.4Ais a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.4A, the electronic device300according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a first communication module310, a second communication module320, a processor330, a memory340, and/or a display350.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first communication module310may establish a first communication channel, which corresponds to a first communication scheme, with the first external server450, the second external server470, and the third external server490, and may perform data transmission and/or reception with the first external server450, the second external server470, or the third external server490. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first communication channel may be a communication channel generated using any communication scheme (e.g., a cellular communication scheme or a Wi-Fi communication scheme) that is capable of establishing a connection with the first external server450, the second external server470, and the third external server490.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second communication module320may establish a second communication channel, which corresponds to a second communication scheme (e.g., including a short-rage communication scheme such as Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi direct), with the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic device400may transmit a signal for requesting activation of a cellular communication service of the external electronic device400to the electronic device300via the second communication module320. For example, if the external electronic device400connects to the electronic device300for the first time using the second communication module320, the external electronic device400may transmit, to the electronic device300, a signal for requesting activation of a communication service of the external electronic device400.

The processor330may receive the signal for requesting activation of a communication service transmitted from the external electronic device400, and may transmit device information of the electronic device300to the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device information of the electronic device300may be information used for selecting a communication service operator that provides a communication service that the electronic device300and the external electronic device400are capable of using, from among stored information associated with a plurality of communication service operators stored in the first external server450. For example, the device information of the electronic device300may include a mobile country code (MCC) and/or a mobile network code (MNC).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may include information for activation of the communication service, which is transmitted from the external electronic device400. The information for activation of the communication service may include at least a part of information from among the address of the second external server470, the address of the third external server490, subscriber identify module (SIM) card information provided by a communication service operator, and information associated with whether at least one activation scheme (e.g., a first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of a communication service operator, a second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470, and a third scheme that activates a communication service by inputting an activation code) for activating a communication service is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic device400may be in the state in which a communication service (e.g., a cellular network) is not yet activated, and the external electronic device400is incapable of performing data transmission and/or reception with the first external server450. The processor330may support the external electronic device400to be capable of performing data transmission and/or reception with the first external server450. The processor330may receive data that the external electronic device400transmits via the second communication channel, and may transmit data, transmitted from the external electronic device400, to the first external server450via the first communication channel. The processor330may receive the data, transmitted from the first external server450, via the first communication channel, and may transmit the received data to the external electronic device400via the second communication channel.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may perform operations for activating a communication service of the external electronic device400using the information for activation of the communication service, which is transmitted from the external electronic device400. The processor330may execute an application for controlling the external electronic device400which is stored in the memory340. The processor330may activate the communication service of the external electronic device400using the information for activating the communication service, on the application for controlling the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may display a screen for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400, depending on information, which is associated with whether each of at least two activation schemes of the communication service is supported and is included in the information for activation of the communication service. For example, in response to identifying that a communication service operator that provides the communication service supports the first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of the communication service operator, the processor330may display a screen for downloading a profile from the third external server490. As another example, in response to identifying that the operator supports the second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470, the processor330may display a webpage, which is for activating the communication service and is received from the second external server470. As another example, in response to identifying that the operator supports the third scheme that activates a communication service by inputting an activation code, the processor330may display a screen for receiving an activation code.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may identify whether the communication service operator supports the first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of the communication service operator, based on activation scheme information included in the information for activation which is transmitted from the external electronic device400. In response to identifying that the communication service operator supports the first scheme, the processor330may access the address of the third external server490included in the information for activation, and may request a profile from the third external server490. The processor330may display a screen reporting that requesting a profile from the third external server490is ongoing, or a screen reporting that a profile is being downloaded from the third external server490.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may identify whether the communication service operator supports the second scheme that activates a communication service using the second external server470, based on the information for activation which is transmitted from the external electronic device400. In response to identifying the second scheme, the processor330may access the second external server470using the address of the second external server470, or an authentication method for accessing the second external server470(e.g., a shared token, EAP-AKA, SMS OTP, IP Auth, or open ID connect), which is included in the information for activation. The processor330may perform an operation for activating a communication service using the second external server470.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may transmit an identity, which is used when the operator that provides the communication service identifies a subscriber and is included in the information for activation of the communication service, to the second external server470. The second external server470may transmit the address of a webpage for selecting a service (e.g., a rate system) that the external electronic device400is capable of using, to the electronic device300based on the identity transmitted from the electronic device300. The processor330may receive the webpage address, and may control the display350to display the webpage. The processor330may receive, from a user, a user input for selecting a service on the webpage. The processor330may transmit the user input to the second external server750.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may identify whether the communication service operator supports the third scheme that activates a communication service using an activation code, based on the information for activation which is transmitted from the external electronic device400. The activation code may be a key that needs to be input for activation of the communication service, and the activation code may be implemented as a key including characters, numbers, or special characters, or may be implemented in the form of QR-code. In response to identifying that the third scheme is supported, the processor330may perform an operation of requesting input of an activation code. The processor330may control the display350to display a screen that requests a user to input an activation code, and may control a camera (e.g., the camera module180ofFIG.1) to receive QR code.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device300may receive data needed for installing a profile in an eUICC included in the external electronic device400from the third external server490via the first communication module310. The data needed for installing the profile may be received from the third external server490(e.g., SM-DP+ server) provided from a communication service provider. The data needed for installing the profile may be provided in the form of an encrypted profile package. The encryption of the profile may be performed according to the standard specifications defined in SGP.22, but is not limited thereto.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may receive the profile package, and may transmit the profile to the external electronic device400using the profile package.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor330may identify information, which is associated with an electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3) capable of activating the communication service, and is included in the information for activation of the communication service, and may determine whether the communication service of the external electronic device400is capable of being activated, based on the information associated with the electronic device400. The information associated with the electronic device400may include information associated with the electronic device400capable of activating the communication service, for example, terminal information of the electronic device400, identity information of the communication service operator of the electronic device400and/or the version information of an operating system installed in the electronic device400. The processor330may identify the information associated with the electronic device400, and may determine whether the external electronic device400is the electronic device400capable of activating the communication service. If the external electronic device400is the electronic device400capable of activating the communication service, the processor330may perform an operation for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400. If the external electronic device400is an electronic device incapable of activating the communication service, the processor330may not perform activation of the communication service of the external electronic device400.

FIG.4Bis a block diagram of an external electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.4B, the external electronic device400according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a first communication module410, a second communication module420, a processor430, and/or a memory440. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device400may further include a display (e.g., the display device160ofFIG.1).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first communication module410may establish a first communication channel, which corresponds to a first communication scheme (e.g., a cellular network), with a first external server (e.g., the first external server450ofFIG.3), a second external server (e.g., the second external server470ofFIG.3), or a third external server (e.g., the third external server490ofFIG.3). According to the first communication scheme, activation may be performed by an operation in which the electronic device300activates a communication service based on the information for activation of a communication service.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second communication module420may establish a second communication connection, which corresponds to a second communication scheme (e.g., including a short-rage communication scheme such as Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi direct), with an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device300ofFIG.3).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, device information of the external electronic device400may be stored in the memory440. The device information of the external electronic device400may include identity information of the external electronic device400(e.g., an identifier of a SIM (eSIM identifier (EID) of the external electronic device400or various identity information that distinguish the external electronic device400including the IMSI or IMEI information of the external electronic device from other electronic devices).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor430may receive a user input for activating a communication service, and may transmit the device information of the external electronic device400to the electronic device300using the second communication module420. The device information of the external electronic device400may be used when the second external server470performs an operation for activating a communication service of the external electronic device400. For example, the device information of the external electronic device400may be used when the second external server470searches for a service that the external electronic device400is capable of using. The external electronic device400may transmit the device information of the external electronic device400to the electronic device300. The electronic device300may access the second external server470using the address of the second external server470included in the information for activation of a communication service which is received from the first external server450. The electronic device300may transmit the device information associated with the external electronic device400to the second external server470.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor430may request device information of the electronic device300using the second communication module420, and may receive the device information of the electronic device300via the second communication module420.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor430may perform data transmission and/or reception with the first external server450. If a communication service of the external electronic device400is not activated, the external electronic device400is incapable of using a cellular network, and the external electronic device400may perform data transmission and/or reception with the first external server450using a communication network supported by the electronic device300.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor430may transmit, to the first external server450, the device information of the electronic device300and a signal for requesting information for activation of a communication service. The first external server450may select a communication service operator that the external electronic device400is capable of using, based on the device information of the electronic device300, and may transmit information for activation of a communication service corresponding to the selected communication service operator to the external electronic device400. The information for activation of the communication service may include at least a part of information from among the address of the second external server470, the address of the third external server490, subscriber identify module (SIM) card information provided by the communication service operator, and information associated with whether at least one activation scheme (e.g., a first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of a communication service operator, a second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470, and a third scheme that activates a communication service by inputting an activation code) for performing activation of the communication service is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor430may receive the information for activation of the communication service from the first external server450via a communication network provided by the electronic device300. The processor430may transmit the information for activation of the communication service to the electronic device300via the second communication module320.

FIG.4Cis a block diagram of the first external server450according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

The first external server450according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a first communication module451, a processor453, and/or a memory455.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first communication module451may perform data transmission and/or reception with an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device300ofFIG.3) or an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3) according to a first communication scheme (e.g., Wi-Fi or cellular network).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, information for activation of a communication service of the external electronic device400may be stored in the memory455. The information for activation of a communication service may include information associated with whether at least one activation scheme (e.g., a first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of a communication service operator, a second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470, and a third scheme that activates a communication service by inputting an activation code) for performing activation of the communication service is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the information for activation of a communication service of the external electronic device400may include data indicating whether activation schemes of the communication service of each communication service operator are supported. The information for activation of a communication service may include information as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1Support of firstSupport of secondSupport of thirdMCC/MNCschemeschemeschemeAAA/BBB◯◯◯CCC/DDD◯XXEEE/FFFX◯◯

Referring to Table 1, an MCC/MNC combination may differ for each operator, and information for activation of a communication service may include data indicating whether a first scheme, a second scheme, or a third scheme is supported for each operator.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the information for activation of a communication service may include information for identifying a communication service operator. The information for identifying a communication service operator may include a mobile country code (MCC) or a mobile network code (MNC). The processor453may receive device information of the electronic device300, which includes a mobile country code and/or a mobile network code and is transmitted from the external electronic device400, and may identify a communication service operator corresponding to the device information of the electronic device300. The processor453may transmit, to the external electronic device400, information for activation of a communication service corresponding to the identified communication service operator.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the information for activation of the communication service of the external electronic device400may include information associated with an electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3) capable of activating the communication service. The information associated with the electronic device400may include information associated with the electronic device400capable of activating the communication service, for example, terminal information of the electronic device400, identity information of the communication service operator of the electronic device400and/or the version information of an operating system installed in the electronic device400. The processor453may transmit, to the external electronic device400, information for activation of the communication service including the information associated with the electronic device400capable of activating the communication service. The electronic device300may determine whether the external electronic device400is the electronic device400capable of activating the communication service, based on the information associated with the electronic device400capable of activating the communication service.

FIG.4Dis a block diagram of a second external server according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.4D, the second external server470according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a first communication module471, a processor473, and/or a memory475.

The first communication module451may establish a communication connection, which corresponds to a first communication scheme (e.g., a cellular network or the like), with an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device300ofFIG.3).

The processor473may establish a communication connection with the electronic device300or the external electronic device400using the first communication module471. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in response to receiving a signal for requesting a communication connection which is transmitted from the electronic device300, the processor473may control the first communication module471for establishing a communication connection with the electronic device300.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor473may receive device information of the electronic device300, which is transmitted from the external electronic device300. Based on the device information of the electronic device300, the processor473may search for a communication service that an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3) connected to the electronic device300is capable of using, and may transmit, to the electronic device300, identifiers of communication services that the external electronic device400is capable of using.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in response to receiving a communication service activation request signal which is transmitted from the electronic device300, the processor473may perform an operation of activating a communication service. For example, the processor473may transmit, to the electronic device300, configuration information related to a communication service corresponding to the activation request signal. The configuration information related to the communication service may be used when the electronic device300and the external electronic device400activate the communication service.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in response to receiving a communication service activation request signal which is transmitted from the electronic device400, the processor473may perform an operation of activating a communication service. For example, the processor473may transmit, to the external electronic device400, configuration information related to a communication service corresponding to the activation request signal. The configuration information related to the communication service may be used when the external electronic device400activates the communication service.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the memory475may temporarily or non-temporarily store the device information of the electronic device300and the external electronic device400, a list of at least one service that the external electronic device400is capable of using, or configuration information related to a service.

FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating operation of the electronic device300, the external electronic device400, and the first external server450in order to activate a communication service of the external electronic device, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation510, the external electronic device400(e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3) and the electronic device300(e.g., the electronic device300ofFIG.3) may establish a communication connection. The communication connection may be the second communication scheme (e.g., Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi direct) which has been described inFIG.4A.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation520, the electronic device300may transmit device information of the electronic device300to the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device information of the electronic device300may be information used for selecting a communication service operator that provides a communication service which the electronic device300and the external electronic device400are capable of using, from among information associated with a plurality of communication service operators stored in the first external server450. For example, the device information of the electronic device300may include a mobile country code (MCC) and/or a mobile network code (MNC).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation530, the external electronic device400may transmit the device information of the electronic device300to the first external server450, and may transmit a signal for requesting activation of a communication service to the first external server450.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may support the external electronic device400to be capable of performing data transmission and/or reception with the first external server450. The electronic device300may receive data, transmitted from the external electronic device400, via the second communication module320, and may transmit data, transmitted from the external electronic device400, to the first external server450via the first communication module310. The electronic device300may receive data, transmitted from the first external server450, via the first communication module310, and may transmit the received data to the external electronic device400via the second communication module320. The data transmission and/or reception scheme described in the above description may be used before the communication service of the external electronic device400is activated, and may be used for data transmission and/or reception performed between the external electronic device400and the first external server450.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation540, the first external server450may select an operator based on the device information of the electronic device300.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first external server450may store information for activation of a communication service which differs for each communication service operator. The first external server450may select an operator corresponding to the device information of the electronic device300among a plurality of operators stored in the first external server450. From the information for activation of a communication service which differs for each communication service operator, the first external server450may extract information for activation of a communication service corresponding to the selected operator, and may transmit the extracted information to the external electronic device400.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation550, the first external server450may transmit, to the external electronic device400, information for activation of the communication service corresponding to the selected operator.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation560, the external electronic device400may transmit the information for activation of the communication service to the electronic device300.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation570, the electronic device300may execute an application for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400, based on the information for activation of the communication service.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, based on information, which is associated with whether a communication service activation scheme is supported and is included in the information for activation of the communication service, the electronic device300may perform an operation for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400using a supported communication service activation scheme. The electronic device300may execute an application, stored in a memory (e.g., the memory340ofFIG.4A), for controlling the external electronic device400. The electronic device300may activate the communication service of the external electronic device400based on the information for activation of the communication service using the application.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may display a screen for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400, depending on information, which is associated with whether each of at least two activation schemes of the communication service is supported and is included in the information for activation of the communication service. The descriptions of a screen for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400will be described with reference toFIGS.6to9B.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an operation of activating a communication service by an electronic device, depending on whether an activation scheme that activates a communication service is supported, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device300ofFIG.3) according to various embodiments may identify whether an activation scheme is supported in operation610.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify whether each of at least two activation schemes is supported, included in information for activation. The information for activation of a communication service may include information indicating a communication service activation scheme that an operator that provides the communication service is capable of supporting. Operators that provide communication services may support at least one activation scheme among a first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of a communication service operator, a second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470, and a third scheme that activates a communication service by inputting an activation code. The electronic device300may receive information for activation of a communication service, transmitted from the external electronic device400, and may identify whether an activation scheme is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation620, the electronic device300may identify whether the first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of a communication service operator is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify data, which indicates whether a communication service operator supports the first scheme and is included in the information for activation of the communication service transmitted from the external electronic device400. The electronic device300may identify whether the first scheme is supported based on the data indicating whether the first scheme is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation630, in response to identifying that the first scheme is supported, the electronic device300may access the third external server490and may download a profile from the third external server490.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may transmit, to the third external server490via the external electronic device400, a signal for requesting identifying of whether a profile corresponding to the identity of the external electronic device400(e.g., the identity of the first communication module410installed in the external electronic device400) is present in the third external server400. The third external server490may identify whether the profile corresponding to the identity of the external electronic device400is present. The third external server490may transmit a signal indicating whether the profile is present to the electronic device300. For example, the electronic device300may identify whether the profile corresponding to the identity of the external electronic device400is present in the third external server490, and may provide a screen for downloading the profile from the third external server490. As another example, the electronic device300may identify that the profile corresponding to the identity of the external electronic device400is not present in the third external server490, and may display a screen (e.g., a screen for accessing the second external server470ofFIG.8Aor a screen for inputting an activation code ofFIG.9A) for inputting data so that the third external server490generates a profile.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may transmit, to the third external server490, a signal for requesting transmission of the profile, and if the profile is present, the third external server490may transmit the profile to the electronic device300. If the profile is not present, the third external server490may transmit an indicator indicating that the profile is not present to the electronic device300. In response to receiving of the indicator indicating that the profile is not present, the electronic device300may proceed with operation640.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation640, the electronic device300may identify whether the operator that provides the communication service supports the second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify data, which indicates whether the communication service operator supports the second scheme and is included in the information for activation of the communication service transmitted from the external electronic device400. The electronic device300may identify whether the second scheme is supported based on the data indicating whether the second scheme is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, if downloading the profile from the third external server490fails or the electronic device300identifies that the first scheme is not supported, the electronic device300may identify whether the operator supports the second scheme.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation650, in response to identifying that the operator supports the second scheme, the electronic device300may activate the communication service of the external electronic device400using the second external server470.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may access the address of the second external server470included in the information for activation of the communication service, and may perform an operation (e.g., an operation of subscribing to the communication service of the external electronic device400) for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400using the second external server470). If a signal reporting that the activation of the communication service is complete is received, the electronic device300may access the address of the third external server490, and may download the profile from the third external server490in operation630.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation660, the electronic device300identifies whether the operator that provides the communication service supports the third scheme that activates a communication service by inputting an activation code.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify data, which indicates whether the communication service operator supports the third scheme and is included in the information for activation of the communication service transmitted from the external electronic device400. The electronic device300may identify whether the third scheme is supported based on the data indicating whether the third scheme is supported.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation670, the electronic device300may request a user input for inputting an activation code, in response to identifying that the operator that provides the communication service supports an activation scheme using the third scheme. Based on the user input for inputting the activation code, the electronic device300may activate the communication service, and may access the address of the third external server490, and may download the profile from the third external server490in operation630.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in operation680, in response to identifying that the operator that provides the communication service does not support an activation code-based activation scheme which activates a communication service by inputting an activation code, the electronic device300may control a display (e.g., the display350ofFIG.4A), so as to display a network setting screen. According to an embodiment, operation680may be omitted.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the network setting screen may include information for activation, received from the second external server470.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may differently display a screen for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400, depending on information, which is associated with whether each of the activation schemes of the communication service is supported and is included in the information for activating the communication service. The screen displayed is described with reference toFIGS.7A to9B.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, operations620,640, and660may be performed in a different order depending the order of priorities. For example, if the online activation scheme has a higher priority than the offline activation scheme, operation640may be performed earlier, and whether to perform operation620may be determined based on a result obtained in operation640.

FIGS.7A to9Bare diagrams illustrating examples of a screen displayed in an electronic device depending on whether an activation scheme that activates a communication service is supported, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may differently display a screen for activating a communication service of the external electronic device400depending on information, which is associated with whether each of at least two activation schemes of the communication service is supported and is included in information for activation of the communication service.

FIG.7Ais a diagram illustrating a first screen displayed on the display350while the electronic device300receives information for activation of a communication service from the external electronic device400. The information for activation of the communication service may include information associated with whether at least one activation scheme (e.g., a first scheme that activates a communication service off-line in a shop of a communication service operator, a second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470, and a third scheme that activates a communication service by inputting an activation code) for performing activation of the communication service is supported.

Referring toFIG.7A, the first screen710may include a message711that requests maintaining of the connection between the external electronic device400and the electronic device300, and a message713reporting that information for activation of the communication service is being received.

FIG.7Bis a diagram illustrating a second screen720displayed on the display350when the electronic device300requests a profile from the third external server490in response to identifying that a communication service operator supports the first scheme.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify the address of the third external server490included in the information for activation of the communication service in response to identifying that the communication service operator supports the first scheme. The electronic device300identifies whether a profile is present in the third external server490, and may display the second screen720ofFIG.7Bin response to identifying that the profile is present.

Referring toFIG.7B, the second screen720may include a message721that requests a user input associated with whether to download the profile from the third external server490, and a message723that requests a user input associated with whether to agree upon the terms and conditions for use of the communication service provided from the communication service operator. The electronic device300may download the profile from the third external server490in response to receiving of a user input725associated with downloading the profile.

FIG.7Cis a diagram illustrating a third screen730displayed on the display350, after the electronic device300downloads the profile from the third external server490.

Referring toFIG.7C, the screen730may include a message731reporting that downloading of the profile is successfully complete.

FIG.8Ais a diagram illustrating a third screen811displayed on the display350, while the electronic device300activates the communication service of the external electronic device400using the second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify whether the operator that provides the communication service supports the second scheme that activates a communication service on-line using the second external server470. In response to identifying that the operator supports the second scheme, the electronic device300may access the address of the second external server470included in the information for activation of the communication service. The electronic device300may request, from the second external server470, the address of a webpage for activating the communication service. The electronic device300may load the webpage for activating the communication service using the webpage address transmitted from the second external server470, and may display the loaded webpage on the display350.

Referring toFIG.8A, the electronic device300may display the third screen811including a message813reporting that the webpage is loading, while loading the webpage.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify whether the communication operator supports the third scheme that activates a communication service using an activation code, based on the information for activation which is transmitted from the external electronic device400. In response to identifying that the third scheme is supported, the electronic device300may display, on the third screen811, a message815requesting input of an activation code if a user has the activation code. The electronic device300may display, on the third screen811, an input area817for triggering a user input for inputting the activation code.

FIG.8Bis a diagram illustrating a fourth screen820displayed on the display350, in response to identifying, by the electronic device300, that the communication operator supports the third scheme that activates a communication service using an activation code.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may identify whether the communication operator supports the third scheme that activates a communication service using an activation code, based on the information for activation which is transmitted from the external electronic device400. In response to identifying that the third scheme is supported, the electronic device300may display, on a fourth screen820, a message821requesting input of an activation code if a user has the activation code. The electronic device300may display an input area823for triggering a user input for inputting the activation code and a message825informing that asking the communication service operator is available, on the fourth screen820.

FIGS.9A and9Bare diagrams illustrating an embodiment of activating a communication service using an activation code by an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.9A and9B, the electronic device300according to various embodiments of the disclosure may control the display350, so as to display a screen for receiving a user input for inputting an activation code. The electronic device300may display a screen for receiving a user input for inputting an activation code, in response to receiving a user input on the input area817or823for triggering a user input for inputting the activation code as shown inFIGS.8A and8B.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the activation code may be a key for activation of the communication service of the external electronic device400. The activation code may be implemented as a key including characters, numbers, or special characters, or may be implemented in the form of QR-code.

Referring toFIG.9A, the electronic device300may activate a camera (e.g., the camera module180ofFIG.1) in order to receive input of QR-code, and may capture an object including QR-code using the camera180. The electronic device300may display an image910that the camera180is receiving, in real time. The electronic device300may capture QR-code and may analyze the QR-code so as to obtain an activation code. The electronic device300may perform activation of the communication service of the external electronic device400based on the obtained activation code.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may display an area for inputting an activation code which is implemented in the form of characters. In response to receiving a user input920to the area for inputting an activation code, the electronic device300may display an area for inputting an activation code.

Referring toFIG.9B, the electronic device300may display an area930for inputting an activation code. For example, the electronic device300may display the area930for inputting an activation code by overlaying an area that displays an image that the camera180is receiving.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating information associated with whether an external electronic device is capable of being opened, which is stored in a first external server and is displayed in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first external server450may store information associated with an electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3) which is capable of activating a communication service. The information associated with the electronic device400capable of activating a communication service may include the model information of the electronic device400, the identity information of the communication service operator of the electronic device400and/or the version information of an operating system (OS) installed in the electronic device400.

Referring toFIG.10, the first external server450may include model information1010and1020of electronic devices capable of activating a communication service, information1011and1021associated with communication service operators respectively corresponding to the models, and/or version information1013and1023of OSs capable of activating a communication service. The information associated with an electronic device capable of activating a communication service is stored in the first external server450and thus, the electronic device300may identify whether a communication service of the external electronic device400is capable of being activated, without accessing a server (e.g., the second external server470and the third external server490) operated by the operator that provides a communication service.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device300may determine whether the external electronic device400is an electronic device capable of activating a communication service, based on the information associated with the electronic device capable of activating a communication service.

The electronic device300according to various embodiments may include a display (e.g., the display350ofFIG.4A), the memory340configured to store device information of the electronic device300and an application for activating a communication service of an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3), a first communication module (e.g., the first communication module310ofFIG.4A) configured to establish a first communication channel with at least one server among the first external server450storing information associated with a plurality of operators that provide communication services, the second external server470related to activation of a communication service, and the third external server490that provides a profile for use of a communication service, a second communication module (e.g., the second communication module320ofFIG.4) configured to establish a second communication channel with the external electronic device400, and a processor (e.g., the processor330ofFIG.4A). The processor330may be configured to: transmit the device information of the electronic device300to the external electronic device400using the second communication module320; receive, from the external electronic device400, information for activation of a communication service identified based on the device information of the electronic device300; and controlling the application so as to display a screen for performing activation of the communication service of the external electronic device400based on information, which is associated with whether each of at least two activation schemes for the communication service is supported and is included in the information for activation of the communication service.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the processor330may be configure to: identify whether an operator that provides the communication service supports a first scheme that opens a communication service off-line, based on at least a part of the information for activation of the communication service; request the profile from the third external server490using the address of the third external server490included in the information for activation of the communication service in response to identifying that the first scheme is supported; and controlling the application so as to display a screen reporting that requesting the profile from the third external service490is ongoing.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the processor330may be configured to: identify whether the operator supports a second scheme that supports opening of a communication service on-line, based on the information for activation of the communication service; request the address of a webpage for subscribing to the communication service, from the second external server470using the address of the second external server470included in the information for activation of the communication service, in response to identifying that the second scheme is supported; and control the application so as to display the webpage received from the second external server470.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the processor330may be configured to control the application so as to display a screen that requests input of an activation code, while loading the webpage.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the processor330may be configured to: identify whether a third scheme that opens the communication service using the activation code is supported, based on at least a part of the information for activation of the communication service; and control the application so as to display a screen that requests input of the activation code, in response to identifying that the third scheme is supported.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the activation code may be implemented as QR code, and the processor330may control so as to perform activation of a camera in order to receive the QR code.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the processor330may be configured to: receive a request for enabling the external electronic device400to access the first external server450via the first communication channel, from the external electronic device400using the second communication channel; in response to receiving the request, transmit the device information of the electronic device300and a request for transmission of the information for activation the communication service corresponding to the device information, which are transmitted from the external electronic device400, to the first external service450using the first communication channel; and transmit, to the external electronic device400, the information for activation of the communication service transmitted from the first external server450.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the processor330may be configured to: identify information, which is associated with an external electronic device capable of activating the communication service and is included in the information for activation of the communication service; and determine whether the communication service of the external electronic device400is capable of being activated based on at least a part of information from among identity information of the communication service provider included in information associated with the external electronic device400, identity information of the external electronic device400, and version information of an OS installed in the external electronic device400.

In the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the device information of the electronic device300may include a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).

An electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3) according to various embodiments may include a display (e.g., the display device160ofFIG.1), the memory440storing device information of an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device300ofFIG.3), a first communication module (e.g., the first communication module410ofFIG.4A) configured to establish a first communication channel based on a cellular communication service, a second communication module (e.g., the second communication module420ofFIG.4A) configured to establish a second communication channel with the external electronic device300, and a processor (e.g., the processor430ofFIG.4A). The processor430may be configured to: transmit, to the external electronic device300via the second communication channel, a request signal for requesting transmission of the device information of the external electronic device300; transmit the device information of the external electronic device300transmitted from the external electronic device300and a request for transmission of information for activation of a cellular communication service corresponding to the device information, to the first external server450that stores information associated with a plurality of operators that provide communication services, based on a communication service provided by the external electronic device300; transmit, to the external electronic device300, information for activation of the cellular communication service received from the first external server450; and activate the cellular communication service based on data transmitted from the external electronic device300.

In the electronic device400according to various embodiments, the information for activation of the cellular communication service may include communication service activation scheme information including whether an operator that provides the communication service supports a first scheme that opens a communication service off-line, whether the operator supports a second scheme that supports opening of a communication service on-line, and/or whether a third scheme that uses an activation code provided by the operator is supported.

An operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments may include: generating a first communication channel for performing data transmission and/or reception with at least one server among a first external service (e.g., the first external server450ofFIG.3) that stores information associated with a plurality of operators that provide communication services, a second external server (e.g., the second external server470ofFIG.3) related to activation of a communication service, and a third external server (e.g., the third external server490ofFIG.3) that provides a profile for use of a communication service, and generating a second communication channel for performing data transmission and/or reception with an external electronic device; transmitting device information of the electronic device300to the external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device400ofFIG.3); receiving, from the external electronic device400, information for activation of a communication service of the external electronic device400which is identified based on the device information of the electronic device300; and displaying a screen for activating the communication service of the external electronic device400based on information, which is associated with whether each of at least two activation schemes of the communication service is supported and is included in the information for activation of the communication service.

In the operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the operation of displaying the screen may include: identifying whether an operator that provides the communication service supports a first scheme that opens a communication service off-line, based on the information for activation of the communication service; in response to identifying that the first scheme is supported, requesting the profile from the third external server490using the address of the third external server490included in the information for activation of the communication service; and displaying a screen reporting that requesting the profile from the third external server490is ongoing.

In the operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the operation of displaying the screen may include: identifying whether the operator supports a second scheme that supports opening of a communication service on-line, based on the information for activation of the communication service; requesting, from the first external server450, the address of a webpage for subscribing to the communication service, using the address of the first external server450related to activation of the communication service, in response to identifying that the second scheme is supported; and displaying the webpage received from the first external server450.

The operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments may further include: displaying a screen for requesting input of an activation code, while loading the webpage.

In the operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the operation of displaying the screen may include: identifying whether a third scheme that opens the communication service using the activation code is supported, based on the information for activation of the communication service; and displaying a screen that requests input of the activation code, in response to identifying that the third scheme is supported.

In the operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the activation code may be implemented as QR code, and to the operation method of the electronic device may further include controlling a camera so as to receive the QR code.

The operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments may further include: receiving a request for enabling the external electronic device400to access the first external server450via the first communication channel, using the second communication channel; in response to receiving the request, transmitting the device information of the electronic device300and a request for transmission of the information for activation the communication service corresponding to the device information, which are transmitted from the external electronic device400, to the first external service450using the first communication channel; and transmitting, to the external electronic device400, the information for activation of the communication service transmitted from the first external server450.

The operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments may further include: identifying information, which is associated with an external electronic device capable of activating the communication service and is included in the information for activation of the communication service; and determining whether the communication service of the external electronic device400is capable of being activated based on at least a part of information from among identity information of the communication service provider included in information associated with the external electronic device400, identity information of the external electronic device400, and version information of an OS installed in the external electronic device400.

In the operation method of the electronic device300according to various embodiments, the device information of the electronic device300may include a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).