Abstraction Layer for Unified Terminal Equipment Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current device management technologies are inadequate for efficiently managing diverse mobile devices due to complexity and variability in terminal equipment, leading to high costs and reduced customer satisfaction, as they require manual configuration and lack a unified approach for remote management across different protocols and brands.

Innovation Solution

A device management system with an Abstraction Layer that determines the appropriate remote management protocol and translates generic requests into specific commands for various terminal equipment types, simplifying the development of management applications and enabling unified management across multiple protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration is used for Terminal Equipment, then configuration accuracy is improved, but operation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables Terminal Equipment to self-configure through automated parameter setting via the management server, eliminating the need for manual user configuration while maintaining accuracy. The Abstraction Layer automatically determines protocol details and translates generic requests into device-specific commands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration operations with automated electronic communication through standardized protocols. The Abstraction Layer substitutes manual protocol selection and command translation with automated determination and translation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple remote management protocols are supported, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Abstraction Layer provides a universal interface that handles multiple remote management protocols (OMA DM, OMA CP, WAP Push SMS) through a single unified structure. This allows the system to adapt to different Terminal Equipment types without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The Abstraction Layer acts as an intermediary between the management application and various protocol-specific servers. It determines which protocol to use based on Terminal Equipment characteristics and translates generic requests into protocol-specific commands, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a single management application manages multiple Terminal Equipment types, then productivity is improved, but adaptability requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoidprotocol adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The Abstraction Layer enables a single management application to universally manage diverse Terminal Equipment by automatically determining the appropriate protocol and translating requests. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized applications while maintaining adaptability to different device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different Terminal Equipment by changing protocol parameters dynamically. The Abstraction Layer modifies request parameters based on device characteristics (make, model, operating system) to match the appropriate protocol format, allowing one application to serve multiple device types efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2008401B1Device management system for remotely accessing terminal equipments
Publication Date: 2010.05.26 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • EP2008401B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2008401B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2008401B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device management system for remotely setting parameters to Terminal Equipments connected to a network comprises a Terminal Equipment management application (210), servers connected to the network, each supporting a different remote management protocol, and means (200) for, upon a generic functionality-oriented request (307) from the Terminal Equipment management application, and for each one of the Terminal Equipments: - querying (305) a database (300, 301, 302, 303) of profiles containing all the objects supported by each Terminal Equipment; - determining a remote management protocol if more than one is supported by each Terminal Equipment; - mapping said generic functionality-oriented request into a request specific to each Terminal Equipment; and - sending a command to each Terminal Equipment through the server (121) supporting the determined protocol.