Coordinated Security System for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile electronic devices do not effectively prevent unauthorized use of communication functionality even after an invalid password is entered, as the SIM card remains active until network administrators deactivate it, allowing thieves to continue using communication services.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that coordinates multiple security measures by detecting an invalid access attempt, initiating a first security operation to prevent access to device applications, and triggering a second security operation to disable communication cards, such as SIM cards, ensuring comprehensive security features are activated even if an unauthorized user attempts to access the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only device application security is implemented without coordinating SIM card security, then device applications are protected but communication functionality remains vulnerable to unauthorized use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidsecurity system coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges device application security with SIM card security into a coordinated system. When invalid password attempts are detected on the device, the system automatically triggers SIM card deactivation through network registration failure, combining two separate security measures into a unified protection mechanism that addresses both device and communication security simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary security actions by pre-configuring the coordination mechanism between device security and SIM card security. Before an unauthorized access attempt occurs, the system establishes the security policy that links device password failures to SIM card deactivation, enabling automatic response without requiring real-time complex decision-making during the security event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If SIM card remains active after invalid device password entry, then communication services can be restored easily, but unauthorized users can continue using communication functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication service restorationVSAvoidunauthorized communication use
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces network registration as an intermediary mechanism between device security and SIM card functionality. When device security is compromised, the system uses failed network registration attempts as a mediator to trigger SIM card deactivation. This intermediary approach allows automatic security response while maintaining the ability for authorized users to restore services through proper authentication channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where network registration status provides information about SIM card security state. Failed registration attempts feed back into the security system, triggering further deactivation actions. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation of security measures based on real-time system state without requiring external intervention for each security event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple security operations are coordinated, then comprehensive security coverage is achieved, but system response time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive security coverageVSAvoidsecurity operation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of security coordination policies before security events occur. The mapping between device security events and SIM card responses is pre-established, allowing rapid automatic execution when security incidents happen, without requiring complex real-time decision-making that would consume time during critical security responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2495931B1Coordinated security systems and methods for an electronic device
Publication Date: 2015.04.15 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2495931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2495931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2495931B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for implementing security features of a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device comprises a first security module configured to implement a first security operation and a second security module configured to implement a second security operation. The method includes: detecting a first security event; implementing a first security operation by the first security module; triggering a second security event; and implementing a second security operation by the second security module. The first security operation includes triggering the second security event.