Dynamic Device Unlocking for Roaming Service Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless service models, where mobile devices are often locked, restrict subscribers from using their devices on foreign networks without roaming agreements, leading to inconvenience and high international roaming fees, especially when traveling to countries without coverage from their home provider.
Innovation Solution
The solution provides options for subscribers to establish temporary roaming agreements, unlock their devices for pay-as-you-go services, or engage in temporary lease agreements with foreign providers, allowing continued use of their mobile devices without the need for local SIM cards, facilitated through a negotiation server and intelligent Mobile Device Access Network Manager (iMDANM) technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile devices are locked by WSPs to prevent unauthorized use on other networks, then device security and WSP revenue are protected, but subscribers cannot use their devices on foreign networks without roaming agreements, leading to inconvenience and high international roaming fees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic device locking where the locked state is not permanent but can be temporarily changed based on specific conditions. The device transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically: locked during normal operation to prevent unauthorized use, and temporarily unlocked when the subscriber is roaming abroad and no roaming agreement exists. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making the locking mechanism adaptive to different operational contexts rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the locking parameter from a fixed state to a variable state that responds to roaming conditions. The device locking status is modified based on detected roaming scenarios and available roaming agreements. When roaming without agreements is detected, the locking parameter changes to allow network access; when agreements exist or roaming ends, the parameter reverts to locked state. This parameter change enables the device to be versatile abroad while maintaining security at home.
2Ease of operation
If subscribers purchase local prepaid SIM cards or mobile devices in foreign countries to access cellular service, then they can use local networks, but they lose access to services from their home wireless network and must carry multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the subscriber's home mobile device universal by enabling it to function on both home and foreign networks. Through temporary unlocking during roaming, the single device gains the capability to access multiple network types (home WSP network and foreign networks without agreements). This eliminates the need for separate prepaid devices or SIM cards for different countries, as one device can handle all cellular access needs globally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the roaming capability from the traditional model where subscribers needed separate local devices or SIM cards. By removing the restriction of permanent device locking and allowing conditional unlocking, the home device itself becomes capable of accessing foreign networks directly. This extraction of roaming access capability from external devices/SIMs and integration into the home device simplifies the overall system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If WSPs offer to unlock devices while service contracts are active, then subscribers gain flexibility to use devices abroad, but WSPs risk revenue loss from unauthorized unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the system that detects roaming conditions and manages temporary unlocking) that mediates between the WSP's revenue protection interest and the subscriber's need for flexibility. The intermediary monitors roaming status, verifies the absence of roaming agreements, and automatically manages the unlocking process. This intermediary ensures that unlocking only occurs under controlled conditions (roaming without agreements), preventing unauthorized unlocking while enabling legitimate flexibility abroad.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the system continuously monitors the device's network status, roaming agreements, and location. When the device roams to a network without an agreement, the system receives feedback about this condition and automatically triggers the temporary unlocking response. When the device returns to the home network or a roaming agreement becomes available, the feedback triggers re-locking. This feedback mechanism ensures unlocking flexibility is tied to actual roaming needs, preventing revenue loss from unnecessary or unauthorized unlocking.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing cellular access to a mobile device when the device is out of a home network operated by a home wireless service provider. The method includes presenting an option to initiate a process to establish a temporary roaming agreement between the home wireless service provider and a foreign wireless service provider operating a foreign network in a location of the mobile device outside of the home network. The method also includes receiving a selection of the option, accessing a web application associated with a negotiation server in response to the selection, providing subscriber credentials to the negotiation server for use by the negotiation server to negotiate the temporary roaming agreement, and allowing the mobile device to access a foreign network operated by the foreign wireless service provider in accordance with the temporary roaming agreement.