Dynamic Network Selection for Mobile Device Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless mobile devices that 'ship hot' without a paid service plan incur maintenance costs and face challenges in activating a service plan, as they lose access to automated on-device activation sequences when transitioning from 'ships hot' to 'unactivated' status, compromising user ability to select a paid service plan without customer support intervention.
Innovation Solution
A service plan activation agent detects unavailable wireless access networks and initiates an alternative activation sequence, instructing users to connect via alternative methods like WiFi, allowing the agent to communicate with an activation server to present service plan selection options and implement chosen plans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the device transitions from 'ships hot' to 'unactivated' status, then maintenance costs are reduced, but access to automated on-device activation sequences is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the device to access activation services through multiple network types (cellular and WiFi), making the activation process universal and not dependent on a single network type. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring activation capability is maintained even when transitioning from 'ships hot' to 'unactivated' status, while still allowing cost reduction through selective network usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects between cellular and WiFi networks based on availability and device status. When the device is unactivated and cellular network is unavailable, the system dynamically switches to WiFi for activation, and vice versa. This dynamic adaptability ensures continuous activation access while optimizing maintenance costs.
2Extent of automation
If the device uses cellular network for activation, then automated activation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs network selection and activation without requiring user intervention or complex configuration. The activation agent autonomously determines whether to use cellular or WiFi networks based on simple availability checks, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining high automation levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation process is segmented into distinct phases: network availability detection, network selection, and activation execution. This segmentation simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the complex automated process into manageable, independent steps that can be executed sequentially with clear decision points.
3Loss of energy
If the device loses cellular network access, then maintenance costs decrease, but activation capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces WiFi network as an intermediary alternative when cellular network is unavailable. The activation agent mediates between the device and activation server by selecting the appropriate network path, ensuring activation capability is maintained even when cellular access is lost, while still reducing maintenance costs by avoiding unnecessary cellular usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares multiple network paths in advance (both cellular and WiFi) before activation is needed. By having pre-configured alternative network options, the system cushions against the risk of cellular network unavailability, ensuring activation capability is reliably maintained without incurring continuous maintenance costs for unused cellular services.
Data Source
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AI summary
Within a network system, a wireless device sends a message to a network element over a first wireless access network, the message including a first device credential and being configured to obtain information to assist in presenting an on-device user service plan selection choice through a user interface of the wireless device. After sending the message, the wireless device determines that it lacks authorization to connect to the network element over the first wireless network and, in response, attempts to connect to the network element over a second data access network.