Femtocell EMF Shielded Enclosure for Automatic IMSI IMEI Extraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile phone retail environments, obtaining information about a customer's current mobile phone network and handset model is time-consuming and often requires human interaction, limiting salesperson efficiency and customer service.

Innovation Solution

A system using an EMF-shielded enclosure with a femtocell generates a local cellular network, allowing a mobile phone to automatically register and extract IMSI and IMEI information, enabling real-time, human-interaction-free data collection and personalized message transmission to the phone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a salesperson manually asks the customer for mobile phone information, then the customer can provide the information, but the salesperson's time is occupied and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesalesperson efficiencyVSAvoidtime occupied by salesperson
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic extraction of mobile phone information (IMSI, IMEI, network operator, handset model) directly from the customer's phone through the femtocell connection, eliminating the need for manual customer input or salesperson inquiry. The phone itself provides the information automatically during the connection establishment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual interaction process between salesperson and customer is replaced by an automated electronic system. The femtocell automatically establishes connection, extracts information, and transmits data without mechanical human intervention, substituting the manual information collection process with an automated electronic extraction mechanism.

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

2Loss of information

If the customer is asked to provide mobile phone information, then the information can be obtained, but the customer may not know the information offhand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile phone information acquisitionVSAvoidcustomer convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts information directly from the customer's phone automatically during the connection process. The phone provides its own information (IMSI, IMEI, network operator, handset model) without requiring the customer to recall or manually input data they may not know.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The femtocell acts as an intermediary between the information extraction process and the customer. It establishes a connection with the phone, automatically retrieves the required information through standard communication protocols, and makes it available to the retail system without the customer needing to know or provide the information directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual information collection is used, then personalized offers can be provided, but the process is time-consuming and limits salesperson availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalized offer capabilityVSAvoidsalesperson availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts all necessary customer information (network operator, handset model, SIM details) in advance during the automatic connection process, before any sales interaction is needed. This preliminary data collection enables immediate personalization of offers without delaying the sales process or occupying the salesperson's time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated femtocell system performs the information collection and analysis that would otherwise require manual salesperson effort. The electronic extraction and processing of customer data replaces the mechanical process of asking questions, recording information, and analyzing customer needs, enabling rapid personalization while freeing the salesperson for other tasks.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This system enhances customer service efficiency by automatically determining mobile network and handset details, allowing for customized offers and freeing salespersons to attend to other tasks, while providing an interactive user experience without requiring the customer's mobile phone number.

Implementation Method 1

A system using an EMF-shielded enclosure with a femtocell generates a local cellular network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEMF shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP2428072B1A system and method for use in a cellular communication network
Publication Date: 2018.01.24 SMARTBOX LTD
  • EP2428072B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2428072B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2428072B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provides a system and method for extracting information pertaining to a portable wireless communications device (103) which is connectable to a cellular communication network comprising the steps of: disposing the portable wireless communications device within an enclosure (101) substantially impenetrable by electromagnetic radiation; generating a cell of a cellular communication network within the enclosure; transmitting a signal to the device, the transmitted signal being suitable for initiating registration of the device with the generated cell; receiving a signal from the device comprising information pertaining to the device, the received signal being suitable for registering the device with the generated cell; and extracting information pertaining to the device from the received signal. Embodiments also provide the additional step of generating a message dependent upon the extracted information and transmitting the same, via the generated cell, to the user's device.