Laptop Cellular Transceiver Provisioning via Pre-stored Carrier Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of cellular network transceivers in laptop computers, requiring carrier-specific provisioning data, leads to inventory challenges and consumer dissatisfaction due to the need for specific configurations and additional provisioning steps when switching carriers.
Innovation Solution
Pre-provisioning laptop computers with digitally signed provisioning data images for multiple carriers, allowing selection and download of the appropriate data during initialization, enabling access to any cellular network without carrier-specific inventory or in-store provisioning, and allowing for easy switching between carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If laptop computers are sold preprovisioned with carrier-specific provisioning data, then consumers can access cellular networks out-of-the-box, but manufacturers must maintain excess inventory for each cellular carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple carrier-specific provisioning data images in the computer's nonvolatile memory before the consumer purchases the device. This allows the system to be ready for any carrier without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional inventory for each carrier, as all necessary provisioning data is already prepared and stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by enabling a single laptop computer to support multiple cellular carriers through a universal provisioning mechanism. The system can store and switch between different carrier-specific provisioning data images, allowing one device to serve multiple carriers rather than requiring separate devices for each carrier.
2Reliability
If consumers visit carrier stores for provisioning activation, then carrier-specific settings can be applied, but consumer satisfaction decreases due to additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing the provisioning process before the consumer needs to use the device. All carrier-specific provisioning data is pre-stored in the computer's nonvolatile memory, so when a consumer activates cellular service, the appropriate provisioning data is already ready and can be automatically applied without requiring the consumer to visit a carrier store.
3Reliability
If consumers switch carriers by visiting stores, then new carrier settings can be applied, but time and convenience are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple carrier provisioning data images in nonvolatile memory before the consumer needs to switch carriers. When a consumer wants to switch carriers, the system can automatically select and apply the appropriate pre-stored provisioning data without requiring a visit to a carrier store, significantly reducing the time and effort needed for carrier switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating and storing copies of carrier-specific provisioning data images in the computer's nonvolatile memory. Instead of requiring physical reconfiguration or manual entry when switching carriers, the system simply copies the appropriate pre-stored provisioning data image into the transceiver's nonvolatile memory, enabling rapid carrier switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems enable computers to be equipped and provisioned to access any cellular network without the need for carrier-specific inventory or point-of sale provisioning of the cellular network transceiver. Multiple digitally signed provisioning data images for multiple carriers are stored on the computer's hard disk memory prior to sale. Upon initialization, provisioning data for a selected carrier are downloaded to random access memory of the cellular network data transceiver from the hard disk. A version number within the provisioning data is compared to a version number of provisioning information stored in the transceiver's nonvolatile memory. If the downloaded provisioning data is newer than that stored in nonvolatile memory, the downloaded provisioning data is stored in the nonvolatile memory. The random access memory is cleared of the downloaded provisioning data and initialization of the transceiver is begun. Updated provisioning information can be received and stored to the hard disk.