Location-Based Mobile Device Configuration Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communications devices often lose functionality in environments where specific features are prohibited, such as radio communications or audio notifications, leading to unnecessary disablement of other permissible functions, and users may forget to manually switch configurations as they move between locations.
Innovation Solution
A configuration management system that uses electronic positioning to automatically adjust the device's settings based on location, sending configuration messages to the device via a radio access network to enable or disable features like airplane mode or silent mode without user intervention, by associating specific locations with desired configurations and updating the device's memory accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device is turned off in environments where one or a subset of functionalities is prohibited, then radio communications are suppressed to comply with prohibitions, but use of other non-prohibited functionalities is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device functionalities into prohibited and non-prohibited categories, allowing selective activation/deactivation of specific functions based on location. Instead of turning off the entire device, only the prohibited radio communication functions are suppressed while other functions remain available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration switching based on monitored location. The device automatically transitions between different configuration states (e.g., airplane mode, vibrate mode, normal mode) as the user moves between locations with different functional prohibitions, making the system adaptive rather than static.
2Ease of operation
If configurations are turned on/off manually by the user, then user control over device settings is maintained, but users may not know or remember to turn on/off configurations as they change locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the device continuously monitors its location and automatically adjusts configurations based on the monitored location data. The system provides feedback to the user about the current configuration state and automatically switches configurations when entering predefined locations, eliminating the need for users to manually remember and switch settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-service by automatically monitoring location and switching configurations without requiring user intervention. The system manages its own configuration state based on location data, freeing the user from the burden of manual configuration management while maintaining configuration accuracy.
3Extent of automation
If location monitoring and automatic configuration switching is implemented, then automatic adaptation to location-specific configurations is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional components already present in modern mobile devices. The location monitoring function utilizes existing GPS and cellular location capabilities, while the configuration switching logic repurposes existing mode-setting mechanisms. This approach achieves automatic configuration switching without adding significant hardware complexity.
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
Ensures that mobile devices automatically adapt to location-specific configurations, maintaining functionality while adhering to prohibitions, reducing user error and enhancing convenience by automatically switching settings when the device is in proximity to predefined locations.
Implementation Method 1
A location of the wireless terminal may be monitored based on electronic positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a wireless terminal communicating with a radio access network over a radio interface may include saving information in memory at the wireless terminal identifying locations associated with a wireless terminal location configuration. A configuration message may be received from a configuration management system over the radio interface at the wireless terminal, with the configuration message including information identifying a new location associated with the wireless terminal location configuration. Responsive to receiving the configuration message, the information identifying the new location associated with the wireless terminal location configuration may be saved in the memory at the wireless terminal thereby adding the new location to the locations associated with the wireless terminal location configuration. A location of the wireless terminal may be monitored based on electronic positioning, and responsive to a monitored location of the wireless terminal being proximate to one of the locations associated with the wireless terminal location configuration in the memory at the wireless terminal, the wireless terminal location configuration may be initiated for the wireless terminal.