Mobile Device Identifier Translation via Operator Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile operators on shared billing plans lack information about device holders, making it difficult to identify and recognize devices within a shared operating plan, as phone numbers are not user-friendly for recognition and existing methods for querying sensitive information are insecure.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that securely verifies a mobile device's phone number using a secret token and interfaces with a mobile operator's infrastructure to retrieve and translate phone numbers into user-friendly names and photos, allowing devices on a shared plan to recognize each other and detect proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile operators use traditional phone number identification methods, then device identification is achieved, but user-friendliness and recognition are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that translates phone numbers into user-friendly identifiers (names, photos, avatars) while maintaining security. This intermediary layer allows operators to work with phone numbers internally while presenting friendly identifiers to end users, resolving the contradiction between technical identification and user-friendliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy or representation of the phone number information in a more user-friendly format (display names, photos, avatars). Instead of directly exposing sensitive phone numbers, the system generates alternative representations that are easier for users to recognize and interact with.
2Loss of information
If mobile operators query sensitive information about shared plan devices, then device identification information is obtained, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an intermediary authentication mechanism using secret tokens that mediate between the requesting device and the operator's database. This intermediary layer enables secure information retrieval without exposing sensitive data directly, maintaining security while obtaining necessary device holder information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary authentication actions where secret tokens are verified before allowing access to sensitive information. This preliminary security check ensures that only authorized devices can query the shared plan information, preventing unauthorized access while enabling legitimate information retrieval.
3Adaptability or versatility
If phone numbers are used for device identification, then device recognition is achieved, but user recognition and proximity detection are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates user-friendly copies of device identifiers including display names, photos, and avatars that replace raw phone numbers. These visual and textual representations make it easy for users to recognize devices and determine proximity, transforming technical phone number data into intuitive user-facing information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes communicating, by an application executed by a processor of a first mobile communication device, with a server system. A first phone number corresponding to the first mobile communication device is determined or verified based on the communicating with the server system, the first phone number corresponding to a particular shared operating plan enabled by a particular mobile operator. A request is transmitted to a computing system corresponding to the particular mobile operator for a second phone number corresponding to a second mobile communication device and corresponding to the particular shared operating plan of the first mobile communication device. The second phone number is received from the computing system. The processor of the first mobile communication device determines user identifying information corresponding to the second phone number based on data accessible via the first mobile communication device, and the user identifying information is provided to a user.