Mobile Device Personalization via Delayed MEP Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile device manufacturers face challenges in pre-configuring devices for multiple service providers, as existing methods require early MEP locking, limiting flexibility in the distribution chain and potential for errors in service provider personalization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to delay MEP locking until later stages of the distribution chain, allowing for post-assembly personalization by receiving a unique code, selecting the corresponding personalization policy, and storing it in a persistent protected storage element, enabling flexible assignment to different service providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If MEP locking is performed early in the manufacturing process, then service provider personalization is ensured, but flexibility in the distribution chain is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice provider personalization accuracyVSAvoiddistribution chain flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple personalization policies and code groups in the device memory during manufacturing, but delaying the actual MEP locking action until later in the distribution chain. The device is prepared with all necessary personalization data (service provider codes, network codes, code groups) in advance, but the selection and activation of the specific personalization policy is postponed until the device reaches its final destination or a later stage in the distribution chain. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring personalization accuracy is built into the system while maintaining flexibility in when and how the specific personalization is applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple personalization policies are stored in the device, then adaptability to different service providers is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice provider compatibilityVSAvoidpersonalization data storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the personalization data into distinct, organized segments: multiple personalization policies (each containing service provider codes, network codes, and code groups) are stored as separate entities in the device memory. Each personalization policy is a self-contained segment that can be independently selected and activated. This segmentation allows the device to handle multiple service provider configurations without creating a monolithic complex structure, as each policy segment can be managed, selected, and applied independently through the code comparison mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If MEP locking is delayed to post-assembly, then distribution chain flexibility is enhanced, but risk of configuration errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution chain flexibilityVSAvoidpersonalization configuration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback through the code comparison mechanism that automatically verifies the selected personalization policy against the inserted SIM/USIM card. When a SIM/USIM is inserted, the device compares the SIM's stored codes with the code groups in each personalization policy until a match is found. This automated feedback loop ensures configuration accuracy by objectively verifying compatibility between the device's personalization settings and the SIM card, eliminating manual configuration errors even though MEP locking is delayed to post-assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUSRE47297E1Mobile equipment customization using a single manufacturing configuration
Publication Date: 2019.03.12 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD
  • USRE47297E1 patent drawing
  • USRE47297E1 patent drawing
  • USRE47297E1 patent drawing

AI summary

Personalization of a mobile device, including receiving at the mobile device a unique code; selecting, from a plurality of personalization policies stored on the mobile device a personalization policy that corresponds to the unique code; and storing the selected personalization policy in a persistent protected storage element of the mobile device. Customizing a mobile device, including determining at the mobile device a unique code; selecting, from a plurality of customized data sets stored on the mobile device a data set that corresponds to the unique code; and activating the selected data set on the mobile device.