Mobile Device Model Determination via User Agent Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the model of a mobile device for remote management are inefficient, as users often need to manually obtain and enter the IMEI or select from similar-looking models, leading to errors and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A server-based method that captures the mobile device's phone number and generates a unique identifier, which is sent to the device as part of a URL, allowing the model number to be extracted from the user agent header, thereby associating it with the phone number for correct configuration of applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the user is asked to manually enter the IMEI or select from pictures, then the device model can be determined, but the process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device automatically provides its own model information through the user agent header without requiring user intervention to manually enter IMEI or select from pictures. The system extracts the model number automatically from the user agent string that the device sends during the HTTP request.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (typing IMEI, selecting from pictures) with an automated information extraction process. The server automatically parses the user agent header to obtain the model number, substituting user manual operations with automated text processing.
2Loss of information
If the user is asked to manually enter the IMEI, then the model number can be obtained, but the process requires multiple steps and user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device prepares the model information in advance by including it in the user agent header of the HTTP request. This preliminary inclusion of information eliminates the need for subsequent manual steps to retrieve or enter the IMEI.
Solution Approach 2:
The server extracts the model number directly from the user agent header that is already present in the HTTP request. This extraction process eliminates the need for users to perform multiple steps of obtaining and entering IMEI information.
3Ease of operation
If the user selects model from pictures on website, then model identification is possible, but errors occur due to similar-looking models
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual selection from pictures with automated text-based extraction from the user agent header. This substitution eliminates human error in identifying similar-looking models by using precise string matching of the device's own reported model information.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a server for determining the model of a mobile device and for delivering configuration parameters to the mobile device (114) consistent with the model determined. The application server (106) captures the mobile device's phone number and associates it with a generated unique identifier (206). The unique identifier is sent to the mobile device as part of a URL (212). When the mobile device (114) accesses the URL, the request (216) sent to the application server includes the unique identifier as well as a user agent header (218). The model number of the mobile device can be extracted from the user agent header, and thus the model number can be tied to the mobile device's phone number by way of the unique identifier. The model number and phone number association can be used to correctly configure applications for use on the mobile device (114).