Mobile Device Security Mode for Secure Facilities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices pose a security risk in secure facilities due to their ability to communicate and record information, necessitating a method to disable specific features without inconveniencing users, as relinquishing devices is not practical.

Innovation Solution

A security mode for mobile devices that disables video and voice recording features while maintaining other functionalities, using a processor and computer-readable storage medium to activate a security mode, send a wireless locking signal, and monitor the device's location via GPS over a secure Wi-Fi connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile devices are disabled at security checkpoints, then security risk is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mobile device features into two categories: secure features (camera, microphone, speaker, display) that are disabled, and non-secure features (processor, memory, communication interfaces) that remain operational. This allows selective disabling of only the features posing security risks while maintaining device functionality for legitimate uses such as navigation and communication with authorized personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different operational states to different parts of the mobile device system. The secure features are placed in a disabled state while non-secure features continue operating normally. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying security measures only where necessary rather than disabling the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If all features of mobile device are disabled, then security is improved, but device functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides mobile device features into secure and non-secure categories, disabling only the former while maintaining the latter. This segmentation allows the device to retain essential functionalities like processing, memory operations, and communication interfaces for authorized use, thereby maintaining adaptability while improving security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control over feature activation based on security context. The system can transition features between enabled and disabled states based on security requirements, allowing the device to adapt its functionality to different security environments rather than being statically disabled or fully operational.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If secure features are disabled, then security risk is reduced, but monitoring capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmonitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary monitoring system that receives signals from mobile devices in secure zones. This external monitoring infrastructure replaces the need for complex on-device monitoring features, allowing security personnel to track device locations and statuses without requiring the mobile device itself to have active recording or communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2850554B1Security mode for mobile communications devices
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2850554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2850554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2850554B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method of implementing a security mode in a mobile communications device, including a mobile communications device comprising a processor, and a computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor, the programming including instructions to activate a security mode of the mobile communications device, and pursuant to activation of the security mode, disable a first class of features of the mobile communications device, wherein other features of the mobile communications device remain enabled after activation of the mobile security.