Mobile Terminal Unlocking via Secure Runtime Environment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for unlocking mobile terminal devices are cumbersome, time-consuming, and insecure, particularly at the point of sale, often requiring complex configurations and the release of sensitive access data.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a secure runtime environment in the mobile terminal, where a unique identifier is transmitted via a short-range communication link to a server, which generates and sends an unlocking code back to the device, allowing for secure and rapid unlocking without the need for online connections or SIM card insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mobile device is unlocked via a network connection with SIM card insertion, then the device can be unlocked, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking code is generated and transmitted to the point of sale terminal before the customer needs to unlock the device. The server prepares the unlocking code in advance based on the device identifier, so that when the customer presents the device, the unlocking process is already initiated and completed quickly.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM card insertion step is extracted and eliminated from the unlocking process. The invention uses a device identifier transmitted via short-range communication instead of requiring a SIM card to be inserted into the device to establish a network connection.
2Ease of operation
If the mobile device is unlocked via WLAN configuration, then the device can be unlocked, but the configuration becomes complex and access data must be released
Solution Approach 1:
The WLAN configuration step is extracted and eliminated from the unlocking process. The invention uses short-range communication between the mobile device and the point of sale terminal, which already has a network connection, to transmit the device identifier and receive the unlocking code without requiring any WLAN setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The point of sale terminal acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the server. It receives the device identifier via short-range communication, transmits it to the server over the network, and receives the unlocking code back, eliminating the need for the mobile device to directly configure WLAN connections.
3Ease of operation
If the mobile device is unlocked via internet connection with SIM card, then the device can be unlocked, but high costs are associated with SIM card usage
Solution Approach 1:
The SIM card is extracted and eliminated from the unlocking process. The invention uses the device identifier transmitted via short-range communication to identify the mobile device, removing the need for a SIM card and its associated costs.
4Ease of operation
If the mobile device transmits access data for shop WLAN, then the device can be unlocked, but uncertainty and security risks arise for the shop
Solution Approach 1:
The WLAN access data transmission is extracted and eliminated. The invention uses short-range communication to transmit only the device identifier to the point of sale terminal, which already has an existing network connection, so no sensitive WLAN access data needs to be shared or transmitted.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In a method for unlocking a short-range communication-enabled mobile device (1) by a server (4) according to the invention, the mobile device (1) comprises a secure runtime environment (10). A short-range communication connection (5) is established between the mobile device (1) and a terminal (2). A unique identifier is transmitted to the terminal (2) via the short-range communication connection (5). A communication connection is established between the terminal (2) and the server (4), and the unique identifier is transmitted to the server (4) via the communication connection. An unlock code (15) is transmitted from the server (4) to the terminal (2) via the communication connection. The unlock code (15) is transmitted via the short-range communication connection (5) into the secure runtime environment (10) of the mobile device (1).