Multi-Modal Radio Keymap Management for Seamless Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication devices struggle with managing multiple disparate keymaps across different communication systems, necessitating improved key management and seamless interoperability for first responders and public safety systems.

Innovation Solution

A portable communications device equipped with a memory and processor capable of storing and managing multiple keymaps for different radio communication systems, allowing simultaneous traffic operations on one system while performing key management operations on another, facilitated by user inputs or remote commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a communication device stores multiple keymaps for different radio communication systems, then the device can operate on multiple disparate communication systems without coordination, but the device complexity increases due to managing multiple keymaps and their associated key material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to operate on multiple communication systemsVSAvoidkey management structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments key material management by organizing it into multiple distinct keymaps, where each keymap is associated with a specific radio communication system. This segmentation allows the device to store and manage key material for multiple systems separately, enabling operation on disparate systems without requiring coordination between system operators while maintaining organized and manageable key structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If key material is coordinated between disparate communication systems, then interoperability is facilitated, but the ease of operation decreases due to required coordination between system owners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteroperability between systemsVSAvoidkey management process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple keymaps within the device, each associated with a different radio communication system. This allows the device to be prepared in advance for operation on multiple systems without requiring real-time coordination when switching between systems. The key material is loaded and organized beforehand, enabling seamless interoperability while simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a device performs key management operations on one system while operating on another, then operational efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to simultaneous management of multiple keymaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidconcurrent keymap management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the device to dynamically switch between different keymaps based on operational context. The device can operate on one radio communication system using its associated keymap while performing key management operations on another system's keymap. This dynamic keymap switching capability allows flexible and efficient multi-system operation without requiring the device to be statically configured for a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4018703B1Key management on a multi-modal communications device
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4018703B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4018703B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4018703B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods for managing a device (110) and said device (110) configured to communicate on multiple radio communication systems (105A). The communications device (110) includes a memory (210) and an electronic processor (205) electrically connected to the memory (210). The processor (205) is configured to store a plurality of keymaps (305), each keymap (305A) of the plurality of keymaps (305) corresponding to at least one of a particular communication system (105A) of the multiple radio communication systems (105A) and operate, in response to a user input, on a first radio communication system (105A) of the multiple radio communication systems (105A). The processor (205) is further configured to manage traffic operations to and from a communication system (105A) according to a first keymap (305A) of the plurality of keymaps (305) corresponding to the first communication system (105A) when the electronic processor (205) is operating on the first radio communication system (105A) and perform a key management operation of a selected second keymap (305B) corresponding to a second radio communication system (105B) in response to receiving a command.