Provisioning Non-Handset Devices via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-handset devices often lack wide-area communication capability since users may not select a carrier during the manufacturing or distribution process, leading to unprovisioned devices that cannot access wide-area communication services.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods that allow for the provisioning of target devices with wide-area communication capability by using a handset or mobile device with an existing service carrier to provide identifying information to a provisioning service provider, enabling the provisioning of communication services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-handset devices are manufactured with integrated multi-carrier modules without carrier selection, then the devices can be manufactured without concern for carrier selection, but the device ends up with the user without having been provisioned and the user often does not have the capability to have the device provisioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a provisioning service provider (PSP) as an intermediary between the device manufacturer and the carrier. The PSP receives identifying information from the non-handset device, determines appropriate carrier service, and completes the provisioning process. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling post-manufacturing provisioning without requiring carrier selection during manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If carrier service is selected during manufacturing or distribution, then the device can be provisioned with wide-area communication capability, but the manufacturer does not know whether the end user will want to pay for wide-area communication access or what carrier the user will employ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by embedding identifying information (such as ESN, MEID, or other unique identifiers) in the device during manufacturing, but defers the actual carrier selection and provisioning decision to the end user through the PSP. This allows the device to be prepared for provisioning without committing to a specific carrier, maintaining flexibility while enabling future service activation.
3Device complexity
If non-handset devices lack integrated wide-area communication capability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the devices cannot access wide-area communication services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the non-handset device universal by integrating a multi-carrier module that can work with multiple carriers and service types. The device includes identifying information that enables it to be provisioned with various wide-area communication services through the PSP, allowing the same device hardware to adapt to different carriers and service requirements without requiring separate device variants.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to provision a non-handset target device with wide-area communication service, such as wireless wide area network (WWAN) technology. Identifying information of the target device can be provided to a provisioning service provider (PSP) via a mobile provisioning device over a communication network. The PSP can determine the service carrier associated with the mobile provisioning device and enable the provisioning of the target device with the wide-area communication service to the service carrier via the mobile provisioning device. A billing plan can be instituted for the service of the target non-handset device relating to a billing plan of the mobile provisioning device.