Remote Feature Activation for Mobile Voice Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile voice communication devices lack a mechanism to remotely toggle between basic and enhanced features, such as speech recognition, which limits revenue generation opportunities for service providers and software developers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mobile voice communication device with a digital processor and memory that includes application program code for basic and enhanced features, where the enhanced features can be remotely activated or deactivated using a unique key, enabling a revenue-generating model by billing users for activated features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If enhanced features are permanently activated on mobile devices, then user functionality and satisfaction are improved, but service provider revenue generation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation of enhanced features through remote provisioning. The application software can be activated or deactivated based on user subscription status, allowing the system to transition between different functional states. This resolves the contradiction by enabling permanent functionality availability while maintaining controlled access through subscription-based activation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of feature availability from static to dynamic. By introducing activation keys and subscription-based control, the system can modify the functional parameters of enhanced features based on user agreements. This allows the same software to provide different levels of functionality to different users, resolving the revenue-generation limitation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application software includes both basic and enhanced features, then device versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the application software into distinct basic features and enhanced features modules. The enhanced features are separated as optional components that can be independently activated. This segmentation allows the software structure to remain manageable while providing feature variety, as the enhanced features are not permanently integrated but can be activated when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal application framework that can serve multiple functions through a single codebase. The basic features are universally available, while enhanced features can be activated for users who subscribe. This multi-functionality approach provides feature variety without requiring separate applications, thereby managing device complexity.
3Productivity
If enhanced features are activated remotely, then service provider revenue control is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary activation key mechanism that mediates between the service provider and the application software. The activation key serves as an intermediary credential that enables remote provisioning. This simplifies the implementation by using a straightforward key-based system rather than complex authentication protocols, while maintaining strong revenue control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service activation where the mobile device automatically processes the activation of enhanced features when the appropriate key is received. The device autonomously manages the activation state without requiring complex manual configuration. This self-service approach improves revenue control for service providers while minimizing implementation complexity by leveraging the device's existing processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile voice communication device including a wireless transceiver circuit for transmitting and receiving voice communications and for receiving data; a digital processor; and a memory storing application program code which when executed on the digital processor causes the mobile voice communication device to provide predetermined functionality to the user of the mobile voice communication device. The predetermined functionality includes basic features and it includes enhanced features that are in addition to the basic features. The application program code has a deactivated state in which the mobile voice communication device provides the basic features to the user without providing the enhanced features and an activated state in which the mobile voice communication device provides the enhanced features. Toggling between the deactivated and activated states is accomplished by receiving through the wireless transceiver circuit a transmitted key that was sent by a remote source to that mobile voice communication device.