Remote Feature Configuration via Secure Licensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data collection devices have a high number of manufacturing configurations, leading to increased complexity and costs, while customers often require a limited set of features, necessitating a method to streamline manufacturing and enable post-sale modifications, activations, and software updates securely.
Innovation Solution
A system for remotely configuring data collection devices by enabling, modifying, or disabling features, using a license key mechanism that allows for secure activation, modification, and deactivation of features, as well as provisioning of software updates, which includes generating authorization files and maintaining configurations to facilitate restricted software distribution based on predetermined conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data collection devices are provided with multiple hardware and software configurations to meet diverse customer needs, then product adaptability and versatility are improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device configuration into two parts: a base configuration that is manufactured uniformly, and configurable features that are activated or deactivated through software licensing. This allows the hardware to be manufactured in a standardized manner while still providing diverse configurations through software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of features through parameter modification in software licensing files. By changing the activation status of specific features through software parameters rather than hardware configuration, the system achieves diverse product configurations without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data collection devices are provided with multiple hardware and software configurations to meet diverse customer needs, then product adaptability and versatility are improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device configuration into a standardized base hardware platform and software-controlled feature sets. This segmentation allows uniform manufacturing of the hardware base while providing configuration diversity through software licensing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software licensing files as copies that define feature configurations. Instead of manufacturing different hardware configurations, the system creates software copies that can be distributed and applied to standardized hardware platforms, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining configuration variety.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of manufacturing configurations is minimized to streamline production, then manufacturing complexity and costs are reduced, but the ability to provide customized product configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the hardware platform with all necessary components in a standardized manner. The actual feature configuration is then determined through software licensing files that are applied after manufacturing, allowing manufacturing simplicity while maintaining configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing feature configurations to be changed after manufacturing through software licensing. The device can dynamically adapt its feature set based on the licensing files applied, providing configuration flexibility without requiring different manufacturing processes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If software updates and feature modifications are provided post-sale, then product adaptability and customer satisfaction are improved, but security risks and unauthorized modifications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of securely signed licensing files that mediate between the customer and the feature modification process. These intermediary files ensure that only authorized modifications are applied, maintaining system security while enabling post-sale configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the licensing file verification process. The system checks the authenticity and integrity of licensing files before applying feature modifications, providing feedback control that prevents unauthorized modifications while allowing legitimate post-sale configuration changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for modifying the feature set of data collection devices are disclosed. Requests are receiving at a computer system different from the data collection device for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of a feature. The identifier may comprise an identifier that is unique for a particular data collection device or an indication of a group of devices, e.g. a model number. Prior to authorizing the new configuration, a determination may be made as to whether the identified data collection device(s) are suitable for the new configuration by consulting a configuration database. To implement the new configuration, an encoded authorization file is generated based on the requested configuration and the identifier of the data collection device(s). The encoded authorization file is transmitted to one or more data collection devices. Each data collection device that receives an encoded authorization file attempts to decode of the license using its identifier(s). If the authorization file is successfully decoded, a license key on that device is updated to implement the new configuration.