RFID Biographical Digest for Mobile Device Lifecycle Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices lack an efficient method to quickly and automatically provide manufacturing and configuration information, especially when barcodes are not accessible or readable, leading to difficulties in troubleshooting and customer service.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a radio frequency identity (RFID) chip that stores a biographical digest with static and dynamic portions, allowing for easy scanning of device information using near field communication (NFC) even when the device is turned off or without a battery, and enabling automatic updating of information as the device configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If barcodes are used to store device information, then device information can be stored, but the information becomes inaccessible when the device is turned off or without a battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical barcode scanning system with an RFID-based electromagnetic field communication system. The RFID chip stores device biographical information and can be read remotely through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical access to barcodes on the device even when it is powered off or has no battery installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an RFID chip as an intermediary carrier that holds device information independently of the device's power state. This intermediary can be read by external RFID scanners without requiring the device itself to be powered on, solving the accessibility problem of barcode information.
2Productivity
If device information is stored in a centralized database, then information can be retrieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing device biographical information (model, manufacturer, location, software versions) in the RFID chip during manufacturing. This eliminates the need for real-time database queries during customer service, allowing technicians to immediately read device information through RFID scanning without time-consuming data retrieval processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of device information in the RFID chip that can be read independently of the central database. This copy contains essential biographical data that can be retrieved instantly through RFID scanning, bypassing the need to query external databases and significantly reducing information retrieval time during customer service operations.
3Reliability
If the device status is not tracked, then the device can be reused, but reactivation of terminated devices may occur causing conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the RFID chip stores the device's lifecycle status (new, activated, terminated, refurbished) and this status information is read during each interaction. The system uses this feedback to determine whether a device can be reactivated or has been previously terminated, preventing conflicts while maintaining simple status tracking through the RFID chip's memory.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and accurate retrieval of device information, improving customer service efficiency and preventing reactivation of terminated devices by maintaining a record of their lifecycle status.
Implementation Method 1
reading a biographical digest from a radio frequency identity chip of a mobile communication device by a near field communication (NFC) scanner
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing a lifecycle of a mobile communication device. The method comprises storing a biographical digest in a radio frequency identity chip of the mobile communication device at the time of manufacture of the communication device, wherein the biographical digest comprises information about the device and comprises a static portion and a dynamic portion. The method further comprises activating the device for wireless communication service; after activating the device, deactivating the device for wireless communication service; and after deactivating the device, writing a device status of the dynamic portion of the biographical digest in the radio frequency identity chip of the device to a value of dead, whereby the device is prevented from being activated for wireless communication service after once having the device status of the dynamic portion of the biographical digest in the radio frequency identity chip of the device written to the dead value.