Secure Radio Module Coupling for Mobile Terminal Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of personal mobile terminals in professional contexts introduces security vulnerabilities due to their short life cycles and lack of adaptability, requiring a solution that enhances radiocommunication security while optimizing ergonomics and personalization without overriding security policies.

Innovation Solution

An electronic coupling method and device that dissociates the life cycles of mobile terminals and their housings, allowing secure communication by inhibiting the terminal's communication module and activating a secure module within the housing, with user authentication and specific communication mode selection, using a hypervisor and secure radio communication module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If personal mobile terminals are used in professional contexts, then ergonomics and ease of operation are improved, but radiocommunication security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveergonomicsVSAvoidradiocommunication security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the mobile terminal into two distinct operational modes: a first radio communication module for personal use with full functionality, and a second radio communication module for professional use with enhanced security. The housing acts as a segmentation boundary that physically and functionally separates these two modes, allowing the terminal to switch between personal and professional configurations based on operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves as an intermediary device that mediates between the personal mobile terminal and the professional communication requirements. It contains a second radio communication module that acts as a secure intermediary for professional communications, while the first module handles personal communications. This intermediary structure allows both personal ergonomics and professional security to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If centralized hardware management approaches are implemented, then security control is improved, but user autonomy and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoiduser autonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the mobile terminal to switch between first and second radio communication modules based on operational context. Users can dynamically select which module to use depending on whether they are in personal or professional mode, providing adaptability and autonomy while maintaining security control through the structured dual-module architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both a first radio communication module for personal use and a second radio communication module for professional use within the same device. This universal design allows the terminal to serve multiple purposes - personal communication and secure professional communication - without requiring separate devices, thereby maintaining user autonomy while providing comprehensive security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the mobile terminal's communication module is inhibited and housing's secure module is activated, then radiocommunication security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiocommunication securityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the first radio communication module (personal use) and the second radio communication module (professional use) into a single integrated mobile terminal device. The housing contains both modules and manages their operation, combining multiple security mechanisms into one unified device. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate personal and professional devices while maintaining high radiocommunication security through the secure second module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3367649B1A method for electronically coupling a mobile terminal with a housing configured to receive the mobile terminal, related device and housing
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 THALES SA
  • EP3367649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3367649B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3367649B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method (70) for electronically coupling a mobile terminal (12) with a housing (14) configured to receive said mobile terminal (12), the mobile terminal (12) comprising a first radio communication module (R1), the housing (14) comprising a second radio communication module (R2) and an electronic coupling device (30) configured to implement said method (70), the method (70) comprising at least: - the inhibition (80) of the operation of the first radio communication module (R1), the inhibition being activated when the mobile terminal (12) is secured to the housing (14), and - the activation (86) of the second radio communication module (R2).