Selective Hardware Feature Activation via Cloud Tokens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face limitations in achieving price segmentation and offering diverse products due to manufacturing and marketing constraints, as they cannot efficiently produce and market multiple versions of electronic devices with varying hardware components, leading to restricted price differentiation and feature offerings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows for the selective activation and configuration of electronic device hardware components post-sale, using a cloud-based platform to generate access tokens for activating or upgrading features, enabling remote and differential feature activation based on user payment, without requiring direct manufacturer access to the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce multiple versions of electronic devices with varying hardware components to achieve price segmentation, then price differentiation and feature offerings are improved, but manufacturing complexity and inventory management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device configuration into hardware components and software activation layers. Instead of manufacturing physically different devices, the system segments functionality through software licenses and digital rights management, allowing one hardware platform to serve multiple price points through selective feature activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal device platform that can function at multiple price levels. A single device design with full hardware capabilities can be sold at different price points by activating or deactivating specific features through software licensing, making one device serve multiple market segments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce multiple versions of electronic devices with varying hardware components, then product diversity is improved, but production efficiency and inventory management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of device configuration from physical hardware variation to software-based feature activation. By maintaining constant hardware specifications and varying only the activated features through software licenses, the system achieves product diversity without affecting manufacturing efficiency or inventory requirements.
3Reliability
If manufacturers directly control device feature activation, then control over hardware components is improved, but security risks and privacy concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces digital rights management systems and licensed software as intermediaries between the manufacturer and device features. Instead of direct manufacturer control, authorized third-party software licenses act as mediators that enable or disable features, reducing security risks while maintaining control through authorized channels.
Data Source
AI summary
Device, system, and method of selective activation and configuration of components. A manufactured electronic device includes at least one hardware component which is locked or disabled or deactivated, or is feature-constrained. An end-user of the electronic device utilizes a computerized platform or a cloud-based platform to request activation or upgrade of that hardware component, optionally together with paying a fee for such request. In response to the request, an access token is generated by the manufacturer of the electronic device, with cryptographic elements that indicate to the electronic device that the request is approved and authorized by the manufacturer and also by the relevant vendor or communications carrier. The electronic device validates the access token, and modifies configurational parameters in its secure storage to activate or to upgrade the capabilities of the relevant hardware components of the electronic device.