SIM Lock Management via Communication Unit Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies can only lock a mobile phone when identification information verification fails, failing to allow the use of a replaced communication unit with pre-registered identification information.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and identification control method that verify identification information of a connected communication unit against stored information, allowing registration with a server for use when matching, and enabling safe and automatic registration of replaced communication units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If identification information verification is performed to prevent use of invalid communication units, then security is improved, but replaced communication units with pre-registered identification information cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduse of replaced communication unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by checking whether non-matching identification information belongs to a replaced communication unit before locking the device. The verification module checks if the connected communication unit's identification information matches the stored identification information, and if not, determines whether it is from a replaced unit by verifying against the server unit, thereby preventing false locking of replaced units while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The server unit acts as an intermediary between the information processing apparatus and the identification information database. When verification fails, the system communicates with the server unit to determine whether the non-matching identification information corresponds to a replaced communication unit, enabling secure replacement while preventing unauthorized use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If identification information is strictly verified against stored information, then security is improved, but registration of replaced communication units becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidregistration process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic registration of replaced communication units through self-service mechanisms. When a communication unit is replaced, the verification module automatically detects the non-matching identification information, communicates with the server unit to verify it belongs to a replaced unit, and completes the registration process without requiring complex manual intervention, thereby simplifying the registration process while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2073492B1Managing SIM lock by a network operator
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2073492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2073492B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2073492B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a cabinet, a first storage module (109a) contained in the cabinet, a communication unit (200) which is detachably inserted into the cabinet, equipped with a second storage module (200b), and used for connecting to a communication line, a verification module which verifies identification information of the communication unit (200) stored in the first storage module (109a) against that of the communication unit (200) stored in the second storage module (200b) after receiving an instruction of activation of the information processing apparatus, a registration module which registers with the predetermined server unit (202) for use of the communication unit (200) when verification is performed against the identification information of the communication unit (200) stored in the predetermined server unit (202) and the use of the communication unit (200) is determined to be matching.