Web Service Interface for Mobile Device Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrier networks face challenges integrating supplier proprietary protocols for provisioning and managing mobile communication devices, as these protocols are not easily compatible with existing network management systems, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An automated web service interface using industry-standard XML and SOAP protocols provides a common interface for device management, allowing carriers to access supplier provisioning systems without needing to integrate proprietary protocols, thereby simplifying device provisioning and management through a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If supplier proprietary protocols are used for device provisioning and management, then device management functionality is achieved, but integration with existing network management systems becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a web service interface as an intermediary layer between the supplier's proprietary device management system and carrier network management systems. This interface translates between different protocols, allowing carriers to access device management functionality through standard web services (HTTP, XML, SOAP) without needing to integrate complex proprietary protocols directly into their existing systems.
2Ease of operation
If proprietary protocols are integrated into network management systems, then access to device provisioning is enabled, but operational costs and staffing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The web service interface enables carrier network management systems to autonomously access and manage device provisioning functions without requiring specialized staff to handle complex proprietary protocol integrations. The standardized interface simplifies operations, allowing automated interactions with the supplier's device management system.
3Device complexity
If standardized web service interfaces are implemented, then integration with existing network management systems is simplified, but access to detailed device management functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The web service interface is designed to provide universal access to device management functionality through standardized protocols. It supports multiple operations including device discovery, status monitoring, software update management, and configuration changes, all accessible through a common interface that works across different carrier network management systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a system and method (400) for provisioning mobile communication device upgrades. In an embodiment, the method comprises: providing an automated web service device management interface WSDMI accessible to one or more carriers (414,424); adapting a supplier provisioning system (434) to receive via the WSDMI one or more upgrade requests from the one or more carriers (402,406,410,414,418); adapting the supplier provisioning system to respond via the WSDMI to the one or more upgrade requests from the one or more carriers (404,408,412,416,420); and adapting the supplier provisioning system to execute one or more device upgrades on one or more supplier provisioning system connected devices. In an embodiment, the receiving and responding via the WSDMI is based on SOAP encoded XML messages.