Terminal Device Network Unlocking via UI State Query

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for unlocking wireless terminal devices are inadequate for allowing local users to conveniently use their products in visited areas, as they often require the original SIM card or incur high costs, limiting user experience and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a user interface to query and record the network locking state of a terminal device, allowing users to input an unlocking code based on the IMEI, enabling unlocking without relying on the SIM card's presence, and maintaining compatibility with conventional unlocking flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional unlocking methods requiring SIM card and terminal management software are used, then network locking control is achieved, but user convenience in visited places deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork locking controlVSAvoiduser convenience in visited places
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the SIM card dependency from the unlocking process. The terminal device now stores unlocking information internally and can perform self-unlocking without requiring external SIM card verification or terminal management software, thereby improving user convenience while maintaining network locking control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device is enabled with self-unlocking capability by storing unlocking information (such as unlocking codes or flags) internally. When unlocking conditions are met, the device automatically performs the unlocking operation without requiring external assistance from terminal management software or SIM card validation, making the process self-service oriented

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If terminal device stores unlocking information internally, then unlocking convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlocking convenienceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device's existing storage and processing components are utilized to store and evaluate unlocking information. The same processor and memory that handle normal device operations are used for unlocking functionality, avoiding additional dedicated hardware and minimizing device complexity increase

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

Solution Approach 2:

The unlocking information is stored as data (such as unlocking codes or flags) in the terminal's existing memory. This approach uses simple data storage rather than complex hardware mechanisms, leveraging the terminal's existing capability to store and retrieve information without adding significant complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2461614B1Method and apparatus for realizing unlocking for terminal device
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 ZTE CORP
  • EP2461614B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2461614B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for realizing unlocking a terminal device, and the method comprises: after the terminal device is powered on, querying and recording a network locking state of the terminal device through a UI; and if the UI checks that the terminal device is inserted with a SIM card and the network locking state of the terminal device is "network locked", asking a user to unlock the terminal device through the UI.