Electronic Terminal Interface Blocking via Network Configuration Messages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing the distribution of harmful images and videos on electronic devices, such as cell phones, are either user-dependent and costly or require significant administrative effort, and existing technologies do not provide a secure and cost-effective way to control the transmission of such content.

Innovation Solution

An electronic terminal device with a first interface to a cellular network and an additional interface for near-field communication, capable of receiving a special, non-reproducible configuration message that automatically blocks or enables communication via the additional interface, preventing the transmission of harmful content by authorized entities without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration with PIN code is used to block images and videos, then the electronic terminal can prevent distribution of harmful content, but the user must manually configure and can easily reverse the blocking, requiring significant software complexity and user effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking reliabilityVSAvoiduser operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic terminal automatically blocks and unblocks interfaces based on received configuration messages without requiring user intervention. The system monitors incoming messages and autonomously executes blocking actions, eliminating the need for manual PIN entry and configuration by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal receives configuration messages from the telecommunications network that provide feedback about blocking status. When a blocking message is received, the terminal automatically blocks the appropriate interfaces. When a unblocking message is received, the terminal automatically restores access, creating a feedback-driven automated control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If special telephone cards (SIM/USIM) are used to control terminal properties, then automatic control is achieved, but significant expenses and specialized software are required, along with high administrative effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic control capabilityVSAvoidsoftware and administrative complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing SMS interface of the electronic terminal is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry not only standard text messages but also special configuration messages for interface blocking. This eliminates the need for separate specialized cards or software while achieving automatic control through the universal messaging system.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using specialized telephone cards with unique identification, the system uses copied and replicated configuration messages that can be sent through the standard SMS network. These messages contain the necessary control information and can be received and processed by any terminal with the appropriate software, eliminating the need for expensive specialized hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If configuration messages are made non-reproducible with special characters, then secure control is achieved, but the keyboard cannot enter these characters, requiring alternative input methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol securityVSAvoidmessage input capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The telecommunications network acts as an intermediary that generates and transmits the special configuration messages containing non-reproducible characters. The terminal's interpretation unit receives these messages from the network and processes them, eliminating the need for the user to manually enter these special characters through the keyboard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical keyboard input method is replaced by an automated reception system. Instead of requiring physical keyboard entry of special characters, the terminal uses its communication interface to receive pre-generated configuration messages from the network, substituting mechanical input with automated data reception and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP1890506B1Method for operating an electronic terminal and electronic terminal
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 VODAFONE GMBH

AI summary

The method involves receiving a special configuration message, particularly a short message, from the cellular telecommunication network by the interface. The special configuration message is interpreted by an interpretation unit of the electronic terminal. The configuration information is extracted from the configuration message by an extraction unit. The interface is blocked by the extracted configuration information for preventing communication to a further electronic terminal by a further interface. An independent claim is also included for the Electronic terminal has an interface to a cellular telecommunication network.