Derivative works — US Patent 8631102

Defensive Disclosure: Enhancements and Alternative Embodiments for Automated Device Provisioning and Activation

This document describes new methods, systems, and variations that build upon the foundational concepts of U.S. Patent No. 8,631,102. The purpose of this disclosure is to place these enhancements and alternative implementations into the public domain, thereby establishing them as prior art against future patent applications.

Claim 1: Method for a wireless device to manage network usage

Derivative 1.1: Hardware-Accelerated Policy Enforcement

Enabling Description: The "service processor" functionality is implemented not in software on the main CPU, but within a dedicated Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The service profile, received from the service controller, is compiled into a hardware description language (HDL) configuration or a netlist. This configuration is then loaded onto the FPGA/ASIC. All network packets from the device's modem are routed through this hardware, which performs line-rate packet inspection, classification, and enforcement (e.g., shaping, blocking, redirection) based on the compiled policy rules. This approach significantly reduces latency and power consumption compared to a software-based implementation, making it ideal for high-performance 5G/6G devices or battery-constrained IoT sensors. The service processor reports usage statistics by reading hardware counters directly from the FPGA/ASIC.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant SC as Service Controller
    participant CPU as Main CPU
    participant SP_FPGA as Service Processor (FPGA)
    participant Modem

    SC->>CPU: Send Compiled Service Profile
    CPU->>SP_FPGA: Load Configuration/Netlist
    loop For each Outgoing Packet
        Modem->>SP_FPGA: Route Packet
        alt Policy Check Passed
            SP_FPGA->>Modem: Forward Packet
        else Policy Check Failed
            SP_FPGA->>Modem: Block/Modify Packet
        end
    end
    SP_FPGA-->>CPU: Report Usage (from hardware counters)
    CPU-->>SC: Relay Usage Report

Derivative 1.2: Cryogenic/High-Temperature Operational Parameters

Enabling Description: The method is adapted for devices operating in extreme temperature environments, such as industrial sensors in furnaces or scientific probes in cryogenic applications. The service processor monitors the device's internal temperature sensors. The service profile contains multiple tiers of operational rules, each tied to a specific temperature range. For example, in a high-temperature state, the processor might automatically disable non-essential, heat-generating components (e.g., high-power radios, displays) and switch to a low-bandwidth, low-power communication protocol to prevent thermal damage, while still transmitting critical alerts. Conversely, in a cryogenic state, it might adjust clock frequencies or voltage levels to ensure component stability, as defined by the temperature-contingent service profile.

Mermaid Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Normal Operation" as Normal
    state "High-Temp Throttling" as HighTemp
    state "Cryo-Stable Mode" as Cryo

    [*] --> Normal: Boot / Temp OK
    Normal --> HighTemp: Temperature > Threshold_H
    HighTemp --> Normal: Temperature < Threshold_H_Reset
    Normal --> Cryo: Temperature < Threshold_L
    Cryo --> Normal: Temperature > Threshold_L_Reset

    HighTemp: Enforce High-Temp Profile (Low-Power Comms, Disable Peripherals)
    Cryo: Enforce Cryo-Stable Profile (Adjust Clock/Voltage)
    Normal: Enforce Standard Profile

Derivative 1.3: Cross-Domain Application - Smart Agriculture

Enabling Description: The wireless device is an autonomous agricultural drone or ground vehicle. The "service controller" is a central farm management server. The "service profile" is dynamically updated based on mission parameters, GPS location, and data from onboard sensors (e.g., multispectral cameras, soil moisture sensors). The profile controls network usage to prioritize real-time telemetry and control data over the high-bandwidth sensor data stream. For example, if the drone's connection to the control network weakens, the service processor will automatically throttle or buffer the video feed to ensure command-and-control packets are not lost. The profile can also specify geofenced "blackout zones" where data transmission is forbidden (e.g., over a neighbor's property) or "high-priority zones" where maximum bandwidth is allocated for data-intensive tasks like crop spraying analysis.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    A[Farm Mgmt Server (Service Controller)] -- Service Profile --> B(Drone/Rover);
    B -- Telemetry & Control --> A;
    subgraph Drone/Rover Device
        C(Service Processor) -- Manages --> D{Modem (Cellular/SATCOM)};
        E[GPS/Sensors] --> C;
        F[Flight/Drive Controller] <--> C;
        G[HD Video/LIDAR] --> C;
    end
    C -- Reads --> E;
    C -- Prioritizes --> F;
    C -- Throttles/Buffers --> G;

Derivative 1.4: Integration with AI for Predictive Throttling

Enabling Description: The service processor includes a lightweight, on-device machine learning (ML) model. This model is trained by the service controller on historical usage data from a large pool of users. The model predicts the user's data consumption for the remainder of the billing cycle based on their current usage patterns (e.g., time of day, location, applications in use). If the model predicts the user will exceed their data cap, the service processor proactively begins shaping traffic for non-essential applications (e.g., reducing video resolution, pre-fetching data on Wi-Fi only, delaying background updates) before the limit is reached. The user is presented with a notification explaining the pre-emptive action and offering an option to temporarily override it or upgrade their plan. This provides a smoother user experience than an abrupt cutoff or overage charge.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph LR
    A[User Activity Data] --> B(On-Device ML Model);
    B --> C{Predicts >80% of Quota?};
    C -- Yes --> D[Apply Proactive Throttling Profile];
    C -- No --> E[Apply Standard Profile];
    D --> F[Notify User: 'Approaching limit, non-essential data slowed.'];
    F --> G{User Action?};
    G -- Upgrade --> H[Request New Profile from Controller];
    G -- Override --> I[Temporarily Disable Throttling];
    G -- Ignore --> D;
    H --> E;
    I --> E;

Derivative 1.5: Graceful Degradation / Failsafe Mode

Enabling Description: The device stores a "failsafe" service profile in a secure, non-volatile memory partition. If the service processor fails its own internal health check (e.g., checksum error, process crash) or cannot communicate with the service controller for a configurable period (e.g., 72 hours), it reboots into a limited functionality mode governed by the failsafe profile. This profile restricts network access to only essential services, such as E911 calls, operator SMS for support, and a specific endpoint for re-provisioning. All other application data, DNS lookups, and OS updates are blocked by the processor's firewall rules. This ensures the device remains minimally functional and secure even in a fault state, preventing runaway data usage or unauthorized access until it can be restored by the service controller.

Mermaid Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Operational" as Active
    state "Failsafe" as Failsafe
    [*] --> Active: Power On / Normal Boot
    Active --> Failsafe: Heartbeat to Controller Fails (N times)
    Active --> Failsafe: Self-Test Failure
    Failsafe --> Active: Controller Connection Restored
    Failsafe: Enforce Failsafe Profile (E911, SMS, Provisioning URL only)
    Active: Enforce Normal Service Profile

Claim 13: A wireless device with a service processor

Derivative 13.1: Pluggable Hardware Security Module (HSM)

Enabling Description: The service processor is implemented as a removable hardware security module (HSM), such as a secure microSD card or a USB-C security key. This HSM contains the secure processor, protected memory for storing service profiles, and cryptographic keys. When the HSM is inserted into a host device (e.g., a laptop, tablet, or IoT gateway), it takes over management of the device's network interfaces. This allows service policies to be portable and physically secured. A corporation could issue HSMs to employees to enforce corporate network policies on any device they use, or a service provider could sell pre-provisioned HSMs that enable instant, secure connectivity on compatible hardware.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Host Device
        A[CPU / OS]
        B[Network Interface]
    end
    subgraph HSM Module
        C[Secure Microcontroller (Service Processor)]
        D[Encrypted Flash (Service Profile)]
    end
    A -- USB/SDIO --> C
    C -- Controls --> B
    E(Service Controller) -- Secure Channel --> C

Derivative 13.2: Operation in High-Radiation Environments

Enabling Description: The device is designed for aerospace or nuclear industry applications. The service processor's core logic is implemented on radiation-hardened (rad-hard) silicon. The service profile is stored in redundant, error-correcting memory (ECC RAM). The service processor constantly monitors the network interfaces for data corruption caused by single-event upsets (SEUs). The service profile includes rules for error detection and correction, such as automatically requesting re-transmission of data packets that fail a CRC check or switching to a more robust, lower-bandwidth modulation scheme when the bit error rate (BER) exceeds a predefined threshold. This ensures reliable communication and policy enforcement in environments with high levels of ionizing radiation.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Rad-Hard Service Processor
        A[Core Logic]
        B[ECC Memory for Profile]
        C[CRC/BER Monitor]
    end
    subgraph Network Interface
        D[Modem]
    end
    E[External Network]
    C -- Monitors --> D
    A -- Reads --> B
    A -- Configures --> D
    D -- Traffic --> E

Derivative 13.3: Cross-Domain Application - Connected Healthcare

Enabling Description: The device is a wearable health monitor (e.g., a continuous glucose monitor or ECG patch). The "service processor" is an ultra-low-power MCU within the wearable. The "service controller" is a hospital's patient monitoring system. The service profile is provisioned by the clinician and contains rules specific to the patient's condition. For example, it might define normal data reporting intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes) but also include trigger conditions (e.g., if heart rate exceeds 150 bpm or glucose drops below 50 mg/dL). When a trigger is met, the service processor overrides the standard profile and immediately establishes a high-priority, persistent connection to transmit an alert and high-resolution data to the service controller, bypassing any non-critical data transmissions to conserve battery for the emergency communication.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant Wearable as Wearable (Service Processor)
    participant Controller as Hospital Server
    loop Normal Operation
        Wearable->>Wearable: Read Sensor Data
        alt Vitals in Normal Range
            Wearable->>Controller: Send Data (Low Priority)
        else Vitals Critical
            Wearable->>Controller: Send Alert (High Priority)
            Wearable->>Controller: Stream High-Res Data
        end
    end

Derivative 13.4: Integration with IoT Device Management Protocols

Enabling Description: The service processor and service controller communicate using a standard IoT device management protocol such as LwM2M (Lightweight M2M) or MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport). The service profile is defined as a set of LwM2M Objects and Resources or as a structured MQTT topic. For example, a resource /3/0/1 could represent the monthly data quota, and /3/0/5 could represent the "reset day." The service controller can update these resources on the device by sending a CoAP PUT or POST request (for LwM2M) or publishing a message to a specific control topic (for MQTT). This allows the device to be managed by a standard-compliant IoT platform, rather than a proprietary service controller, increasing interoperability.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph LR
    subgraph LwM2M Device
        A[Service Processor Agent]
        B[LwM2M Objects]
        C[Data Quota: /3/0/1]
        D[Usage: /3/0/2]
        E[APN: /11/0/1]
        B --- C & D & E
    end
    F[Service Controller (LwM2M Server)]
    A -- CoAP/DTLS --> F
    F -- "Write /3/0/1 = 2GB" --> A
    A -- "Update /3/0/2 = 500MB" --> F

Derivative 13.5: "Anonymous" or "Ephemeral" Service Profile

Enabling Description: A device designed for privacy-sensitive applications or short-term use (e.g., a burner phone, a guest Wi-Fi device at an event). The device's service processor requests a service profile without providing any personally identifiable information (PII). Authentication is based on a one-time-use token or a hardware-attested unique device ID. The service controller issues an "ephemeral profile" that is valid for a limited duration (e.g., 24 hours) or a specific data quota (e.g., 500 MB). Once the limit is reached or the time expires, the service processor securely erases the profile and all associated usage logs, returning the device to an un-provisioned state. This ensures no long-term tracking of the device or user activity.

Mermaid Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Unprovisioned
    Unprovisioned --> Provisioning: Request Ephemeral Profile
    Provisioning --> Active: Profile Received (Time/Data Limit)
    Active --> Unprovisioned: Quota Exhausted
    Active --> Unprovisioned: Timer Expired
    state Active {
        [*] --> InUse: Data transfer
        InUse --> Quota_Check: Check usage
        Quota_Check --> InUse: Quota OK
        Quota_Check --> [*]: Quota Exceeded
    }

Claim 20: Method for automated device provisioning and activation

Derivative 20.1: Acoustic or Optical Provisioning

Enabling Description: A new, out-of-the-box device uses its microphone or camera for initial provisioning. The user, on a separate, already-connected device (like a smartphone), logs into their account on the service provider's website. The website generates a unique, time-limited QR code or an audio signal (using DTMF tones or data-over-sound modulation). The new device's service processor uses its camera to scan the QR code or its microphone to listen for the audio signal. This signal contains the bootstrap credentials (e.g., a temporary Wi-Fi SSID/password or a token) needed to establish the initial "limited connectivity" to the service controller. The controller then validates the token and pushes the full service profile to the device.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant User as User
    participant WebPortal as Service Provider Portal
    participant NewDevice as New Device (Service Processor)
    participant ServiceController as Service Controller

    User->>WebPortal: Logs In, Requests to Add Device
    WebPortal->>User: Displays QR Code/Plays Audio
    User->>NewDevice: Scans QR Code / Plays Audio
    NewDevice->>NewDevice: Decodes Bootstrap Info
    NewDevice->>ServiceController: Connects using Bootstrap Info
    ServiceController->>ServiceController: Validates Bootstrap Info
    ServiceController-->>NewDevice: Pushes Full Service Profile
    NewDevice->>NewDevice: Applies Profile & Activates

Derivative 20.2: Provisioning at the Edge (Fog Computing)

Enabling Description: For large-scale IoT deployments (e.g., a smart factory, a city's sensor network), the service controller functionality is decentralized to edge/fog computing nodes located physically near the devices. A new device, upon power-up, uses a local area discovery protocol (e.g., mDNS, UPnP) to find the nearest edge service controller. This edge controller has a cached set of generic service profiles and can perform initial authentication and provisioning without needing to communicate with the central cloud-based controller for every new device. This reduces latency, conserves backhaul bandwidth, and allows for provisioning even if the main internet connection is down. The edge controller periodically synchronizes its device data and aggregated usage reports with the central controller.

-Mermaid Diagram:

 graph TD
    subgraph Cloud
        A[Central Service Controller]
    end
    subgraph Edge/Fog Layer
        B1[Edge Controller 1]
        B2[Edge Controller 2]
    end
    subgraph Device Layer
        C1[IoT Device]
        C2[IoT Device]
        C3[IoT Device]
    end
    A <--> B1
    A <--> B2
    C1 -- Local Discovery & Provisioning --> B1
    C2 -- Local Discovery & Provisioning --> B1
    C3 -- Local Discovery & Provisioning --> B2

Derivative 20.3: Cross-Domain Application - In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) Systems

Enabling Description: This method is applied to provision seat-back IFE screens on an aircraft. Before takeoff, while the aircraft is at the gate and connected to the airport's high-speed network, a "ground service controller" pushes a base service profile to all IFE units. This profile pre-loads content and sets default access policies. Once airborne, the onboard server acts as a local "in-flight service controller." Passengers use the screen to purchase premium content or Wi-Fi access. The onboard controller then pushes an updated, per-seat service profile to that passenger's device, unlocking the purchased services. All transaction and usage data is logged by the device's service processor and synchronized with the ground-based billing system once the aircraft lands. This "air-gapped" provisioning model works efficiently in a disconnected environment.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant GroundController as Ground Service Controller
    participant Aircraft as Aircraft (Onboard Server)
    participant IFEDevice as IFE Device (Service Processor)
    participant Passenger as Passenger

    GroundController->>Aircraft: Pre-Flight Sync (Base Profiles, Content)
    Aircraft->>IFEDevice: Push Base Profile
    activate IFEDevice
    Passenger->>IFEDevice: Purchase Wi-Fi
    IFEDevice->>Aircraft: Request Service Upgrade
    Aircraft->>IFEDevice: Push Upgraded Profile
    loop In-Flight
        IFEDevice->>IFEDevice: Log Usage
    end
    deactivate IFEDevice
    Aircraft->>GroundController: Post-Flight Sync (Usage/Billing Data)

Derivative 20.4: Integration with Secure Hardware Identity (e.g., FIDO)

Enabling Description: The device is manufactured with a built-in cryptographic chip that acts as a FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authenticator. During provisioning, the service processor initiates a FIDO registration ceremony with the service controller. The device generates a new public/private key pair, with the private key stored securely in the hardware chip. The public key is sent to the service controller and associated with the device's account. For all subsequent communication, including policy updates or usage reports, the service processor must sign the messages with its private key. The service controller verifies the signature, providing strong, un-phishable, password-less authentication for the device itself. This prevents device spoofing and ensures that service profiles are only sent to legitimate, authorized devices.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph First-Time Provisioning
        A[Device: Generate Key Pair] --> B{Service Processor signs challenge with Private Key};
        B --> C[Service Controller: Verify Signature with Public Key];
        C --> D[Register Public Key to Device Account];
        D --> E[Push Initial Service Profile];
    end
    subgraph Subsequent Communication
        F[Device: Sign request with Private Key] --> G[Service Controller: Verify Signature];
        G -- OK --> H[Process Request];
    end

Derivative 20.5: Self-Destructing Provisioning Data

Enabling Description: A method for provisioning devices in untrusted environments. The initial connection to the service controller is made using a one-time-programmable (OTP) token or a time-based one-time password (TOTP) algorithm seeded at the factory. During the activation handshake, the service controller transmits the service profile encrypted with a session key. The service processor decrypts the profile, applies the settings, and then performs a secure erase of the initial OTP token and the session key from its memory. It retains only a separate, long-term key for subsequent heartbeats and policy updates. If the device is compromised during the initial provisioning step, the sensitive bootstrap credentials are no longer present on the device, minimizing the attack surface.

Mermaid Diagram:

flowchart TD
    A[Device Powers On] --> B{Read One-Time Token};
    B --> C[Connect to Service Controller];
    C --> D[Controller Verifies Token];
    D --> E[Controller Sends Encrypted Profile & Session Key];
    E --> F[Device Decrypts Profile with Session Key];
    F --> G[Device Applies Profile];
    G --> H[Device Securely Erases Token & Session Key];
    H --> I[Operate with Long-Term Key];