Wireless Access Point Affiliation Group Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in accessing the internet through wireless networks, particularly when unprotected access points are not available, and protected access points require authentication or payment, leading to limitations in connectivity, especially in congested areas or abroad.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows mobile stations to connect to protected wireless network access points by verifying affiliation with an affiliation group, granting access when affiliated and denying access when not affiliated, without compromising the access point's protection or requiring additional infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protected access points are used to limit access to entitled users, then network security is improved, but accessibility for non-entitled users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user base into entitled users (with authentication) and non-entitled users (without authentication), allowing the access point to serve both groups simultaneously through different access mechanisms. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling secured access for entitled users while providing open access for non-entitled users through affiliated mobile stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access point is designed to perform multiple functions: serving entitled users through authentication and serving non-entitled users through affiliation verification. This multi-functionality allows the same access point to maintain security for entitled users while providing accessibility to non-entitled users, resolving the contradiction between security and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mobile telephone infrastructure is used for internet access, then connectivity is improved, but connection speed deteriorates due to congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidconnection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless access points as intermediary infrastructure between mobile stations and the internet. These access points provide alternative access paths that bypass the congested mobile telephone infrastructure, enabling high-speed data transmission while maintaining universal connectivity through affiliation-based access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If mobile stations connect to protected access points requiring authentication, then network security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic access control where the authentication requirement changes based on the mobile station's affiliation status. Affiliated mobile stations gain automatic access without authentication, while non-entitled users require authentication. This dynamic approach maintains security for entitled users while providing ease of operation for affiliated users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If unprotected access points are used for open access, then ease of operation is improved, but network security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidnetwork security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different access control qualities to different user groups: affiliated mobile stations receive open, easy access similar to unprotected access points, while non-entitled users receive secured access requiring authentication. This local differentiation of access quality allows the system to provide ease of operation for affiliated users while maintaining network security through authentication for non-entitled users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9220053B2Affiliation of mobile stations and protected access points

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A solution for accessing a network is provided. Particularly, an embodiment of the invention provides for operating a wireless network access point providing an access to a network over a wireless connection, the access point being protected for limiting the access to the network to entitled users. A request to access the network is received from a mobile station. An entitlement of the mobile station to access the network through the access point is verified. An affiliation of the mobile station to an affiliation group of the access point is verified when the mobile station is not entitled, the affiliation group comprising a plurality of access points and a plurality of mobile stations. The access to the network is granted when the mobile station is affiliated, and the access to the network is denied when the mobile station is not affiliated.