Access Point Provisioning Across WPS and Wi-Fi Easy Connect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi network provisioning protocols, such as WPS, have security vulnerabilities and do not support WPA3-Personal provisioning, while Wi-Fi Easy Connect supports WPA3 but not legacy devices, creating a gap in providing secure connections for both new and legacy devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable an access point to simultaneously support both WPS and Wi-Fi Easy Connect protocols, allowing devices to connect using either WPA2-Personal or WPA3-Personal security protocols by broadcasting support for both and receiving unicast frames to determine the appropriate provisioning method based on device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If WPS provisioning protocol is used, then legacy WPA2-Personal devices can connect, but security vulnerabilities exist and WPA3-Personal provisioning is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges WPS and Wi-Fi Easy Connect provisioning protocols into a single access point implementation, allowing the system to handle both legacy WPA2-Personal and modern WPA3-Personal provisioning requests through a unified framework that selects the appropriate protocol based on device capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The access point is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple provisioning protocols simultaneously, enabling it to serve both legacy devices requiring WPS and modern devices requiring Wi-Fi Easy Connect, thereby achieving universal compatibility across different device generations
2Reliability
If Wi-Fi Easy Connect provisioning protocol is used, then WPA3-Personal security is achieved, but legacy WPA2-Personal devices cannot connect
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between WPS and Wi-Fi Easy Connect protocols based on the capabilities of the connecting device, allowing the access point to adapt its provisioning method in real-time rather than being locked into a single protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The access point implements both WPS and Wi-Fi Easy Connect provisioning capabilities, providing more than just one protocol option. This excessive action ensures that whether a device is legacy or modern, it can find compatible provisioning support without requiring the system to choose only one protocol
3Reliability
If unicast frames are used for device communication, then deterministic provisioning is achieved, but additional frame handling complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through unicast frames where the access point receives specific device capability information and adjusts its provisioning approach accordingly, creating a deterministic two-way communication process that ensures reliable protocol selection
Data Source
AI summary
A method for an access point (AP) to advertise that it supports Wi-Fi Easy Connect provisioning by broadcasting to devices, a frame that specifies the provisioning in question. The method includes, by the AP, receiving from a device, a frame indicating the device wishes to connect to the AP, and sending, by the AP, to the device a frame indicating the AP allows the device to connect to the AP. Subsequently, the AP and device follow the Wi-Fi Easy Connect protocol. Also provided is a method for an AP to advertise it supports a Wi-Fi Protect Setup (WPS) provisioning protocol and the Wi-Fi Easy Connect provisioning protocol to connect a device to the AP. The method includes, by the AP, broadcasting an AP frame structured to specify that the AP supports a Wi-Fi Protect Setup (WPS) provisioning protocol and a Wi-Fi Easy Connect provisioning protocol to connect a device to the AP; receiving, from a device that received the first AP frame, one of: a device frame structured to indicate that the device selects the WPS provisioning protocol to connect to the AP; and a device frame structured to indicate that the device selects the Wi-Fi Easy Connect provisioning protocol to connect to the AP. Further provided is an access point configured to perform the methods mentioned herein.