Access Point Group Provisioning via Push Button
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for provisioning multiple wireless devices in a wireless network, such as WPS, require individual button presses for each device, making it inconvenient for simultaneous provisioning of multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
An access point (AP) operates in a secure admission mode that disregards non-secure provisioning requests unless a 'group provisioning' command is given, allowing multiple devices to be provisioned with a single button press, enabling secure layer-2 communication without requiring security credentials initially.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual button presses are required for each wireless device in WPS mode, then security credentials can be securely provisioned to each device, but the provisioning process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient when multiple devices need to be configured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual provisioning operations into a single group provisioning operation. The access point enters a group provisioning mode where multiple wireless devices can be provisioned simultaneously through a single button press, combining what would otherwise require multiple separate WPS operations into one unified process.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point performs preliminary actions by entering a special group provisioning mode before the actual device provisioning occurs. This preliminary mode allows the AP to accept and process multiple provisioning requests in advance, preparing the system to handle multiple devices efficiently before they are actually connected.
2Productivity
If the access point accepts non-secure provisioning requests from multiple devices simultaneously, then provisioning efficiency improves, but security risks increase due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The access point dynamically changes its operational mode between secure WPS mode and group provisioning mode. In group provisioning mode, the AP temporarily accepts non-secure requests to improve productivity, then automatically transitions back to secure mode afterward, allowing the system to adapt its security posture based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point operates in periodic cycles, alternating between secure mode and group provisioning mode. Each group provisioning session is a temporary periodic state where non-secure requests are accepted, followed by a return to secure mode, creating a rhythmic pattern of security states that balances productivity and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present disclosure enables an access point (AP) to conveniently provision multiple wireless devices. In an embodiment, the AP may normally operate in a secure mode to disregard non-secure provisioning requests from wireless devices. However, upon receipt of a request to accept provisioning requests from multiple wireless devices, the AP permits multiple wireless devices to be provisioned via the AP, in response to corresponding provisioning requests received from the respective wireless devices. The request to accept may be generated upon pressing of a push button provided on the AP, which may be referred to as a group provisioning button since multiple wireless devices are provisioned in response to pressing of that button.