Automated Tethering via Short-Range Wireless Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tethering techniques are cumbersome for users to set up and manage, particularly in securing network connections and monitoring data usage, leading to difficulties in establishing secure and efficient network connectivity between devices lacking WWAN capabilities and WWAN-capable devices like smartphones.
Innovation Solution
An automated tethering process is implemented using a smartphone to connect devices to a WWAN network, facilitating secure and monitored data transmission by detecting authorized devices, sending control data for network access, and managing data usage through short-range wireless communication, thereby simplifying the setup and ensuring secure, efficient network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tethering techniques are used to connect devices to WWAN network, then network connectivity is established, but the setup process is cumbersome and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting authorized devices through short-range wireless communication before WWAN connection establishment, pre-configuring network access parameters, and proactively managing connection states. This eliminates manual setup steps and reduces user burden in the tethering process.
Solution Approach 2:
The tethering system implements self-service by automatically detecting devices, authenticating users, establishing connections, and monitoring data usage without requiring manual user intervention. The mobile device autonomously manages the entire tethering lifecycle, from initialization to termination, simplifying the user experience while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If manual tethering setup is used, then network connection is established, but security management and data usage monitoring become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms by monitoring data usage statistics, tracking connection states, and providing real-time information about network consumption. This enables automated security policies to be enforced based on actual usage patterns, maintaining high security while simplifying user management through transparent, data-driven decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the WWAN network and tethered devices, mediating authentication, controlling access permissions, and enforcing security policies. This intermediary role centralizes security management, making it easier to control and monitor while maintaining robust security protections for the network connection.
3Productivity
If automated device detection is implemented, then authorized devices are quickly identified, but short range wireless communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic scanning at optimized intervals rather than continuous monitoring, activating short-range wireless communication only when needed for device detection or connection maintenance. This periodic approach maintains fast device detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, balancing productivity with power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: connecting, using a network communication device of a mobile device, to a communication network; detecting, using a short range wireless communication device of the mobile device, one or more known devices; determining, using a processor of the mobile device, that the one or more known devices are authorized to connect to the communication network through the mobile device; sending, using the short range wireless communication device, control data for accessing the communication network to the one or more known devices; and communicating, using the network communication device of the mobile device, data for the one or more known devices via the communication network. Other aspects are described and claimed.