Bearer Management for Secure Multi-Wireless Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face confusion and security issues when establishing secure short-range connections between devices due to non-uniform procedures across different bearer technologies like Bluetooth and WLAN, leading to difficulties in forming ad-hoc networks and skipping security configurations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that shares information about available bearers to configure multiple secure wireless links simultaneously, allowing users to switch between bearers like Bluetooth and WLAN for communication, and supports ad-hoc network setups, ensuring secure connections using protocols like IPSEC and PSK-TLS, even over the internet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bearer technologies (Bluetooth, WLAN, UWB) are supported in mobile devices, then connectivity options and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal bearer management system that handles multiple bearer technologies (Bluetooth, WLAN, UWB) through a single unified interface. The system automatically manages bearer selection, security configuration, and connection establishment across different technologies, allowing one component to perform multiple functions rather than requiring separate user interactions for each bearer type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary bearer management layer that sits between the user and multiple bearer technologies. This intermediary automatically performs bearer discovery, capability exchange, and security setup, mediating the complex interactions between different bearers and shielding users from the underlying complexity while maintaining adaptability across technologies.
2Reliability
If different security procedures are required for each bearer technology, then security reliability can be maintained according to bearer-specific standards, but ease of operation deteriorates as configuration steps must be repeated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary security configuration by establishing security contexts and deriving keys for all supported bearers in advance, before actual data transmission begins. The system proactively sets up bearer-specific security parameters and stores them for later use, so that when a bearer is activated, security is already configured and ready, eliminating the need for users to repeat configuration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the security configuration process into bearer-specific security contexts that are independently managed. Each bearer (Bluetooth, WLAN, UWB) has its own security context with appropriately derived keys and parameters, allowing security to be maintained according to each bearer's specific standards while automating the overall configuration process through unified bearer management.
3Use of energy by moving object
If WLAN radio is kept off to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to discover nearby devices and establish connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Bluetooth as an intermediary bearer to facilitate device discovery and initial connection establishment when WLAN is off. The Bluetooth bearer discovers nearby devices and exchanges capability information, then triggers WLAN activation only when a suitable connection opportunity is found, allowing device discovery to occur with minimal WLAN power consumption while maintaining connectivity capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic WLAN activation cycles where the WLAN radio is turned on briefly at intervals to perform device discovery and capability exchange, then turned off to conserve power. This periodic action allows the system to maintain the ability to detect nearby devices while minimizing overall power consumption compared to keeping WLAN continuously on.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for efficiently enabling local security connectivity between electronic devices over multiple bearers. Electronic devices are configured to advertise, over each bearer, their respective configuration parameters for each bearer. After a connection has been established between the electronic devices over a first bearer, the two electronic devices use the first bearer to establish connections over the other bearers using the configuration parameters contained in the advertisements and advertised over the first bearer. Shared keys are established for the other bearers either using keys derived from the first shared key or by using the first secure connection as an out-of-band channel. The present invention also provides for the creation of an ad hoc WLAN connection once a Bluetooth connection has been established.