Blockchain Network Access Handover for Secure Mobile Roaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network access systems face challenges in ensuring network security and authentication for mobile devices that frequently change networks, particularly when accessing unfamiliar or unknown networks.

Innovation Solution

A blockchain-based method for network access points that uses a digitally signed record to transfer the association of a mobile device from a home access point to an away access point, verified by miner components and recorded in a distributed transactional database, ensuring secure and verifiable network access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If centralized authentication mechanism is used, then network security is improved, but network connectivity accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidnetwork connectivity accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized authentication system into distributed blockchain nodes, where each access point maintains its own authentication capability through the blockchain ledger. This eliminates the single-point dependency while maintaining security through cryptographic verification of authentication records.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain acts as an intermediary layer between devices and access points, providing a decentralized authentication mechanism. The blockchain ledger mediates the verification process by storing and validating authentication records without requiring direct access to a central authentication server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mobile devices frequently change networks, then adaptability is improved, but network security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching capabilityVSAvoidnetwork security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by creating and storing authentication records in the blockchain before the device actually accesses the network. This pre-validation ensures that even as devices frequently switch networks, each connection is pre-authorized and cryptographically verified, maintaining security alongside adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If cryptocurrency transfer is required for network access, then access control security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidnetwork access simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service authentication where devices automatically handle cryptocurrency transactions and blockchain verification without user intervention. The device autonomously pays the access fee and verifies its authentication status through the blockchain, eliminating the need for manual security procedures while maintaining strong access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3639497B1Expendable network access
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP3639497B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3639497B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3639497B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A computer implemented method of a first network access point to provide network access for a mobile device, the mobile device associated with a second network access point by a digitally signed record in a blockchain wherein the blockchain is accessible via a network and includes a plurality of records validated by miner computing components, wherein the mobile device has associated a quantity of cryptocurrency by a digitally signed record in the blockchain, the method comprising: receiving a request from the mobile device to access the network; generating a first new record for storage in the blockchain to transfer a predetermined quantity of cryptocurrency associated with the requester to be associated with the first access point, the first new record being validated by the miner components; responsive to the validation of the first new record, notifying the second access point of the request of the mobile device to access the network; responsive to a validation of a second new record in the blockchain, the second new record associating the mobile device with the first access point, providing the mobile device with access to the network.