Context-Based Captive Portal Connection Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots lack personalization based on the context of the user device, leading to cumbersome and tedious processes, especially when dealing with captive portals that require user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A cloud service that accesses context data from mobile devices, obtains accounting data, and selects the most suitable network access point and corresponding connection instructions, providing a personalized set of instructions for seamless and automated connection through captive portals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing solutions manage multiple passwords with a single authentication PIN or locate Wi-Fi hotspots near the user, then the user can connect to networks, but the connection process lacks personalization based on user device context and requires manual user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating multiple connection instruction sets for different network access points before the user needs to connect. These instruction sets are stored and ready for automated selection and execution, eliminating the need for manual user intervention during the connection process while providing personalized options based on device context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically selects and executes appropriate connection instructions based on device context, acting as a mediator between the user and multiple network access points. This intermediary capability enables personalized connection without requiring user intervention, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides multiple connection instruction sets for different network access points, then personalized connection is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complexity of managing multiple connection instruction sets from the user device by storing these instruction sets externally. The device only needs to retrieve and execute the appropriate instruction set based on device context, rather than maintaining and managing multiple complete connection configurations locally, thus reducing device complexity while preserving personalization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing multiple complete connection instruction sets in the device, the system uses copying by retrieving instruction sets from external storage when needed. The device copies only the necessary instruction set for the current connection scenario, reducing the burden on device memory and management complexity while maintaining the ability to provide personalized connections.
3Productivity
If manual user intervention is required for captive portal connection, then security and user control are maintained, but the connection process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically selecting and executing the appropriate connection instruction set based on device context without requiring user intervention. The device serves itself by autonomously completing the connection process to network access points, significantly improving connection speed and productivity while maintaining security through pre-configured authenticated instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing preliminary actions of pre-generating and storing multiple connection instruction sets with embedded authentication credentials, the system enables automated execution without user intervention. This preliminary preparation allows the device to quickly connect to appropriate networks by simply retrieving and executing the right instruction set, dramatically improving connection speed while maintaining security through pre-validated credentials.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments personalize a set of network access points (NAPs) acting as captive portals for each user and/or user device. A cloud service, or the user device, accesses context describing the user device. The context identifies at least one NAP, and may include accounting data. One of the NAP is selected for connection based on the context, and an instruction set associated with the selected NAP is provided for replay by the user device to connect through the NAP. In some embodiments, instructions within the instruction set are also personalized to the user and/or user device based on the context.