Out-of-Band Key Distribution via Cellular Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual entry of pre-shared keys (PSKs) for wireless devices in IEEE 802.11 networks is inconvenient and prone to errors, especially for devices without keyboards, and in-band key distribution poses a security risk due to unencrypted communications.
Innovation Solution
Communicating keys out of band using the cellular network, where wireless devices, such as dual mode handsets, receive PSKs via the cellular system, eliminating the need for manual entry and ensuring secure, encrypted key distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual entry of pre-shared keys is used for wireless devices, then key distribution can be implemented, but the process becomes inconvenient and error-prone especially for devices without keyboards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network as an intermediary channel to transfer pre-shared keys from a first device to a second wireless device. Instead of manual entry or direct wireless transmission, the key is routed through the cellular network infrastructure (base station, mobile switching center), which acts as a secure mediator. This eliminates the need for manual keyboard entry while maintaining security through encrypted cellular communication channels.
2Ease of operation
If in-band key distribution is used for IEEE 802.11 networks, then key distribution can be achieved, but security is compromised due to unencrypted communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the key distribution function from the unencrypted IEEE 802.11 in-band communication channel and relocates it to the encrypted cellular network channel. By separating the key distribution function from the data communication function, the patent ensures that sensitive key material is transmitted only through secure cellular channels, while the wireless LAN remains dedicated to encrypted data traffic after authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular network infrastructure serves as a secure intermediary that mediates the key distribution process. The pre-shared key is transmitted through authenticated cellular channels (controlled by base stations and mobile switching centers) rather than through the unencrypted wireless LAN medium. This intermediary approach maintains security while enabling automated key distribution to devices that cannot perform manual entry.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communicating a key to a wireless device includes communicating the key to a cellular telephone system which subsequently communicates the key to the wireless device. Thus, the need to manually enter a key into a wireless device to facilitate communication with a local area network is avoided.