Communication Apparatus Authentication via Intermediary Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of devices like cameras, game machines, and health appliances face inconvenience in generating fee-based authentication information for public wireless LAN services, as these devices lack a suitable user interface for inputting charge information, making it difficult to connect to fee-based networks without manual and cumbersome processes.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus that detects network information and acquires or provides authentication information through a base station, cooperating with another communication device like a cellular phone to simplify the authentication process, allowing for automatic generation and provision of necessary authentication details without requiring users to manually input charge information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device like a camera attempts to generate fee-based authentication information independently, then it can connect to public wireless LAN services, but it requires a complex user interface for inputting charge information which is troublesome and annoying for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces another communication device (such as a smartphone) as an intermediary that possesses the necessary user interface and charge information. This intermediary device communicates with the camera to provide authentication information, thereby eliminating the need for the camera to have a complex UI for charge information input while maintaining reliable authentication capability
2Reliability
If charge information is entered manually in a web form of a charge system, then authentication information can be generated, but the process becomes troublesome and annoying for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the other communication device (smartphone) store charge information and authentication capabilities in advance. When the camera needs to connect to a public wireless LAN, the pre-stored authentication information is automatically provided without requiring the user to manually enter charge information at the moment of connection, thus reducing time loss
3Adaptability or versatility
If a device without a suitable user interface attempts to input charge information, then it can generate authentication information, but the device complexity increases and user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the authentication system universal by allowing any communication device to authenticate on public wireless LANs by leveraging the authentication capabilities of another device (such as a smartphone). This eliminates the need for each individual device to have its own charge information input interface, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to various public wireless LAN services
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus detects network information concerning a network that communicates via a base station and performs acquisition processing for acquiring authentication information used for authentication with an authentication server via the base station from another communication apparatus according to the network information detected by the detection unit.