CPE Service Identifier for MAC Randomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The obfuscation of MAC addresses by operating systems, such as iOS and Android, hinders the reliable delivery of services that depend on standardized device identifiers, like MAC addresses, in customer-premises equipment (CPE) networks, leading to issues with device identification and service consistency.
Innovation Solution
A novel device identifier is generated and associated with the active MAC address of connected devices, using device context information to counteract MAC randomization, enabling consistent service delivery by passing this identifier and context information through a communication mechanism within the CPE, allowing local and cloud-based services to recognize devices accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If MAC address randomization is implemented to enhance privacy, then device privacy protection is improved, but service delivery reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a CPE-based service identifier as an intermediary between the randomized MAC address and the service delivery system. This intermediary identifier remains consistent across MAC address changes, allowing services to reliably identify devices without exposing or depending on the randomized MAC address, thus resolving the contradiction between privacy protection and service reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the device identifier function by implementing a CPE-managed service identifier that replicates the identification purpose of the MAC address without using the randomized MAC address itself. This copy maintains stability for service delivery while the original MAC address remains randomized for privacy protection
2Reliability
If standardized device identifiers like MAC address are used for service delivery, then service consistency is improved, but device privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The CPE-based service identifier acts as a mediator that provides consistent identification for service delivery without requiring the use of standardized identifiers like MAC addresses. This intermediary layer maintains service consistency while preventing exposure of device-specific identifiers that could compromise privacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the identification function from the MAC address itself and relocates it to a CPE-managed service identifier. By separating the identification purpose from the device's own identifier, the system achieves service consistency without relying on identifiers that reveal device identity and compromise privacy
3Object-affected harmful factors
If MAC address obfuscation is applied to protect privacy, then device identification accuracy deteriorates, but privacy enhancement is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The CPE-based service identifier serves as an intermediary that enables accurate device identification for service purposes without requiring access to or knowledge of the randomized MAC address. This intermediary maintains identification accuracy at the service layer while the MAC address remains obfuscated for privacy protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the identification dimension from the device's own identifier (MAC address) to a network-layer identifier (CPE service identifier). This dimensional change allows accurate identification to occur at a different level of the network stack, where privacy-preserving randomization does not interfere with identification accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A device identifier of a connected device connected to a customer-premises equipment (CPE) is associated with a device context information of the connected device. The CPE is configured to implement a local area network (LAN) for a data communication of the connected device. The device context information and the associated device identifier are passed to a service in the CPE using a communication mechanism. The CPE is configured to implement a platform for the service. The communication mechanism is configured to operate in the CPE.