Credential Server for Automatic Wireless Network Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in accessing wireless networks due to the complexity of entering and managing multiple passwords, security concerns, and the difficulty in distinguishing between intentionally shared and unintentionally open networks, leading to potential legal issues and inefficient network selection processes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that provide network credentials dynamically through a credential server, allowing devices to automatically identify and connect to suitable wireless networks based on attributes such as performance, security, and user preferences, while ensuring secure access and compliance with network sharing intentions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users manually enter and store passwords for multiple hotspots, then network access is achieved, but device complexity and user burden increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoidpassword management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically obtain network credentials without manual user input. The credential server autonomously provides passwords and authentication information to devices, eliminating the need for users to manually store and manage multiple hotspot passwords across different devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A credential server is introduced as an intermediary between users/devices and hotspot networks. This server acts as a mediator that automatically handles credential distribution, allowing devices to access networks without direct user involvement in password management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If users store passwords on laptop computers, then password access is simplified, but security risks increase if devices are lost or stolen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassword access convenienceVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The credential server serves as a secure intermediary that stores credentials remotely rather than on user devices. This eliminates the security risk of storing passwords on laptops while maintaining easy access, as the server can provide credentials to any authenticated device without requiring physical access to stored data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system moves credential storage from the local device dimension to a remote server dimension. Instead of storing passwords on the user's computer, the credentials are stored on a secure server accessed over a network, adding a spatial dimension to storage that improves both security and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If users manually navigate websites and enter credentials for network access, then network connection is established, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connection establishmentVSAvoidaccess time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The credential server pre-configures and prepares authentication credentials before the device needs network access. When a device approaches a hotspot, the server has already prepared the necessary credentials and can immediately provide them, eliminating the need for manual website navigation and credential entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic self-service authentication where devices autonomously obtain credentials without user intervention. The credential server automatically provides authentication information based on device identification, eliminating manual navigation and entry steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If users attempt to access networks without understanding sharing intentions, then network access is attempted, but legal issues may arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access attemptVSAvoidlegal risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The credential server provides feedback information to devices about network sharing intentions and terms of use before credential distribution. This feedback mechanism ensures devices understand the legal and ethical implications of accessing networks, reducing the risk of illegal activity while maintaining legitimate access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9170718B2Systems and methods for enhanced engagement

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 CHANNEL IP BV

AI summary

In some embodiments, a method comprises displaying a pre-registration invitation on a first digital device connected to a wireless network, determining one or more wireless network identifiers associated with the wireless network, generating a pre-registration code request, the request including the one or more wireless network identifiers, providing the pre-registration code request to a virtual network server, the server generating a pre-registration code in response to the pre-registration code request, the pre-registration code associated with the one or more wireless network identifiers, receiving the pre-registration code, providing a registration request from a second digital device, the registration request comprising the pre-registration code, and provisioning an account based on the registration request and the wireless network identifiers, the wireless network identifiers identified based on the pre-registration code.