Device-to-Machine Communication Authentication via Cellular Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current device-to-machine (D2M) communications in cellular networks face challenges with reliable authentication and authorization, as well as configuration issues, particularly in enabling machine type devices to serve as access points for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow machine type devices to request services from cellular systems, exchanging information for authentication, authorization, and configuration to establish device-to-machine connections, enabling mobile devices to access services through machine type devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If machine type devices serve as access points for mobile devices, then service accessibility is improved, but authentication and authorization reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network as an intermediary between the machine type device and the mobile device. The cellular network performs authentication and authorization of the machine type device before allowing it to function as an access point. This mediator ensures that only authenticated machines can provide services, resolving the contradiction between enabling machine devices as access points and maintaining authentication reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If machine type devices function as access points, then communication versatility is improved, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service configuration where the cellular network automatically handles authentication, authorization, and configuration parameters for machine type devices. The mobile device simply needs to select the machine type device as an access point, and the cellular network automatically configures the necessary parameters including APN, authentication methods, and data sessions. This eliminates complex manual configuration while maintaining communication versatility.
3Reliability
If device-to-machine connections are established through cellular systems, then authentication security is improved, but connection establishment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the cellular network pre-authenticate and pre-configure machine type devices before they are needed as access points. The machine type device establishes its authentication and authorization with the cellular network in advance, so when a mobile device needs to connect, the authentication is already complete. This reduces connection establishment time while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining persistent authentication contexts and configuration parameters in the cellular network for machine type devices. Once a machine type device is authenticated and configured, these parameters remain active and can be reused for multiple mobile devices without requiring re-authentication. This continuous state maintains security while enabling rapid connection establishment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for providing services for a mobile device with access to a cellular system are disclosed. In accordance with a method a mobile device sends to a cellular system a request for a service by a machine type device. The request includes information identifying the machine type device for use by the cellular system that is then used in exchange of information in relation to at least one of authentication, authorization and configuration. Information associated with configuration of a device-to-machine connection to the machine type device is then sent to the mobile device. The device-to-machine connection for use of the service is then established between the machine type device and the mobile device based on the received information. In another embodiment the mobile device contact the machine type device first and provides the machine type device with information assigned by the cellular system.