Data Connectivity Sharing via Authorization Certificates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The slow adoption of new communication technologies, such as 4G, is hindered by the availability of user equipment, with many users still relying on older generation handsets, leading to stability and performance issues in 2G and 3G networks, and existing authentication techniques for Wi-Fi tethering fail to accurately charge users for data usage, leaving mobile operators without control over revenue streams.
Innovation Solution
A method for enabling data connectivity sharing between consumer and broker devices using a node that receives and processes authorization certificates, allowing secure and reliable charging for data usage, leveraging 3GPP SIM authentication and different radio access technologies to facilitate secure and cost-effective data sharing across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Wi-Fi tethering is used for data sharing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loss of operator control and charging accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a packet routing node as an intermediary between the consumer device and the network. This node validates consumer authorization certificates and broker authorization certificates before allowing data traffic to pass through. The intermediary ensures that both parties are properly authenticated and authorized, thereby maintaining reliable charging accuracy while preserving the ease of Wi-Fi tethering operation.
2Reliability
If SIM authentication is used for Wi-Fi tethering, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to authentication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication actions by having the consumer device obtain a consumer authorization certificate from the packet routing node before establishing the Wi-Fi tethering connection. The broker device also obtains a broker authorization certificate in advance. These preliminary authentication steps ensure that when data sharing begins, both parties are already verified, reducing the complexity of ongoing authentication while maintaining high security.
3Reliability
If operator control is maintained for data sharing, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional registrations required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service authentication where the consumer device automatically obtains a consumer authorization certificate from the packet routing node without requiring manual operator intervention or additional registrations. The broker device similarly obtains its authorization certificate automatically. This self-service approach maintains operator control through automated validation while eliminating the need for users to perform additional registration steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A node enables sharing data connectivity between a consumer device and a broker device, and receives from a first packet routing node a request for a consumer authorization certificate. The request includes a subscriber identity. Based on the subscriber identity authorizing the subscriber for sharing data connectivity; a consumer authorization certificate is generated using a private encryption key associated with the node. The consumer authorization certificate includes the subscriber identity of the subscriber. The consumer authorization certificate is returned to the first packet routing node. A request for a data connectivity service for the subscriber is received from a second packet routing node. The request includes a consumer agreement certificate and a broker identity. The consumer agreement certificate is signed using a private key associated with the subscriber and includes the subscriber identity. The consumer agreement certificate is valued. A confirmation message is sent to the second packet routing node.