IoT Gateway Signal Range Control for Unauthorized Access Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) services poses significant security risks due to the potential for unauthorized access and control of connected objects through radio signals, as demonstrated by attacks using drones and other devices, highlighting the need for robust security mechanisms that current technologies poorly support.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a residential gateway records environmental data to determine a secure zone and adjusts its radio signal range to ensure only authorized devices within this zone can associate, using location information and user preferences to control signal power and direction, thereby preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the radio signal range is extended to cover a larger service area, then more connected devices can be controlled, but the risk of unauthorized access and security attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between authorized and unauthorized devices within the service area. The gateway assigns unique identifiers to authorized devices and selectively permits communications only from these identified devices, creating localized security zones within the broader service area. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining wide coverage while preventing unauthorized access through device-specific authorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between the radio signal and connected devices, filtering and managing all communications. It verifies device identities and controls signal transmission, serving as a security mediator that allows legitimate devices to communicate while blocking unauthorized access attempts. This intermediary function enables extended coverage without proportionally increasing security risks.
2Reliability
If security mechanisms are strengthened to prevent unauthorized access, then data protection improves, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by assigning unique identifiers to devices during the initial connection phase, before any data transmission occurs. This pre-establishment of device identity creates a foundation for security without adding complexity during ongoing operations. The gateway maintains records of authorized devices and their identifiers, enabling automatic verification without complex real-time security processing.
3Area of stationary object
If the radio signal power is increased to extend range, then service area coverage improves, but the ability to limit signals to specific zones decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gateway's signal transmission adaptive rather than static. The gateway dynamically controls signal transmission based on device authorization status, actively managing which devices receive signals even when within range. This dynamic control enables the system to maintain extended coverage while selectively limiting effective communication to authorized devices only, resolving the contradiction between range and zone control.
Data Source
Figure 1~8
Figure 3a~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a radio signal emitted by a device, so as to adapt the range thereof. The method comprises: determination (2), by a controller, of a level (Wi-Fi_level) of radio signal emitted by the device on the edge of a determined zone; control (REDUCE_Cde), by the controller, of an adaptation (3) of the range of the radio signal emitted by the device according to the comparison of the signal level and a determined threshold.