Wireless LAN Beacon Activation for Standby Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless LAN systems face challenges in activating wireless LAN terminals that are shut down or on standby, especially when using security technologies like IEEE 802.1x, as the terminals may not receive activation instructions due to encryption key changes or authentication requirements, particularly in environments with multiple access points or during roaming.
Innovation Solution
A wireless LAN system that uses an unencrypted beacon to activate wireless LAN terminals from a remote management terminal, with a wireless LAN access point controlling the beacon transmission interval to patterned intervals upon receiving activation instructions, allowing the terminals to detect and respond without needing encryption key changes or reauthentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IEEE 802.1x authentication and encryption key renewal are implemented for wireless LAN security, then data communication security is improved, but the ability of shut down or standby terminals to receive activation instruction signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beacon frame into encrypted and unencrypted portions. The unencrypted portion contains essential information (BSS identifier, activation instruction) that allows terminals in shutdown/standby mode to receive activation signals without requiring authentication, while the encrypted portion maintains security for data communication. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing security measures to apply only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The unencrypted beacon frame acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between secure authenticated communication and the need to reach unauthenticated terminals. It carries activation instructions that can be received by any terminal regardless of authentication status, enabling the system to maintain security while still allowing remote activation of dormant terminals.
2Reliability
If encryption keys are periodically renewed and authentication is required, then communication security is improved, but terminal responsiveness to remote activation requests deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by embedding unencrypted activation information in periodic beacon frames that are transmitted before any authentication takes place. Terminals in shutdown or standby mode can detect these beacons and activate without waiting for authentication key renewal, thus maintaining fast activation response while security is preserved for actual data communication.
3Ease of operation
If unencrypted beacon transmission is used for activation, then terminal activation capability is improved, but communication security may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the beacon frame have different encryption properties. The critical activation-related fields are left unencrypted to enable easy terminal activation, while other fields containing sensitive information remain encrypted. This selective application of encryption maintains both activation capability and communication security.
4Reliability
If authentication server connection is required for security, then communication security is improved, but the ability to activate shut down terminals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the activation instruction capability from the authentication server dependency. By embedding unencrypted activation information directly in the beacon frame transmitted by the access point, the system allows terminals to be activated without requiring connection to an authentication server, thus improving activation versatility while maintaining security through separate encrypted communication channels.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a wireless system in which a terminal that is shutdown or on in standby can be activated from a remote site in an environment where connection is attested by an authentication server, using security technology for wireless LAN, a different encryption key from other terminals is employed in the communication, and the encryption key is periodically renewed. An access point controls a beacon transmission interval control part by recognizing a terminal activation signal from a management terminal. The beacon transmission interval control part controls the transmission interval of beacon by switching between a normal operation mode and a patterned transmission interval mode. A beacon transmission interval detection circuit of a terminal monitors interval between beacons, and upon detecting patterned beacons, outputs a detection signal. A wireless module receives the detection signal from the beacon transmission interval detection circuit, and then makes an activation request to the terminal.