Mobile Device Redundant Credential Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices face challenges in maintaining secure and reliable access to secured wireless networks, particularly in emergency situations where manual configuration is cumbersome and prone to failure, leading to potential loss of credentialed access.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device is equipped with processing circuits that dynamically and automatically switch to alternative credentials from nearby devices upon detecting compromised access conditions, such as loss of service or physical impact, using local communication interfaces like Bluetooth to maintain robust and reliable network access without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device is statically configured to remotely use credentials of another device, then credentialed access to secured networks is established, but the system lacks redundancy and reliability when the credentialed device fails or access is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static credential configuration to dynamic credential switching. The mobile device automatically detects when credentialed access is compromised and switches to alternative credentials from different credentialed devices in proximity, making the system adaptable to changing conditions while maintaining continuous network access
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from fixed credential usage to variable credential selection. By monitoring access compromise conditions and automatically switching between different credential sets from multiple credentialed devices, the system maintains reliable network access despite changes in the credentialing environment
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration commands are required to switch credentials, then security control is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates especially in emergency situations where users may be physically unable to enter commands
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting credential compromise conditions and switching to alternative credentials without requiring user intervention. The mobile device monitors its own access status and autonomously executes credential switching, eliminating the need for manual command entry while maintaining security through automated detection of compromise conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring for access compromise conditions and automatically responding to detected issues. When compromise is detected, the system feeds back this information to trigger automatic credential switching, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains secure access without user involvement
3Reliability
If multiple credentialed devices are available, then redundancy is provided, but the complexity of managing and switching between credentials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing proximity relationships with multiple credentialed devices before access is needed. When credential compromise occurs, the switching logic already has identified alternative credentials ready for immediate use, eliminating the need for complex real-time selection and reducing switching complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication device is configured to provide redundant credentialed access to one or more secured wireless communication networks. The mobile device obtains credentialed access to one of the secured networks by remotely using credentials stored in a credentialed communication device that is locally available (i.e., in the vicinity of the mobile device). Responsive to detecting the actual, or potential, compromise of the mobile device's credentialed access to that secured network, the mobile device switches to other credentials stored in a different credentialed device and obtains credentialed access to one of the secured networks by remotely using those other credentials. This switching occurs dynamically upon detecting the compromise of credentialed access, as well as automatically without requiring the mobile device's user to manually enter commands into the device's user interface.