Mobile Number Authentication via Cellular Routing on WiFi
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile number verification methods for authentication fail when a mobile device is connected to a WiFi network, as they rely on data traffic through the cellular network, which is not possible in such scenarios, leading to authentication challenges and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The system determines if a mobile device is connected to a WLAN and routes specific data traffic through the cellular communication system to identify the mobile number, allowing authentication even when the device is connected to a WiFi network by using the mobile number as an authentication factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile number identification is performed through cellular data network, then authentication reliability is improved, but device adaptability deteriorates (cannot authenticate when connected to WiFi)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network intermediary channel specifically for authentication purposes. When a device is connected to WiFi, the system routes authentication-related data traffic through the cellular network instead, allowing the mobile number to be identified reliably while the device remains on WiFi for general use. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by separating authentication traffic from general data traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments data traffic into different channels based on purpose: general data traffic continues to flow through WiFi for cost efficiency, while authentication-specific traffic is routed through the cellular network for reliable mobile number identification. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both authentication reliability and network adaptability simultaneously.
2Reliability
If text messaging is used for two-factor authentication, then possession factor verification is improved, but cost increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the mobile network's existing infrastructure to automatically identify the mobile number associated with the device through data traffic routing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate text messaging operations to verify possession, as the mobile number identification itself serves as the verification mechanism, reducing both cost and potential failures.
3Loss of energy
If mobile device is connected to WLAN for data transfer, then cost efficiency is improved, but authentication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically routes different types of traffic through different networks based on the operation being performed. For general data transfer, the device uses WiFi for cost efficiency. When authentication is required, the system dynamically switches the authentication traffic path to use cellular network routing, enabling mobile number identification without changing the device's primary WiFi connection status.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile number of a mobile device can be employed as an authorization factor when the mobile device is connected to a WLAN. When a user attempts to interact with a restricted access server via the mobile device, verification functions loaded on the mobile device determine whether the mobile device is connected to a WLAN. If so, the verification functions cause the mobile device to open a port on the cellular network interface of the mobile device and transmit data packets to a mobile device identification server via a cellular network. The mobile device identification server can then determine the mobile number of the mobile device based on the cellular network IP address of the mobile device, and transmit the mobile number to the restricted access server as an authentication factor.