Mobile Wireless Access Point Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unauthorized wireless access points in enterprise environments pose security concerns and interference issues, exacerbated by mobile devices that can easily introduce themselves into these networks.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device with a processor and memory, capable of reading and monitoring WLAN identifiers and channels, prevents its mobile wireless access point from using the same identifier by disabling or requiring it to use a different one, especially when in proximity to an enterprise WLAN, thereby enhancing network security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile devices are allowed to function as wireless access points in enterprise environments, then ease of operation and connectivity are improved, but network security and interference issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection by monitoring for WLAN identifiers and broadcast transmissions before allowing the mobile access point to operate. This advance detection prevents security issues from arising in the first place by identifying enterprise WLAN environments beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between enterprise WLANs and ad-hoc networks. It monitors for WLAN identifiers and uses this information to mediate its own access point functionality, disabling itself when enterprise networks are detected to prevent security breaches.
2Measurement precision
If mobile devices monitor multiple channels for WLAN identifiers, then detection precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial monitoring by focusing detection efforts on specific channels where enterprise WLANs are most likely to operate, rather than exhaustively scanning all possible channels. This provides sufficient detection precision while conserving energy resources.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the mobile access point disables itself when WLAN identifier is detected, then network security is improved, but adaptability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile access point dynamically adjusts its operation based on environmental conditions. It automatically enables itself in environments without enterprise WLANs and disables itself when enterprise WLANs are detected, providing adaptability to different operational contexts while maintaining security.
Data Source
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AI summary
To promote network security in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a mobile communication device, which is operable as a mobile wireless access point, may read a WLAN identifier that is known to be used by the WLAN and an indication of a channel on which a wireless access point of the WLAN is known to operate. The device may then monitor the channel for a transmission of the WLAN identifier. The mobile wireless access point may be configured to operate using the selected channel so that the monitoring occurs on the same channel as that on which the mobile wireless access point is operating. The transmission, if detected, may be considered to indicate that the mobile communication device is within the WLAN. Upon detecting the transmission, use of the WLAN identifier by the mobile wireless access point at the mobile communication device may be prevented, e.g. by requiring the mobile wireless access point to use a different WLAN identifier or by disabling the mobile wireless access point.