Network Discovery and Selection via Protected Setup Timer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network environments where multiple networks share a common infrastructure, such as coaxial or power-line transmission media, signal leakage occurs, making it difficult to efficiently discover and select between private and open networks, especially in multi-dwelling units where security and privacy are concerns.
Innovation Solution
A network discovery and selection system that uses network devices to scan for available networks, determine their security status, and implement an admission protocol, including a protected setup mechanism to connect to private networks while automatically connecting to open networks if no user intervention occurs within a specified time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple networks share a common infrastructure, then network resource utilization is improved, but signal leakage and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network discovery process into distinct phases: scanning for networks, determining security status, and selectively connecting. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple networks efficiently while maintaining security by treating open and private networks differently through separate processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary admission protocol that acts as a mediator between the network device and private networks. This intermediary mechanism enables secure connection establishment by facilitating authentication and authorization processes, thereby addressing signal leakage and security concerns while maintaining network resource utilization.
2Ease of operation
If automatic connection to open networks is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of network security status before establishing connections. By scanning and classifying networks as open or private beforehand, the system can automatically connect to open networks without security risks, while triggering manual intervention protocols for private networks, thus balancing ease of operation with security reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic connection strategy that adapts based on network type. The system automatically connects to open networks for ease of operation, but dynamically switches to a secure manual connection process for private networks, thereby maintaining both operational simplicity and security reliability through context-dependent behavior.
3Reliability
If manual setup for private networks is required, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the network device automatically determines network security status and initiates appropriate connection protocols. For private networks, the system automatically triggers the admission protocol and manages the manual setup process, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining security requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary scanning and classification of networks before connection attempts. By identifying private networks in advance and preparing the appropriate admission protocols, the system reduces the complexity of the connection setup process while maintaining security, as users only need to interact with pre-prepared connection options rather than manually configuring everything from scratch.
4Loss of information
If network scanning is performed across all frequency bands, then discovery completeness is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-stage scanning approach: first performing a partial scan of common frequency bands to quickly identify available networks, then conducting a more comprehensive scan only if needed. This partial action strategy achieves sufficient discovery completeness for most scenarios while significantly reducing scanning time compared to exhaustive scanning of all frequency bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary scanning of frequently used frequency bands before more comprehensive searches. By identifying networks in common bands first, the system achieves practical discovery completeness for typical deployment scenarios while minimizing scanning time, as exhaustive scanning is only triggered when preliminary results indicate additional networks may exist.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for network discovery and selection includes at least one processor circuit that is configured to determine a number of networks available for connection within a configurable set of frequency bands. The at least one processor circuit is further configured to, when a single network is available for connection, and the single network being open, automatically connect to the single network. The at least one processor circuit is further configured to, when multiple networks are available for connection, the multiple networks comprising at least one open network and at least one private network: initiate a timer. The at least one processor circuit is further configured to initiate a connection with the at least one private network when a protected setup is initiated for the connection prior to the timer reaching a timeout value, otherwise connect to the at least one open network.