Network Service Entitlement Sharing for Guest Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hotel Internet access control systems require guests to log in individually for each device, leading to inconvenience and potential multiple billing, and struggle with devices that cannot access web-based portals or have inconsistent login information, increasing support costs and guest frustration.
Innovation Solution
The system uses a property management system to associate guest devices with room identifiers, allowing automatic recognition of additional devices from the same guest, eliminating the need for individual logins and reducing reliance on web-based verification, thereby granting Internet access transparently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If guests must log in individually for each device at the web-based portal, then Internet access control is secure and billing is accurate, but guest convenience deteriorates and support costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that bridges the web-based portal and devices unable to access it. The system uses a hybrid authentication approach where the portal handles web-capable devices while a separate authentication server handles non-web devices through alternative methods (e.g., room number verification, mobile app authentication). This intermediary layer allows seamless cross-device authentication without requiring guests to manually log in at the portal for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal authentication system that serves multiple functions: it authenticates both web-capable and non-web devices, handles both individual and family/guest group logins, and provides billing verification across all device types. The authentication server acts as a multi-functional hub that consolidates what would otherwise require separate processes for different device categories.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system requires web-based portal access for authentication, then login verification is reliable, but devices without web browsers cannot access Internet services
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring devices to initiate authentication through a web portal, the system inverts the approach by having the authentication server actively verify devices through multiple channels. Non-web devices can authenticate through alternative means (room number entry at front desk, mobile app verification, or RFID card authentication) while web devices continue using the portal. The system accepts authentication results from multiple sources and consolidates them into a unified access authorization.
3Measurement precision
If guests enter login information manually at the portal, then billing accuracy is maintained, but errors occur due to misspellings or privacy concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service authentication mechanisms that eliminate manual typing of sensitive information. The system automatically retrieves guest identifiers through alternative methods: room number verification against the property management system, mobile app authentication that automatically pulls guest data, or RFID card scanning. This self-service approach maintains billing accuracy by using system-stored identifiers rather than manually entered ones, while eliminating spelling errors and privacy concerns associated with typing sensitive information.
Data Source
AI summary
Network traffic is received from an unrecognized guest device on a computer network. A user profile server is queried to determine a user identifier that is associated with the device identifier of the unrecognized guest device. A login database is queried to find an unexpired login record of an authorized guest device associated with the user identifier. The unexpired login record grants the authorized guest device access to the network service with a service entitlement for an allowed access duration, and a stored device identifier in the unexpired login record of the authorized guest device is different from the device identifier of the unrecognized guest device. The service entitlement of the network service specified in the unexpired login record is shared between the authorized guest device and the unrecognized guest device for a remaining portion of the allowed access duration of the unexpired login record of the authorized guest device.