Radio Discovery Codes for Secure Device Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large local area networks, such as VLANs and 5G LANs, service-using devices face challenges in identifying nearby service-providing devices efficiently while maintaining security and privacy, as existing discovery methods like Bluetooth and ProSe may reveal sensitive information or require inefficient central network involvement.
Innovation Solution
A method and device combination that uses radio discovery codes created within a secure local area network, allowing service-using devices to receive and select codes for nearby service-providing devices, with a two-part discovery process ensuring secure communication and minimizing exposure of service-providing device characteristics, utilizing ProSe or Wi-Fi Aware formats for wireless transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional discovery methods like Bluetooth or ProSe are used to identify nearby devices, then proximity-based discovery is enabled, but sensitive information about service-providing devices may be exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radio discovery codes as an intermediary element that enables proximity-based discovery without exposing sensitive device information. These codes act as a mediator between the discovery process and device characteristics, allowing devices to identify nearby service-providing devices through code matching while keeping detailed device information hidden within the secure LAN environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential identification function from comprehensive device information. Instead of broadcasting full device characteristics, only radio discovery codes are transmitted wirelessly for proximity detection. The complete device information remains within the secure LAN, separated from the public discovery process
2Loss of information
If service-using devices broadcast detailed device information for discovery, then discovery completeness is improved, but network security and privacy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments discovery information into two parts: radio discovery codes that are transmitted wirelessly for proximity identification, and detailed device information that remains within the secure LAN. This segmentation allows the discovery process to function with minimal information exposure while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-generating radio discovery codes for service-providing devices before the actual discovery process. These codes are prepared in advance and stored, enabling efficient proximity-based discovery without needing to transmit or process detailed device information during the discovery phase
3Extent of automation
If central network functions are involved in the discovery process, then discovery management is centralized and controlled, but network flexibility and operation efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables service-providing devices to self-generate and self-transmit their radio discovery codes without requiring central network function involvement. Service-using devices independently perform discovery by listening for and matching codes, eliminating the need for centralized discovery management infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
The service-providing device (11, 18, 19) of the invention is configured to obtain a code associated with the service-providing device, to wirelessly transmit the code, and to receive data from a service-using device (1,2) in response to the wireless transmission. The code does not comprise characteristics of the service-providing device. The service-using device of the invention is configured to receive information about one or more service-providing devices located on a secure local area network (29) over the secure local area network. The information comprises a code for each of the one or more service-providing devices. The service-using device is further configured to select one or more of the received codes, listen for wireless transmission of the selected one or more codes, and transmit data to a device which wirelessly transmitted at least one of the selected one or more codes.