Router Access Control via Visitor Identity and Intermediary Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current router access methods require users to manually input passwords, which is inconvenient and inefficient, especially for guests who need to access home Wi-Fi networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows a visitor to connect to a router using a visitor identity, which then obtains a password from the router, enabling connection to the router using a host identity without manual input, simplifying the access process and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a password is set for router access to ensure network security, then security is improved, but manual password input is required which reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidaccess operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the terminal device and router. The server stores authentication credentials and handles the authentication process, allowing automatic authentication without manual password input. The terminal device communicates with the server, which then communicates with the router, eliminating the need for users to manually enter passwords while maintaining security through centralized credential management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary authentication by pre-storing user credentials on a server before actual router access is needed. When a terminal device needs to access the router, the authentication has already been performed in advance, and the server has the necessary credentials ready. This eliminates the need for real-time manual password input while maintaining security through pre-validated authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If automatic connection is implemented to improve access efficiency, then ease of operation is improved, but security control may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess operation convenienceVSAvoidsecurity control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the server receives authentication requests from terminal devices, verifies credentials against stored information, and then provides authentication results back to both the terminal device and router. This feedback loop ensures that automatic connection is only established after successful security verification, maintaining security control while enabling convenient automatic access for authorized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2852201B1Method, device, system and storage medium for controlling access to a router
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 XIAOMI INC
  • EP2852201B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2852201B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2852201B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling access to a router, which may improve efficiency of access to the router. The method comprises: transmitting (101) a first connection request for establishing a connection using a visitor identity to a router, and access to the router using the visitor identity, wherein the first connection request comprises a local user identification; receiving (102) indication information, which is transmitted from the router and indicates that the access is permitted; and transmitting (103) to the router a second connection request for establishing a connection, and access to the router after getting permission, wherein the second connection request comprises the received indication information. The present disclosure further provides a device and a system for implementing the method.