SIM-Based Wi-Fi Authentication Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for accessing the internet in mobile situations require users to memorize complex identifiers and passwords, which are difficult to manage and prone to being hacked, and cellular network connections offer lower speeds and higher costs compared to Wi-Fi connections.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses an integrated circuit card, such as a SIM card, to automate the identification process by activating the card during a secondary service, allowing access to identification data for a first service, such as a Wi-Fi connection, without requiring users to enter identifiers or passwords, using a processing function to transform data into a complex password format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users are required to enter username and password for authentication, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex password memorization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal automatically performs authentication by retrieving credentials from the integrated circuit card without user intervention. The system self-manages the authentication process by reading the identifier and processed password from the card and submitting them to the access server, eliminating the need for users to manually enter complex credentials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated circuit card serves as an intermediary that stores authentication credentials and provides them to the terminal. The card acts as a mediator between the user's identity and the authentication system, containing the identifier and processed password that the terminal uses for automatic authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex passwords are used, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in remembering passwords

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassword securityVSAvoidpassword memorization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal creates a copy of the processed password from the integrated circuit card for authentication purposes. Instead of requiring users to memorize complex passwords, the system copies the pre-stored processed password from the card and uses it automatically, maintaining security while eliminating the memorization burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication credentials (identifier and processed password) are extracted from the integrated circuit card and stored in the terminal's memory. This extraction allows the terminal to use these credentials automatically without requiring users to recall or re-enter them, separating the security function from user memory requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If Wi-Fi access points are used, then connection capacity is improved, but coverage area deteriorates due to limited range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capacityVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is equipped with multiple communication capabilities including both Wi-Fi and cellular modem functions. This multi-functionality allows the device to automatically select the most appropriate network type based on availability and requirements, combining the high capacity of Wi-Fi with the wide coverage of cellular networks in a single universal access solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2372958B1Method for authenticating a terminal connecting with an internet server access
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 SOC FR DU RADIOTELEPHONE SFR
  • EP2372958B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The method involves collecting authentication data from a terminal i.e. portable computer (3), by Internet access server (6), where the data are established at the terminal using an identifier e.g. Internet identifier, stored in a subscriber identity module (SIM) card and a reference e.g. telephony identifier, associated to the card. The data are received in advance via a connection of the card and a communication unit of the terminal with a global system for mobile communications (GSM)network (2). Validity of the data is verified by the server to authenticate the terminal. The communication unit is a universal serial bus (USB)key (1) e.g. third generation plus (3G+)key.