SIM-Based Wireless LAN Authentication via Mobile Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in connecting to a network through wireless LAN communication without mobile communication services, as they need to manually authenticate and this process is time-consuming, and when tethering, it leads to increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where a wireless LAN communication terminal uses authentication information provided by a mobile communication terminal's SIM to authenticate and connect to a network, reducing user trouble and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a user connects to a network through wireless LAN communication with a new access point, then network connectivity is achieved, but the user must manually enter authentication information which increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores authentication information from multiple access points in advance within the terminal device. When connecting to a new access point, the terminal automatically retrieves and uses the pre-stored authentication information without requiring manual user input, thereby reducing authentication time while maintaining reliable network connectivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device automatically performs authentication by selecting and using stored authentication information without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously completing the authentication process, eliminating the time-consuming manual password entry step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If an apparatus performs authentication using its own SIM card, then network authentication is achieved, but the apparatus must have mobile communication service which increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidmobile communication service requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the terminal device to perform wireless LAN authentication using authentication information from a SIM card without requiring the terminal to have mobile communication service capability. This makes the authentication function universal, allowing devices like PCs or tablets without mobile services to utilize SIM-based authentication through the terminal's mobile communication interface

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

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device acts as an intermediary between the SIM card and the wireless LAN access point. It retrieves authentication information from the SIM card and uses it for wireless LAN authentication, mediating between the SIM-based mobile communication system and the wireless LAN system without requiring the end device to have mobile communication capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If an apparatus connects to a network by tethering, then network access is achieved, but power consumption increases due to constant operation of both apparatuses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork accessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authentication function from the mobile communication connection and applies it independently to wireless LAN connection. By separating the authentication process from the data transmission function, the terminal can authenticate wireless LAN devices without maintaining a constant mobile communication tethering connection, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining network access capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2949092B1Wireless LAN access using sim
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2949092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2949092B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Authentication information comprising mobile subscriber information of a mobile communication terminal may be communicated to a server, and one or more devices may further communicate with the server to perform an authentication procedure to enable a wireless LAN communication terminal separate from the mobile communication terminal to connect to a network via wireless LAN communication with an access point separate from the mobile communication terminal. In some embodiments, a mobile communication terminal may communicate authentication information comprising mobile subscriber information to a wireless LAN communication terminal separate from the mobile communication terminal and/or a wireless LAN communication terminal may receive authentication information comprising mobile subscriber information from a mobile communication terminal.