Smart Device Router Access Control via Server Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart devices can inadvertently connect to unauthorized or access-barred routers, posing security risks as they broadcast their device information and can be accessed by neighboring devices without proper control.

Innovation Solution

A method and computer program that enable a smart device to access a router via a server, which judges whether the currently accessed router is access-barred and transmits instructions to the smart device to disconnect, reconnect, or maintain the connection based on this judgment, using an SSID and a collection of permitted or barred routers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If smart devices broadcast device information to enable quick router access, then connection speed is improved, but security is worsened as neighbors can access the router

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidunauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A server acts as an intermediary between smart devices and routers. The server receives device information broadcasts, verifies router access permissions, and mediates the connection process. This allows quick connection while preventing unauthorized access, as the server controls which devices can access which routers based on permission verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having smart devices send access requests to the server, which then verifies whether the target router permits access. The server responds with authorization decisions, creating a feedback loop that ensures security while maintaining connection speed. The device only connects to routers that have been verified as accessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If smart devices connect to any available router, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to continuous access to barred routers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic connectionVSAvoidconnection validity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification before connection by having the server check whether a smart device is permitted to access a router before the actual connection occurs. The server maintains records of permitted devices and routers, and only authorizes connections that are pre-validated, preventing unreliable connections to barred routers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The server provides feedback to smart devices about connection permission status. When a device attempts to connect to a router, the server verifies permission and informs the device whether the connection is authorized. This feedback mechanism ensures that only reliable, permitted connections are established, improving overall connection validity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3125615B1Method, apparatus and system for a smart device to access a router
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3125615B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3125615B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3125615B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for a smart device to access a router includes: receiving (5201) an identifier of the smart device and an SSID of a router currently accessed by the smart device; acquiring (S202) a collection comprising SSIDs of routers corresponding to the identifier of the smart device; judging (S203) whether the router currently accessed by the smart device is an access-barred router, according to the SSID of the router currently accessed and the collection comprising SSIDs of routers, to obtain a judgment result; and transmitting (S204) a corresponding instruction to the smart device according to the judgment result. According to the present disclosure, corresponding processes may be performed upon judging whether the router currently accessed by the smart device is an access-barred router, so as to prevent the smart device from accessing an access-barred router continuously.