Social Cloud Mobile Hotspot Sharing via Dynamic Credential Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring a smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot can be complex for users, requiring them to set up a Service Set Identification (SSID) and password, which may exceed the capabilities of many users to complete securely, especially with recent FCC actions eliminating tethering surcharges and potentially increasing smartphone Wi-Fi tethering.
Innovation Solution
A method using a cloud-based service to generate and manage SSIDs and passwords dynamically, allowing users to share mobile hotspots securely through a social graph-based access control system, reducing complexity by integrating with social networking applications like Facebook to facilitate easy hotspot sharing without manual configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually configure SSID and password for mobile hotspot, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates SSIDs and passwords without requiring user configuration. The mobile device autonomously manages hotspot credentials, eliminating the need for users to manually set up security parameters while maintaining secure access control through automated credential generation and management.
Solution Approach 2:
A cloud-based service acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and connecting users. The service manages SSID and password generation, stores credentials securely, and distributes them to authorized users, thereby maintaining security while removing the burden of manual configuration from end users.
2Ease of operation
If cloud-based service generates dynamic SSIDs and passwords, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based service serves as an external intermediary that handles the complexity of SSID and password management. The mobile device itself remains relatively simple, relying on the cloud service to perform sophisticated credential generation, storage, and distribution, thereby maintaining ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based service provides a universal platform that handles multiple functions including SSID generation, password management, user authentication, and credential distribution. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single external service rather than distributing it across multiple components or devices.
3Reliability
If social graph-based access control is implemented, then security is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing social graph relationships and pre-configuring access permissions before actual hotspot connection requests. Users' social connections are analyzed in advance to determine authorized devices, so when a connection request occurs, authentication can proceed quickly without time-consuming manual verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the cloud service continuously monitors connection requests against the social graph, automatically granting or denying access based on pre-established relationships. This automated feedback loop maintains security while minimizing the time users need to wait for authentication decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a message that offers use of a first mobile device as a mobile hotspot for enabling access to a local network; generating a Service Set Identification (“SSID”) and a password for the mobile hotspot; and providing the SSID and the password to the first mobile device. The method further includes receiving a request from a second mobile device to access the local network using the mobile hotspot; and providing the SSID and the password to the second mobile device via a second mobile device in accordance with rules that govern access to the local network via the mobile hotspot.