Social Mesh Network Credential Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wireless mesh networks (WMNs) are constrained by location and use case, requiring users to be within a short-range communication distance of a wireless mesh node and associated with the network to communicate, which limits their ability to share files or communicate with others outside the network, such as friends or colleagues, without internet access or social media accounts.

Innovation Solution

A social mesh network that provides access credentials for all devices within the network when a user joins, allowing communication between devices without the need for traditional WMN access, internet connection, or social media accounts, enabling short-range communication among users without the constraints of traditional WMNs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional WMN access is required for communication, then network security and control are improved, but user accessibility and ease of communication are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoiduser accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-distributing access credentials to all devices within the social mesh network before communication occurs. When a user joins the network, their device automatically receives credentials for all other devices in the network, enabling immediate peer-to-peer communication without requiring traditional WMN authentication procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If internet connection or social media accounts are required, then centralized service management is improved, but device autonomy and communication independence are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice managementVSAvoidcommunication independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication architecture by eliminating the need for centralized internet-based social media accounts. Instead, each device operates autonomously within the local mesh network, using distributed credential verification. This segmentation allows devices to communicate independently without external internet infrastructure while maintaining secure peer-to-peer connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If short-range communication distance is required, then wireless signal reliability is improved, but network coverage and user reach are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces mesh network nodes as intermediaries that relay communications between devices. When devices are within short-range communication distance of a mesh node, the node facilitates secure credential verification and data transmission. This intermediary approach extends effective network coverage beyond direct short-range communication while maintaining signal reliability through the mesh infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11343312B2Social mesh networks

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. In certain configurations, the apparatus may connect to a mesh network that includes at least the first device and a second device. The apparatus may communicate with the second device without obtaining one or more access credentials from the second device.