Automated Wireless Access Credential Management via Social Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network access systems require users to manually share and update network settings with friends or guests, which is tedious and inefficient, especially when network settings change, as users must provide new information each time a guest connects.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that automatically provide wireless network access to authorized guests by generating and downloading wireless access settings to their devices based on social network connections, using a processor and memory to identify and manage access credentials, including expiration times and temporary identifiers, ensuring seamless connectivity without manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual sharing of network settings is used, then security is maintained through password protection, but the process becomes tedious and inefficient when settings need to be updated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating temporary access credentials and pushing them to guest devices before the guests arrive or before manual sharing would be needed. When network settings change, the system proactively updates all connected devices, eliminating the need for manual re-sharing of credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing guests to automatically receive and manage their own access credentials through the social network platform. Guests can independently connect to the wireless network without requiring the host to manually provide passwords, and the system automatically manages credential distribution and updates.
2Reliability
If permanent access credentials are provided, then guests can connect reliably, but the system becomes vulnerable when network settings change
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic credentials that automatically adapt to changing network conditions. Temporary access credentials are generated with expiration times and can be automatically renewed or updated when network settings change. The system dynamically adjusts credential validity periods and automatically pushes updated credentials to devices, maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of credential permanence by implementing temporary credentials with defined expiration times. This allows the system to maintain reliable connections during the credential validity period while automatically adapting to network changes by generating new credentials when needed, thus balancing reliability and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If automatic access provision is implemented, then convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the social network platform as an intermediary to manage wireless network access. The social network infrastructure handles credential generation, distribution, and management, reducing the complexity burden on both the wireless access point and user devices. The intermediary abstracts the complexity away from the end users while maintaining automatic access provision.
4Reliability
If temporary credentials with expiration are used, then security is enhanced, but additional management overhead is created
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically managing the lifecycle of temporary credentials. The system generates credentials with expiration times, automatically pushes them to guest devices, and handles renewal or revocation without requiring manual intervention. This automation enhances security through temporary credentials while minimizing management overhead through self-service operations.
Data Source
AI summary
For automatically providing wireless network access to a guest, a method includes identifying an authorized guest of a provider of a wireless network, determining a distance between the authorized guest and the wireless network, and providing an access credential to the authorized guest in response to the authorized guest being within a predetermined distance of the wireless network. Identifying an authorized guest of the provider may include accessing a social networking account of the provider and identifying a social network connection of the provider from the social networking account, wherein the authorized guest is a social network connection of the provider. The wireless network may be a secured wireless network, wherein the access credential includes a wireless network identifier and a password for the secured wireless network.