Browser-less Streaming Device Network Authentication via External Browser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data streaming devices without a browser face challenges in authenticating to new wireless networks, such as hotel Wi-Fi, as they require authentication mechanisms that can be resource-intensive and require constant software updates, diverting resources from content streaming.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a data streaming device uses the browser of another computing device to authenticate with the network, transmitting authentication information and acting as a WiFi access point to facilitate connection, thereby avoiding the need for a browser on the streaming device and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a data streaming device includes a browser to authenticate with wireless networks, then authentication capability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The browser functionality is extracted from the data streaming device and placed on a separate computing device. The streaming device only needs to transmit authentication information and receive verification results, while the actual browser-based authentication process occurs externally, reducing the streaming device's complexity while maintaining authentication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A computing device with a browser acts as an intermediary between the data streaming device and the wireless network authentication system. This intermediary handles the complex browser-based authentication process, allowing the streaming device to authenticate without directly implementing a browser.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a data streaming device includes a browser for authentication, then authentication capability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resource-intensive browser application is extracted from the data streaming device and run on a separate computing device with sufficient resources. This extraction eliminates the need for the streaming device to allocate processor, memory, and energy resources to browser operations, while still enabling authentication through the external device's browser.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device with the browser serves as an intermediary that consumes the resources required for authentication instead of the data streaming device. This mediator approach allows the streaming device to achieve authentication capability without bearing the resource consumption burden.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a data streaming device includes a browser that requires constant software updates, then authentication compatibility is improved, but maintenance overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The browser software is extracted from the data streaming device and relocated to a separate computing device. This extraction transfers the maintenance burden of browser updates from the streaming device manufacturer to the end user or system administrator who manages the computing device, eliminating the need for manufacturers to provide ongoing browser updates for streaming devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device with its independently maintained browser acts as an intermediary that handles authentication compatibility. Since the browser resides on the computing device rather than the streaming device, updates and maintenance are handled separately, reducing the maintenance overhead for streaming device manufacturers while maintaining authentication compatibility through the intermediary's updated browser.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method and computer program product for authenticating a data streaming device to a network using a browser of another computing device, such that the data streaming device is able to retrieve and/or transmit streaming content over the Internet subsequent to the authentication.