Temporal Information Access in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices face challenges in accessing temporal information, such as date and time zone, when attempting to connect to a wireless communication access point, especially in situations where pre-authentication is not required or has not been completed.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves providing a method and apparatus that enable a mobile terminal to request and receive temporal information from a wireless communication access point before authentication or association, utilizing mechanisms like the Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) and Management Information Base (MIB) values, allowing devices to access this information in pre-authenticated or associated states without needing valid credentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication is required before accessing network resources, then network security is improved, but access to temporal information before authentication becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network access into multiple states: pre-authenticated state and authenticated state. In the pre-authenticated state, devices can access temporal information (time, date, time zone) without full authentication credentials. This segmentation allows selective information access that maintains security while enabling necessary pre-configuration capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary actions by allowing devices to obtain temporal information before completing authentication. This preliminary access to time and date information allows devices to configure themselves correctly before full network access is granted, ensuring proper time synchronization and date formatting are established in advance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If authentication credentials are required for network access, then access control is improved, but device configuration before connection becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration actions by enabling devices to retrieve temporal information in the pre-authenticated state. This allows time, date, and time zone settings to be automatically configured before the device needs to access other network resources, simplifying the overall connection process while maintaining access control requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where temporal information serves as a bridge between the unauthenticated device and the authenticated network resources. This intermediary information layer allows basic configuration without requiring full authentication credentials, reducing operational complexity while preserving security controls.
3Reliability
If full authentication is required before any information access, then network security is improved, but pre-connection information retrieval becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information access rights into different authentication states. Temporal information (time, date, time zone) is categorized as accessible information that can be retrieved in the pre-authenticated state, while other network resources remain protected until full authentication occurs. This segmentation enables information retrieval without compromising overall network security.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for providing temporal information may include a processor. The processor may be configured to provide a request for receipt of temporal information associated with a wireless communication access point, and receive a response to the request prior to either or both of authentication of a device providing the request by the wireless communication access point or association of the device with the wireless communication access point in which the response includes the temporal information.