Portable Terminal AP Connection Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting to Access Points (APs) are cumbersome, especially when dealing with APs that have different connection schemes, leading to inconvenience and security vulnerabilities, with Hotspot 2.0 support being limited and not all APs supporting this standard.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a portable terminal to scan both APs with different connection schemes and selectively connect based on pre-stored connection settings, prioritizing previously connected or favorable APs, using a communication module and controller to facilitate automatic and secure connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the portable terminal connects to legacy APs that do not support Hotspot 2.0, then compatibility is improved, but connection convenience and security are worsened due to complicated procedures and vulnerability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidconnection convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary scanning to identify whether APs support Hotspot 2.0 before attempting connection. This preliminary action allows the terminal to prepare appropriate connection procedures in advance, avoiding complicated manual authentication for legacy APs while maintaining security for Hotspot 2.0 APs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection method dynamically adapts based on the AP type detected. The terminal automatically switches between Hotspot 2.0 connection procedures (for enhanced convenience and security) and legacy connection procedures (for compatibility), making the system flexible and adaptive to different AP capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the portable terminal connects to legacy APs that do not support Hotspot 2.0, then compatibility is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability in manual authentication

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary identification of AP types before connection. By detecting whether an AP supports Hotspot 2.0 in advance, the terminal can apply appropriate security measures - using secure automated authentication for Hotspot 2.0 APs and implementing protective measures for legacy APs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal acts as an intermediary that mediates between different AP types and authentication methods. It translates and adapts authentication procedures based on AP capabilities, ensuring secure communication regardless of whether the AP supports Hotspot 2.0 or not

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the portable terminal manually inputs authentication information for each AP, then connection accuracy is improved, but connection time and user burden are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal provides self-service authentication by automatically retrieving and inputting stored authentication information for known APs. This eliminates the need for manual user input, significantly reducing connection time while maintaining accuracy through pre-validated credentials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal uses feedback from previous connection experiences to improve future connections. By storing authentication information and connection history, the terminal can automatically reconnect to known APs without user intervention, reducing connection time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the portable terminal scans and connects to APs with different connection schemes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to multiple connection protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidconnection protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AP scanning and connection process is segmented into distinct phases: scanning phase (identifying APs), identification phase (determining Hotspot 2.0 support), and connection phase (executing appropriate protocol). This segmentation manages complexity by handling different protocols in separate, organized stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal implements a universal connection framework that can handle both Hotspot 2.0 and legacy APs through a single integrated system. The framework automatically selects the appropriate protocol based on AP capabilities, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated systems for each protocol

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10425980B2Method and apparatus for connecting to access point in portable terminal

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of connecting to an Access Point (AP) in a portable terminal is provided. The method includes scanning at least one first AP and at least one second AP that has a different connection scheme from a connection scheme of the first AP; and checking a connection setting and connecting to any of the first and second APs based on the connection setting.