Terminal Device Wireless Connection Mediation via Cryptographic Key Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) does not provide a specific method for a terminal device to establish a Wi-Fi connection with a client device via an access point, limiting the ability to transmit user data, such as print data, between devices.

Innovation Solution

A technique is introduced where a terminal device uses a private key to encrypt information obtained from an external device, allowing it to establish a first wireless connection. This private key is also used to generate second connection information for a communication device, enabling it to establish a second wireless connection with the external device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If DPP protocol is used to establish wireless connection, then connection establishment is facilitated, but specific method for terminal device to connect client device via access point is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidconnection method coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device acts as an intermediary between the access point and the communication device. It obtains connection information from the access point, processes it using cryptographic operations with private/public keys, and generates second connection information that the communication device can use to connect to the access point, thereby mediating the connection establishment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection establishment process is segmented into distinct phases: first, the terminal device establishes a connection with the access point using first connection information; second, the terminal device processes this information through cryptographic operations; third, the terminal device generates and transmits second connection information to the communication device for it to establish its own connection with the access point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If private key encryption is used for connection information, then security is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidcryptographic processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary cryptographic operations by obtaining the access point's public key in advance, generating its own private/public key pair, and using these keys to encrypt and process connection information before the communication device needs to connect. This preliminary preparation reduces the computational burden on the communication device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250036334A1Terminal Device, Access Point, Communication Device, and Computer Programs Therefor

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A terminal device (e.g., a smartphone) may use a private key to generate a first configuration object used for establishing a first wireless connection between the terminal device and an access point. The terminal device may also use the private key to generate a second configuration object used for establishing a second wireless connection between a communication device (e.g., a printer) and the access point. The terminal device may then transmit specific data (e.g., print data) to the communication device via the access point.