Vehicle Wireless Network Security via Unpublished SSID and Encrypted Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for securely connecting multiple devices to a single access point in a vehicle while preventing malicious users from detecting and connecting to a wireless network published on a vehicle.
Innovation Solution
The system uses encrypted wireless network configurations based on vehicle-specific data, where a connected vehicle device broadcasts an unpublished Service Set Identifier (SSID) and uses an encrypted password for secure connections, allowing only previously paired mobile devices to connect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless network is published on a vehicle with a broadcasted SSID, then devices can easily discover and connect to the network, but malicious users can also detect and connect to the network causing security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SSID broadcasting function from the wireless network setup, creating an unpublished network where the SSID is not transmitted. This removes the ability of malicious users to easily detect the network while maintaining connection capability for authorized devices through alternative discovery methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism using encrypted passwords and device pairing. Instead of relying on open SSID broadcasting, the system uses a secure intermediary layer that verifies device authorization before allowing network access, preventing unauthorized connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are allowed to connect to a single vehicle access point, then device versatility is improved, but network security and access control become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication mechanism using encrypted passwords that works across multiple devices. The same authentication protocol and encryption method are applied regardless of the number or type of devices connecting, simplifying the approach to handling multiple connections while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the network parameter from published to unpublished SSID, and uses encrypted passwords instead of plain text. This parameter transformation simplifies the management of multiple devices by providing a consistent, secure authentication method that doesn't require complex individual configurations for each device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method (600) of securely and accurately connecting mobile devices (110) to wireless networks in vehicles (210) for a predetermined work assignment by using encrypted wireless network configurations based on vehicle specific data is disclosed herein. The system comprises a vehicle (210) comprising an on-board computer (232) with a memory (231) having a vehicle identification number (233), a connector plug (235), and an motorized engine (234), a connected vehicle device (130) comprising a processor, a WiFi radio, a BLUETOOTH radio, a memory, and a connector for mating with the connector plug of the vehicle (210), and a mobile device (110) comprising a graphical user interface (335), a processor (310), a WiFi radio (307), a BLUETOOTH radio (306), and a cellular network interface (308).