Wireless Access Control via Intermediary Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing the association of wireless devices with wireless access points, particularly in optimizing radio band usage and handling congestion across different frequency bands.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable a wireless access point to receive feedback information including channel status and radio band performance data, allowing it to dynamically modify wireless access control information. This includes enabling or disabling access control based on signal strength thresholds and congestion states, as well as maintaining inactivity timers to manage device associations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless access control information is enabled to manage device associations, then network performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidaccess control management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A controller is introduced as an intermediary component that centrally manages wireless access control information. The controller receives feedback from wireless access points about device associations and channel status, processes this information, and generates appropriate access control decisions. This intermediary structure improves network performance through coordinated control while reducing the complexity burden on individual access points and devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where wireless access points continuously report channel status information and device association data to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust access control information, enabling adaptive network management that optimizes performance based on real-time conditions without requiring complex local decision-making at each access point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic modification of access control information is implemented based on channel status, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol information processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves as an intermediary that centralizes the complex task of dynamically modifying access control information based on channel status feedback. Individual wireless access points simply report status information without needing to implement complex modification logic, thereby achieving high adaptability while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the controller automatically processes channel status feedback and generates appropriate access control modifications without human intervention. This automated self-adjustment mechanism provides continuous adaptability to changing network conditions while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If signal strength monitoring and threshold-based control are implemented, then network performance is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strength management efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption for monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback-based control where signal strength information is monitored and reported only when relevant changes occur. The controller receives feedback about device signal strengths and adjusts access control decisions based on predefined thresholds, improving network performance through intelligent signal management while reducing energy consumption by avoiding continuous high-power monitoring of all devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4207880B1Controller based control over wireless device association with wireless access points
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4207880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4207880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4207880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various example embodiments for supporting control over association of WiFi clients with WiFi access points are presented herein. Various example embodiments for supporting control over association of WiFi clients with WiFi access points may be configured to support control over association of WiFi clients with WiFi access points and radio bands of WiFi access points. Various example embodiments for supporting control over association of WiFi clients with WiFi access points and radio bands of WiFi access points may be configured to control association of WiFi clients with WiFi access points and radio bands of WiFi access points by refusing requests of WiFi clients (e.g., authentication requests, association requests, or the like), including sub-optimal requests of WiFi clients, based on WiFi access control information maintained on the WiFi access points.