Wireless Access Point Identity Control for Private Wi-Fi
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Solution Overview
Problem
In densely populated environments with multiple private and public Wi-Fi networks, mobile devices often unintentionally connect to public networks instead of their own private networks, leading to user dissatisfaction and poor performance.
Innovation Solution
Implement communication management hardware that obtains wireless access point identity information to control connectivity decisions, ensuring mobile devices connect to their own private networks by denying access to public networks when within range and granting access when outside the subscriber domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If overlay public Wi-Fi networks are deployed to provide wireless service in densely populated environments, then network coverage and accessibility are improved, but mobile devices may accidentally connect to public networks instead of private networks, causing user dissatisfaction and poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the access point monitors connection requests and compares the device's private network credentials against available networks. The access point receives information about the mobile device's authorized private network and uses this feedback to control whether to allow connection to the public overlay network, preventing accidental connections when private network is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary access point that acts as a mediator between mobile devices and the public Wi-Fi network. This intermediary verifies the device's credentials and determines whether the device should be granted access to the public network based on whether its private network is available, thus preventing direct accidental connections.
2Reliability
If communication management hardware is implemented to control connectivity decisions, then connection accuracy and user experience are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point performs self-service by autonomously making connection control decisions based on pre-configured private network information. The system automatically compares device credentials against authorized networks and determines connection permission without requiring complex external management infrastructure, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high connection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A network environment includes multiple wireless access points and communication management hardware. The communication management hardware controls connectivity of a mobile communication device to the first wireless access point. For example, the communication management hardware receives communications from a first wireless access point. In response to receiving the communications, the communication management hardware obtains wireless access point identity information associated with a user and/or a mobile communication device attempting to establish a wireless communication link with the wireless access point. Based on the wireless access point identity information, the communication management hardware produces a control decision associated with establishing the wireless communication link. The control decision indicates whether the first wireless access point should allow or deny establishment of the wireless communication link with the first wireless access point.