Wireless Client Device Address Rotation via Network Risk Advisory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless client devices rely on simple algorithms for rotating device addresses, which may not effectively enhance privacy due to inadequate consideration of network risks and user data exposure.

Innovation Solution

A network infrastructure device analyzes communication data from wireless client devices to determine a risk measurement, which is then used to provide an advisory on a recommended device address rotation strategy, taking into account factors like data exposure and network density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wireless client device uses a simple algorithm to rotate device addresses after a threshold period, then the device address rotation can be implemented with low complexity, but the privacy protection effectiveness is insufficient due to inadequate consideration of network risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protection effectivenessVSAvoidaddress rotation algorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network infrastructure device as an intermediary that performs complex risk analysis and generates rotation advisories. The wireless client device simply follows these advisories without implementing complex algorithms itself, thus improving privacy protection while keeping client device complexity low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network infrastructure device continuously monitors network conditions, evaluates risks, and provides rotation advisories to client devices. This feedback loop enables adaptive address rotation based on real-time risk assessments, enhancing privacy protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If device addresses are rotated frequently to enhance privacy, then privacy protection is improved, but network overhead and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protection levelVSAvoidenergy consumption for address rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic address rotation where the rotation frequency and timing are adjusted based on real-time risk assessments. The network infrastructure device evaluates current network conditions and provides customized rotation advisories, ensuring addresses are rotated frequently enough to protect privacy but not so frequently as to waste energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of address rotation timing from fixed threshold-based intervals to dynamic risk-based intervals. The network infrastructure device modifies rotation parameters based on evaluated risk measurements, optimizing the balance between privacy protection and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12267915B2Device address rotation method to protect against unconsented tracking

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A network infrastructure component determines a risk measurement associated with a wireless client device's use of a device address, and provides an advisory with respect to an address rotation strategy of the wireless client device based on the risk measurement. In some embodiments, the risk measurement is based on one or more of an exposure, by the wireless client device, of information on the wireless network that identifies the wireless client device and/or a characterization of a security of the wireless network environment in which the wireless client device operates.