Wireless Credential Push via Proximity Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network connection methods for mobile devices are cumbersome and insecure, requiring manual entry of credentials for each device and often failing to support devices without browser capabilities, while also being prone to security issues due to dependency on specific protocols like WiFi Protected Setup.
Innovation Solution
A personal area network system that uses a mobile device application to push wireless access user credentials to a configurable access point, creating a virtual network accessible via proximity-based protocols like Near Field Communication, Bluetooth, or Infrared technology, allowing multiple devices to connect securely without manual credential entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual credential entry is required for each device to connect to wireless network, then network security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable media device as an intermediary that stores and transmits network credentials. Instead of manually entering credentials on each device, the credentials are copied from a trusted source device to a portable media device, which then automatically provides them to new devices. This mediator approach maintains security through controlled credential distribution while dramatically simplifying the connection process for multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing network credentials on a portable media device before actual network connection is needed. The credentials are obtained and stored in advance through a one-time manual entry or secure transfer, eliminating the need for repeated credential input. This preliminary preparation enables rapid, secure connection of multiple devices without compromising security.
2Ease of operation
If WiFi Protected Setup protocol is used to simplify device addition, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using protocols that create security vulnerabilities during device addition, the patent uses a copying approach where network credentials are securely replicated from a trusted source device to a portable media device, and then distributed to multiple devices. This copying method bypasses the insecure WiFi Protected Setup protocol entirely while maintaining ease of operation, as credentials are automatically transferred without requiring vulnerable authentication handshakes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the credential distribution function from the problematic WiFi Protected Setup protocol framework. By separating the credential storage and transmission functions into a dedicated portable media device, the system removes the security vulnerabilities inherent in protocol-based device addition while preserving the simplified user experience.
3Reliability
If credentials are periodically changed to maintain security, then security reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable media device enables continuous availability of network credentials across multiple devices without interruption. When credentials need to be updated, the change is made once on the source device and automatically propagated to the portable media device and all connected devices. This maintains continuous network access while eliminating the repetitive time loss of manually updating credentials on each device individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically distributing credential updates from the portable media device to all connected devices without requiring user intervention on each device. When credentials are updated on the source device, the portable media device automatically provides the updated credentials to new devices, eliminating the manual update process and its associated time loss while maintaining security.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wireless network protocols are used, then device compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable media device serves as an intermediary that handles protocol complexity centrally. Instead of requiring every device to support multiple complex wireless protocols and credential management systems, the portable media device manages all protocol interactions and credential distributions. This intermediary approach maintains broad device compatibility while significantly reducing the complexity requirements for individual devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and secure connection of multiple mobile devices to a wireless network using existing user credentials, supporting devices without browser capabilities and enhancing security through proximity-based authentication, while allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of access points.
Implementation Method 1
The terminal may use a proximity-based protocol to receive information from the first mobile device
Implementation Method 2
proximity-based protocols like Near Field Communication, Bluetooth, or Infrared technology
Implementation Method 3
proximity-based protocols like Near Field Communication, Bluetooth, or Infrared technology
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
An exemplary system includes a mobile device having an application and wireless access user credentials, a configurable access point of a network, and a terminal connected to the configurable access point. The wireless access user credentials can be pushed, using the application, from the first mobile device to the terminal to reconfigure the access point and create a virtual network that recognizes the wireless access user credentials. The system further comprises a second mobile device comprising the wireless access user credentials, and wherein the second mobile device is configured to connect to the network using the wireless access user credentials.