Wireless Device Auto-Configures Security Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in easily connecting wireless communication devices to wireless networks due to complex authorization and encryption settings, which existing methods have not adequately simplified.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication device and method that automatically select and adopt wireless settings with higher security levels, including authorization and encryption methods, and retry connections using different settings until a successful connection is established, with features like password validation and network identifier management to streamline the connection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic wireless settings installation methods (such as WPS) are used, then user burden is reduced and connection process is simplified, but compatibility requirements increase and not all devices can be connected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser burdenVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication device automatically detects available wireless networks, selects appropriate security settings (authorization and encryption methods), and establishes connections without user intervention. The device serves itself by autonomously configuring wireless parameters based on detected network characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically changes wireless connection parameters including authorization methods (open, shared-key, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK) and encryption methods (WEP, TKIP, AES) based on detected network security requirements. It dynamically adjusts these parameters to match the target wireless network's configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple authorization and encryption methods are supported, then adaptability to different wireless networks is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidsettings complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically selects and configures the appropriate authorization and encryption methods from multiple supported options based on the detected wireless network characteristics. Users do not need to manually configure these complex settings as the device performs self-configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device pre-configures multiple authorization methods (open, shared-key, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK) and encryption methods (WEP, TKIP, AES) in its firmware, preparing them in advance for automatic selection during the connection process without requiring user setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automatic detection and selection of security settings is implemented, then connection speed is improved, but reliability may decrease due to automated decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidconnection success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device implements a feedback mechanism where connection attempts are monitored and results are used to adjust subsequent connection strategies. If automatic connection fails, the device receives feedback about the failure cause and can retry with alternative settings or prompt the user for assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device prepares multiple authorization and encryption method combinations in advance, creating a预案 (contingency plan) for connection attempts. This preliminary preparation enables fast automatic connection while maintaining reliability through pre-planned fallback options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2169990B1Wireless communication device, method for wireless connection, and program therefor
Publication Date: 2015.06.24 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2169990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2169990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2169990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication device (100) to be wirelessly connected to a wireless network is provided. The wireless communication device (100) includes an encryption examiner to examine as to whether communication in the wireless network is encrypted (S108), a password obtainer to obtain a password designated by a user for connecting the wireless communication device (100) to the wireless network if the encryption examiner determines that the communication in the wireless network is encrypted (S112), and a wireless connector to connect the wireless communication device to the wireless network with the use of the obtained password (S118). The wireless connecter sequentially selects one set from a plurality of sets, and sequentially attempts to connect the wireless communication device to the wireless network with the use of the sequentially selected one set. Each set of the plurality of sets has an authorization method and an encryption method.