Wireless Device Automatic Credential Reconnection via Secondary Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices require manual reconfiguration with new Wi-Fi SSID and password changes, making it tedious to maintain connectivity with Wi-Fi access points.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where wireless communication devices use unique network credentials to connect to a dedicated network for obtaining updated credentials, allowing automatic reconnection to the original network by communicating with a validation server via a secondary network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration of Wi-Fi credentials is used, then initial network connection is established, but reconfiguration is required when SSID or password changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidmanual reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a connection to a secondary network before the primary network credentials become invalid. This allows the device to proactively obtain updated credentials through validation server communication, preventing connectivity disruption before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A validation server acts as an intermediary between the wireless communication device and the primary network. The device communicates with the validation server through the secondary network to obtain updated credentials, which are then used to reconnect to the primary network, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If dedicated network for credential updates is implemented, then automatic reconnection is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic credential updatingVSAvoidnetwork configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary network infrastructure is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a fallback network for maintaining connectivity and as a communication channel for credential updates. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby limiting complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication device autonomously manages its own credential updates by communicating with the validation server through the secondary network. The device automatically obtains updated credentials and reconnects to the primary network without requiring manual intervention or complex external management systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11184768B2Methods and systems for automatically connecting to a network

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

A user device may connect to a wireless network despite the user device lacking the correct network credentials to access the wireless network. When the user device is unable to connect to a first network due to an incorrect network credential, the user device may automatically connect to a second network to obtain the correct network credentials associated with the first network. The network credentials associated with the first network may enable the user device to then connect and/or reconnect to the first network.