Wireless Network Access via Trusted Device Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of initial association with network devices is often tedious and inefficient for user devices, necessitating a simpler method for connection.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes proximity to trusted devices to facilitate device discovery, authorization, and provisioning on a network by transmitting identifiers between devices using messaging protocols like Bluetooth, allowing for authentication decisions and network access management through a server associated with a service provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual association methods are used for network devices, then authentication security is maintained, but the connection process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having users pair their mobile devices with network devices beforehand. The mobile device stores authentication credentials and device identifiers in advance, so that when network association is needed, the pre-configured information can be quickly transmitted and used for automatic authentication, eliminating the need for manual credential entry during the connection process
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the user and the network device. It holds and manages authentication credentials, then transmits relevant information (such as device identifiers or authentication tokens) to the network device to facilitate automatic association. This intermediary role streamlines the connection process while maintaining security through the mobile device's authentication capabilities
2Extent of automation
If automatic provisioning is implemented using device identifiers, then user intervention is reduced, but authentication security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device acts as a trusted intermediary that securely holds authentication credentials. Instead of relying solely on public device identifiers for authentication, the system uses the mobile device to transmit authenticated information or tokens to the network device. This intermediary mechanism enables automatic provisioning while maintaining security, as the mobile device verifies and validates the authentication process before facilitating network access
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the mobile device receives and processes authentication decisions from the network device. The mobile device can present authentication credentials, receive validation results, and based on this feedback, either complete the automatic association or prompt the user for additional actions. This feedback loop ensures that automation proceeds only when authentication is verified, maintaining security while enabling automatic provisioning
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed to enable a user device to gain access to a network via a trusted device (e.g., a network device). The network device can obtain a user device identifier from the user device and can transmit the user device identifier along with a network device identifier to a computing device (e.g., a server associated with a service provider). The server can determine if the user device should be permitted to access the network. The server can return the results of the determination to the network device and/or the user device. If the determination is that the user device should be permitted to access the network, the user device can also receive network credentials. The user device can access the network with the network credentials.