Automatic Wireless Network Credential Transfer via Physical Docking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience and frustration in populating network information, such as network IDs and keys, across multiple devices in wireless networks, particularly due to the need for manual entry and potential for data entry errors, which complicates the addition of new devices to a network.
Innovation Solution
A personal media player is designed to capture and transfer wireless network information, including IDs and credentials, to other devices during a docking process, allowing automatic configuration and secure connection to the network without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual entry of network information is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user effort and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic population of network information without requiring manual user input. When a device is added to the wireless network, the system automatically captures the network ID and key information and populates it in other devices through the docking process, eliminating the need for users to manually enter network credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking mechanism serves as an intermediary that facilitates automatic information transfer between devices. When a device is docked with the system, it automatically receives network information from the central system, enabling seamless integration without direct user intervention in the data entry process.
2Ease of operation
If graphical user interface is provided for manual entry, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for graphical user interfaces by implementing automatic self-configuration. Network information is captured and transferred automatically through the docking process, removing the requirement for users to interact with complex GUIs for network setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual interaction system (GUI-based manual entry) with an automated information transfer system. The docking mechanism automatically handles information population, substituting the need for manual user interaction and complex user interfaces.
3Reliability
If high power wireless signals are used, then network performance is improved, but security deteriorates due to unintended interception
Solution Approach 1:
The system addresses the security risk of high-power signals by implementing automatic network information capture and transfer. When devices are docked, the system automatically populates network credentials, ensuring that only authorized devices can access the network, thereby converting the potential security vulnerability into a controlled access mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A personal media player (110) is arranged to capture information, such as wireless network information (including network ID and key) and other kinds of information such as credentials (e.g., user name and password), and then share the information with an accessory device (310) when the player (110) is physically coupled to the device in a docking process. When the personal media player (110) is docked, the information is automatically transferred from the player to the device to enable the device to perform some action without any additional effort by the user. This could include, for example, discovering and be securely admitted to a wireless network (306), or accessing a remote service using the transferred credentials.