Wireless Network Provisioning Using Public Key Infrastructure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems for industrial settings lack secure methods to prevent the theft of join keys, which are essential for network access, leading to potential security breaches and network invasions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a public key infrastructure (PKI) that uses certificates to encode and decode apparatus information, ensuring that only authorized devices can access the wireless network by using public and private keys, thereby enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If apparatus information (join key) is transmitted between provisioning device and wireless device by infrared communication or transferred by recording medium, then provisioning can be performed, but security is not ensured and join key can be stolen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces certificates as an intermediary mechanism between the provisioning device and wireless device. The provisioning device obtains a certificate from a certification authority, which serves as a trusted mediator to verify identities and establish secure communication channels, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining ease of provisioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the communication mode by changing the parameter of information transmission from plain text to encrypted text using public key infrastructure. This parameter change in the transmission state ensures that join keys and apparatus information remain confidential during provisioning operations
Data Source
AI summary
An information setting method for a setting device includes the following processes. A first certificate and identification information are obtained from a wireless device to be caused to join a wireless network managed by a management device. The first certificate certifies that the wireless device is a formal wireless device and includes a first public key. The identification information is information that identifies the wireless device. A second certificate is obtained from the management device. The second certificate certifies that the management device is a formal management device and includes a second public key. Apparatus information required for the wireless device to join the wireless network is encoded using the first public key and is output to the wireless device. Management information including the apparatus information and the identification information associated with the apparatus information is encoded using the second public key and is output to the management device.