Wireless Privacy Parameter Negotiation for PII Obfuscation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in managing privacy enhancement parameters (PE parameters) due to high implementation cost and complexity, particularly in obfuscating Personally Identifiable Information (PII) beyond changing MAC addresses, as specified by IEEE 802.11bi, which is desirable to ensure privacy while reducing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for managing privacy levels in wireless networks by allowing stations to share and negotiate PE parameters during association, including capabilities and desired obfuscation status, with mechanisms for agreeing on a set of PE parameters to be applied, and handling obfuscation procedures for MAC addresses and other privacy parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple PE parameters are simultaneously obfuscated to enhance privacy, then privacy protection level is improved, but implementation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments PE parameters into different categories (MAC address, SSID, BSSID, etc.) and allows selective obfuscation of individual parameters or groups of parameters. This segmentation enables the system to achieve enhanced privacy protection by obfuscating only the most critical parameters rather than all parameters simultaneously, thereby reducing implementation complexity while maintaining reliable privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic privacy management where the set of obfuscated PE parameters can be adjusted based on context, user preferences, and security requirements. The system can dynamically enable or disable obfuscation for specific parameters without requiring complete reconfiguration, allowing flexible privacy enhancement while managing implementation complexity through adaptive parameter selection.
2Reliability
If multiple PE parameters are simultaneously obfuscated to enhance privacy, then privacy protection level is improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting PE parameters into manageable categories and enabling selective obfuscation, the patent reduces the overall implementation cost. The system can choose to implement obfuscation for only the most critical parameters (such as MAC address and SSID) rather than all possible parameters, thereby achieving effective privacy protection at a lower implementation cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different obfuscation strategies for different PE parameters based on their sensitivity and importance. Critical parameters receive stronger obfuscation measures while less sensitive parameters may use simpler methods or remain unobfuscated, optimizing the balance between privacy protection and implementation cost.
3Reliability
If PE parameters are dynamically modified to obfuscate PII, then privacy protection is improved, but tracking and identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic modification of PE parameters where MAC addresses, SSIDs, and other identifiers are periodically changed or randomized. This dynamic approach enhances privacy protection by preventing continuous tracking, while the systematic nature of the changes (using controlled randomization rather than complete randomness) maintains sufficient information for legitimate network operations and identification when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters systematically by modifying PE parameters according to defined rules and patterns. Rather than random changes that could completely lose identification information, the system uses parameter changes that maintain certain structural properties, enabling balance between privacy protection and retention of necessary identification capability for network management.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a method for managing a privacy level in a wireless network comprising an access point, AP, station and at least one non-AP station, the method comprising by a first station, either a non-AP station or the AP station sending, to a second station a message comprising an information indicating a set of privacy enhancement, PE, parameters to be obfuscated, the set of PE parameters corresponding to a privacy level requested by the first station, the second station being the AP if the first station is a non-AP station, the second station being a non-AP station if the first station is the AP, and receiving from the second station a response indicating whether the second station accepts the requested privacy level.