Wireless Network Profile Provisioning via Machine-Readable Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face challenges in securely connecting multiple devices of a user, particularly laptops and other network-enabled devices, due to the limited availability of Passpoint profiles, leading to unsecured networks and administrative overhead, which compromises security and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating and distributing networking profiles using a first client device or an electronic presentation device to provision a networking profile to a second client device, enabling secure access to a wireless network by reading a machine-readable code and associating user or account information to generate the profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Passpoint profiles are limited in availability, then network security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to self-provision Passpoint profiles on their own devices without requiring administrative intervention. The user initiates the profile generation process, provides necessary account information, and receives the profile automatically, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for limited centralized profile distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates and distributes digital copies of Passpoint profiles to multiple devices. Instead of having a single physical profile that must be manually transferred, the system creates and delivers digital copies automatically to any device the user owns, multiplying availability while maintaining security through controlled generation.
2Ease of operation
If Passpoint profiles are distributed to multiple devices, then ease of operation is improved, but administrative overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates administrative overhead by enabling users to independently provision profiles on their own devices. The automated generation and distribution process removes the need for administrators to manually manage, track, and distribute profiles to multiple devices, while still ensuring proper authentication and account association.
3Ease of operation
If open WiFi networks are used, then ease of operation is improved, but network security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The Passpoint profile acts as an intermediary that enables secure authenticated access to WiFi networks. Instead of using open unsecured networks or complex manual configuration, the profile serves as a mediator that automatically handles authentication, allowing users to access secure networks as easily as open networks while maintaining security through encrypted credential verification.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are devices, methods, and systems for generating and deploying networking profiles for enabling computing devices to connect to wireless networks in a secure manner. For example, a method may include: receiving a request for a networking profile from a second computing device, the networking profile configured to enable the second computing device to access to a wireless network; generating, based on the received request for the networking profile, a code for presentation; transmitting the code for presentation to the second computing device; receiving an indication of a content of the code for presentation from a first computing device different than the second computing device; generating the networking profile based on receiving the indication of the content of the code for presentation; and transmitting the generated networking profile to the second computing device.