WLAN Epoch Group Assignment for Privacy-Performance Roaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IEEE 802.11 technologies lack effective mechanisms to protect user privacy by preventing identification as users roam across different WLAN networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing epoch group request and configuration systems where stations transmit desired epoch parameters to access points, which select and assign appropriate epoch groups based on privacy and performance levels, using encrypted association response frames to ensure secure communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If epoch group parameters are configured to prioritize privacy (lower epoch interval duration), then user privacy protection is improved, but network performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser privacy protectionVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts epoch group parameters based on user preferences and network conditions. Users can select different privacy levels (e.g., high, medium, low) that correspond to different epoch interval durations, allowing the system to adapt between privacy protection and network performance based on current needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the epoch interval duration parameter based on the selected privacy level. When high privacy is selected, a shorter epoch interval duration is applied; when low privacy is selected, a longer epoch interval duration is applied. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing users to choose their preferred balance between privacy and performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If epoch group parameters are configured to prioritize performance (higher epoch interval duration), then network productivity is improved, but user privacy protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoiduser privacy protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic configuration of epoch group parameters based on user-selected privacy levels. When users prioritize performance, the system automatically configures longer epoch interval durations, reducing the frequency of identity changes while maintaining acceptable privacy levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts the epoch interval duration parameter based on performance requirements. By allowing users to select lower privacy levels, the system can extend the epoch interval duration, improving network performance while maintaining a baseline level of privacy protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple epoch groups are maintained to satisfy diverse user privacy requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser preference accommodationVSAvoidepoch group management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments users into different privacy level categories (e.g., high, medium, low) and assigns them to corresponding epoch groups. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple epoch groups efficiently by organizing them according to privacy levels rather than maintaining completely separate configurations for each user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The epoch group mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides privacy protection, accommodates diverse user preferences, and maintains network performance. By designing the system to be universally applicable across different privacy requirements, the patent reduces the need for entirely separate systems for each use case

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260019975A1Method to advertise desired epoch group parameters and assign users to epoch groups based on desired parameters using association request/response frames

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

A station (STA) may transmit to an access point (AP), an encrypted association request frame or a re-association request frame. The request may comprise a desired epoch parameter element that indicates to the AP one or more desired epoch parameters of a corresponding epoch group of a plurality of epoch groups managed by the AP. The plurality of epoch groups may comprise a default epoch group and at least one other epoch group. The STA may receive an encrypted association response frame or a re-association response frame. The response frame may comprise an enhanced data privacy (EDP) epoch definition element. The EDP epoch definition element may comprise group epoch parameters. The group epoch parameters may comprise a group epoch identifier (ID) for an assigned epoch group of the plurality of epoch groups that is configured to operate according to the group epoch parameters.