Communication System, Communication Device And Communication Terminal Device
Patent No. US11026088 (titled "Communication System, Communication Device And Communication Terminal Device") was filed by Maxell Ltd on Aug 29, 2014.
What is this patent about?
’088 is related to the field of wireless communication systems, specifically addressing the problem of balancing convenience and security when allowing external users temporary access to an organization's wireless LAN. The background involves traditional wireless LAN systems where internal users connect to communication devices with access point functionality. A key challenge arises when external users, such as meeting attendees, need temporary access, potentially compromising the organization's network security after their intended use.
The underlying idea behind ’088 is to implement a permission-based system where an internal user's device acts as a gatekeeper for external user access. The internal user's device grants temporary access to a communication device (e.g., a projector) for an external user's device. This access is then periodically confirmed or terminated by the internal user's device, ensuring that the external user cannot independently access the system after the temporary use is over.
The claims of ’088 focus on a communication system comprising a communication device, an access point, a first communication terminal (internal user) and a second communication terminal (external user). The first terminal connects to the communication device via the access point and can remotely control display operations. The second terminal can connect to the communication device only with permission from the first terminal. The communication device controls the display of data from the second terminal based on commands from the first terminal and terminates the second terminal's connection upon receiving a termination command from the first terminal.
In practice, the system works by having the internal user's device (first terminal) establish a connection with the communication device (e.g., projector) via a wireless LAN access point. When an external user (second terminal) needs access, the internal user grants permission, often through a short-range communication method like NFC. This permission allows the external user's device to connect to the communication device. The system then periodically checks with the internal user's device to confirm whether the external user's access should continue. If the internal user terminates the permission, the communication device disconnects the external user's device.
This approach differs from prior solutions by introducing a dynamic, permission-based access control mechanism. Instead of relying solely on time restrictions or pre-configured access credentials, ’088 leverages the internal user's device as a proxy for authentication and authorization . This allows for a more granular and context-aware control over external user access, enhancing security while maintaining the convenience of temporary access for guests or collaborators. The periodic confirmation further strengthens security by ensuring that the permission remains valid and aligned with the internal user's intent.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid 2010s when ’088 was filed, wireless communication systems were commonly implemented using wireless LAN access points to which user terminals could connect. At a time when security was typically implemented using time restrictions, hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to balance convenience and security when allowing external users temporary access to internal wireless LAN systems.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art did not disclose or suggest the feature of a communication device outputting data received from a second communication terminal that has established a connection with the communication device. Upon receiving a command from the first communication terminal, the communication device is configured to control how to display the data received from the second communication terminal while maintaining the connection with the second communication terminal.
Claims
There are 15 claims in total. Claims 1, 14, and 15 are independent. The independent claims are directed to a communication system, a communication terminal, and a communication device, respectively, all relating to remotely controlling a display operation and managing connections with other terminals. The dependent claims generally add specific details and limitations to the elements and functionality described in the independent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11026088
- Application Number
- US15504668
- Filing Date
- Aug 29, 2014
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Aug 29, 2034
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents