Extended service set transitions in wireless networks
First Claim
1. A method for Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) in a mobile device, the method comprising:
- receiving an identifier of a key holder from an access point associated with the key holder;
constructing a FILS authentication request, the FILS authentication request including a first nonce, where the first nonce includes first randomly generated data;
transmitting the FILS authentication request to the key holder;
receiving an authentication response including a second nonce, where the second nonce includes second randomly generated data; and
generating a mutually derived key with the access point associated with the key holder based on a symmetrical algorithm using the FILS authentication request and the authentication response.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile device may transition between Extended Service Set (“ESS”) networks seamlessly, such that a consumer never loses the network connection despite the transition. The communication for enabling a transition may be prior to association with that network. The seamless transition may be enabled through the creation and utilization of a central key holder authority that advertises its identity to mobile devices in a pre-associated state. The mobile device can use the key discovery communication along with a key generation method to authenticate and/or associate with a network and transition from one ESS to another. There may be a common root key across ESSs. At each new access point (“AP”) that the mobile device encounters, ESS and key holder identities may be discovered through discovery communications.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) in a mobile device, the method comprising:
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receiving an identifier of a key holder from an access point associated with the key holder; constructing a FILS authentication request, the FILS authentication request including a first nonce, where the first nonce includes first randomly generated data; transmitting the FILS authentication request to the key holder; receiving an authentication response including a second nonce, where the second nonce includes second randomly generated data; and generating a mutually derived key with the access point associated with the key holder based on a symmetrical algorithm using the FILS authentication request and the authentication response. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for fast initial link setup (FILS) authentication in an access point, the method comprising:
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receiving, from an extended authentication server, an initialization message comprising a key and an identity of a key holder of the key; transmitting, to a mobile device, the identity of the key holder; performing expedited authentication of the mobile device using the key when the mobile device has previously communicated with the key holder; and generating a mutually derived key with the mobile device based on a symmetrical algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A mobile device for performing fast initial link setup (FILS) authentication, the mobile device comprising:
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a storage device; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored on the storage device such that when executed, cause the mobile device to; receive an identifier of a key holder from an access point associated with the key holder; construct a FILS authentication request, the FILS authentication request including a first nonce, where the first nonce includes first randomly generated data; transmit the FILS authentication request to the access point associated with the key holder; receive an authentication response including a second nonce, where the second nonce includes second randomly generated data; and generate a mutually derived key with the access point associated with the key holder based on a symmetrical algorithm using the FILS authentication request and the authentication response. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification