Securing internet of things (IOT) RF (radio frequency) location tags using source addresses to locate stations on a Wi-Fi network

1. A computer-implemented method executed at least partially in computer hardware for securing RF (radio frequency) tags using source addresses to locate stations on a Wi-Fi network, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a pseudo source address of an RF (radio frequency) tag from a station, the station being within radio range of the RF tag and the station receiving a beacon frame from the RF tag, wherein the beacon frame comprises the pseudo source address in a source address field;

looking-up the source address for the RF tag utilizing the pseudo source address, the pseudo source address stored with a plurality of pseudo source addresses each matched to at least one source address;

looking-up a specific location for the RF tag utilizing the source address, the source address stored with a plurality of source addresses each matched to a location;

identifying the specific location of the station based on the source address of the RF tag;

determining an action based on at least the specific location of the station; and

sending information related to the action to the station for output to a user of the station.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pseudo source address comprises a MAC (media access control) address that is not inherently associated with the RF tag.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source address comprises a MAC (media access control) address that is inherently associated with the RF tag.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the RF tag periodically transmits a beacon frame comprising a source address field containing the pseudo source address.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source address comprises a MAC (media access control) address associated with the RF tag.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a new source address for a new RF tag from an authorized user;

generating a new pseudo source address corresponding to the new source address;

storing the new pseudo source address in association with the new source address among the plurality of pseudo source addresses; and

sending the new pseudo source address to the station to the authorized user, wherein the new pseudo source address is programmed into the new RF tag.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

receiving a new location for a new RF tag from an authorized user; and

storing the new location in association with the new source address of the new RF tag.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a new location for the RF tag from an authorized user; and

updating the location to the new location.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a security compromise associated with the pseudo source address; and

generating a new pseudo source address for the RF tag.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

responsive to expiration of a pre-determined period of time, updating the pseudo source address to a new pseudo source address, wherein the RF tag updates the source address to the new pseudo source address without a direct communication between the RF tag and the RF location server, wherein the RF tag generates beacon frames using the new pseudo source address.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a new action based on the specific location of the station; and

updating the action in association with the specific location of the RF tag.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein beacons transmitted by the station are able to be received by any Wi-Fi device within radio range of the station without any explicit security protocol.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the RF tag and the station are in wireless communication under an IEEE 802.11 protocol.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing source code that, when executed by a processor, performs a method for securing RF (radio frequency) tags using source addresses to locate stations on a Wi-Fi network, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a pseudo source address of an RF (radio frequency) tag from a station, the station being within radio range of the RF tag and the station receiving a beacon from the RF tag, wherein the beacon frame comprises the pseudo source address in a source address field;

looking-up the source address for the RF tag utilizing the pseudo source address, the pseudo source address stored with a plurality of pseudo source addresses each matched to at least one source address;

looking-up a location for the RF tag utilizing the source address, the source address stored with a plurality of source addresses each matched to a location;

identifying a specific location of the station based on the source address of the RF tag;

determining an action based on at least the specific location of the station; and

sending information related to the action to the station for output to a user of the station.

15. An RF (radio frequency) location server to secure RF (radio frequency) tags using source addresses to locate stations on a Wi-Fi network, the access point comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, storing:

a first module to receive a pseudo source address of an RF (radio frequency) tag from a station, the station being within radio range of the RF tag and the station receiving a beacon from the RF tag, wherein the beacon frame comprises the pseudo source address in a source address field;

a second module to look-up the source address for the RF tag utilizing the pseudo source address, the pseudo source address stored with a plurality of pseudo source addresses each matched to at least one source address;

a third module to look-up a location for the RF tag utilizing the source address, the source address stored with a plurality of source addresses each matched to a location;

a fourth module to identify a specific location of the station based on the source address of the RF tag;

a fifth module to determine an action based on at least the specific location of the station; and

a sixth module to send information related to the action to the station for output to a user of the station.