Device default WIFI credentials for simplified and secure configuration of networked transducers

Abstract

A wireless device with transducers can support remote monitoring and include an 802.11 compatible radio and a set of device default credentials. The device can be installed at a physical location with service from a fixed access point operating with a different set of owner credentials. A mobile phone can (i) scan a tag for the device and download a set of configuration parameters for the device, and (ii) authenticate with a configuration system. The mobile phone can receive the set of device default credentials from the configuration system. The mobile phone can activate a mobile access point using the set of device default credentials. The device can connect with the mobile phone's access point and receive a ciphertext with the owner credentials and a configuration package. The device can apply the configuration package and load the owner credentials in order to connect with the fixed access point.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This U.S. non-provisional application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 653,785, filed Apr. 6, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field[0002]The present systems and methods relate to configuration and operation of networked transducers, and more particularly, to systems and methods for a transducer device to use preconfigured WiFi credentials, in order for the transducer device to communicate with a configuration system.Description of Related Art[0003]The ability to connect transducers such as sensors and actuators with a network is a growing field with many economical applications. As the costs for both electronic hardware and bandwidth continue to decrease, the use of networked transducers is expected to continue increasing over the coming decades. Connecting transducers to a network can be referred to as “machine-to-machine (M2M) comm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that can be transitioned from a manufactured state to an operational state using a configuration step. The device can communicate with a reporting system after conducting the Configuration step. The device can be powered and activated using the default credentials of a mobile phone. The mobile phone can verify the identity of the device through mutual authentication. The device can setup a secure session with the reporting system and transfer encrypted data regarding the configuration. The mobile phone can check if the configuration step is successful and display it to the end user. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a secure and easy-to-use method for transitioning a device from a manufactured state to an operational state using a configuration step.

Problems solved by technology

The many options to connect a transducer device to a network creates opportunities for new products and services, but also creates several classes of problems that need to be solved.

Manually configuring devices to use different keys, new network access credentials to connect with the owner's selected wireless network, and / or firmware can be time consuming and difficult for users.

Entering network access credentials is also prone to errors and especially difficult for devices with limited user interfaces.

With conventional technology for configuration and installation of networked devices, a frequent challenge can be that default or manufactured configuration of a device may not match the requirements of (i) a device owner, or (ii) an associated configuration system or a reporting system.

In addition, devices designed for machine-to-machine communications, or the “Internet of Things”, can frequently be shipped to an end user in a state that is not fully configured for the user.

The device can be delivered to a user in a state where credentials for a local access point have not been loaded into the device, and thus connectivity through the available access point is not enabled for the device “out of the box”.

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