Domestic Appliance Commissioning via Credential Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic appliances require multiple complex processes and user interfaces to connect to a secured wireless network and associate with a user account, leading to user frustration and inefficiency, especially when multiple appliances need to be commissioned.
Innovation Solution
A method where a previously-commissioned appliance provides a network credential to a new appliance through a remote user interface device and remote server, allowing the new appliance to connect securely to the network without manual password entry, simplifying the commissioning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually enters the network credential for each appliance, then the network security is maintained, but the commissioning process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a commissioning mode that acts as an intermediary between the new appliance and the secured network. In this mode, the new appliance communicates with already-commissioned appliances to obtain network credentials automatically, eliminating the need for manual password entry while maintaining security through controlled credential distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having already-commissioned appliances store network credential information in advance. When a new appliance needs to connect, the credentials are automatically provided from the pre-configured appliances, eliminating the need for real-time manual credential entry during commissioning
2Productivity
If multiple appliances are commissioned by a service person, then the network coverage is expanded, but the repetitive password entry becomes costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The new appliance performs self-service by automatically obtaining network credentials from already-commissioned appliances without requiring service person intervention for password entry. The commissioning process becomes self-directed, where the appliance autonomously configures itself to the network using the commissioning mode and information from existing appliances
3Reliability
If a temporary connection is established between the user device and the appliance, then the commissioning can proceed, but the process requires multiple user interfaces and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the commissioning interface into the existing user application that users already have on their devices. Instead of requiring a separate commissioning tool or multiple interfaces, the commissioning functionality is integrated into the familiar user application, simplifying the interaction while maintaining reliable communication through the temporary connection
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for commissioning a domestic appliance, as provided herein, may include the transmission and receiving of signals between the domestic appliance, a previously-commissioned appliance, a remote user-interface device, and a remote server such that a network credential for a local wireless network is transmitted from the previously-commissioned appliance to the domestic appliance.