Home Appliance Network Connection via Terminal Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network connection systems for home appliances often require complex and error-prone processes for users to set up connections, which can lead to security risks and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A network connection system for home appliances that includes a communication unit, memory for storing an IP address, and a processor to control the communication unit in AP mode, allowing it to connect to a terminal device, verify authentication information, and establish a secure connection with an AP apparatus, enabling easy and secure network access to a server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a home appliance connects to a network using traditional authentication methods, then network security is maintained, but the connection process becomes complex and error-prone for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary that mediates between the home appliance and the network. The terminal device generates authentication information and transmits it to the home appliance, which then uses this information to connect to the network. This intermediary approach simplifies the user experience while maintaining security through automated authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device performs preliminary authentication actions by generating and providing authentication information to the home appliance before the actual network connection is established. This preliminary authentication step simplifies the subsequent connection process while ensuring security requirements are met.
2Ease of operation
If authentication information is transmitted from terminal device to home appliance, then connection ease is improved, but security risks may increase during transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The AP apparatus serves as a trusted intermediary that receives authentication information from the terminal device and validates it before allowing network access. This intermediary verification process ensures that authentication information is properly handled while maintaining security, reducing the risks associated with direct transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the AP apparatus verifies the authentication information received from the terminal device and provides confirmation to the home appliance. This feedback loop ensures that authentication is properly validated, maintaining security while enabling easy connection setup.
3Ease of operation
If the home appliance operates in AP mode to connect to terminal device, then network access is simplified, but device functionality complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit dynamically switches between different operation modes (AP mode and station mode) based on the connection phase. It operates in AP mode initially to receive authentication information from the terminal device, then transitions to station mode to connect to the network through the AP apparatus. This dynamic mode switching simplifies the overall access process while managing device complexity through contextual functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a home appliance. The home appliance comprises: a communication unit; a memory configured to store an Internet Protocol (IP) address for connecting to a server; and a processor configured to: in response to a user input, control the communication unit to operate as an access point (AP) for connecting with a terminal device, receive, via the communication unit, identification information and password information corresponding to an external AP apparatus from the terminal device, wherein the received password information of the external AP apparatus is verified by the terminal device according to authentication information of the external AP apparatus stored in the terminal device, based on the identification information and the verified password information of the external AP apparatus, control the communication unit to establish a communication connection with the external AP apparatus, and while connected to the external AP apparatus, access the server using the stored Internet Protocol (IP) address.