Home Appliance Wireless Configuration via Terminal Mediator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances face challenges in easily configuring multiple communication networks and securing wireless connections, leading to issues such as separate configuration operations, exposure of device information, and high communication costs and slow speeds when using mobile networks.
Innovation Solution
A home appliance and terminal device system that uses a communication device and processor to operate in multiple communication modes, including access point and station modes, using wireless identification information and configuration data to securely connect and switch between networks, preventing exposure of sensitive information and optimizing communication methods based on speed and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a home appliance connects to a wireless LAN using traditional configuration methods, then the device can be connected to the network, but separate configuration operations are required and device information is exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the user and the home appliance. The terminal device automatically generates and transmits wireless configuration information to the home appliance, eliminating the need for users to perform separate configuration operations. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by simplifying the user operation while maintaining secure configuration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The home appliance autonomously receives and configures wireless network information without requiring user intervention. The device automatically processes the configuration data transmitted by the terminal device, enabling self-service configuration that eliminates complex manual setup procedures while maintaining security through automated authentication processes.
2Reliability
If a home appliance connects to a mobile communication network, then network connectivity is achieved, but communication costs are high and speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic communication method selection where the home appliance can switch between mobile communication network and wireless LAN based on network availability and performance requirements. The system dynamically selects the optimal communication channel, using mobile network when no wireless LAN is available and switching to wireless LAN for high-speed data transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between connectivity reliability and communication speed.
3Reliability
If a home appliance uses mobile communication network for connectivity, then network access is secured, but communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the limitation of mobile network (high cost) into a benefit by using it only for essential functions such as initial device registration and control command transmission. For data-intensive operations, the system switches to wireless LAN, thereby eliminating unnecessary communication costs while maintaining reliable network access through the hybrid approach.
4Ease of operation
If traditional wireless configuration methods are used, then network connection is established, but device information is exposed to external devices
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device serves as a secure intermediary that generates and transmits configuration information through encrypted channels. This mediator approach prevents direct exposure of device information to external devices while maintaining ease of configuration, as the terminal device acts as a trusted bridge between the user environment and the home appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of information transmission by using dynamically generated temporary identifiers and encrypted configuration data instead of exposing permanent device information. This parameter change ensures that even if configuration data is intercepted, the actual device identity remains protected, resolving the contradiction between easy configuration and information security.
Data Source
AI summary
A home appliance is disclosed. The disclosed home appliance comprises: a communication device for performing communication using a plurality of communication methods; and a processor for, when wireless identification information of a home appliance is received from an external server via a first communication method, controlling the communication device to operate in an access point (AP) mode in which communication is performed in a second communication method by using the received wireless identification information, wherein the processor is connected to a terminal device via the second communication method, and if wireless configuration information for an access point accessed by the terminal device is received from the terminal device, the processor controls the communication device to access the access point via a third communication method by using the received wireless configuration information.