Appliance Network Provisioning via Temporary Access Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances lack efficient methods for network connectivity, particularly in provisioning them to connect securely and easily to wireless local area networks (WLANs) without requiring complex authentication processes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that enables an appliance to operate as a WLAN access point, allowing it to connect to a user device to scan for available WLANs, receive user-selected SSIDs and passwords, and authenticate to connect directly as a WLAN station, optionally binding to a service platform via a user account identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an appliance uses traditional network connectivity provisioning methods, then network security is maintained through authentication, but the complexity of the connection process increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the appliance and the WLAN. The mobile device acts as a provisioning gateway that mediates the authentication process by capturing credentials from the user and securely transmitting them to the appliance, thereby simplifying the appliance's interface while maintaining security through the intermediary's authentication mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the appliance first establish a temporary access point mode and create a local provisioning network before actual WLAN connection occurs. This preliminary setup allows the mobile device to connect and configure credentials in advance, separating the complex authentication process from the final connection establishment
2Adaptability or versatility
If an appliance implements WLAN scanning and connection capabilities, then network connectivity versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by implementing a dual-mode wireless interface that can function both as a WLAN station for connecting to existing networks and as a WLAN access point for provisioning purposes. This multi-functionality allows the appliance to adapt to different connection scenarios without requiring separate hardware components, thereby increasing versatility while controlling complexity through unified hardware design
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus integral with or directly coupled to an appliance is provided. The apparatus may connect to a user device at the apparatus configured to operate as a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point. The apparatus may receive a command over the connection from the user device to cause the apparatus to scan for one or more available WLAN(s) and obtain one or more service set identifiers (SSIDs) of the available WLAN(s). The apparatus may send the SSID(s) over the connection to the user device for display and user selection of a selected SSID of the SSID(s), with the selected SSID being of a selected WLAN of the available WLAN(s). And the apparatus may receive the selected SSID over the connection from the user device to enable the apparatus to connect directly to the selected WLAN as a WLAN station using the selected SSID.