Automatic Wireless Device Pairing via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for pairing devices with wireless local area networks (WLANs) are cumbersome, especially for large or immobile devices and users with restricted mobility, as they require manual entry of passwords or precise button presses within a limited time frame, which can be impractical.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pairing initiation server that associates a device with an open WLAN, sends a pairing request, and initiates automatic pairing between the device and a secure WLAN access point, using a database to map device identities to network addresses and authenticate access, allowing for zero-touch pairing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual password entry is used for device pairing, then security is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a pairing server and pairing credentials that mediate between the device and the secure WLAN. Instead of direct password entry, the system uses a pairing server to verify device identities and establish secure connections through exchanged pairing credentials (public keys/certificates), thereby maintaining security while eliminating the need for users to manually enter complex passwords.
2Ease of operation
If WPS button configuration is used, then ease of operation improves, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional WPS approach by allowing the device to initiate the pairing process autonomously without requiring physical button presses. Instead of the user needing to press buttons on both the access point and the device within a time window, the device automatically contacts the pairing server, receives authentication credentials, and completes pairing remotely, thereby adapting to scenarios where physical interaction is impractical.
3Ease of operation
If automatic pairing is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex authentication and pairing logic from the end-user device and relocates it to a centralized pairing server. The device itself remains relatively simple, requiring only basic client functionality to communicate with the server. The heavy lifting of cryptographic key management, certificate verification, and pairing coordination is performed by the server, thereby maintaining ease of operation while managing complexity centrally rather than in every device.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns the automatic pairing of a user's new device, (310), wirelessly with the user's private wireless access point, (325). An open WLAN is used to connect a wireless pairing client (WPC), (440), in the device, (310), with a pairing initiation server (PIS), (450), in an ISP's network. If the open WLAN uses a "captive portal" to redirect HTTPS requests to a login page, a "pinhole" is provided so that HTTP requests addressed to the PIS are not redirected. The device (310) stores the SSID of a suitable open WLAN and connects automatically when powered up. The WPC makes an HTTP request, including an ID for the device, to the PIS. The PIS uses the device ID to retrieve an IP address of the user's access point. The PIS then sends instruction to WPS Pairing Initiator Clients the device (310) and the access point (325) to initiate a Wi-Fi Protected Setup PBC procedure. The result is that, if they are in range of each other, the device will pair with the user's private wireless LAN using WPS PBC but without the need for the user herself needing to act beyond simply powering up the new device.