Client Device Onboarding Access Point Firmware Version Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method for onboarding an access point device (APD) to a gateway device is time-consuming, especially when the APD needs to update its firmware, as it requires waiting for the software update and reboot process to complete before it can reestablish a connection, which can be unnecessary if the APD already has the most recent firmware version.
Innovation Solution
A client device connects to the APD, determines its firmware version, retrieves the most recent firmware version from an external server, and adjusts the waiting period based on whether the APD needs an update, allowing it to quickly determine if the onboarding is successful without unnecessary delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed wait period is used for APD onboarding, then the system ensures the APD has completed firmware update and reboot, but the onboarding time increases unnecessarily when the APD already has the latest firmware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wait period adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically determines the wait period based on firmware version comparison: if the APD already has the latest firmware, a shorter wait period is used; if an update is needed, a longer wait period is applied. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the wait time to the actual system state, ensuring reliability when needed while minimizing delays when not necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of wait period duration based on firmware version status. By comparing the APD's current firmware version with the latest available version, the system adjusts the wait period parameter accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliable firmware update completion while optimizing onboarding time by reducing unnecessary waits.
2Loss of time
If the client device checks firmware version and adjusts wait period, then the onboarding time is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the client device check the APD's firmware version, compare it with the latest version from the external server, and use this feedback information to determine the appropriate wait period. This feedback mechanism enables optimized onboarding time while keeping the complexity manageable through a clear decision-based approach rather than complex algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the client device check the firmware version and determine the appropriate wait period before actually waiting. This preliminary assessment allows the system to optimize onboarding time by avoiding unnecessary delays from the outset, rather than using a conservative fixed wait period that always err on the side of caution.
Data Source
AI summary
A client device for use with an access point device, a gateway device, and an external server having stored therein firmware version information indicating a most recent firmware version number, n, associated with the access point device. The access point device having a loaded firmware version number, m, loaded thereon. The client device includes a memory and a processor, which may cause the client device to: connect to the access point device; obtain, from the access point device, the loaded firmware version number, m; obtain, from the external server, the most recent firmware version number, n; disconnect from the access point device; and wait a predetermined period of time and then connect to the gateway device, wherein the predetermined period of time is a first period of time when m=n, and wherein the predetermined period of time is a second period of time when m<n.