Cloud-Based Device Provisioning via Proximity Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Provisioning new wireless devices, especially 'headless' devices without a user interface, is cumbersome and time-consuming for consumers, as they need to manually configure network and account credentials, which becomes even more challenging when multiple devices or infrastructure changes occur.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based provisioning system where a configurator device, using radio access technologies like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, automatically detects and provisions nearby devices by establishing a connection and relaying credentials from a cloud server, allowing for simultaneous provisioning of multiple devices without user intervention, utilizing techniques like time-division multiplexing to maintain continuous service during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of network credentials is used for each device, then network security is maintained through user control, but provisioning time and user effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs provisioning by detecting nearby configurator devices and receiving credentials without user intervention. The device autonomously establishes connections, receives configuration data, and integrates into the network, eliminating manual configuration steps while maintaining security through controlled credential distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
A configurator device acts as an intermediary between the cloud server and the device to be provisioned. The configurator relays credentials securely from the cloud server to the device, enabling automated provisioning while maintaining security controls. This intermediary facilitates the transfer of sensitive information without requiring direct user input.
2Ease of operation
If automated cloud-based provisioning is implemented, then provisioning speed and ease of use improve, but system complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning system is segmented into distinct components: cloud servers for credential management, configurator devices for local coordination, and target devices for receiving credentials. This segmentation distributes complexity across multiple simple components rather than concentrating it in one complex system, making the overall system more manageable and secure.
Solution Approach 2:
Configurator devices serve multiple functions: they act as Wi-Fi access points for device detection, establish secure connections to cloud servers, relay credentials to target devices, and maintain continuous service during provisioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized hardware and simplifies the system architecture.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous service is maintained during provisioning, then user experience is preserved, but radio resource management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configurator device periodically switches between providing Wi-Fi access for continuous service and facilitating provisioning operations. By using periodic time-division multiplexing, the configurator alternates between these modes in a structured manner, maintaining service continuity while enabling automated provisioning at scheduled intervals without requiring complex real-time resource arbitration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system in which a device may automatically provision another device with credentials, at the behest of a cloud-based service, based in part on the physical proximity of the device to be provisioned. The provisioning device and the device to be provisioned may use a radio access technology (RAT) with a limited radio range. Account information associated with the device to be provisioned is known to the cloud-based service, which authenticates the device to be provisioned via the device with credentials.