Commissioning Tool for Wireless Network Install Code Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in accessing install codes for network devices to join wireless networks, especially in commercial settings due to long distances when using barcode scanning or NFC technology for network security purposes.
Innovation Solution
A commissioning tool that generates and transmits network install codes, which can be randomly generated for increased security, and allows for batch mode transmission, using various communication technologies like IR, Bluetooth, or UART, with a user interface for command input and an encryption unit for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barcode scanning or NFC technology is used to transmit install codes, then network security is maintained, but user accessibility deteriorates due to long distance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a commissioning tool as an intermediary device that receives install codes from the network coordinator and re-transmits them to network devices. This mediator eliminates the need for users to directly scan barcodes or use NFC at the network coordinator, solving the accessibility issue while maintaining security through controlled code distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical systems of barcode scanning and NFC with wireless communication technologies (such as radio frequency transmission). This substitution allows install codes to be transmitted over longer distances without requiring physical proximity, thereby improving user accessibility while maintaining network security
2Reliability
If individual install codes are transmitted to each network device, then network security is improved, but commissioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning tool generates multiple install codes in advance and stores them in its memory before actual device commissioning begins. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid distribution of unique codes to multiple devices simultaneously, reducing commissioning time while maintaining the security benefit of individual codes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple install codes into a single transmittable package that can be sent to the network coordinator in one operation. The commissioning tool then distributes these codes to multiple devices, merging the commissioning process for multiple devices into a single efficient operation rather than requiring separate transmissions for each device
Data Source
AI summary
A commissioning tool for granting a network joining permit to network devices for joining a network includes a network install code generating unit for generating network install codes (NICs), a memory unit configured to save the NICs, a transmitter configured to transmit the NICs generated by the network install code generating unit to network devices and a network coordinating device. The commissioning tool also includes a user inter-face configured to receive user commands to transmit the NICs generated by the network install code generation unit, and a network control unit, the network control unit being in functional communication with the memory unit, the transmitter and the user interface. The network control unit is configured to instruct the transmitter to transmit the NICs upon receiving a command from the user over the user interface.