Concurrent Ad-Hoc Network Setup Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for configuring ad-hoc wireless networks with multiple devices are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in consumer electronics, as they require serial registration and manual PIN entry, which detracts from user experience and increases battery consumption.
Innovation Solution
A protocol that allows each device in the network to act as both a registrar and an enrollee, enabling concurrent setup negotiations and secure data exchange among multiple devices without an access point, using a Secure Push Button Configuration mode and multiple state machines to manage simultaneous handshakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If serial registration and manual PIN entry are used for configuring ad-hoc wireless networks, then security is maintained, but ease of operation and configuration speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures PINs and game IDs in devices before they are needed for network formation. When devices need to join an ad-hoc network, they can immediately use these pre-defined credentials without requiring manual user input, thus reducing configuration time while maintaining security through pre-established authentication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables devices to automatically perform setup negotiations and credential exchange without requiring manual user intervention. The devices self-configure by exchanging game IDs and establishing connections autonomously, which dramatically reduces configuration time and improves ease of operation while maintaining security through automated authentication protocols.
2Productivity
If multiple devices perform setup negotiations serially with a registrar, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and network formation speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Devices pre-configure multiple state machines that are ready to handle concurrent setup negotiations. This preliminary preparation allows the registrar to simultaneously manage multiple enrollees without increasing operational complexity during the actual network formation process, thereby improving productivity while keeping the protocol manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the registration process into multiple independent state machines, each handling a specific enrollee. This segmentation allows the registrar to process multiple setup negotiations concurrently without overwhelming complexity, as each state machine independently manages its own enrollee through standardized protocol steps.
3Productivity
If concurrent setup negotiations are enabled, then productivity and user experience improve, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements power-saving mechanisms where the registrar periodically enters sleep modes between concurrent setup negotiations. The multiple state machines are designed to allow the registrar to pause and resume negotiations efficiently, reducing battery consumption during idle periods while maintaining the ability to handle concurrent connections when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of configuring an ad-hoc wireless network between an authenticator and a plurality of wireless devices seeking authentication includes assigning a wireless device as the authenticator and receiving a first setup message transmitted from a first device seeking authentication to the authenticator and initiating a first handshake process between the authenticator and the first device seeking authentication. The method also includes receiving a second setup message transmitted from a second device seeking authentication to the authenticationn. The. second-setup-msssage is. received by the authenticator prior to completion of the first handshake process. The method further includes initiating a second handshake process between the authenticator and the second device seeking authentication. The second handshake process is initiated prior to completion of the first handshake process. Moreover, the method includes completing the first handshake process and completing the second handshake process.