Network-Assisted Fabric Pairing via Intermediary Tunnel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for adding new devices to smart home networks are cumbersome, requiring manual network switching and increasing user interaction, which complicates the automation process and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network-assisted fabric pairing, where a commissioner device connects to an assisting device on one network and establishes a secure tunnel to a joining device on another network, allowing for network provisioning and pairing without forcing the commissioner to join the joining device's network, thus simplifying the device addition process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the commissioner device manually joins the joining device's network to complete pairing, then the device can be added to the smart home network, but the user experience deteriorates due to tedious manual network switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fabric network as an intermediary communication channel between the commissioner device and the joining device. Instead of requiring the commissioner to join the joining device's network, both devices communicate through the shared fabric network, eliminating manual network switching while maintaining pairing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The joining device establishes a tunnel connection to the fabric network before the pairing process begins. This preliminary setup allows the commissioner device to communicate with the joining device through the fabric network without requiring the commissioner to switch networks during the pairing process
2Adaptability or versatility
If the commissioner device switches to the joining device's network for pairing, then device addition is enabled, but the automation level decreases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric network serves as an automated intermediary that enables communication between the commissioner and joining devices without requiring manual network switching. The system automatically routes messages through the fabric network, maintaining adaptability while increasing automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the commissioning application sends messages through the fabric network and receives responses automatically. This feedback loop enables the pairing process to proceed without manual intervention, as the system self-regulates the communication flow
3Reliability
If manual network switching is required for device pairing, then secure direct connection is achieved, but the pairing efficiency and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric network acts as a secure intermediary that maintains connection reliability through encrypted message routing. Instead of requiring direct network joining for security, the fabric network provides secure communication channels that maintain reliability while enabling faster pairing
Solution Approach 2:
The tunnel connection to the fabric network is established in advance, creating secure communication paths before pairing begins. This preliminary secure connection allows rapid message exchange during pairing without requiring time-consuming manual network switching operations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for joining a device to a fabric using an assisting device include an indication to add a joining device to a fabric. If the joining device supports network-assisted fabric pairing, a first connection is established between a commissioning device and the assisting device. The assisting device also connects to a joining device. Through the assisting device, the commissioning device and the joining device establish a communication channel over which fabric credentials may be sent.