Gateway Peripheral Pairing for Headless Multi-Host Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pairing processes for wireless peripheral devices with multiple information handling systems require user input, such as entering pin codes, which is cumbersome and impractical for headless devices or those without input capabilities, and existing solutions are limited to devices with hardware processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A gateway peripheral device, previously paired with multiple systems, orchestrates secure pairing of a new peripheral device by transmitting clone extended directed GATT communication profile metadata, allowing devices to generate matching pairing credentials without user input, using a secure Bluetooth Low Energy host address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual pairing processes are used for wireless peripheral devices with multiple information handling systems, then pairing security can be maintained through pin codes, but user operation complexity increases and headless devices cannot be paired
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway peripheral device serves as an intermediary between the new peripheral device and multiple information handling systems. It stores pairing credentials and facilitates automated pairing by mediating the authentication process, eliminating the need for manual pin code entry while maintaining security through the gateway's pre-established trusted relationships with each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway peripheral device performs preliminary actions by pre-storing pairing credentials and establishing trusted relationships with information handling systems before the new device needs to pair. This advance preparation enables automated pairing without requiring real-time user intervention or manual code entry during the actual pairing process.
2Ease of operation
If automated pairing without user input is implemented, then ease of operation improves for headless devices, but device complexity increases requiring hardware processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway peripheral device provides universal pairing functionality that serves multiple purposes: it acts as a standalone pairing assistant for headless devices, serves as a credential storage repository, and functions as an authentication mediator. This multi-functionality allows simpler devices to benefit from automated pairing without each device needing full hardware processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service pairing where the gateway peripheral device automatically manages the pairing process without requiring user input or complex processing in the new peripheral device. The gateway handles credential verification and authentication autonomously, allowing even simple headless devices to pair automatically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pairing methods are used, then device compatibility can be maintained across different systems, but pairing time increases due to manual input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway peripheral device stores copies of pairing credentials and authentication data that can be rapidly reused across multiple information handling systems. Instead of performing full authentication handshakes each time, the gateway uses pre-copied credentials to enable快速 pairing, significantly reducing pairing time while maintaining compatibility across different systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A peripheral device operatively couplable to a plurality of information handling systems may comprise a microcontroller to execute code instructions of a gateway automated wireless pairing module stored on a storage device storing Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) host addresses for the information handling systems detecting hotkey activation of the peripheral device to coordinate trusted pairing of a subordinate wireless peripheral device to each of the information handling systems and to copy clone extended directed generic attribute (GATT) communication profile metadata, a wireless radio transmitting to the subordinate wireless peripheral device each of the BLE host addresses and instructions to pair with each of the information handling systems, via extended directed GATT communications established using the BLE host addresses, and the wireless radio to transmit to the subordinate wireless peripheral device and to each of the information handling systems, via extended direct GATT communication mode, seed values for generation of pairing credentials.