Automatic Heterogeneous IoT Device Onboarding With Secure Attestation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of manually onboarding heterogeneous IoT devices from different vendors onto a client network is burdensome and time-consuming, and existing methods fail to efficiently manage and control these devices due to incompatibilities between different types of devices.
Innovation Solution
A device onboarding and integration service that uses device abstractions to automatically onboard and manage heterogeneous IoT devices by emulating different types of devices, establishing secure connections, and enabling communication across devices with varying APIs, thereby reducing the time and computing resources required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual onboarding of heterogeneous IoT devices is performed, then device verification and registration can be completed, but the process becomes burdensome and time-consuming for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic onboarding where the IoT device autonomously performs verification and registration with the service provider network without requiring manual user intervention. The device automatically connects to the home network, verifies its identity, registers with the provider network, and receives software installation instructions, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual process while maintaining reliable device verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pre-provisioning where device identification and verification information are prepared and stored in advance at the service provider network before the actual onboarding process. When a device needs to be onboarded, the pre-prepared verification data and registration templates are immediately applied, significantly reducing the onboarding time while ensuring reliable device verification and registration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of devices from different vendors are onboarded, then device diversity and functionality increase, but incompatibility between devices prevents unified management and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service provider network as an intermediary layer between heterogeneous IoT devices and the user's home network. This intermediary provides device abstractions that translate and standardize the diverse APIs and communication protocols from different vendors into a unified interface. The service provider network acts as a mediator that enables compatible interaction between devices with varying specifications, allowing unified management and control without requiring devices to be physically compatible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies or abstractions of physical IoT devices in the service provider network. These device abstractions replicate the essential characteristics and interfaces of heterogeneous devices, allowing the system to represent and manage diverse devices through a standardized virtual model. This copying approach enables unified management and control of devices from different vendors while preserving their unique functionalities through the abstraction layer.
3Productivity
If automatic onboarding is implemented, then onboarding time and manual effort are reduced, but device complexity and integration challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex onboarding and device management process into distinct segments handled by different components: device discovery and connection to home network, verification with service provider network, registration and provisioning, and software installation. By segmenting these complex tasks into manageable stages with clear responsibilities, the system achieves automatic onboarding efficiency while reducing the complexity burden on individual components through modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic onboarding of heterogeneous edge devices onto a client network may be performed (e.g., different types of edge devices manufactured by different vendors). A device onboarding and integration service may determine a type of edge device to be onboarded and based on the type of edge device, determine a particular type of device attestation to perform. Upon verifying the device, the service establishes a secure connection and registers the device. The service configures an agent and sends the agent to the device. The service also sends, to the device, a recipe of different locations for the device to download software components and to subscribe to services in order to complete the onboarding process.