IoT Device Onboarding via Bluetooth Advertising Key Lookup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT device provisioning systems face challenges in efficiently managing the interconnection of IoT devices, particularly in ensuring secure communication and data transfer, especially when IoT devices are out of range of the IoT hub.
Innovation Solution
A machine-learning-based IoT device detection and provisioning system that utilizes an intermediary mobile device to collect data from stationary IoT devices and forward it to an IoT hub, establishing secure communication channels using public key infrastructure and symmetric key exchange techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IoT devices use direct communication with IoT hub, then communication security is maintained, but devices out of range cannot connect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a provisioning server as an intermediary component that mediates between IoT devices and the IoT hub. The provisioning server receives provisioning requests from devices, retrieves credentials securely, and facilitates connection establishment. This intermediary approach allows devices out of direct range to connect through the server while maintaining security through controlled credential distribution and authenticated communication channels.
2Ease of operation
If traditional provisioning methods are used, then simple setup is achieved, but security vulnerabilities exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary security actions during the provisioning phase. Before actual device operation, the system pre-establishes secure credentials, certificates, and authentication mechanisms through the provisioning server. This preliminary setup includes generating device identities, distributing cryptographic keys, and configuring security policies in advance, ensuring that when devices go online, they already have robust security configurations without requiring complex user setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the provisioning server monitors and validates device registration attempts, credential usage, and connection establishment. The system provides feedback loops that verify security conditions, adjust provisioning parameters, and ensure that only properly authenticated devices gain access. This feedback-driven approach maintains security while automating the provisioning process.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If devices continuously broadcast presence information, then device discoverability is improved, but unnecessary wireless traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service provisioning approach where devices automatically perform discovery and registration without continuous broadcasting. Devices use efficient periodic advertising or event-driven mechanisms to signal presence only when necessary. The provisioning server maintains device registries and handles discovery queries centrally, eliminating the need for constant peer-to-peer broadcasting. This self-service model reduces wireless traffic while maintaining discoverability through on-demand queries and efficient advertising protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described for identifying an IoT device model from a key broadcast in an advertising channel. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: a target Internet of Things (IoT) device to transmit a key over a Bluetooth (BT) advertising channel, the key associated with a model of the target IoT device; mobile application program code which, when installed on a mobile device, is to cause the mobile device to listen to the BT advertising channel to extract the key; and a key dictionary to be installed on the mobile device, the key dictionary mapping each of a plurality of keys with an IoT device model and associated data, the mobile application program code to perform a lookup using the key extracted from the BT advertising channel to identify the target IoT device model and/or associated data, and to use the target IoT device model and/or associated data for onboarding the target IoT device.