Touchless IoT Bootstrap via Centralized Configuration Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of connecting Internet of Things (IoT) devices to networks is labor-intensive and costly, as there is a lack of centralized configuration repositories and information sharing between IoT device providers and network providers, leading to the need for extensive customer service intervention.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a configuration database and SIM data to automatically and securely connect IoT devices to wireless networks, leveraging a bootstrap server and device management system to provision and register devices without user or technician input, by correlating device profiles with user accounts and network capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual connection and configuration is used for IoT devices, then device security and configuration accuracy are improved, but labor cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service bootstrapping where IoT devices automatically perform configuration and registration without human intervention. The device autonomously retrieves its profile from a configuration database, obtains necessary credentials, and completes network registration through automated protocols, eliminating the need for manual technician intervention while maintaining configuration accuracy through structured profile templates
Solution Approach 2:
Device profiles are pre-configured and stored in a centralized configuration database before the actual onboarding process. This preliminary preparation includes pre-validating device parameters, pre-establishing security credentials, and pre-configuring network settings, so that when a device needs to connect, the configuration is already ready and can be automatically applied without manual intervention
2Reliability
If manual onboarding is performed for millions of IoT devices, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but customer service cost and time investment increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables IoT devices to self-configure and self-register without requiring customer service representative intervention. Devices automatically retrieve pre-validates profiles from the configuration database, authenticate themselves using embedded credentials, and complete network registration autonomously, reducing customer service time from hours to minutes while maintaining configuration accuracy through automated validation
Solution Approach 2:
The automated bootstrapping process includes feedback mechanisms where the system validates device profiles against predefined criteria, monitors registration status, and provides automatic error correction. This feedback loop ensures configuration accuracy while eliminating the need for manual verification by customer service representatives
3Extent of automation
If centralized configuration database is implemented, then device onboarding automation is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration database serves multiple functions: storing device profiles, validating device parameters, providing security credentials, and managing registration information. By consolidating these functions into a single centralized system, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function, while enabling automated bootstrapping through unified data access
4Productivity
If information sharing between IoT device providers and network providers is established, then automated configuration is enabled, but data security and information management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Device profiles and security credentials are pre-configured and stored in the centralized configuration database before devices attempt to connect. This preliminary preparation includes pre-applying security measures, pre-validating information accuracy, and pre-establishing communication protocols, so that when devices access the database, they receive pre-validated information that reduces security risks while enabling fast automated provisioning
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration database acts as a secure intermediary between IoT device providers and network providers. It mediates information exchange by providing a controlled interface where device profiles are stored, validated, and distributed securely. The intermediary includes authentication mechanisms and access control that prevent information leaks while enabling automated configuration, thus balancing productivity with information security
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automatically and securely connecting internet of things (IoT) devices to one or more networks. The system can include a bootstrap server and a configuration database to enable configuration settings for a plurality of IoT devices to be stored and accessed. The bootstrap server can configure an appropriate digital security certificate for an IoT device requesting access to the network. The bootstrap server can then provide a bootstrapping message to the IoT device including the digital certificate and other data. A device management server can then provide a device management message to the IoT device to provide one or more of a final configuration, applications, and software or firmware updates. The system replaces the current system, which is substantially manual, with an essentially “touchless” system that requires little or no input from the user or service provider technicians.