Server-Based IoT Device Interworking via Pre-Configured Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing short-range communication technologies face challenges in device interworking, particularly for IoT devices without direct Internet connectivity or camera capabilities, as they require complex registration processes and additional hardware like NFC, leading to increased costs and difficulty in identifying and pairing devices.

Innovation Solution

A server-based system that facilitates interworking between devices by generating and transmitting interworking information, allowing for device identification and pairing through a centralized management unit, which includes receiving purchasing information and device details to pre-configure new devices for seamless connection with existing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If QR code scanning is used for device pairing, then device identification is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring camera and Internet connectivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identificationVSAvoidhardware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that stores device information and facilitates pairing. Instead of requiring direct camera-based QR scanning between devices, the server mediates the pairing process by providing device information to the terminal, enabling pairing for devices without cameras or Internet connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pairing process into two parts: device information management (handled by the server) and actual pairing (handled by the terminal). This segmentation allows devices without Internet connectivity or cameras to be paired, as the server handles the information provision while the terminal handles the connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional hardware like NFC is added for device pairing, then pairing capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing capabilityVSAvoidhardware cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal pairing mechanism that works across different device types and communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.) without requiring specialized hardware like NFC. The server-based approach provides multi-functional pairing capability using only existing short-range communication hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that enables pairing without requiring additional hardware on the devices themselves. By providing device information through the server, the system achieves versatile pairing capability while avoiding the cost of adding NFC or other specialized hardware to each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual registration processes are used for device interworking, then connection reliability is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpairing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by having the server store device information in advance. When pairing is needed, the terminal simply retrieves this pre-stored information from the server, eliminating the need for manual registration processes while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service pairing where the terminal automatically obtains device information from the server and completes pairing without manual intervention. This eliminates complex manual registration processes while ensuring reliable connections through server-verified device information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2986038B1Method and apparatus for interworking between devices or short-range communication
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2986038B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2986038B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2986038B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. Provided is a method and apparatus for supporting interworking between devices by using short-range communication. A server for supporting interworking between devices using short-range communication includes an interface unit configured to receive purchasing information regarding a first device and device information regarding a second device that is a target device for interworking with the first device and a controller configured to generate interworking information regarding the first device based on the device information received from the interface unit and to transmit the interworking information to the second device.