IoT Network Registration via External Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
IoT devices face challenges in network registration due to limited functionality, such as lower data throughput, half-duplex communication, and the absence of a display, requiring a method for simple user interface-based network signing in, especially with limited user input options like physical buttons.
Innovation Solution
An IoT device can be registered through an external electronic device using a short-range wireless network, where the external device communicates with the IoT device to transmit registration information to a service provider server, enabling network access and management without the need for complex user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IoT devices use simple user interfaces like physical buttons for network registration, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity is reduced (which is already the case)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external electronic device as an intermediary to perform the network registration process on behalf of the IoT device. The external device handles complex operations such as transmitting device information to the network, receiving authentication codes, and completing registration, while the IoT device only needs to provide simple user input through a physical button. This resolves the contradiction by making the operation easier without requiring the IoT device to have complex interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The registration process is segmented into two parts: simple user input operations performed on the IoT device itself, and complex network communication and authentication operations performed by the external electronic device. This segmentation allows the IoT device to maintain simplicity while still achieving network registration through the external device's capabilities.
2Use of energy by moving object
If IoT devices have limited functionality to reduce cost and power consumption, then manufacturing cost and energy use are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The external electronic device acts as a mediator that performs power-intensive operations such as network communication, data transmission, and authentication. The IoT device only needs to perform minimal operations like detecting button presses, which consume very little power. This allows the IoT device to maintain low power consumption while still enabling network registration through the external device's assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The external electronic device performs the registration operations autonomously based on simple triggers from the IoT device. Once the IoT device provides minimal user input (e.g., pressing a button), the external device automatically handles the entire registration process including communication with the network, receiving authentication codes, and completing registration without requiring the IoT device to have complex operational capabilities.
3Device complexity
If IoT devices lack display components to simplify design and reduce cost, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are improved, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external electronic device serves as an intermediary that handles information display and communication. Since the external device typically has display capabilities (such as smartphones or tablets), it can present registration status, authentication codes, and other information to the user. The IoT device itself remains simple without a display, but the external device compensates for the missing information display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The information display function is moved from the IoT device to the external electronic device, effectively shifting the information interaction to another dimension (the external device's display interface). This allows the IoT device to remain simple without a display while users can still access registration information through the external device's more capable interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an external electronic device for enabling an Internet of Things-supporting device to subscribe to a network. The external electronic device, according to the present disclosure, may provide, on a display thereof, an interface enabling the subscription of an Internet of Things device which does not comprise a separate display. In addition, the external electronic device, according to the present disclosure, may perform, via an external server, the subscription of the Internet of Things device to an Internet of Things service provider. In addition, various embodiments are possible as identified in the specification. In addition, various embodiments are possible as identified in the specification.