Secure IoT Proxy System for Low-Power Wi-Fi Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT systems face challenges in establishing secure connections among devices and ensuring network security, particularly due to increasing complexities in communication standards, and they also struggle with power consumption issues, especially for devices that need long-term connections or frequent data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves configuring a secure low power consumption proxy system where an intelligent terminal securely bonds with a Wi-Fi IoT device, using a master proxy device to authenticate and configure other devices in a point-to-multipoint manner, establishing a secure data path, and pairing devices in a Wi-Fi MAC layer connectionless mode to manage power consumption and enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If devices maintain long-term connections or frequent data transmission, then network coverage and functionality are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the IoT device into two functional parts: a low-power sleep module that remains active for long-term connection maintenance, and a proxy device that handles actual data transmission tasks. This segmentation allows the main device to stay connected without frequent wake-ups, reducing power consumption while maintaining network availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a proxy device as an intermediary between the low-power IoT device and the network. The proxy device maintains the connection and handles data transmission, allowing the main device to remain in sleep mode. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by transferring the power-consuming connection maintenance function to another component.
2Reliability
If secure connection protocols are implemented among IoT devices and cloud servers, then network security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary security setup during the device provisioning phase. Security credentials, encryption keys, and authentication mechanisms are pre-configured before the device enters sleep mode. This preliminary action ensures security is established once, avoiding the need for complex real-time security negotiations during data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy device is configured to automatically handle security protocols and authentication processes without requiring continuous intervention from the main IoT device. The device uses pre-configured security parameters to autonomously maintain secure connections, reducing the complexity burden on the power-constrained device.
3Ease of operation
If direct Wi-Fi connection is used by low-power devices, then network access simplicity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy device as an intermediary that maintains the Wi-Fi connection on behalf of the low-power device. The proxy device handles the complex Wi-Fi association and data transmission, while the main device simply needs to establish an initial connection and can then enter sleep mode. This intermediary approach maintains network access simplicity while dramatically reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining continuous Wi-Fi connection, the system uses periodic action where the low-power device wakes up at scheduled intervals to communicate with the proxy device or cloud server. This periodic communication pattern maintains network accessibility while allowing the device to remain in low-power state between transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
An IoT configuration method and system for secure low power consumption proxy devices, the method comprising: registering an intelligent terminal and securely bonding the intelligent terminal to a Wi-Fi IoT device; using a secure manner to configure one proxy device in the Wi-Fi IoT as a master proxy device or master device, and then using a point-to-multipoint manner to authenticate and configure other proxy devices in the Wi-Fi IoT through the master device; establishing a secure data path between the proxy device and a low power consumption Wi-Fi device; pairing the proxy device with the Wi-Fi low power consumption device in a Wi-Fi MAC layer connectionless mode; after a triggering condition is satisfied, said low power consumption device operating and transmitting control information to said proxy device, and the proxy device forwarding the received information or adjusting the states of other devices in the network according to the received information. The present invention provides an extensible, easily configurable, and secure IoT system.