IoT Device Wireless Router Connection Setup via User Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

IoT devices with limited or no input means, such as small displays, face complexity in setting up connections to wireless routers, making the process cumbersome for users.

Innovation Solution

A wireless router that detects new IoT devices and transmits their information to a user terminal, allowing for easy connection and management using account information registered on the router, facilitating a convenient network setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If IoT devices use small displays or limited input means for connection setup, then device portability and simplicity are improved, but connection setup complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection setup convenienceVSAvoidsetup process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a user terminal (smartphone, tablet, or PC) as an intermediary device to facilitate the connection setup between the IoT device and wireless router. The user terminal displays connection information, receives user input, and transmits authentication data, thereby eliminating the need for complex input interfaces on the IoT device itself while maintaining ease of setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If IoT devices have no display or limited input means, then device simplicity and cost are improved, but user input capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoiduser input capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user terminal serves as an external input interface that compensates for the IoT device's lack of display or input means. Users can interact with the connection setup process through the user terminal's full-featured interface, while the IoT device remains simple and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The user terminal performs multiple functions: displaying connection information from the IoT device, receiving user authentication input, and transmitting setup data to the wireless router. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated input hardware on each IoT device

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

Data Source

PatentEP3373657B1Wireless router, internet of things device and system for supporting connection to wireless router of internet of things device
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3373657B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3373657B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3373657B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

An electronic device for supporting a connection to a wireless router of an internet of things (IoT) device is provided. The electronic device includes a transceiver, a communication interface, a processor, and a memory. The processor connects a first external device by using a first service set identifier (SSID), receives first information about the first external device from the first external device, transmits at least part of the first information and second information about the electronic device to a second external device, forwards connection information from the second external device, which includes a second SSID for wireless connection between the first external device and the electronic device, or receives a transmission request of the connection information from the second external device and transmits the connection information to the first external device, and wirelessly connects to the first external device by using the connection information.