Bluetooth Mesh Provisioning via Temporary Node Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Bluetooth Mesh network provisioning methods are inefficient, particularly for large networks, as they require manual operation by a provisioner, limit compatibility due to dependency on specific bearers (PB-GATT or PB-ADV), and are cumbersome in dense device environments, leading to slow and insecure provisioning processes.
Innovation Solution
A method where a top provisioner initially adds surrounding devices to the network, designates temporary provisioners from newly added nodes, and continues this process recursively until all devices are provisioned, allowing temporary provisioners to operate independently and support both PB-GATT and PB-ADV bearers, thereby reducing the need for constant user intervention and enhancing compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one provisioner provisions all non-provisioned devices sequentially, then security is maintained through centralized control, but provisioning time becomes excessively long for large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the provisioning task into segments by designating multiple temporary provisioners (first, second, and third temporary provisioners) to provision different non-provisioned devices simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel provisioning operations while maintaining security through controlled authorization from the original provisioner.
Solution Approach 2:
The original provisioner performs preliminary actions by designating temporary provisioners and allocating specific non-provisioned devices to each temporary provisioner before the actual provisioning process begins. This preliminary organization enables efficient parallel execution while maintaining centralized security control.
2Reliability
If a provisioner supports only PB-GATT bearer, then provisioning security is maintained through controlled access, but compatibility with devices supporting only PB-ADV bearer is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates temporary provisioners that can function with different bearer types. By designating multiple temporary provisioners, the system achieves multi-functionality where some provisioners can handle PB-GATT devices while others handle PB-ADV devices, expanding overall system compatibility without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the bearer parameter dynamically by matching provisioners with devices based on their supported bearers. The original provisioner allocates specific non-provisioned devices to temporary provisioners based on bearer compatibility, enabling secure provisioning across different bearer types.
3Productivity
If the provisioner moves constantly to reach devices outside communication distance, then all devices can be provisioned, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the provisioning area into multiple zones, each covered by a different temporary provisioner. This allows devices in different spatial locations to be provisioned simultaneously by different provisioners without requiring any single provisioner to move constantly, greatly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point provisioning model to a distributed multi-point model. By designating multiple temporary provisioners at different locations, the system adds spatial dimensionality to the provisioning process, allowing parallel provisioning operations across different areas simultaneously.
4Productivity
If multiple temporary provisioners operate in parallel, then provisioning speed increases significantly, but system complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The original provisioner acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple temporary provisioners. It allocates specific non-provisioned devices to each temporary provisioner and receives provisioning results, simplifying the coordination complexity by providing a centralized management point.
Solution Approach 2:
Each temporary provisioner independently provisions its allocated non-provisioned devices without requiring direct coordination with other temporary provisioners. This self-service approach reduces inter-provisioner complexity while maintaining high parallel provisioning speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in the present disclosure is a method for provisioning a Bluetooth Mesh network, used for provisioning a plurality of non-provisioned devices, so as to add the plurality of non-provisioned devices to the Bluetooth Mesh network. The method includes: provisioning, by a top provisioner, surrounding non-provisioned devices of the top provisioner, so as to add the surrounding devices to the Bluetooth Mesh network as nodes; selecting, by a top provisioner, the one or more newly added nodes to be configured as one or more temporary provisioners; provisioning, by each of the one or more temporary provisioners, surrounding non-provisioned devices, so as to add the surrounding devices to the Bluetooth Mesh network as nodes; and completing, by the top provisioner and each of the one or more temporary provisioners, the provisioning of the plurality of non-provisioned devices. The method of the present disclosure may greatly improve the average provisioning speed of device, and ensure the unified allocation of key network information and the compatibility of provisioning on the premise of ensuring the provisioning security of the Bluetooth Mesh network.