Networked Device Pairing via Shared Link Key Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Bluetooth pairing process requires multiple pairing operations with each device, which is time-consuming, limits device functionality during pairing, and poses security risks, especially when connecting a device to a network of peer devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows a user device to pair with multiple network-connected devices by storing and sharing a link key through a network-accessible data storage system, enabling secure communication without individual pairing operations with each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pairing operation is performed with each peer device, then authentication security is maintained, but the number of pairing operations increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-accessible database as an intermediary system that stores link keys for multiple peer devices. Instead of requiring direct pairing operations between the user device and each peer device, the database serves as a mediator that provides authentication credentials, enabling secure connections without repeated manual pairing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal pairing mechanism where a single pairing operation with one peer device generates a link key that can be used to connect to multiple other peer devices within the same network. This multi-functional approach allows one authentication process to serve multiple devices, eliminating the need for separate pairing operations with each device.
2Reliability
If multiple pairing operations are conducted with each peer device, then device-specific authentication is ensured, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication by establishing a pairing operation with one peer device and storing the generated link key in the network-accessible database before the user needs to connect to other devices. This preliminary action enables subsequent connections to multiple peer devices without requiring repeated pairing operations, significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the link key generated from one peer device as a copy that can be reused for authenticating with multiple other peer devices. Instead of creating unique authentication credentials for each device through separate pairing operations, the system copies and reuses the link key, maintaining authentication reliability while reducing time requirements.
3Reliability
If pairing mode is activated for each peer device, then authentication capability is maintained, but device functionality is limited during pairing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the pairing operation and link key generation as a preliminary action during the initial connection to one peer device. Once this preliminary pairing is complete and the link key is stored in the database, the user device can switch to normal operational mode and connect to other peer devices without remaining in pairing mode, thus maintaining full device functionality and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, and method for enabling a communication device to be paired with multiple other communication devices that are connected to a network without the need to conduct a separate pairing operation between the first communication device and each of the other network-connected devices. The data exchanged between a user's communication device and a peer communication device (e.g., one of a group of network-connected communication devices) that is used to authenticate communications between the user device and the peer device (i.e., link key) is stored in a network-accessible data storage and retrieval system. The link key is used by the user device when attempting to establish communications with a different peer device (e.g., another one of the network-connected devices) and is retrieved by the other network-connected peer device and used to enable authenticated communications between the other peer device and the user device.