Network Device OOB Provisioning Using Visible Light Communication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional device provisioning for IoT devices is manually intensive and requires expensive near field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceivers, making it cost-prohibitive for low-end devices, and lacks secure, efficient out-of-band (OOB) provisioning methods.

Innovation Solution

Employing a visible light communication (VLC) interface using LEDs and photodiodes for OOB provisioning, eliminating the need for expensive NFC or BLE transceivers by establishing a secondary communication channel for device authentication and credential provisioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC or BLE transceivers are used for device provisioning, then secure out-of-band provisioning is achieved, but device cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure provisioningVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing LED components to serve dual purposes: their primary function as visual indicators and a secondary function as visible light communication transceivers for secure OOB provisioning. This eliminates the need for dedicated NFC or BLE transceivers, reducing device cost while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visible light communication as a copy or alternative to radio frequency communication methods. By encoding provisioning data in light signals that can be detected by a photodiode, the system replicates the secure credential transfer function of NFC/BLE using a different physical medium, thereby avoiding the need for expensive RF transceivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If manual provisioning methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but provisioning time and labor increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning system complexityVSAvoidprovisioning speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service provisioning where the IoT device autonomously receives credentials through its existing LED and photodiode components without requiring manual configuration interfaces. The device can provision itself by detecting light signals containing provisioning data, eliminating the need for buttons, displays, or complex user interfaces while maintaining low device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical provisioning operations (such as pressing buttons or typing credentials) with optical signaling. Visible light communication transmits provisioning data wirelessly through light signals, substituting mechanical user interactions with automated optical detection and processing, thereby increasing provisioning speed without adding complex interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If expensive transceivers are used for OOB provisioning, then secure credential transfer is achieved, but cost-effectiveness for low-end devices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential transfer securityVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive LED and photodiode components that are already present in most IoT devices as disposable or single-use elements for the provisioning process. These components perform the secure credential transfer function temporarily during initialization and can be discarded or deactivated after provisioning, providing security without the ongoing cost of dedicated transceivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables secure, cost-effective, and automated provisioning of IoT devices without a user interface, reducing costs and enhancing security by leveraging a low-cost VLC interface for OOB provisioning.

Implementation Method 1

employing a visible light communication (VLC) interface using LEDs and photodiodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

employing a visible light communication (VLC) interface using LEDs and photodiodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12452665B2Provisioning a network device for secure communications

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A network device includes a wireless transceiver configured to establish a bi-directional communication channel with a network gateway. The network device also includes a visible light communication (VLC) interface configured to establish a visible light communication channel with a configurator for the network gateway. The network device further includes a controller configured to operate with the configurator to execute out-of-band (OOB) provisioning of the network device for the network gateway, wherein data communicated on the visible light communication channel includes a portion of information related to bootstrap provisioning the network device with the network gateway using the device provisioning protocol (DPP).