NFC Sticker Key Exchange for Home Audio Video Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Attaching new audio-video devices to home networks is cumbersome due to the need for entering lengthy alpha-numeric characters for IP addresses and WEP keys, and existing solutions require the network server to have NFC capabilities, which is often not the case.
Innovation Solution
A near field communication (NFC) sticker is attached to the client device, allowing a remote commander with an NFC interface and IR transmitter to read and transmit an encryption key to a server without NFC capabilities, enabling secure and easy registration by encrypting device information and sending it over the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If NFC registration is implemented between large devices, then automatic key exchange is achieved, but the devices must be moved sufficiently close to each other which is impractical for large equipment
Solution Approach 1:
A portable remote commander serves as an intermediary device between the client device and server. The remote commander reads the encryption key from the client device via NFC and transmits it to the server via IR, eliminating the need for direct NFC contact between large devices while maintaining automatic key exchange functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The registration process is segmented into three separate functional components: (1) NFC key reading performed by the remote commander, (2) IR key transmission from remote commander to server, and (3) encrypted data exchange between client and server. This segmentation allows each device to use only the communication method it supports
2Ease of operation
If NFC capability is pre-installed in the network server, then NFC registration can be performed, but this increases device cost and complexity since most servers do not have NFC
Solution Approach 1:
The portable remote commander acts as a mediator that bridges NFC and IR communication protocols. It reads encryption keys from NFC-enabled client devices and transmits them to non-NFC servers using IR communication, allowing servers without NFC capability to participate in automatic registration processes
Solution Approach 2:
The remote commander is designed with multi-functionality, supporting both NFC reading and IR transmission capabilities in a single portable device. This universal design allows it to interface with various types of devices (NFC clients and non-NFC servers) without requiring modifications to the server
3Reliability
If manual entry of IP addresses and WEP keys is required, then network registration can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service registration where the client device automatically provides its encryption key through NFC contact with the remote commander. The server then automatically receives and processes the encrypted device information, eliminating the need for manual configuration of IP addresses, WEP keys, or other network parameters by the user
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
This method simplifies the registration process, is secure, and does not require the server to have NFC capabilities, allowing easy connection of large devices and providing a cost-effective solution by using existing IR communication for encryption key transmission.
Implementation Method 1
near field communication (NFC) may be used, in which the above exchanges can be undertaken automatically between the device sought to be registered and the network using NFC principles
Implementation Method 2
the remote commander includes a near field communication (NFC) element and a non-NFC wireless transmitter... The non-NFC wireless transmitter may be an IR transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A near field communication (NFC) sticker which stores a key is attached to a new client device. A remote commander in a home network reads the key using a NFC interface and IR-transmits it to a home network server. Once the client is connected to the network, it encrypts its own device information with the key and sends the encrypted information to the server, which decrypts the data with the key sent from the remote commander. In this way, client device registration is executed easily and securely.