Reverse Wireless Discovery for Seamless IoT Device Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adding a new IoT device to an IoT ecosystem require direct wireless connections, which can be disruptive to the new device's operation, may necessitate additional hardware like Bluetooth adapters, and can confuse users with manual WiFi settings adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The new IoT device discovers the user's mobile device by scanning for its MAC address broadcasted by existing IoT devices within the ecosystem, allowing communication through an existing IoT device as a proxy to register with the cloud-based control server without direct connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct wireless connection methods are used to add a new IoT device, then the device can be registered with the cloud server, but it causes operational disruption to the new device and may require additional hardware like Bluetooth adapters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an existing IoT device as an intermediary to facilitate the registration of a new IoT device. The existing device broadcasts identification information about the user's mobile device, allowing the new device to discover the mobile device indirectly through the existing device's broadcast signals, eliminating the need for direct wireless connections between the new device and mobile device
Solution Approach 2:
The new IoT device performs self-discovery by scanning for broadcast signals containing mobile device identification information. The device autonomously detects the mobile device's presence and initiates registration without requiring manual configuration or direct connection establishment, making the process self-service oriented
2Reliability
If direct wireless connection methods are used, then device registration can be achieved, but manual WiFi settings adjustments are required which confuses users
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual configuration requirements by having the new IoT device automatically scan for and detect broadcast signals containing mobile device identification information. The device autonomously completes the registration process without requiring users to manually adjust WiFi settings or configure connection parameters
Solution Approach 2:
Existing IoT devices continuously broadcast identification information about the user's mobile device, providing feedback signals that enable new devices to automatically discover and register with the mobile device. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual settings adjustments by continuously providing connection information
3Ease of operation
If existing IoT devices broadcast mobile device identification information, then the new device can discover the mobile device without direct connections, but it requires existing devices to continuously transmit data
Solution Approach 1:
Existing IoT devices perform the dual function of both their primary operational functions and simultaneously broadcasting mobile device identification information. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware and processing resources to serve both purposes without requiring dedicated broadcasting hardware or significant additional energy allocation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system to facilitate adding a new IoT device to an IoT ecosystem that includes an existing IoT device, where a mobile device is configured to control the IoT ecosystem. In an example, the new device detects a wireless broadcast from the existing device that provides identification information of the mobile device. In response, the new device then uses the provided identification information of the mobile device as a basis to scan for and discover wireless presence of the mobile device. And responsive to the discovering wireless presence of the mobile device based on the mobile-phone identification information provided by the existing device, the new device then transmits to the mobile device, via the existing device as a wireless proxy, new-device information about the new device-which enables the mobile device to prompt for and obtain user approval to add the new device to the IoT ecosystem.