Secure Information Exchange via Intermediary Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved communication and setup processes between smart-home devices and voice-enabled systems, particularly in ensuring secure information exchange and enabling applications associated with accessory devices, such as light bulbs, locks, and thermostats, to function seamlessly with voice-enabled devices like Amazon Echo.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method for secure information exchange between voice-enabled devices and accessory devices, involving token data, network access credentials, and encryption keys to establish communication, with the voice-enabled device acting as a mediator for setup and operation, and includes a process for enabling applications and device discovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional setup processes are used between smart-home devices and voice-enabled systems, then device connectivity can be established, but secure information exchange and application enabling become complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a provisioning component as an intermediary that mediates between the accessory device and the remote system. This component receives requests from accessory devices, manages token data, validates encryption keys, and coordinates the enabling of applications. By centralizing these security and provisioning functions in a dedicated intermediary component, the system achieves reliable secure information exchange without requiring complex setup procedures at the device level.
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration steps are required for accessory devices, then security can be maintained, but user convenience and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating token data and establishing encryption key pairs before the accessory device needs to connect. The provisioning component prepares application enabling states in advance, and the system pre-configures security credentials. When an accessory device attempts to connect, these pre-prepared elements are quickly validated and applied, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration steps while maintaining security through pre-established cryptographic relationships.
3Reliability
If application enabling is required for each accessory device, then system security and control are improved, but the provisioning process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning component is designed as a universal multi-functional element that handles multiple tasks: receiving accessory devices, generating and validating token data, managing encryption keys, determining application enabling states, and coordinating with the remote system. This single universal component performs all provisioning and security management functions, eliminating the need for separate complex mechanisms for each function and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable application control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for secure information exchange are disclosed. During setup of an accessory device in association with a voice-enabled device, token data may be generated and signed using a private encryption key by the accessory device. An accessory-device system associated with the accessory device may send a request for account identification including the token data to a remote system associated with the voice-enabled device. The remote system may determine if an application associated with the accessory-device system is enabled, and if enabled, may send the account identification in an encrypted format to the accessory-device system.