Smart Appliance Network Connection via Terminal Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of connecting smart appliances to a wireless network, which requires users to search and enter network passwords, complicates the operation and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow a terminal to receive appliance information from smart appliances, display a prompt for connecting to a wireless network, and connect the appliance upon user instruction, simplifying the process by scanning for available devices and displaying unconnected appliances in a flashing manner to facilitate quick selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually search for wireless networks and enter passwords to connect smart appliances, then network connection security is maintained, but operation complexity increases and connection efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection efficiencyVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device acts as an intermediary between the smart appliance and the wireless network. The terminal receives appliance information through broadcasting, automatically obtains network connection credentials, and transmits them to the appliance, eliminating the need for users to manually search networks and enter passwords while maintaining security through controlled information transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device performs preliminary actions by pre-obtaining network connection information (SSID and password) before the appliance needs to connect. The terminal stores this information and makes it available when the appliance broadcasts its connection request, thereby preparing the connection credentials in advance to streamline the pairing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the terminal displays all appliance information in the list, then information completeness is maintained, but user attention and selection time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidselection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal uses visual differentiation by displaying appliance information in different states: unconnected appliances are shown in a flashing manner to attract user attention, while already connected appliances are displayed in a static state. This visual coding allows users to quickly identify which devices need connection without scanning the entire list, reducing selection time while maintaining information completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3035738B1Method for connecting appliance to network and corresponding device
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3035738B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3035738B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C(2)
  • EP3035738B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2E

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for connecting an appliance to a network and a device for the same, which belongs to the field of computer technology. The method includes: receiving (101, 201) appliance information broadcast by a smart appliance, the appliance information at least containing an appliance identification of the smart appliance; displaying (102, 202) a prompt for connecting the smart appliance to a wireless network; and if a connecting instruction triggered by a user according to the prompt is received, connecting (203) the smart appliance to the wireless network according to the connecting instruction. Through the present disclosure, the terminal may, by scanning, learn about a smart appliance which is broadcasting appliance information, and connect the smart appliance to a wireless network.