Network Access for Smart Devices Without Input Interfaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Smart devices lacking an input interface, such as STBs and smart air purifiers, require auxiliary user operation to access a network, as they need input of SSID and access password, which can be error-prone and insecure.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that prompt users to input SSID and access password, compare them with historical records, and transmit the correct credentials to the device for network access, improving accuracy and security by allowing device selection from stored records if input credentials are incorrect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually input SSID and access password for smart devices without input interfaces, then network access can be enabled, but the process becomes error-prone and insecure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access enablementVSAvoidcredential accuracy and security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the user and the smart device. The terminal device receives user input for SSID and access password, then automatically transmits these credentials to the smart device without requiring manual input on the smart device itself. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling network access while eliminating manual input errors and security risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The smart device is enabled to automatically receive and process network credentials transmitted by the terminal device. Instead of requiring manual user operation on the smart device, the system allows the terminal device to perform the credential transmission automatically, making the smart device accessible without direct user interaction on its interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If smart devices lack input interfaces, then device miniaturization and simplicity are achieved, but user configuration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidinitial network configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between user configuration needs and the smart device's lack of input interface. The terminal device captures user input and automatically transmits it to the smart device, allowing the smart device to remain simple while still enabling easy configuration through the intermediary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device performs multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface for input and the communication bridge to the smart device. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to handle both user interaction and device configuration, eliminating the need for an input interface on the smart device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3076632B1Method and apparatus for accessing a network
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3076632B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3076632B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3076632B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a method and an apparatus for accessing a network. The method includes: prompting (S11) a user to input an SSID and an access password for a router to be accessed when a network access request sent from an accessing device is received; comparing (S12) the SSID and the access password input with an SSID and an access passwords in a historical network access data record; and transmitting (S13) the SSID and the access password input to the accessing device if the SSID and the access password input match the SSID and the access password in the historical network access data record, the accessing device accessing a corresponding router based on the SSID and the access password received. The present disclose is applicable to facilitate the accessing device to access the network via a terminal.