Smart Device Network Joining via Assisting Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smart devices in smart home environments often fail to connect to networks due to missing information, and manually updating these devices is inconvenient, especially when security concerns require avoiding central service involvement.
Innovation Solution
The system enables devices to join networks by sending necessary data from a service, with assisting devices on the network providing credentials like keys and network names, ensuring secure information is not stored centrally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a central service stores security information for device updates, then device updates can be managed centrally, but security information is concentrated in a single location creating security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update information into two types: non-secure information (stored and managed by the central service) and secure information (transferred directly between devices). This segmentation allows centralized management of update coordination while distributing sensitive credentials, eliminating the security risk of storing all information centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where a first device acts as a mediator to transfer secure information to a second device. The central service coordinates the update but does not store or transmit secure credentials, using the first device as an intermediary to facilitate secure peer-to-peer information exchange.
2Ease of operation
If devices are manually updated by users, then security information can be controlled locally, but user convenience is reduced due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to perform self-service updates by automatically receiving coordination information from the central service and autonomously exchanging secure credentials with assisting devices. The devices independently complete the update process without requiring user intervention, combining automation with local security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where devices report their update status to the central service, which then provides appropriate coordination information. This automated feedback loop enables the system to manage updates centrally while maintaining local security, eliminating the need for manual user intervention.
3Device complexity
If secure credentials are transmitted through a central service, then device integration is simplified, but security is compromised by exposing sensitive information to the service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the first device as an intermediary to transfer secure credentials to the second device, rather than having the central service directly transmit sensitive information. This intermediary approach simplifies the integration process by providing automated coordination while maintaining security by keeping credentials out of the central service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts secure credential transmission from the central service's responsibilities, separating this function into a direct device-to-device process. The central service takes out only the non-secure coordination functions, while secure information exchange occurs independently between devices through the intermediary mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for causing a device to join a local area network or fabric. A joining device sends an indication that the electronic device is not connected to a network type and receives a device ID for an assisting device to assist the electronic device in joining a network of the network type. Moreover, the assisting device resides on the network. The joining device then authenticates to the assisting device from the assisting device and receives network credentials for the network. Furthermore, the joining device joins the network using the network credentials.