Smart Home Device Bubbles for Secure Cross-Protocol Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart home environments face issues with sub-optimal visibility and setup of networked devices due to disparate protocols and redundant interactions, leading to user frustration, as well as unintended device usage from accidental or deliberate manipulation, resulting in unauthorized access and visibility between devices.
Innovation Solution
A bubble-based smart home system (BBSH) uses edge devices to detect relationships between networked devices through machine learning and artificial intelligence, generating network device bubbles that coordinate data and actions, preventing unauthorized access by automatically pairing devices and presenting them to users for verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If networked devices use disparate protocols to communicate, then device compatibility and connectivity are improved, but system complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary that translates between disparate communication protocols. The gateway receives messages from devices using different protocols, converts them to a universal format, and routes them appropriately. This mediator approach enables devices with incompatible protocols to communicate without requiring each device to support all protocols directly, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing setup complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device implements universal communication capabilities by supporting multiple protocols simultaneously and providing a standardized interface for all devices. This multi-functional gateway serves as a universal adapter that can handle various protocol types (WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.) and translate them to a common internal format, eliminating the need for complex point-to-point protocol matching between devices.
2Ease of operation
If devices are made visible and accessible in the network, then ease of access and control is improved, but security risks and unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a security intermediary between the network and external access points. It implements authentication mechanisms that verify device identities and user permissions before allowing access. The gateway filters and validates all communications, blocking unauthorized devices while maintaining easy access for authenticated users. This mediator layer provides security without compromising user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization checks before granting network access. Devices must be registered and validated by the gateway before becoming visible or accessible on the network. User permissions are pre-configured and verified, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific devices. This preliminary security action prevents unauthorized access while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users.
3Reliability
If manual device pairing and verification is required, then security control is improved, but user time and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated device pairing where devices perform self-registration with the gateway without manual intervention. Devices automatically generate and exchange authentication credentials, and the gateway autonomously verifies device identities and configures communication parameters. This self-service approach maintains reliable security control while eliminating the time-consuming manual pairing process for users.
Solution Approach 2:
Security credentials and device identities are pre-configured and validated before actual network operations begin. The gateway performs preliminary authentication checks and establishes secure communication channels in advance. User permissions and device authorizations are pre-approved, allowing devices to join the network quickly without requiring users to manually verify each connection in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A second action is identified by the edged device. The second action is associated with a second networked device of the plurality of networked devices in the environment. The second networked device is unrelated to the first networked device. A relationship is detected between the first networked device and the second networked device by the edge device. A network device bubble is generated by the edge device. The network device bubble is based on the relationship that is detected.