SoftAp WiFi Provisioning via Custom Probe Request Data

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Headless WiFi devices lack a physical interface for inputting provisioning data to connect to a WiFi router, necessitating assistance from another device with a physical interface to provide credentials for secure connections.

Innovation Solution

A provisioner WiFi device sends a probe request frame with a custom data field to initiate the headless device into SoftAp mode, establishing a secure connection to provide provisioning data, which includes credentials for connecting to a WiFi router, using cryptographic keys and secure protocols like WPA2 or WPA3.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a headless WiFi device is designed without a physical interface, then security is improved and usability is enhanced, but the device cannot receive provisioning data to connect to a WiFi network

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveusabilityVSAvoidprovisioning data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

A provisioner device acts as an intermediary between the user and the headless provisionee device. The provisioner receives provisioning data from the user and transmits it to the provisionee via a temporary WiFi connection, enabling the headless device to obtain necessary network credentials without a physical interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical interface (buttons, displays, ports) with wireless communication protocols. Provisioning data is transmitted through WiFi management frames and data packets, substituting physical interaction with electromagnetic signal exchange

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If a physical interface is provided for inputting provisioning data, then the device can connect to a WiFi network, but security is compromised and usability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning dataVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If traditional provisioning methods are used requiring physical interfaces, then devices can receive credentials, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning dataVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the physical interface requirement from the provisioning process. The headless device contains only the essential WiFi radio and processing logic, while the provisioner device handles the user interface and data input functions, simplifying the provisionee device design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The provisioner device serves multiple functions: it acts as a WiFi client to connect to the provisionee, a data receiver to obtain provisioning information from the user, and a data transmitter to deliver credentials to the provisionee, consolidating multiple roles into a single device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12563611B2Initiating SoftAp mode provisioning of WiFi device via custom data field

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

One or more examples relate to a method, which includes sending, from a provisioner WiFi device to a provisionee WiFi device in an idle mode, a probe request frame including a random data in a custom data field; powering up the provisionee WiFi device in a SoftAp mode at least partially responsive to receiving the probe request frame; sending, from the provisioner WiFi device to the provisionee WiFi device in the SoftAp mode, a further probe request frame including the random data in a custom data field; sending, from the provisionee WiFi device in the SoftAp mode to the provisioner WiFi device, a probe response frame; establishing a secure WiFi connection between the provisioner WiFi device and the provisionee WiFi device utilizing passphrases respectively generated by the provisioner WiFi device and the provisionee WiFi device; and sending provisioning data, from the provisioner WiFi device to the provisionee WiFi device in SoftAp mode, via the secure WiFi connection.