Two-Stage Component Provisioning for Device-Specific Capabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart-home devices lack efficient methods for provisioning components that can communicate over networks and adapt to different device types and capabilities, leading to inconsistent software configurations.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage provisioning process involving a first system to provide uniform software for components and a second system to customize software based on specific device capabilities, using certificate chains and key pairs for secure and adaptable configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single provisioning system is used for all devices, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different device types and capabilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning system is divided into two distinct systems: a first provisioning system that provides uniform software to components, and a second provisioning system that customizes software based on specific device capabilities. This segmentation allows each system to have a focused function, reducing individual complexity while collectively achieving high adaptability across different device types.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform software is provided to all components, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to specific device capabilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first provisioning system performs preliminary action by providing uniform software to components before they are integrated into specific devices. This preliminary provisioning simplifies the manufacturing process. Subsequently, the second provisioning system performs device-specific customization after integration, ensuring adaptability to particular device capabilities without complicating the initial manufacturing stage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device-specific customization is performed for each component, then the adaptability to device capabilities is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second provisioning system acts as an intermediary between the uniform software provided by the first system and the specific device capabilities. It receives the uniformly provisioned components and applies device-specific customizations, serving as a mediator that enables adaptability without requiring each component to be individually customized during manufacturing, thus managing complexity effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes, in part, techniques for provisioning components. For instance, a component may be initially provisioned by a first system. To initially provision the component, the component may receive first data representing a uniform device type, a device identifier, a serial number, and/or a first certificate chain. The component may then store the first data in memory. Additionally, the component may be provisioned using a second system. To provision the component, the component may receive second data representing a product device type, a code, and a second certification chain. The second data received during the second provisioning may be associated with one more capabilities of a device. The component may then store the second data in the memory.