Wearable Device Link Establishment via Relay Protocol Stack

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices cannot directly communicate with network devices in cellular networks due to size and power constraints, relying on relay devices, which leads to security risks and limited management capabilities by network devices.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a communication link between smart wearable devices and network devices using a relay device, employing Bluetooth Low Energy or WiFi protocols to enable direct management and security-enhanced communication, with protocol stacks and adaptation layers for packet conversion and security processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wearable equipment uses a relay device to communicate with the network device, then the communication capability is enabled, but the security risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a security processing mechanism at the PDCP layer that acts as an intermediary between the wearable device and relay device. This intermediary performs security processing (integrity protection and encryption) on packets before they are forwarded through the relay device, preventing eavesdropping and malicious attacks while maintaining the relay-based communication architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication protocol stack into distinct layers with specific security functions. The PDCP layer is separated from upper layers and given dedicated security processing capabilities, allowing security operations to be performed independently at the appropriate protocol level without affecting other communication functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the relay device performs packet parsing at the application layer, then the packet forwarding is enabled, but the network device cannot directly manage the wearable equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket forwarding efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary security processing at the PDCP layer before packets are parsed and forwarded by the relay device's application layer. By establishing security contexts and performing integrity protection in advance, the network device maintains direct management capability over security parameters while the relay device handles efficient packet forwarding without needing to interpret security meanings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the wearable equipment directly communicates with the network device, then the management capability is improved, but the device size and power consumption constraints are violated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the relay device as an intermediary for physical communication while establishing direct logical management channels. The relay device forwards packets between the wearable equipment and network device, but the network device directly manages security contexts and communication parameters at the PDCP layer, achieving direct management without requiring direct physical communication that would consume excessive power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a listener eavesdrops on the key negotiation process, then the communication is compromised, but implementing security measures increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments security functions into specific PDCP layer operations (integrity protection, encryption, security context management) that are independent of upper-layer applications. This segmentation allows security to be implemented at the appropriate protocol level with standardized procedures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining strong security against eavesdropping and attacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3402307B1Method, protocol stack, terminal, and network device for establishing communication link
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3402307B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3402307B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3402307B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication link establishment method, a protocol stack, a terminal, and a network device, to establish a communication link between wearable equipment and a network device, so that the network device can directly manage the wearable equipment, and a security risk is reduced in a process in which the wearable equipment communicates with the network device by using a relay device. The method includes: A first terminal establishes a connection to a network device by using a second terminal; the network device delivers configuration information; and the first terminal and the second terminal separately determine link configuration information, and establish a preset-protocol-based communication link between the first terminal and the second terminal based on the link configuration information. The preset-protocol-based communication link and a cellular network communication link are jointly used by the first terminal to transmit a packet with the network device by using the second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal both have a packet conversion function, and the packet conversion function is to convert a transmitted packet between a preset-protocol-based packet and a cellular network packet.