Wi-Fi Embedded Device Automatic WLAN Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in intuitively connecting wireless embedded devices in products to a wireless local area network (WLAN), as existing methods require manual intervention and disconnection from the internet, making it cumbersome for those unfamiliar with network setups.
Innovation Solution
A method where a specially transmitted data packet or beacon from a client device on the WLAN provides encrypted network commissioning information to the Wi-Fi embedded device, allowing it to automatically connect without requiring users to change networks or access the device directly, using standard IEEE 802.11 protocols and potentially an application on the user's device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual SSID configuration method is used, then the embedded device can connect to WLAN, but the user must disconnect from internet and manually program SSID which is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The user device performs preliminary actions by first connecting to the WLAN and obtaining network commissioning information (SSID and password) before transferring this information to the embedded device. This eliminates the need for the user to manually configure SSID while maintaining automated connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The user device acts as an intermediary between the WLAN and the embedded device. It receives network commissioning information from the WLAN and automatically transfers this information to the embedded device, eliminating the need for manual user intervention in the configuration process.
2Ease of operation
If ad hoc networking or SoftAP is used, then the embedded device can receive SSID, but the user device must disconnect from the wireless router
Solution Approach 1:
The user device maintains continuous connection to the WLAN throughout the configuration process. Instead of disconnecting to enable SSID transfer, the system uses encrypted communication channels to transfer network commissioning information while the user device remains connected to the WLAN, ensuring continuous internet access.
3Reliability
If the user device remains connected to WLAN during SSID programming, then internet access is maintained, but the SSID cannot be programmed to the embedded device
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of disconnecting and reconnecting to enable SSID transfer with an encrypted communication channel approach. The user device sends network commissioning information to the embedded device through encrypted wireless communication while remaining connected to the WLAN, eliminating the need to break the existing connection.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
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AI summary
A consumer appliance or product having a Wi-Fi embedded device may be connected to a wireless local area network (WLAN) without users having to change networks on their "personal device" e.g., personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone, etc., or having to access the Wi-Fi embedded device in any way, e.g., transparent setup and connection to the user. A specially transmitted data packet, beacon, or other broadcast packet from a client connected to wireless local area network (WLAN) may be used to send an encrypted equivalent of a last stage Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) transfer that provides network commissioning information to the Wi-Fi embedded device so that it may automatically connect to the WLAN.