Wireless Boot Status Signaling for Network Device Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no visible indication of the boot status of network devices during the boot sequence, leading to user unawareness of when they have fully booted or are still in the process.
Innovation Solution
Network devices broadcast wireless packets, such as Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) Advertisement packets, containing data like device identifiers and boot status, allowing network controllers or client devices to provide end users with real-time indications of the boot status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the network device remains silent during boot sequence, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user awareness of boot status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless packets as an intermediary communication mechanism between the network device and the user's computing device. During the boot sequence, the network device transmits wireless packets containing boot status information, which the computing device receives and translates into user-friendly visual, audio, or haptic feedback. This intermediary system resolves the contradiction by providing status information without requiring complex direct user-device interaction interfaces.
2Loss of information
If wireless packets are transmitted during boot sequence, then the user awareness of boot status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing multi-functionality of modern network devices, which already possess wireless communication capabilities for other purposes. By repurposing these existing wireless transmitters to also send boot status information, the patent avoids adding significant hardware complexity while achieving the goal of user awareness. The same wireless interface serves multiple functions: normal network communication and boot status reporting.
3Productivity
If the network device provides real-time boot status feedback, then the adoption process efficiency is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of wireless packets during the boot sequence rather than continuous transmission. The network device sends boot status updates at specific intervals or at key boot milestones, providing sufficient information to users while minimizing energy consumption. This periodic approach balances the need for timely adoption process information with the constraint of limited power resources during device initialization.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method for using wireless packets to indicate boot status of a network device is disclosed. The method includes initiating a boot sequence of a network device. The method also includes during at least a portion of the boot sequence, transmitting a first wireless packet comprising data indicating a boot status of the network device, wherein the boot status indicates the network device is booting. The method also includes transmitting a second wireless packet comprising data indicating the boot status of the network device, wherein the boot status indicates the network device has finished booting.