Wireless Device Onboarding via Automatic App Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring a new wireless electronic device for first use can be frustrating due to complex instructions and lack of user knowledge about wireless networks, leading to user bewilderment.

Innovation Solution

The system broadcasts a unique identifier, such as a Service Set Identifier (SSID), to facilitate automatic detection and redirection to a suitable app store for downloading a configuration application, enabling seamless setup and utilization of the device without extensive user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless electronic device provides detailed configuration instructions, then the configuration process can be more comprehensive, but the user experience deteriorates due to complexity and user bewilderment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration completenessVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless electronic device automatically performs configuration tasks by detecting the computing device type and redirecting to appropriate application stores, eliminating the need for users to manually follow complex configuration instructions while ensuring comprehensive setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a intermediary redirection mechanism where the wireless electronic device communicates device type information to the computing device, which then automatically redirects to the appropriate application store, bridging the gap between device configuration needs and user-friendly setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the configuration process requires extensive user interaction, then the setup can be more precise, but the on-boarding time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidon-boarding time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless electronic device performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the computing device type and preparing the appropriate configuration pathway before user interaction is needed, enabling precise configuration without requiring user time investment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically executes configuration steps including device type detection, application store identification, and setup execution without requiring user interaction, achieving both precision and speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3332562B1Optimizing setup for wireless devices
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP3332562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332562B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3332562B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of on-boarding a wireless electronic device may comprise sending, by the wireless electronic device, a unique identifier over a wireless local area network; receiving a communication from a computing device having selected the unique identifier and seeking to connect to the wireless electronic device; responsive to having received the communication from the computing device, determining a type of the computing device; and redirecting the computing device to a location on a wide area network where an application configured to interface with the wireless electronic device and suitable for the determined type of computing device is available for download to the computing device.