Wireless Network Device Onboarding Using Virtual Counterparts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of adding and configuring new devices to a wireless network system, such as smart home systems, is cumbersome for users, as it requires manual intervention and delays in device functionality.
Innovation Solution
Generating a virtual counterpart of the ordered device and storing it in the network system's memory, allowing automatic configuration upon physical device addition by matching device information and associating the virtual counterpart with the physical device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration is performed by the user after device installation, then the device can be configured according to user needs, but the process is cumbersome and causes delays in device functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual counterpart of the device before the physical device is installed. This virtual representation includes pre-configured device information, capabilities, and network settings. When the physical device is added to the network, the system automatically matches it with the pre-existing virtual counterpart, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a virtual copy (virtual counterpart) of the device to represent the physical device in the network system before installation. This virtual copy contains all necessary device information and configuration data, allowing the network system to prepare everything in advance. The virtual counterpart is then associated with the physical device upon arrival, enabling seamless transition without manual reconfiguration.
2Productivity
If the device is added to the network system before installation, then the network system can prepare in advance, but the device must be recognized and matched with the correct virtual counterpart
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the matching process between the physical device and its virtual counterpart without requiring manual intervention. The device itself provides identification information when added to the network, and the system autonomously compares this information with stored virtual counterparts to establish the correct association, simplifying the matching process while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of operation
If a virtual counterpart is created for each ordered device, then the network system can store and prepare configurations in advance, but additional data storage is required in the network system
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual counterpart that is a digital copy of the device's information, capabilities, and configuration data. This copy is stored in the network system's memory and contains all necessary information for automatic configuration. The virtual counterpart is a condensed representation that preserves essential device characteristics while requiring minimal storage space compared to storing complete device images or extensive configuration data.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (500) of configuring a device that is to be added to a wireless network system is disclosed. The method (500) comprises: receiving (502) a signal indicative of that the device has been ordered by a user, receiving (504) device information about the ordered device, wherein the device information comprises at least information indicative of a type of the ordered device, generating (506) a virtual counterpart of the ordered device based on the device information, storing (508) the virtual counterpart in a memory, receiving (510), at a system controller of the wireless network system, one or more wireless signals from a newly added device that has been added to the wireless network system, wherein the one or more wireless signals are indicative of device information of the newly added device, wherein the device information of the newly added device comprises at least information indicative of a type of the newly added device, comparing (512) the device information of the newly added device with the device information of the ordered device to determine if the device information of the newly added device corresponds with the device information of the ordered device, and, if the device information of the newly added device corresponds with the device information of the ordered device, associating (514) the virtual counterpart with the newly added device.