Wireless Network Device Enrollment via Intermediary Queuing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bulk enrollment of multiple devices into a wireless network using the device provisioning protocol (DPP) is challenging due to asynchronous communications and retry policies, leading to extended authentication and configuration processes, especially when dealing with a large number of devices.

Innovation Solution

An intermediary apparatus is introduced to control the enrollment of enrollee devices by obtaining authentication data, determining the status of the configurator device, and queuing enrollment tasks to ensure efficient delivery of authentication data when the configurator is available, thereby reducing failed attempts and overall onboarding time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If bulk enrollment of multiple devices is performed using DPP, then the number of enrolled devices increases, but the enrollment process becomes time-consuming and complex due to asynchronous communications and retry policies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of enrolled devicesVSAvoidenrollment process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining authentication data from all enrollee devices in advance and storing it in a queue before the configurator device is ready. This allows the enrollment process to be prepared ahead of time, reducing the actual enrollment time when the configurator becomes available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary apparatus is introduced between the enrollee devices and the configurator device. This intermediary manages the authentication data, implements queuing mechanisms, and controls the timing of enrollment requests, thereby decoupling the enrollment preparation from the actual enrollment execution and reducing overall process time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If authentication data is communicated continuously to the configurator device, then enrollment throughput increases, but failed attempts increase when the configurator is unavailable or busy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenrollment throughputVSAvoidenrollment success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the intermediary apparatus monitors the status of the configurator device and adjusts the enrollment process accordingly. When the configurator is unavailable or busy, the system receives feedback and temporarily suspends enrollment requests, preventing failed attempts. When the configurator is ready, enrollment requests are resumed, ensuring both throughput and success rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The enrollment process is made dynamic through adaptive queuing and status monitoring. The system dynamically adjusts the rate at which authentication data is communicated based on the configurator's availability, using mechanisms like exponential backoff and priority queuing to optimize both throughput and reliability under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If retry policies are implemented to handle enrollment failures, then enrollment reliability improves, but the overall authentication and configuration process extends beyond twenty seconds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenrollment completionVSAvoidauthentication and configuration duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Authentication data is obtained and validated in advance before actual enrollment attempts. This preliminary validation reduces the likelihood of failures during the actual enrollment process, minimizing the need for retries and reducing overall process duration while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements optimized retry mechanisms that skip unnecessary delays and rapidly reattempt enrollment only when the configurator is likely to be available. By rushing through the retry process with intelligent timing based on status monitoring, the system maintains reliability while minimizing the extension of the overall process time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS20230319559A1Enrollment of enrollee devices to a wireless network

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Proposed concepts thus aim to provide schemes, solutions, concepts, designs, methods and systems pertaining to device provisioning protocol onboarding in wireless networks. In particular, the embodiment aims to reduce overall onboarding time for a plurality of enrollee devices by controlling enrollment of the enrollee devices based on the status (e.g. availability, readiness, workload, etc.) of the configurator device.