Wireless Extender Onboarding via Machine Readable Indicia Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The onboarding of new wireless extenders in wireless networks is technically difficult for users, requiring complex physical processes and technical assumptions about communication ranges, making it challenging for users to establish secure backhaul connections.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an end user device scanning a machine-readable indicia on the new wireless extender, transmitting an identifier to a network gateway, computing a secure hash, and communicating beacons with existing extenders to initiate a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) pairing session based on strongest signal strength, simplifying the onboarding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manual onboarding methods are used for wireless extenders, then secure backhaul connections can be established, but the process becomes technically difficult and complex for users
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile device serves as an intermediary between the user and the wireless extender onboarding process. The mobile device captures the serial number via camera, transmits it to the gateway, and receives configuration instructions, thereby mediating the complex security handshake and simplifying user interaction to basic steps like scanning a code and pressing a button.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interactions (typing serial numbers, manually configuring security settings) with automated optical recognition (camera-based serial number capture) and streamlined button presses. This substitution transforms a complex manual configuration process into a simple automated onboarding sequence.
2Reliability
If manual configuration sequences are required for extender onboarding, then secure pairing can be achieved, but users must make technical assumptions about physical range and timing
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway pre-generates and stores security credentials (PSK, nonce) before the extender connects. The mobile device captures the serial number in advance and transmits it to the gateway, which then provides the pre-configured security parameters to the extender. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to understand timing constraints and physical range requirements during the actual pairing process.
3Ease of operation
If automated onboarding is implemented using camera scanning, then user interaction is simplified, but additional devices and processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device leverages its existing camera and communication capabilities for onboarding purposes, rather than requiring dedicated hardware. The gateway serves multiple functions including credential generation, serial number verification, and configuration distribution. This multi-functionality approach adds minimal system complexity while achieving automated onboarding.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for new wireless extender onboarding in a wireless network includes scanning a machine readable indicia on the new wireless extender, transmitting an identifier represented by the machine readable indicia to a network gateway of the wireless network, computing a secure hash of the identifier provided into a proprietary information element, transmitting the secure hash to existing wireless extenders in the wireless network, communicating beacons comprising the secure hash to the new wireless extender, determining a strongest received signal strength indication from received signal strength indications associated with the network gateway and the existing wireless extenders, and initiating a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) pairing session with one of the network gateway and the existing wireless extenders associated with the strongest received signal strength.