Wireless Peripheral Pairing Across Pre-Boot and Runtime OS Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless devices, such as Bluetooth peripherals, lack a seamless and secure method to pair and connect across both pre-boot and runtime OS environments, and existing solutions do not facilitate easy and secure key sharing across these modes without relying on dongles or sharing pair secrets.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of automated multi-client and multi-mode wireless device pairing and connection systems, where devices can pair and connect in both pre-OS and OS modes using a single or multiple buttons to select modes, and utilize Bluetooth's Secondary Link Key Management for secure bonding across different operating environments, eliminating the need for dongles and enabling secure channel establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Bluetooth pairing methods are used, then device pairing is simple, but secure key sharing across pre-boot and runtime OS environments cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pairing mechanism into separate components: a pairing button for initiating pairing, a processor for executing pairing logic, and a wireless transceiver for communication. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized functionality, enabling secure key sharing across OS modes without requiring complex integrated hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pairing button as an intermediary device that physically initiates the pairing process. This simple mechanical intermediary triggers the automated pairing sequence, eliminating the need for complex user input methods while maintaining security through automated key exchange between the peripheral and central devices across pre-boot and runtime OS environments.
2Reliability
If dongles are required for wireless connectivity, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wireless connectivity functionality from the traditional dongle approach and integrates it directly into the peripheral device. The peripheral device includes an onboard wireless transceiver that can pair with central devices without requiring external USB dongles, eliminating the need for additional hardware while maintaining connection stability through secure Bluetooth pairing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal pairing mechanism where the same peripheral device can connect to multiple central devices across different OS environments (pre-boot and runtime OS) using the same wireless transceiver. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for separate dongles for different connection scenarios, simplifying device configuration while maintaining reliable connections.
3Reliability
If manual pairing processes are required, then pairing security is improved, but pairing time and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary pairing configuration where pairing parameters and security keys are pre-established between devices during manufacturing or initial setup. When pairing is needed, the system automatically retrieves and uses these pre-configured parameters, eliminating the need for manual pairing processes while maintaining security. The pairing button simply triggers the automated connection using pre-established credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service pairing where the peripheral device automatically initiates and completes the pairing process with central devices without requiring manual user intervention. The device uses its onboard transceiver to broadcast identification information, automatically exchanges keys, and establishes connections across pre-boot and runtime OS environments, reducing pairing time while maintaining security through automated authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments allow for multiple instances of a state machine to connect with multiple clients. Additionally, a plurality of connection states, while maintaining a connection with a single physical client device, may support multiple modes. For example, a wireless peripheral device determines whether it is paired with a client device and connects if it is, by selecting a saved long term bonding key, based on a user selected device mode. When a scan timeout expires, the device switches to another saved bonding key. When an overall connection timeout expires, these steps repeat. If the device is not already paired, it pairs with a client by setting long term paring key generation key(s), bonding with the client using the generation key(s) to generate a paring key, distributing the pairing key to the client, and saving the pairing key, as a bonding key, based on user selected device mode.