Wireless Device Provisioning via Packet Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices without a user interface face challenges in accessing protected Wi-Fi networks, as existing methods for transmitting network parameters are unreliable due to the risk of data packet corruption in noisy conditions, especially with longer data packets.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning device transmits encoded information using a sequence of data packets with predetermined time distances or lengths, allowing wireless devices to retrieve information without parsing exact packet contents, ensuring reliable transmission through smaller packets and a binary coding format, with optional synchronization patterns for clear identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If longer data packets are used to transmit network parameters, then transmission efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to higher corruption risk in noisy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the encoded information into multiple smaller data packets instead of transmitting as a single long packet. Each packet is shorter and less prone to corruption, and the receiver reconstructs the original information by combining these segmented packets according to the predetermined pattern.
2Reliability
If data packets are made shorter to improve reliability, then resistance to corruption is improved, but transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic transmission of data packets according to a predetermined pattern that includes timing information. The periodic structure with regular intervals allows the receiver to efficiently process and reconstruct data while maintaining reliable transmission through consistently sized packets.
3Ease of operation
If network parameters are pre-stored during manufacturing, then device setup is simplified, but adaptability deteriorates since devices cannot connect to different access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the wireless device with the capability to receive and process encoded information during manufacturing, but the actual network parameters are provided later through wireless transmission. This preliminary preparation enables both easy setup (automatic reception) and adaptability (parameters can be updated for different networks).
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for transmitting information, particularly network parameters for connecting to a wireless network, from a provisioning device to a wireless device via a wireless interface. The information is obtained in an encoded form in the provisioning device and the provisioning device transmits a sequence of data packets (21) in accordance with a pattern generated based on the encoded information. Each element of the pattern correspond to a predetermined time distance between consecutive data packets (21) or to a predetermined data packet length, and the data packets (21) have a length which is smaller than a maximum length supported by the wireless interface.