Automatic Wireless Terminal Pairing via Master-Slave Identifier Swapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for pairing wireless terminals with a network access point, particularly in complex systems, are complex and require user intervention, making them unintuitive and difficult to implement, especially when the network access point is delivered without pre-pairing.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatic pairing of multiple wireless terminals with a network access point, where a master terminal pairs with the access point and then facilitates the pairing of slave terminals by replacing its identifier with theirs, allowing the access point to validate and record their identities, thus eliminating the need for user-driven complex menu navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user manually pairs each terminal with the network access point using existing methods, then the pairing can be completed, but the process becomes complex and requires unintuitive menu navigation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing process simplicityVSAvoidpairing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The master terminal automatically performs pairing operations with the network access point on behalf of all slave terminals. The system enables itself to execute pairing procedures without user intervention, using pre-stored identifier information to autonomously complete the pairing process for the entire group of terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The master terminal pre-stores the identifiers of all slave terminals before the pairing process begins. This preliminary preparation of identifier information allows the master terminal to subsequently initiate pairing requests for each slave terminal without requiring users to manually input or navigate pairing menus during the actual pairing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network access point is delivered without pre-pairing, then the system can be marketed flexibly, but terminals cannot be paired without user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarketing flexibilityVSAvoidpairing implementation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs pairing operations without requiring user intervention. The master terminal uses pre-stored identifier information to autonomously initiate and complete pairing procedures with the network access point, enabling flexible product delivery while maintaining ease of pairing implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple terminals are paired independently, then each terminal operates autonomously, but complex systems requiring coherent terminal groups cannot function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal operation independenceVSAvoidcomplex system functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The master terminal combines multiple functions: it operates as an independent terminal while also serving as the pairing coordinator for all slave terminals. By merging these roles, the system maintains terminal independence for normal operations while ensuring reliable pairing for complex system functionality through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3160116B1Method for automatically pairing a plurality of wireless terminals to a network access point
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
  • EP3160116B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3160116B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3160116B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for automatically pairing a plurality of wireless terminals of a complex system to a network access point, said plurality comprising a master terminal and at least one slave terminal, each slave terminal knowing a first native identifier of the master terminal and the master terminal knowing a native identifier of each slave terminal, the complex system being functional when each terminal of said plurality is paired to the network access point, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - the master terminal, identified by a second native identifier, pairs with the network access point and the master terminal registers an identifier of the network access point; - for each slave terminal: o the master terminal replaces its current identifier with the identifier of said slave terminal;o The master terminal, identified by the identifier of said slave terminal, requests a pairing with the network access point; o The network access point verifies a pairing right of the slave terminal, validates the pairing request and records the identifier of the slave terminal; - the master terminal transmits the identifier of the network access point to each slave terminal.