ZigBee Gateway Automatic Device Joining via Pre-Registered EUIs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for joining a smart energy device to a ZigBee network require users to manually input identification information and follow a specific process, leading to user frustration and potential delays due to the ZigBee protocol's association request timing.
Innovation Solution
A method where smart energy devices are bundled with a ZigBee gateway before sale, with identifying information linked to a remote database server, allowing the ZigBee gateway to automatically join devices using pre-configured EUIs and install codes, reducing user input and minimizing delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional manual joining methods are used, then network security is maintained through verification, but user operation complexity increases and joining time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-registering smart energy devices with the ZigBee coordinator before actual use. The coordinator stores device identification information (EUI, install code) in advance, so when a device needs to join the network, it can automatically authenticate without requiring manual user input. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security verification while eliminating complex user operations during the joining process.
2Reliability
If conventional manual joining methods are used, then device identification verification is ensured, but joining time is extended due to protocol timing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores device identification information (EUI, install code) in the ZigBee coordinator's database in advance during manufacturing or initial setup. When a smart energy device needs to join, it automatically sends its EUI, and the coordinator instantly verifies it against the pre-stored information, eliminating the time-consuming manual input and waiting periods required by conventional methods while maintaining verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing smart energy devices to automatically perform their own joining and authentication processes without human intervention. The device autonomously transmits its identification information, and the coordinator autonomously verifies it against the database, significantly reducing joining time while ensuring verification accuracy through automated comparison.
3Productivity
If automatic joining with pre-configured EUIs is used, then user input is eliminated and joining speed increases, but system complexity increases due to database requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the ZigBee coordinator serve multiple functions: it acts as both the network coordinator and a database server storing device identification information. This eliminates the need for separate database infrastructure, reducing system complexity while enabling automatic high-speed joining through pre-configured EUI verification.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a method for joining a smart energy device to a ZigBee network. The method includes sending, from a ZigBee gateway to a database server, a first extended unique identifier (EUI) for the ZigBee gateway. The also method includes receiving a request from a first smart energy device to join the ZigBee gateway, the request including a second EUI corresponding to the first smart energy device. The second EUI from the first smart energy device is compared with the first one or more EUIs received from the database server. If the second EUI from the first smart energy device matches any of the first one or more EUIs, an install code or link key corresponding to the matched one of the first one or more EUIs is sent to the first smart energy device. Otherwise, an install code is requested from the user.