Zigbee Gateway State Switching for Network Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing network access process for Zigbee devices is complex and not satisfactorily simplified, requiring manual intervention through a terminal to switch a Zigbee gateway from a device access forbidding to a permitting state, which complicates the connection of new devices to a network.

Innovation Solution

A method where a network access device detects its current state and sends a state switching request to a terminal if it's in a forbidding state, switching to a permitting state upon receiving a reply, allowing connected devices to access the network automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the Zigbee gateway remains in device access forbidding state for security, then network security is improved, but device access complexity increases and new devices cannot connect easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork securityVSAvoiddevice access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway dynamically switches between forbidding and permitting states based on real-time access requests and preset time conditions, rather than maintaining a fixed state. This allows the system to adapt its security level according to operational needs, resolving the contradiction between security and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway is pre-configured with preset time periods during which it should remain in the permitting state. When a new device requests access, the gateway checks whether the current time falls within any preset permitting period, and automatically transitions to permitting state if so, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual intervention is required to switch gateway state, then access control precision is improved, but operation complexity increases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control precisionVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway automatically manages its own state transitions based on incoming access requests and preset time configurations. When a device requests access and the current time is within a preset permitting period, the gateway self-switches to permitting state without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining precise access control while eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the gateway automatically switches to permitting state upon receiving access request, then device access ease is improved, but security control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice accessVSAvoidaccess control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway dynamically evaluates each access request against preset time periods before switching state, rather than automatically permitting all requests. This conditional dynamic switching maintains security control precision while enabling easy access during authorized time windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the current time against preset time periods and adjusting its state accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that automatic state switching occurs only under appropriate conditions, maintaining both ease of access and control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3128774B1Methods, devices and system for accessing network
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3128774B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3128774B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3128774B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods, devices and systems for accessing a network, which belongs to the field of computer technology. The method includes: receiving (201, 502) a request message requesting for accessing the network which is broadcast by a first communication device; detecting (202, 503) a current state of the network access device; if the network access device is currently in a device access forbidding state, sending (203, 504) a state switching request to a terminal, the terminal being configured to generate a replay message based on the state switching request; receiving (204, 508) the reply message sent by the terminal; and switching (205, 509) the state of the network access device to a device access permitting state based on a reply message.