Zigbee Device Automatic Pairing Recovery via Cloud Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Internet of Things (IoT) faces challenges due to a lack of interoperability standards, leading to fragmented and siloed systems, which complicates the automatic reconnection of 'sleepy end devices' like electronic locks after battery failures, requiring manual intervention by network administrators.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with an interface circuit, processor, and memory that facilitates automatic recovery of connections between electronic devices and access points by storing mappings and using notification messages to reestablish connections, even after prolonged disconnection, such as with the Zigbee communication protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the access point deletes the electronic device from the connection table after prolonged disconnection, then the network security is improved, but the automatic reconnection capability of the electronic device is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based computer system as an intermediary between the access point and the electronic device. The cloud system stores mapping information that links electronic devices to their original access points, enabling automatic reconnection without requiring the deleted device to manually re-join the network. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by maintaining network security (through controlled deletion) while enabling automated reconnection (through cloud-based mapping recovery).
Solution Approach 2:
The access point performs preliminary action by storing mapping information in the cloud-based computer system before deleting the electronic device from its connection table. This preliminary action ensures that when the device attempts to reconnect after deletion, the mapping information is already available in the cloud, enabling automatic recovery of the connection without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is required to reconnect electronic devices after disconnection, then the network control is improved, but the operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the electronic device to automatically reconnect to its original access point through the cloud-based computer system without requiring manual intervention from network operators. The device uses its stored mapping information to autonomously recover its connection, eliminating the need for operator involvement in routine reconnection scenarios and reducing operational complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic device transitions to sleep mode to conserve battery power, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the electronic device periodically sends signals to the access point to maintain its presence in the connection table, even while in sleep mode. The access point also monitors for orphan notifications from devices and uses cloud-based mapping information to restore connections automatically, providing feedback loops that maintain connection stability despite the device's energy-saving sleep state.
Data Source
AI summary
During operation, the computer system (such as a controller) may receive, from an access point, information specifying an electronic device that has the connection with the access point. Then, based at least in part on the information, the computer system may store a mapping between the electronic device and the access point. Moreover, the computer system may receive, from the access point or a second access point, a notification message, where the notification message is associated with an orphan notification of the electronic device. Next, in response to receiving the notification message, the computer system may perform a look-up operation for the electronic device in the stored mapping. Furthermore, when the electronic device is included in the stored mapping, the computer system may selectively provide, to the access point and based at least in part on the stored mapping, second information specifying the electronic device.