Configuring wireless accessory devices

• US 10,257,705 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2014
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bradley, Bob, Burks, Andrew W., Golembeski, Gregg J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Luu T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Canh
• Application Number:
  US14/288,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20140366105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 726 5
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/43 using shared identity modules, e.g. SIM sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

This document describes, inter alia, techniques for configuring or setting up a wireless device. As an example of the features described herein, a first wireless device may be used to configure a second wireless device as follows: the first wireless device may detect that the second wireless device is available and is configurable; the first wireless device may connect to the second wireless device and transmit configuration information to the second wireless device, where the configuration information includes credentials that may be used to access a wireless network (e.g., a password to access a Wi-Fi network); the first wireless device and the second wireless device may then both connect to the wireless network, using the credentials; once both devices are connected to the wireless network, the first wireless device may verify that the second wireless device has been correctly configured.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a second wireless device by a first wireless device, the method comprising:

by the first wireless device;

receiving first information, including a beacon message, from the second wireless device via a first wireless network, wherein the beacon message includes a first identifier of the second wireless device and a configuration state of the second wireless device;

determining that the second wireless device is in a configurable state based on the beacon message;

receiving from the second wireless device a first configuration counter value via the first wireless network;

communicating configuration information to the second wireless device via the first wireless network, the configuration information including credentials for connecting to a second wireless network;

connecting, subsequent to communicating the configuration information, to the second wireless network using the credentials;

transmitting a service discovery message;

receiving, in response to the service discovery message, second information from the second wireless device via the second wireless network, wherein the second information comprises a second configuration counter value; and

verifying whether configuration of the second wireless device is configured successfully based on the second information by at least comparing the first configuration counter value to the second configuration counter value, wherein configuration counter values of the second wireless device change when the configuration of the second wireless device changes.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

by the first wireless device;

displaying, to a user of the first wireless device, a configuration status of the second wireless device based on the first information; and

obtaining a user input indicating whether to configure the second wireless device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second information further includes a medium access control (MAC) address, a hostname, and a port.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the service discovery message is a multicast domain name system (mDNS) query message or a simple service discovery protocol (SSDP) message.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the second information includes a resource record.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

by the first wireless device, when the resource record indicates that the second wireless device has been configured;

providing a configuration success indication on a display of the first wireless device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the verifying further comprises:

determining that a medium access control (MAC) address read from the resource record matches the first identifier.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the verifying further comprises:

resolving an internet protocol (IP) address of the first wireless device using a hostname read from the resource record.

3. A wireless device comprising:

a wireless interface;

a data storage device; and

a processor, coupled to the wireless interface and the data storage device and configured to execute instructions stored in the data storage device that cause the wireless device to;

receive from an accessory device a beacon message including a first identifier of the accessory device and a configuration state of the accessory device via a first wireless network;

determine that the accessory device is in a configurable state based on first information included in the beacon message;

receive from the accessory device a first configuration counter value via the first wireless network;

communicate configuration information to the accessory device, the configuration information including credentials for connection to a second wireless network;

join, subsequent to the communication of the configuration information to the accessory device, the second wireless network using the credentials;

transmit a service discovery message;

receive, in response to the service discovery message, second information from the accessory device via the second wireless network, wherein the second information comprises a second configuration counter value; and

verify whether configuration of the accessory wireless device is configured successfully based on the second information by at least comparing the first configuration counter value to the second configuration counter value, wherein configuration counter values of the accessory device change when the configuration of the accessory device changes.

4. The wireless device as recited in claim 3, wherein the first identifier comprises a medium access control (MAC) address of the accessory device.

5. The wireless device as recited in claim 3, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor further cause the wireless device to:

display, to a user of the wireless device, a configuration status of the accessory device based on the configuration state received from the accessory device; and

obtain a user input indicating whether to configure the accessory device.

6. A controller device comprising:

a wireless interface;

a memory; and

one or more processors, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed by a processor of the one or more processors, cause the controller device to perform operations comprising;

receiving, via the wireless interface, (i) a beacon message from an accessory device, wherein the beacon message comprises a medium access control (MAC) address identifying the accessory device, and (ii) a first configuration counter value,

determining that the accessory device is in a configurable state;

sending, via the wireless interface, a credential to the accessory device in a configuration message, wherein the credential includes an access point password for a wireless local area network access point (AP),

connecting with the AP using the credential, subsequent to sending the credential to the accessory device;

transmitting a service discovery message, and

verifying, based on information received in response to the service discovery message, whether the accessory device has been configured successfully by at least comparing the first configuration counter value to a second configuration counter value included in the information, wherein configuration counter values of the accessory device change when the configuration of the accessory device changes.

7. The controller device of claim 6, wherein the operations further comprise:

prior to the receiving the beacon message;

receiving, via a user interface, a user password input including the access point password; and

associating with the AP using the access point password.

8. The controller device of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:

prior to the sending the credential and after receiving the beacon message;

displaying, to a user of the controller device, a name of the accessory device or a service set identifier (SSID) of the accessory device, wherein the beacon message includes the name and the SSID; and

receiving a user direction input directing the controller device to configure the accessory device.

9. The controller device of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:

prior to the sending the credential and after the receiving the user direction input;

dissociating from the AP.

10. The controller device of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise:

prior to the sending the credential and after the dissociating from the AP;

receiving a resource record from the accessory device, wherein the resource record includes a second MAC address;

determining that the second MAC address matches the MAC address identifying the accessory device; and

establishing a transmission control protocol (TCP) session with the accessory device.

11. The controller device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

prior to the sending the credential and after establishing the TCP session;

establishing an encryption scheme using asymmetric key exchange, wherein the sending the credential comprises sending the credential using the encryption scheme during the TCP session.

12. The controller device of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:

prior to the sending the credential and after the establishing the encryption scheme;

generating the configuration message, wherein the configuration message includes, in addition to the access point password, one or more of;

i) an administrative password used to change settings of the accessory device, ii) a firmware revision of the accessory device, iii) a hardware revision of the accessory device, iv) a language identifier, v) a manufacturer identifier associated with the accessory device, vi) a model identifier of the accessory device, vii) a name value that the accessory device is to use in advertising itself, viii) a password used to access media streaming, and/or ix) a serial number of the accessory device.