SENSOR BASED CONFIGURATION AND CONTROL OF NETWORK DEVICES

• US 20130223279A1
• Filed: 09/21/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Tinnakornsrisuphap, Peerapol, Swaminathan, Ashwin, Somasundaram, Kiran K., Mohanty, Bibhu Prasad
• Granted Patent: US 9,143,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0809 Plug-and-play configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/77 Graphical identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, can execute functionality for configuring a network device in a communication network and for subsequently controlling the operation of the network device with little manual input. The mobile device can detect, from the network device, sensor information that is indicative of configuration information associated with the network device. The mobile device can decode the received sensor information to determine the configuration information and can accordingly enroll the network device in the communication network. In response to determining to control the enrolled network device, the mobile device can capture an image of the network device and can use the captured image to unambiguously identify the network device. The mobile device can establish a communication link with the network device and can transmit one or more commands to vary operating parameters of the network device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining, at a mobile device, to configure a network device in a communication network;

detecting, at a sensor associated with the mobile device, sensor information from the network device, wherein the sensor information is indicative of configuration information associated with the network device;

decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device; and

providing, from the mobile device to the network device, communication device credentials associated with an access point of the communication network to enable the network device to connect to the communication network via the access point based, at least in part, on the decoded configuration information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the network device is configured to provide sensor information associated with the configuration information using a light source, said detecting the sensor information from the network device comprises one of:

detecting, using a light sensor associated with the mobile device, a light waveform from the network device, wherein a rate of fluctuation of the light waveform generated by the light source varies in accordance with the configuration information, or

detecting, using the light sensor associated with the mobile device, a light waveform from the network device, wherein an intensity of the light waveform generated by the light source varies in accordance with the configuration information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises:

detecting a variation in light intensity based on analyzing the light waveform received from the network device; and

decoding the configuration information based on the detected variation in the light intensity of the light waveform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the network device is configured to provide sensor information associated with the configuration information using an audio generator, said detecting the sensor information from the network device comprises:

detecting, using an audio sensor associated with the mobile device, an audio waveform from the network device, wherein at least one parameter of the audio waveform varies in accordance with the configuration information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the parameter of the audio waveform comprises one or more of an amplitude of the audio waveform, a frequency of the audio waveform, and a phase of the audio waveform.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises:

detecting a variation in the at least one parameter of the audio waveform based on analyzing the audio waveform received from the network device; and

decoding the configuration information based on the detected variation in the at least one parameter of the audio waveform.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the network device is associated with a predetermined code that is representative of the configuration information, said detecting the sensor information from the network device comprises:

detecting, using a scanning device associated with the mobile device, the predetermined code associated with the network device, wherein the predetermined code is representative of the configuration information, or

capturing, using a camera associated with the mobile device, an image of the predetermined code associated with the network device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises:

decoding the configuration information based on the detected predetermined code associated with the network device, or

decoding the configuration information based on the captured image of the predetermined code associated with the network device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor information is at least one of a light signal, an audio signal, an ultrasound signal, an infrared signal, a near field communication (NFC) signal, a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, radio frequency identifier (RFID) signal, a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal, and a powerline communication (PLC) signal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone, a notebook computer, a wearable computer, or a tablet computer.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recording at least one of an image of the network device, a position of the network device relative to one or more fixed positions in the communication network, a position of the network device relative to one or more previously enrolled network devices, the configuration information, and the sensor information employed by the network device to communicate the configuration information to the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to said determining to configure the network device in the communication network, the method further comprises:

exchanging one or more initial handshake messages with the network device to determine a format for receiving the configuration information at the mobile device from the network device; and

downloading an application at the mobile device to decode the configuration information that will be received at the mobile device from the network device based, at least in part, on the one or more initial handshake messages.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises one or more of a medium access control (MAC) identifier and a personal identification number (PIN).

14. The method of claim 1, wherein after enabling the network device to connect to the communication network, the method further comprises:

determining that one or more operating parameters of the network device are to be varied;

capturing, at the mobile device, a query image that comprises the network device;

identifying the network device from a plurality of network devices based, at least in part, on the captured query image;

determining one or more communication parameters associated with the network device for varying the one or more operating parameters of the network device; and

establishing a communication link with the network device for providing one or more commands to vary the one or more operating parameters of the network device based, at least in part, on the one or more communication parameters associated with the network device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said identifying the network device from the plurality of network devices based, at least in part, on the captured query image comprises:

comparing the query image against images of the plurality of network devices in a predetermined database associated with the mobile device;

determining that a correlation between a first of the plurality of the network devices and the query image exceeds a correlation threshold; and

selecting the first of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining that a correlation between the query image and two or more of the plurality of network devices exceed a correlation threshold; and

executing ambiguity resolution operations for selecting a first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said executing the ambiguity resolution operations comprises at least one of:

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a map that indicates a position of the plurality of network devices within the communication network, wherein the map is a two-dimensional map or a three-dimensional map,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a current position of the mobile device within the communication network,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a time of day and schedule information associated with a user of the mobile device,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on at least one of user context and user behavior, and

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on analyzing time of flight information associated with each of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said executing the ambiguity resolution operations comprises:

transmitting, to an access point associated with the communication network, an indication of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices;

receiving, from each of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices, a radio signature that is indicative of the network device; and

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on the radio signature received from each of the subset of the plurality of the network devices.

19. A method comprising:

determining, at a mobile device, to configure a network device in a communication network;

detecting, at a sensor associated with the mobile device, sensor information from the network device, wherein the sensor information is indicative of configuration information associated with the network device;

decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device;

enrolling the network device in the communication network based, at least in part, on the decoded configuration information;

determining that one or more operating parameters of the network device are to be varied after said enrolling the network device in the communication network;

capturing, at the mobile device, a query image that comprises the network device;

identifying the network device from a plurality of network devices based, at least in part, on the captured query image;

determining one or more communication parameters associated with the network device for varying the one or more operating parameters of the network device; and

establishing a communication link with the network device for providing one or more commands to vary the one or more operating parameters of the network device based, at least in part, on the one or more communication parameters associated with the network device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensor information is at least one of a light signal, an audio signal, an ultrasound signal, an infrared signal, a near field communication (NFC) signal, a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, radio frequency identifier (RFID) signal, a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal, and a powerline communication (PLC) signal.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said identifying the network device from the plurality of network devices based, at least in part, on the captured query image comprises:

comparing the query image against images of the plurality of network devices in a predetermined database associated with the mobile device;

determining that a correlation between a first of the plurality of the network devices and the query image exceeds a correlation threshold; and

selecting the first of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, in response to determining that a correlation between the query image and two or more of the plurality of network devices exceed the correlation threshold, the method further comprises at least one of:

selecting a first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a map that indicates a position of the plurality of network devices within the communication network, wherein the map is a two-dimensional map or a three-dimensional map,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a current position of the mobile device within the communication network,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a time of day and schedule information associated with a user of the mobile device,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on at least one of user context and user behavior, or

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on analyzing time of flight information associated with each of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices.

23. A mobile device comprising:

a network interface; and

a configuration and control unit coupled with the network interface, the configuration and control unit operable to;

determine to configure a network device in a communication network;

detect, at a sensor associated with the mobile device, sensor information from the network device, wherein the sensor information is indicative of configuration information associated with the network device;

decode the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device; and

provide, to the network device, communication device credentials associated with an access point of the communication network to enable the network device to connect to the communication network via the access point based, at least in part, on the decoded configuration information.

24. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein, if the network device is configured to provide sensor information associated with the configuration information using a light source,

the configuration and control unit operable to detect the sensor information from the network device comprises one of:

the configuration and control unit operable to detect, using a light sensor associated with the mobile device, a light waveform from the network device, wherein a rate of fluctuation of the light waveform generated by the light source varies in accordance with the configuration information, or

the configuration and control unit operable to detect, using the light sensor associated with the mobile device, a light waveform from the network device, wherein an intensity of the light waveform generated by the light source varies in accordance with the configuration information; and

the configuration and control unit operable to decode the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises the configuration and control unit operable to;

detect a variation in light intensity based on analyzing the light waveform received from the network device; and

decode the configuration information based on the detected variation in the light intensity of the light waveform.

25. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein, if the network device is configured to provide sensor information associated with the configuration information using an audio generator,

the configuration and control unit operable to detect the sensor information from the network device comprises the configuration and control unit operable to:

detect, using an audio sensor associated with the mobile device, an audio waveform from the network device, wherein at least one parameter of the audio waveform varies in accordance with the configuration information; and

the configuration and control unit operable to decode the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises the configuration and control unit operable to;

detect a variation in the at least one parameter of the audio waveform based on analyzing the audio waveform received from the network device; and

decode the configuration information based on the detected variation in the at least one parameter of the audio waveform.

26. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein, if the network device is associated with a predetermined code that is representative of the configuration information,

the configuration and control unit operable to detect the sensor information from the network device comprises one of:

the configuration and control unit operable to detect, using a scanning device associated with the mobile device, the predetermined code associated with the network device, wherein the predetermined code is representative of the configuration information, or

the configuration and control unit operable to capture, using a camera associated with the mobile device, an image of the predetermined code associated with the network device; and

the configuration and control unit operable to decode the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises one of;

the configuration and control unit operable to decode the configuration information based on the detected predetermined code associated with the network device, or

the configuration and control unit operable to decode the configuration information based on the captured image of the predetermined code associated with the network device.

27. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein after enabling the network device to connect to the communication network, the configuration and control unit is further operable to:

determine that one or more operating parameters of the network device are to be varied;

capture a query image that comprises the network device;

identify the network device from a plurality of network devices based, at least in part, on the captured query image;

determine one or more communication parameters associated with the network device for varying the one or more operating parameters of the network device; and

establish a communication link with the network device for providing one or more commands to vary the one or more operating parameters of the network device based, at least in part, on the one or more communication parameters associated with the network device.

28. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein in response to the configuration and control unit determining that a correlation between the query image and two or more of the plurality of network devices exceed a correlation threshold, the configuration and control unit operable to is further operable to at least one of:

select the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a map that indicates a position of the plurality of network devices within the communication network, wherein the map is a two-dimensional map or a three-dimensional map,

select the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a current position of the mobile device within the communication network,

select the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a time of day and schedule information associated with a user of the mobile device,

select the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on at least one of user context and user behavior, and

select the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on analyzing time of flight information associated with each of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices.

29. One or more machine-readable storage media having instructions stored therein, which when executed by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform operations that comprise:

determining, at a mobile device, to configure a network device in a communication network;

detecting, at a sensor associated with the mobile device, sensor information from the network device, wherein the sensor information is indicative of configuration information associated with the network device;

decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device; and

providing, from the mobile device to the network device, communication device credentials associated with an access point of the communication network to enable the network device to connect to the communication network via the access point based, at least in part, on the decoded configuration information.

30. The machine-readable storage media of claim 29, wherein, if the network device is configured to provide sensor information associated with the configuration information using an audio generator,

said operation of detecting the sensor information from the network device comprises:

detecting, using an audio sensor associated with the mobile device, an audio waveform from the network device, wherein at least one parameter of the audio waveform varies in accordance with the configuration information; and

said operation of decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises;

detecting a variation in the at least one parameter of the audio waveform based on analyzing the audio waveform received from the network device; and

decoding the configuration information based on the detected variation in the at least one parameter of the audio waveform.

31. The machine-readable storage media of claim 29, wherein, if the network device is associated with a predetermined code that is representative of the configuration information,

said operation of detecting the sensor information from the network device comprises one of:

detecting, using a scanning device associated with the mobile device, the predetermined code associated with the network device, wherein the predetermined code is representative of the configuration information, or

capturing, using a camera associated with the mobile device, an image of the predetermined code associated with the network device; and

said operation of decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information detected from the network device comprises one of;

decoding the configuration information based on the detected predetermined code associated with the network device, or

decoding the configuration information based on the captured image of the predetermined code associated with the network device.

32. The machine-readable storage media of claim 29, wherein after enabling the network device to connect to the communication network, the operations further comprise:

determining that one or more operating parameters of the network device are to be varied;

capturing, at the mobile device, a query image that comprises the network device;

identifying the network device from a plurality of network devices based, at least in part, on the captured query image;

determining one or more communication parameters associated with the network device for varying the one or more operating parameters of the network device; and

establishing a communication link with the network device for providing one or more commands to vary the one or more operating parameters of the network device based, at least in part, on the one or more communication parameters associated with the network device.

33. The machine-readable storage media of claim 32, wherein in response to determining that a correlation between the query image and two or more of the plurality of network devices exceed a correlation threshold, the operations further comprise at least one of:

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a map that indicates a position of the plurality of network devices within the communication network, wherein the map is a two-dimensional map or a three-dimensional map,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a current position of the mobile device within the communication network,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based, at least in part, on a time of day and schedule information associated with a user of the mobile device,

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on at least one of user context and user behavior, and

selecting the first of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices as the network device that is associated with the one or more operating parameters to be varied based on analyzing time of flight information associated with each of the two or more of the plurality of the network devices.

34. A network device comprising:

a processor; and

a configuration unit coupled with the processor, the configuration unit operable to;

detect an advertising message from a mobile device of a communication network;

provide sensor information that is indicative of configuration information associated with the network device to the mobile device for configuration of the network device in the communication network, in response to the configuration unit detecting the advertising message from the mobile device; and

receive communication device credentials associated with an access point of the communication network to enable the network device to connect to the communication network via the access point, in response to the mobile device decoding the configuration information based on the sensor information provided by the network device.

35. The network device of claim 34, wherein the advertising message is a beacon message.

36. The network device of claim 34, wherein the sensor information comprises at least one of:

a light waveform generated by a light source associated with the network device, wherein a rate of fluctuation of the light waveform varies in accordance with the configuration information,

a light waveform generated by the light source associated with the network device, wherein an intensity of the light waveform varies in accordance with the configuration information,

an audio waveform generated by an audio source associated with the network device, wherein at least one parameter of the audio waveform varies in accordance with the configuration information,

a predetermined code associated with the network device, wherein the predetermined code is representative of the configuration information, and

a near field communication (NFC) signal, a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, radio frequency identifier (RFID) signal, a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal, and a powerline communication (PLC) signal.