In-field smart device updates

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016128104-A1
Application number	US-201414534116-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 5, 2014
Priority date	Nov 5, 2014
Publication date	May 5, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods and systems for causing a device to join a network or fabric. A joining device sends an indication that the electronic device is not connected to a network type and receives a device ID for an assisting device to assist the electronic device in joining a network of the network type. Moreover, the assisting device resides on the network. The joining device then authenticates to the assisting device from the assisting device and receives network credentials for the network. Furthermore, the joining device joins the network using the network credentials.

First claim

1 . An electronic device comprising:
a processor; and a memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions configured to cause the processor to:
send an indication to a remote server that the electronic device is not connected to a network of a network type;
receive, from the remote server, a device ID for an assisting device residing on the network of the network type to assist the electronic device in joining the network of the network type;
establish an authenticated communication session with the assisting device;
receive, from the assisting device and over the authenticated communication session, network credentials for the network of the network type; and
join the network using the network credentials.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the electronic device to receive an awake instruction, wherein the electronic device comprises a sleepy device that periodically enters a lower power mode.

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the indication is included in a message from the electronic device to the service sent as part of a normal operation of the device.

4 . The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to receive an update to communication protocols for communication with the service.

5 . The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the message comprises headers included in the communication protocols configured to inform the service about whether the device is connected to the network type.

6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein in the instructions are configured to cause the processor to receive a token from the service for the assisting device, and authenticating to the assisting device comprises sending the received token.

7 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to multicast a credential request to multiple devices in the network to solicit a response from the assisting device

8 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to assist another device in joining the network after the electronic device has joined the network.

9 . Non-transitory, computer-readable medium, when executed, configured to cause a processor to:
receive a command from a service to assist a joining device in joining a network; authenticate the joining device; and send network credentials to the joining device.

10 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to receive a token from the service, wherein authenticating the joining device with the token.

11 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to:
awaken from a sleep state; and return to the sleep state, wherein the command comprises a wait command that causes a delay between awakening and returning to the sleep state, wherein the delay is configured to provide a window in which to send the network credentials to the joining device.

12 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to restart a wait timer to after the joining device has connected to the network, wherein the restart is configured to enable assistance of other devices in joining the network.

13 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to place the network in a joinable state after sending the network credentials to the joining device.

14 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to:
obtain fabric credentials from the assisting device; and join the fabric using the fabric credentials.

15 . A method for causing a device to join a network comprising:
receiving an indication that a device is not connected to a network type; identify an assisting device connected to a network of the network type; receive communication from the assisting device; instruct the assisting device to assist the joining device to join the network; and provide ID for the assisting device to the joining device.

16 . The method of claim 15 , comprising waking the joining device after receiving the communication from the assisting device, wherein the communication indicates that the assisting device is awake and available to assist the joining device in joining the network.

17 . The method of claim 15 , comprising sending a token to the joining device for authenticating communication with the assisting device.

18 . The method of claim 17 , comprising sending an assistance token to the assisting device to be used to authenticate the joining device, wherein the assistance token matches the token.

19 . The method of claim 15 , comprising receiving an update from the joining device indicating success or failure of the joining device to join the network.

20 . The method of claim 19 , comprising instructing another joining device to join the network after receiving an indication of success from the joining device.

21 . A method for joining a subordinate device to a network comprising:
receiving, from a service, a device ID for an assisting device to assist the electronic device in joining a network of a network type, wherein the assisting device resides on the network; indicating authentication to the assisting device; receiving network credentials for the network from the assisting device; instructing a subordinate device to conduct a factory reset; joining the network using the network credentials; and pairing to the subordinate device on the network.

22 . The method of claim 21 , comprising:
receiving a status report indicating that the factory reset will occur; and deleting old network information used to communicate between the subordinate device and a control device.

Assignees

• Google Inc

Inventors

• Logue Jay D

Classifications

• H04W4/06

  Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services · CPC title

• H04W12/06 Primary

  Authentication · CPC title

• H04M1/72533

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04W76/02 Primary

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04W12/50

  Secure pairing of devices · CPC title