METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK SETTING OF CONNECTED DEVICE

A method and a system for network setting of a connected device, adapted for an electronic apparatus to assist the connected device in setting the network, are provided. In the method, a wireless communication module of the connected device is activated to enable a discoverable state of the connected device. A corresponding wireless communication module of the electronic apparatus is activated to detect the connected device, receive communication information provided by the connected device, and accordingly establish a communication channel between the electronic apparatus and the connected device. The electronic apparatus transmits network setting data to the connected device through the communication channel. The connected device applies the network setting data so as to connect the network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 104140961, filed on Dec. 7, 2015. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for setting a network, and more particularly to a method and a system for network setting of a connected device.

Description of Related Art

Internet of things (IoT) is a technique based on Internet, which disposes an exclusive electronic tag on an electronic device or any other item through technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), and connects those devices or items to Internet for data transmission through communication technologies such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communication (GSM), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), or long term evolution (LTE), such that those devices or items may communicate with each other through the Internet and provide management functions for other devices connected to the Internet to track or monitor them.

Although the connected devices have network connecting capability, they require the user to set up the network in the first use. However, different from smartphones or laptops, some connected devices like webcams, smart appliances, or smart switches may not be equipped with a display, and even not equipped with physical buttons for user's operation. Therefore, how to connect the connected devices to the network is an inevitable issue encountered after the user purchases them.

For those connected devices not equipped with a display, current solutions adopt a Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) technique to automatically connect the connected devices with other devices that can provide network access so as to connect the network through those devices. Taking a router as an example, the user is required to activate the WPS function of the connected device (e.g. turning on the power or pressing a WPS button), and press the WPS button on the router, such that the two devices may establish a connection automatically. Finally, the connected devices may connect the network through the router.

However, although the WPS technique provides a convenient way for the user to establish the connection, in the process of establishing the connection, a personal identification number (PIN) of the device is required to be transmitted without encryption. Therefore, there is a risk that the PIN may be stolen by others. Moreover, the WPS technique requires disposing an additional button on the device for activating the WPS function, which also increases the manufacture cost of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and an apparatus for network setting of a connected device, through which the connected device can be set to connect the network automatically while security of the data stored in the connected device can be ensured.

The method for network setting of a connected device according to the invention is adapted for an electronic apparatus to assist the connected device in setting the network. In the method, a wireless communication module of the connected device is activated to enable a discoverable state of the connected device. A corresponding wireless communication module of the electronic apparatus is activated to detect the connected device, receive communication information provided by the connected device, and accordingly establish a communication channel between the electronic apparatus and the connected device. Then, the electronic apparatus transmits network setting data to the connected device through the communication channel. Finally, the connected device applies the network setting data to connect the network.

The system for network setting of a connected device according to the invention includes a connected device and an electronic apparatus. The connected device includes a wireless communication module which can be activated to enable a discoverable state of the connected device. The electronic apparatus includes a network module and a wireless communication module, in which the network module has connected the network in advance and the wireless communication module searches for the connected deice, receives communication information provided by the connected device, and accordingly establishes a communication channel between the electronic apparatus and the connected device. The electronic apparatus may transmit network setting data for connecting the network to the connected device through the communication channel and the connected device may apply the network setting data to connect the network.

Based on the above, the method and the system for network setting of a connected device according to the invention activate a discoverable state of the connected device such that the electronic apparatus located nearby and connected with the network may find the connected device and establish a communication channel with the connected device. The electronic apparatus may further provide setting data associated with network connection to the connected device such that the connected device may apply the data directly to connect the network. Accordingly, not only the security of data can be ensured during the network setting process, but the cost of the additionally disposed physical button can be saved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Since the connected device must be equipped with a communication module for connecting the network, the present invention activates such communication module to enable a discoverable state of the connected device. Meanwhile, an electronic apparatus that has been connected to the network in advance is used to search for the connected device, establish a communication channel with the connected device, and transmit setting data required for connecting the network to the connected device. Accordingly, the connected device may complete network setting automatically without additional hardware or additional operations and ensure the security of data during the setting process.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a system for network setting of a connected device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, the network setting system10of the present embodiment comprises a connected device12and an electronic apparatus14, and functions thereof are respectively described below.

The connected device12is, for example, a device or an item in various fields such as smart home, health, traffic, logistics, or electricity. In one embodiment, the connected device12comprises a network module12and a wireless communication module124for supporting functions of network connection and wireless communication. The network module122is, for example, a network card or a network equipment that supports Ethernet or wireless network standards such as 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac. The wireless communication module124supports but not limited to at least one of the following wireless transmission techniques: global system for mobile communication (GSM), personal handy-phone system (PHS), general packet radio service (GPRS), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), long term evolution (LTE) or Bluetooth. It is noted that, in another embodiment, the network module122may be integrated in the wireless communication module124such that the connected device12may wirelessly connect an external network connecting device (e.g. a router) through the wireless communication module124and then connect the network through the external network connecting device.

The electronic apparatus14is, for example, a desktop, a laptop, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet PC, or other devices capable of connecting the network. The electronic apparatus14is connected to the network in advance so as to provide data associated with network connection to the connected device12. The electronic apparatus14comprises a network module142and a wireless communication module144corresponding to the wireless communication module122of the connected device12. The network module142is, for example, a network card or a network equipment that supports Ethernet or wireless network standards such as 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac. The wireless communication module144supports at least one of aforesaid wireless transmission techniques that are supported by the wireless communication module124. Similarly, the network module142may also be integrated in the wireless communication module144such that the electronic apparatus14may connect the network directly through the network module142.

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating a method for network setting of a connected device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the method according to the present embodiment is adapted for the network setting system10inFIG. 1. In the following, detailed steps of the method are explained with reference to the elements in the network setting system10.

First, the wireless communication module124of the connected device12is activated by a user to enable a discoverable state of the connected device (step S202). In one embodiment, when the user turns on the power of the connected device12, the connected device12may activate the wireless communication module124so as to enter a Wi-Fi AP mode, a Wi-Fi direct mode, or a Bluetooth pairing mode. Meanwhile, the connected device12is under the discoverable state. In other embodiments, the connected device12may provide other manners for activating the wireless communication module124to enter the discoverable state such as pressing a specific button or touching a specific area, but the invention is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the wireless communication module144of the electronic apparatus14is also activated by the user to detect the connected device12. The wireless communication module144may connect a hotspot established by the wireless communication module124or perform Bluetooth pairing with the wireless communication module124by using techniques such as multicast domain name system (mDNS), Wi-Fi network address translation (NAT) or Bluetooth pairing. After detecting the connected device12, the electronic apparatus14may receive communication information provided by the connected device12, and accordingly establish a communication channel between the electronic apparatus14and the connected device12(step S204).

In detail, the wireless communication module124of the connected device12may establish a communication server such as a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) file server (HFS) complied with HTTP, so as to connect other devices for data transmission. The wireless communication module124may use transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), user datagram protocol (UDP) or other high-level communication protocols, so as to establish the communication server, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Correspondingly, the wireless communication module144of the electronic apparatus14may receive an identification code provided by the connected device12, so as to connect the communication server established by the connected device12by using the identification code and obtain a network address of the connected device12. The network address is, for example, an Internet protocol address (IP address). The identification code is, for example, a service set identifier (SSID) of the connected device12or identification data provided in other forms or formats, but the invention is not limited thereto. Finally, the wireless communication module144may search the connected device12and establish the communication channel with the wireless communication module124of the connected device12by using the network address.

It is noted that, in another embodiment, the wireless communication module144of the electronic apparatus14may connect a local network established by a router (not shown), and search the connected device12and establish the communication channel with the connected device12by using the network address of the connected device12. In brief, the communication channel between the connected device12and electronic apparatus14may be independently established between the two devices or established through the router, but the invention is not limited thereto.

After the communication channel is established, the electronic apparatus14may transmit network setting data of the electronic apparatus14connecting the network to the connected device12through the communication channel established by the wireless communication module144(step S206). The connected device12then applies the network setting data to connect the network through the network module122(step S208). The network setting data may comprise a name, a password, a media access control address (MAC address), a port number, a supported wireless network standard (e.g. 802.11n) of a router that provides that local network. After obtaining the setting data, the connected device12may apply the setting data to network setting of the network module122. In one embodiment, the communication channel between the connected device12and the electronic apparatus14may be disconnected after the connected device12obtains the network setting data. Instead, the connected device12and the electronic apparatus14may respectively connect the network (e.g. the local network established by the router), and transmit data through the network. In another embodiment, the communication channel may be kept or recovered in any time in response to the user's need.

It is noted that, in one embodiment, the wireless communication module124of the connected device12may support various network connecting functions such as Wi-Fi, GPRS, 3G, or LTE. Therefore, the wireless communication module144of the electronic apparatus14may further receive network capability information transmitted by the wireless communication module124of the connected device12through the established communication channel, in which the network capability information may record the network connecting functions supported by the connected device12. In another embodiment, the wireless communication module124of the connected device12may search multiple neighboring devices that can provide the network connecting functions, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, and accordingly add a list of those devices to the network capability information and send the network capability information to the electronic apparatus14.

After obtaining the network capability information, in one embodiment, the electronic apparatus14may display the network connecting functions supported by the connected device12on a screen thereof for the user to select the network connecting function to be used, and accordingly provide the network setting data corresponding to the selected network connecting function to the connected device12, so as to assist the connected device12in connecting the network by using the network connecting function. In another embodiment, the electronic apparatus14may display the devices capable of providing the network connecting function searched by the connected device12on the screen thereof for the user to select the network connecting function to be used and enter a password, so as to assist the connected device12in connecting the device and further connect the network through the device. In another embodiment, the electronic apparatus14may automatically select the network connecting function or device that supports fastest network speed, best security, or lowest cost, so as to assist the connected device12in connecting the network through the network connecting function or the device. Accordingly, the electronic apparatus14may preferably provide the setting data required for the connected device12to connect the network to the connected device12, so as to assist the connected device12in connecting the network.

For example,FIG. 3AtoFIG. 3Eillustrate an example of a method for network setting of a connected device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3Afirst, in the present embodiment, a user activates a Wi-Fi module of a connected device32to enable a discoverable state of the connected device32. Next, referring toFIG. 3B, the user activates a Wi-Fi module of an electronic apparatus34to detect the connected device32, receives communication information provided by the connected device32, and then establishes a communication channel between the electronic apparatus34and the connected device32. Then, referring toFIG. 3C, the connected device32transmits network capability information through the communication channel, so as to inform the electronic apparatus34of the network connecting functions supported thereby. If the connected device32supports Ethernet or Wi-Fi, as shown inFIG. 3D, the electronic apparatus34may provide network setting data used for connecting the router36(e.g. an identification or a password of the router36) to the connected device32and disconnect the communication channel between the electronic apparatus34and the connected device32. Accordingly, the connected device32may connect the router36according to the network setting data, so as to connect the network30and the electronic apparatus34through the router36. On the other hand, if the connected device32supports GPRS, 3G, or LTE, as shown inFIG. 3E, the electronic apparatus34may provide the network setting data used for connecting the network30through GPRS, 3G, or LTE to the connected device32and disconnect the communication channel between the electronic apparatus34and the connected device32. Accordingly, the connected device32may directly connect the network according to the network setting data.

Through aforesaid network setting method, the connected device12is able to complete the network setting and then to connect the network with the assistance provided by the electronic apparatus14even the connected device12is not equipped with a display or a physical button.

It is noted that, beside aforesaid network setting method of the connected device, the present invention may further assist the connected device in loging in a cloud service, so as to implement cloud management functions. Examples are given below for further illustration.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of a system for network setting of a connected device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4, the network setting system40comprises a connected device42, an electronic apparatus44, a router46and a cloud server48. The connected device42comprises a network module422and a wireless communication module424, and the electronic apparatus44comprises a network module442and a wireless communication module444corresponding to the wireless communication module422of the connected device42. Types and functions of the connected device42and the electronic apparatus44are the same as or similar to those of the connected device12and the electronic apparatus14, and thus the details thereof are not repeated herein.

The router46is a network equipment that supports wired network standards such as Ethernet and/or wireless network standards such as 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac, and is capable of connecting neighboring electronic apparatuses and supporting those electronic apparatuses to connect the Internet. The router46is, for example, an edge router that can directly connect the Internet, or a core router that can transmit data with other routers, such as a router of an Internet service provider (ISP), so as to connect the Internet through this router.

The cloud server48is, for example, a cloud server selected from a system consisted of a plurality of cloud servers, and provide cloud services such as cloud computing, cloud storage, or cloud backup through the network.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a method for network setting of a connected device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the method of the present embodiment is adapted for a situation that the connected device42has completed network setting and has connected the network. The network of the connected device42is, for example, set and connected through the method as illustrated inFIG. 2, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. In the following, detailed steps of the method are explained with reference to the elements in the network setting system40.

First, the electronic apparatus44logs in the cloud server48through the network by using an account (step S502). In one embodiment, the electronic apparatus44, for example, connects the router46by using the network module442and connects the network through the router46so as to log in the cloud server48through the network. In another embodiment, the electronic apparatus44may connect the network through wireless communication manners such as GPRS, 3G, or LTE by using the wireless communication module424. Besides, the aforesaid account is registered by the user for using the cloud service, such that when the electronic apparatus44logs in the cloud server48by using the account, the user may use the electronic apparatus44to manage other devices that use the same account to log in the cloud server48through the cloud service.

Next, the electronic apparatus44obtains hardware information of the connected device42(step S404). The hardware information is, for example, a serial number (S/N) of the electronic apparatus44, or exclusive identification information such as MAC address of a network card or other devices in the electronic apparatus44, which can provide other devices to recognize the electronic apparatus44.

It is noted that, in one embodiment, the network module422of the connected device42may, for example, broadcast connection information thereof on the local network established by the router46, such that other electronic devices located on the same local network may find and connect the connected device42by using mDNS. In one embodiment, the connection information broadcasted by the network module422is, for example, an IP address and/or an IP port assigned by the router46. In another embodiment, the information broadcasted by the network module422may further include a specific service type, so as to correspond the network setting service provided by the present embodiment. Accordingly, the electronic apparatus44supporting this service may send a request including such service type to the network module422of the connected device42, so as to establish a connection with the connected device42and obtained the required hardware information. It is noted that, in another embodiment, the electronic apparatus44may obtain the hardware information of the connected device42through the communication channel established by the wireless communication module444and the wireless communication module424of the connected device42.

Then, the electronic apparatus44provides the hardware information of the connected device42to the cloud server48and receives a pairing object generated by the cloud server48in response to the hardware information (step S406). The pairing object is, for example, a pairing token specialized for the connected device42, and can only be used by the connected device42to log in the cloud server48.

Afterward, the electronic apparatus44transmits the account and the pairing object obtained from the cloud server48to the connected device42through the network (step S408), such that the connected device42may log in the cloud server48through the network by using the account and the pairing object (step S410). Accordingly, the user may use the electronic apparatus44to execute management functions such as tracking or monitoring on the connected device42through the cloud service.

For example,FIG. 6AtoFIG. 6Eillustrate an example of a method for network setting of a connected device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 6A, the present embodiment is performed after the process inFIG. 3D, that is, the connected device32has connected network30and the electronic apparatus34through the router36. At this time, the electronic apparatus34connects the network30through the router36and logs in the cloud server38through the network30by using the registered account. On the other hand, referring toFIG. 6B, the connected device32broadcasts the connection information thereof on the local network established by the router36, and the electronic apparatus34receives the connection information broadcasted by the connected device32through the local network and connects the connected device32to obtain the hardware information of the connected device32according to the connection information. Then, referring toFIG. 6C, the electronic apparatus34connects the network30through the router36, and provides the hardware information to the cloud server38through the network30. When receiving the hardware information of the connected device32, the cloud server38generates a pairing object in response to the hardware information and transmits the pairing object back to the electronic apparatus34. Afterward, referring toFIG. 6D, the electronic apparatus34transmits the pairing object along with the account to the connected device32through the local network established by the router36. Finally, referring toFIG. 6E, the connected device32connects the network30through the router36and logs in the cloud server38through the network30by using the account and the pairing object. Accordingly, the connected device32may complete the settings of connecting the cloud server38.

Returning back to the flow inFIG. 4, it s noted that since the electronic apparatus44has obtained the hardware information of the connected device42and the connected device42has obtained the account of the electronic apparatus44loging in the cloud server48, the electronic apparatus44and the connected device42may coordinate to encrypt the data transmitted therebetween by using the account. For example, the account may be hashed and used for encrypting the transmitted data. Accordingly, the security of data transmission between the electronic apparatus44and the connected device42can be ensured.

On the other hand, after loging in the cloud service, the connected device42may enter a configurable mode in which the electronic apparatus44loging in the same cloud service may change the configuration of the connected device42. In detail, in one embodiment, the electronic apparatus44may transmit a configuration change command to the connected device42through the cloud server48so as to change a configuration of the connected device42, such as controlling home appliances, lights, or webcams. In another embodiment, the electronic apparatus44may transmit the configuration change command through the communication channel established between the electronic apparatus44and the connected device42. Accordingly, even though the connected device42disconnects the network afterwards, the electronic apparatus44can still control the connected device42through the near filed communication, so as to achieve the functions similar to those provided by the cloud service.

It is noted that, the configuration change command transmitted to the connected device42by the electronic apparatus44or the data transmitted to the electronic apparatus44by the connected device42may be encrypted by using aforesaid account, which means in one aspect the account can be used to encrypt the data to be transmitted to an opposite side and in another aspect the account can be used to decrypt the data received from the opposite side. Accordingly, the security of data transmission between the devices can be ensured.

To sum up, in the method and the system for network setting of a connected device of the present invention, a communication channel is established between the connected device and an electronic apparatus that is connected to the network in advance, and the setting data associated with the electronic apparatus connecting the network is provided to the connected device by the electronic apparatus such that the connected device can quickly complete the network setting. Besides, the connected device may obtain the pairing object provided by the cloud server through the electronic apparatus, so as to quickly complete the setting for loging in the cloud server. Accordingly, not only the cost for the additionally disposed buttons can be saved, the security of the data transmission on the network can be ensured through encrypting the transmitted data by the information like the account.