Automated credentialing of device newly added to a network

摘要

A device newly introduced to a network is automatically credentialed to be able to communicate over a network before the device first communicates with the network. For example, at a point of purchase, a user can provide network identification information to a merchant computing device that effects transfer of that information to the new device such that the new device can communicate directly with the network without initial credentialing directly between the unique device and the local network. In another example, the merchant computing device communicates with the local network to register a newly purchased device with the local network before the newly purchased device is introduced to the network. Accordingly, the network is configured to begin communications with the unique device without initial credentialing directly between the unique device and the local network.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
sending, by a merchant computing device to a gateway device, a request for unique identification information for a local network; receiving, at the merchant computing device from the gateway device via an Internet protocol, the unique identification information for the local network, wherein the local network includes the gateway device, and wherein the gateway device is associated with at least a local communication protocol and the Internet communication protocol; and communicating, from the merchant computing device, the unique identification information for the local network to a unique device via a direct communication channel prior to a first communication between the unique device and the local network, wherein the unique identification information for the local network allows the unique device to communicate substantively with the local network via the local communication protocol without initial credentialing between the unique device and the local network, wherein the initial credentialing comprises pairing or adding the unique device to the local network such that the unique device is enabled to communicate with the gateway device via the local communication protocol, and wherein the unique device is enabled to immediately communicate with the gateway device directly via the local communication protocol in response to the unique device receiving the unique identification information for the local network.