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Google patents short-lived codes for secure smart home network entry

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Google has filed a patent describing a method for new devices to join a Thread network, a type of low-power wireless mesh used in smart homes. Instead of using a permanent password, a new device requests a temporary, one-time code from an existing device on the network. This short-lived code allows the new device to securely receive the necessary credentials to connect without exposing long-term security keys.

Why it mattersThis improves the security of smart home setups by reducing the risk of permanent network keys being intercepted during the initial pairing process.

In the filing’s own words

Techniques and devices for joining a first Thread device to a Thread network are described. A second Thread device is discovered on the Thread network. Based on the discovering, an ephemeral code is requested from the second Thread device, the request directing the second Thread device to generate the ephemeral code. Using the ephemeral code, a secure session is established between the first Thread device and the second Thread device (or a commissioner device and the second Thread device), the establishing being effective to direct the second Thread device to transfer credentials for the Thread network to the first Thread device.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method of joining a first Thread device to a Thread network, in particular a wireless mesh network, by a commissioner device, the method comprising: discovering, a second Thread device operating on the Thread network; based on the discovering, requesting an ephemeral code from the second Thread device, the request directing the second Thread device to generate the ephemeral code; and using the ephemeral code, establishing a secure session with the second Thread device, the establishing being effective to transfer credentials for the Thread network to the first Thread device to enable the first Thread device to join the Thread network.

Facts

Company
Google (Google LLC)
Official title
Ephemeral Codes for Thread Credential Sharing
Publication number
US20260304122A1
Application number
19477029
Filed
May 17, 2024
Published
Oct 1, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 12/08 Electricity & electronicsH04L 61/4511 Electricity & electronicsH04W 8/005 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/10 Electricity & electronicsH04W 84/18 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.