Air-Conditioning System Gateway for Cross-Protocol Security Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air-conditioning systems with different manufacturers' devices connected via general-purpose communication protocols face security risks where control information may flow between systems, compromising security.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning system with a second control device capable of communicating via XML protocol with a first control device using unique protocols, acquiring control information, creating corresponding control information, and controlling the system using a unique protocol to prevent security issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If general-purpose communication protocols (LON, XML) are used for communication between air-conditioning systems of different manufacturers, then interoperability and communication capability are improved, but security is worsened because control information may flow out between systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between air-conditioning systems of different manufacturers. The gateway translates control information from general-purpose protocols (LON, XML) into proprietary protocols before forwarding to the target system. This mediator approach enables interoperability while preventing direct exposure of control information between systems, thus resolving the security contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication architecture into multiple layers: an external communication layer using general-purpose protocols, a translation layer using proprietary protocols, and a control execution layer. This segmentation isolates the security-sensitive control information from direct exposure to external systems, allowing interoperability at the interface level while maintaining security in the core control layer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented between LON communication and XML communication, then compatibility between different manufacturers' systems is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal gateway device that can handle multiple communication protocols (LON, XML, and various proprietary protocols) through a single multi-functional platform. This universal approach consolidates multiple protocol conversion functions into one device, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate conversion devices for each protocol pair.
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning system includes a second control device that is communicable with a first control device that controls a first system including a first air-conditioning device by first communication using a first communication protocol, to control a second system including a second air-conditioning device by second communication using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, in which the second control device is communicable with the first control device by third communication using an XML communication protocol, acquires first control information from the first control device by the third communication, the first control information being used for controlling the first system, creates second control information based on the first control information acquired by the third communication, the second control information causing the second system to execute control corresponding to control of the first system.