Airport Service Means Access Control Without Key Reprogramming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for controlling semi-movable service means in airport infrastructures lack efficient security and management, as lost or stolen keys can enable unauthorized use, and reprogramming all devices is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A client-server architecture system where user identification is verified through a server, allowing remote enabling or disabling of service means, ensuring only authorized users can operate them, and enabling dynamic real-time control and improved security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional key-based control systems are used for service means, then ease of operation is maintained, but security and control reliability deteriorate due to inability to remotely disable lost keys

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidkey management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical key-based authorization system with an electronic identification system. Instead of using physical keys to start engines or access service means, the system uses electronic identifiers (such as RFID tags, barcode scanners, or biometric sensors) that communicate with a centralized server. This substitution enables remote authorization management while maintaining user convenience, as employees can still access service means through familiar identification methods but with enhanced security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary between the identification system and the service means. The server acts as a mediator that receives identification data, verifies authorization status, and sends commands to enable or disable access to service means. This intermediary layer allows remote key management capabilities without requiring direct modification of the service means themselves, maintaining ease of operation while improving security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If reprogramming all devices is required when keys are lost, then security is maintained, but loss of time and productivity worsen due to cumbersome reprogramming process

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidreprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authorization management function from the service means themselves and places it in a centralized server. Instead of reprogramming each individual service means when a key is lost, the system simply updates the authorization status in the central database. This extraction allows security management to be performed centrally and efficiently without touching the distributed service means, dramatically reducing the time required to respond to lost keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authorization setup during normal operations, maintaining an up-to-date database of authorized users and their permissions. When a key is lost, the pre-configured system can immediately revoke access by updating the central database, rather than requiring reactive reprogramming of each device. This preliminary organization of authorization data enables rapid response to security incidents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If centralized server control is implemented, then security and remote control improve, but device complexity increases due to client-server architecture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol securityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal identification system that can work across multiple types of service means (vehicles, equipment, facilities) through a common client-server architecture. The same identification hardware and server software can manage authorization for various different service means, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each device type. This multi-functionality offsets the added complexity by providing centralized management benefits across the entire infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3526714B1Method, devices and system for improved control of a service means for dedicated use in infrastructures
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 TARGA TELEMATICS SPA
  • EP3526714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3526714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3526714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method, devices, and computer program for controlling a semi-movable service means dedicated to a use in airport infrastructures. According to the method, there are envisaged steps of obtaining (S110), in the client device, identification information of a user from an external device; sending (S120), in the client device, a request message to the server device on the basis of the obtained information; performing (S130), in the server device, an authorisation process for the semi-movable means on the basis of the received request message; sending (S140), in the server device, a response message to the client device on the basis of a result of the authorisation process; and performing (S150), in the client device, a control of the semi-movable means on the basis of the received response message.