Aspirating Detector Licensing via QR Code Without Direct Server Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aspirating gas detectors in large facilities face challenges in configuration and functionality licensing due to the need for external connections, which pose security risks and complicate the process of enabling or disabling features like detecting specific gases, despite the desire for selective and time-limited functionality activation.

Innovation Solution

A system enabling aspirating detectors to display a machine-readable code, allowing a mobile device to connect to an external server for licensing and receiving a license key, which can enable or disable specific functionalities via a user interface, facilitating configuration and maintenance without external internet connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If aspirating detectors are connected to external servers for functionality licensing, then selective and time-limited feature activation is enabled, but security risks increase due to external connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective functionality activationVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A mobile device serves as an intermediary between the aspirating detector and the external server. The mobile device scans a machine-readable code displayed by the detector, establishes a connection to the server, receives the license key, and transmits it back to the detector. This intermediary approach allows the detector to obtain licensing capabilities without maintaining a direct connection to external servers, thereby reducing security risks while enabling selective functionality activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If aspirating detectors require external connections for configuration and licensing, then functionality management is simplified, but system complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality configurationVSAvoidconnection requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aspirating detector displays a machine-readable code that contains its identification information. The system enables itself to be licensed by generating this code, which the mobile device scans to initiate the licensing process. This self-service approach simplifies configuration by eliminating the need for manual setup or complex connection management, as the detector actively provides its own identification information for licensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as a mediator that simplifies the licensing process for end users. Instead of requiring direct connections or complex configuration procedures, the user simply scans a code with their mobile device, and the intermediary automatically handles server communication and license key transmission, making functionality management straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If aspirating detectors enable recurring revenue models through licensing, then business sustainability improves, but the licensing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecurring revenue generationVSAvoidlicensing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device intermediary streamlines the licensing process for recurring revenue models. It automatically manages server communications, license key distribution, and activation processes, making the complex licensing infrastructure transparent to end users. This allows the system to implement sophisticated recurring revenue models without burdening users with complex configuration or management procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4358050B1Aspirating detector device functionality licensing
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP4358050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4358050B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Aspirating detector device functionality licensing is described herein. One system includes an aspirating detector device configured to display a machine-readable code via an interface responsive to an input and a mobile device configured to scan the code, establish a connection with a remove server responsive thereto, and receive a license key corresponding to an aspirating detector device functionality from the remote server via the connection and wherein the aspirating detector device is configured to enable the functionality responsive to an entry of the code via the interface.