Bathing Control Pairing Station for Secure Remote Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for bathing systems lack adequate security measures to prevent accidental or malicious activation by unauthorized users, such as passer-bys or neighbors, due to the ease of access and pairing with portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A secure pairing system where portable user devices must be paired with a pairing station within a defined range, using methods like Bluetooth, and located in a secure or hidden area, such as a bathroom, to authenticate and authorize access to control the bathing system, reducing unauthorized access by requiring physical proximity and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote control of bathing system is enabled via portable devices, then user convenience is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pairing authentication between the portable device and shower system before enabling remote control functionality. This advance security measure ensures that only authorized devices can establish control, preventing unauthorized activation while maintaining remote control convenience for paired devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a pairing code as an intermediary authentication mechanism between the portable device and shower system. This mediator verifies authorization status before allowing control commands to be executed, effectively blocking unauthorized access while preserving convenient remote control for authorized users.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pairing region is restricted to secure area, then security is improved, but ease of pairing operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a spatial dimension to the pairing process by requiring the portable device to be physically present within a restricted pairing region of the shower system. This spatial requirement creates a natural security barrier while maintaining ease of pairing for authorized users who have access to the shower location.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system for a bathing apparatus (100) is disclosed, comprising a pairing station (108) associated with the bathing apparatus (100) and having a pairing interface (108a), and a portable user device (110) arranged to be used to control the bathing apparatus (100), the portable user device (110) being able to control one or more functions of the bathing apparatus (100) only while it is paired with the pairing station (108). The portable user device (110) is paired with the pairing station (108) by activation of the pairing interface (108a) when the portable user device (110) is in a pairing region.