Card Reader Remote Maintenance via Secure Cloud Channel

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional card reader maintenance requires physical presence of a technician, increasing costs and time, and lacks the ability for secure remote configuration and access control.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables remote maintenance of card readers through a secure channel between the card reader and a cloud-based computing device, allowing the card reader to transmit requests for service, receive and execute instructions, and configure operational settings via an encrypted cloud-based communications network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If card reader maintenance is performed through physical on-site technician visits, then proper maintenance and configuration can be provided, but maintenance costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance qualityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical technician visits with an electronic communication system. Card readers are equipped with network interfaces that enable remote communication with centralized management servers, allowing maintenance personnel to access and configure readers remotely through digital channels rather than requiring physical presence at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized management server as an intermediary between maintenance personnel and card readers. This server acts as a mediator that receives maintenance requests, processes configuration changes, and transmits instructions to the appropriate card readers, enabling efficient remote maintenance without direct physical intervention at each reader location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If card reader maintenance is performed through physical on-site technician visits, then proper maintenance and configuration can be provided, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance qualityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical technician visits with an electronic communication system. Card readers are equipped with network interfaces that enable remote communication with centralized management servers, allowing maintenance personnel to access and configure readers remotely through digital channels rather than requiring physical presence at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables card readers to autonomously report their status, transmit diagnostic information, and receive configuration updates without requiring manual intervention. The readers can self-diagnose issues and self-configure based on remote instructions, reducing the need for repeated technician visits and lowering overall maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If remote maintenance is implemented without secure communication channels, then maintenance efficiency improves, but security and access control are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements different security measures at different levels of the maintenance system. Encryption is applied specifically to the communication channels between card readers and management servers, while other parts of the system maintain appropriate security levels. This targeted approach ensures security where needed without unnecessarily complicating the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized management server as an intermediary between maintenance personnel and card readers. This server acts as a mediator that receives maintenance requests, processes configuration changes, and transmits instructions to the appropriate card readers, enabling efficient remote maintenance without direct physical intervention at each reader location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9141091B2Cloud secure channel access control

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 IDENTIV INC

AI summary

Methods and systems are described herein for providing configuration and access control of a card reader using a secure channel between the card reader and a remote computing device. The card reader transmits a request for service to the remote computing device via a cloud-based communications network. The remote computing device receives the request for service via the cloud-based communications network and generates service instructions based on the received request for service. The remote computing device transmits the service instructions to the card reader via the cloud-based communications network. The card reader receives the service instructions from the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network and configures operational settings based on the received service instructions.