Context-Aware Multi-System Controller Access via Backend Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current control systems for multiple controllable devices, such as lighting systems, are inflexible and require IT department involvement for users to control devices outside their local network, limiting user convenience and control flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that enables a controller for one system to control devices of another system by receiving location and credential information, performing context matching, and establishing access rights, allowing secure control of devices across different systems using a trusted source and backend infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If current control systems are used with dedicated backends for each system, then system security and control management are maintained, but user convenience and control flexibility are reduced due to requiring IT department involvement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal controller that can control devices across multiple different systems (first system and second system) using a single device. The controller receives location information and credentials from both systems' backends, performs context matching, and enables control of devices from both systems without requiring separate control devices or IT department involvement for each system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a backend system that acts as an intermediary between the controller and multiple controllable device systems. This backend receives location information and credentials from various sources (first backend, second backend, trusted sources), performs context matching, and enables the controller to access devices across different systems securely, eliminating the need for direct IT department involvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If controllers can control devices across multiple systems, then user flexibility and convenience are improved, but security risks and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidsystem security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by receiving location information and credentials from both the first backend and trusted sources before enabling control. The system performs context matching in advance to verify the controller's identity and authorization status across multiple systems, ensuring security is established before any control operations begin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors location information and credentials from multiple sources. The backend receives updates on the controller's location and authentication status, and adjusts access rights accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that security requirements are met while allowing flexible control across systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If location information and credentials are collected from multiple sources, then context matching accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity and system requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontext matching accuracyVSAvoiddata processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data collection process by receiving location information from the first backend and credentials from trusted sources as separate, distinct inputs. This segmentation allows the system to process and validate each type of information independently, improving accuracy while managing complexity through structured data handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges location information from multiple sources (first backend, second backend, trusted sources) and credentials from various sources into a unified context matching process. By combining these disparate data elements and comparing them against each other, the system achieves high accuracy in verifying controller identity and authorization while using a centralized processing approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10142838B2Context-aware controlling of multiple systems of controllable devices

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for enabling a controller configured for controlling devices of a first system via a first backend to control devices of a second system via a second backend. The method, performed by the second backend, includes receiving, from the first backend, location information of the controller and credentials of the controller or/and of a user of the controller, receiving, from a source trusted by the second backend, location information of the controller and credentials of the controller or/and of the user, and performing context matching to enable the controller to control the devices of the second system by comparing the location information received from the first backend with the location information received from the source trusted by the second backend and by comparing the credentials received from the first backend with the credentials received from the source trusted by the second backend.