Electrical Controller Override via Alternative Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical systems controlled by compromised master controllers can operate in erratic or unauthorized ways, reducing the effectiveness and reliability of lighting, sensor, or security systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an electrical device with a communication module and device controller that can receive instructions from a master controller over a default network, determine if the instructions fall outside acceptable parameters, and send corrective instructions over an alternative communication network to maintain system operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the system uses a single default communication network for master controller instructions, then the system structure is simple and ease of installation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when the master controller is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication network is segmented into a default communication network for normal operations and an alternative communication network for security operations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple installation procedures while establishing a separate secure communication path that activates when compromise is detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electrical devices act as intermediaries that monitor communications on the default network and can switch to the alternative network when compromise is detected. This intermediary function enables the system to maintain reliability through an alternative communication path without complicating the primary installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the electrical device monitors and validates master controller instructions, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Electrical devices perform self-monitoring and self-validation of master controller instructions by comparing received instructions against stored acceptable parameters. This self-service approach enables reliability improvement through active monitoring without requiring external validation systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity to only the necessary monitoring and comparison functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the system implements an alternative communication network for override instructions, then the reliability is improved when master controller is compromised, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alternative communication network capability is pre-configured in electrical devices during manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary action ensures that when compromise is detected, the system can immediately switch to the alternative network without requiring complex real-time configuration, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in operational device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If electrical devices can override compromised instructions, then the security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where electrical devices continuously monitor master controller instructions and automatically activate override capabilities when instructions fall outside acceptable parameters. This automated feedback loop improves security by enabling rapid response to compromise while maintaining ease of operation, as the override process occurs automatically without requiring manual intervention or complex operational procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260072413A1Operating with compromised master controllers for electrical systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

An electrical device of an electrical system can include a communication module and a controller, where the controller is configured to receive a first communication, through the communication module, from a master controller over a default communication network, and where the first communication includes a first instruction. The controller can also be configured to determine that the first instruction falls outside acceptable operating parameters, and to generate a second instruction to replace the first instruction, where the second instruction falls within the acceptable operating parameters. The controller can further be configured to send, using the communication module, the second instruction to an additional electrical device over an alternative communication network, where the second instruction controls operation of the additional electrical device over subsequent communications from the master controller.