Dynamic Access Codes for Secure Chiller Control Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional chillers use static access codes that remain unchanged for years, leading to unauthorized access and difficulty in controlling and monitoring appropriate access to chiller functions.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates encrypted access codes based on user identity and device access level, with time-sensitive permissions, allowing secure access to specific chiller functions without network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static access codes are used for chiller control panels, then ease of operation is improved, but security and access control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static access codes into dynamic, time-sensitive encrypted codes that automatically expire after a predetermined time period. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation while significantly improving security, as codes cannot be reused after expiration and must be refreshed for continued access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of access codes from static to time-dependent by encoding expiration timestamps into the encrypted codes. This parameter change allows the system to provide both ease of operation (through automated time-based access) and improved security (through automatic code invalidation after expiration).
2Reliability
If access codes are changed frequently, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service access management where the control panel automatically generates, manages, and validates time-sensitive encrypted codes without requiring external intervention. This automation reduces the operational complexity of frequent code changes while maintaining high security through automated expiration and regeneration of access codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-encoding expiration timestamps and access level permissions into encrypted codes before they are used. This preliminary encoding simplifies the access management process by automating the code generation and validation logic, reducing the complexity of managing frequent code changes.
3Measurement precision
If time-sensitive encrypted access codes are implemented, then access control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual access code management with an automated cryptographic system that uses encrypted codes containing embedded expiration timestamps. This substitution improves access control precision by automatically validating time-based permissions while the encryption and time-validation logic are integrated into the control panel's existing processing architecture, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling access to building equipment, the system having one or more memory devices having instructions stored thereon that, when executed cause one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include receiving an access request from a user device to access a device of building equipment, the access request indicating the device to which access is requested and an identity of an entity requesting access. The operations also include selecting an access level of the entity from a plurality of access levels stored in an access profile database based on the access request. The operations further include generating an encrypted access code indicating the access level of the entity, and transmitting the encrypted access code to the user device, the encrypted access code granting access to the device when the encrypted access code is entered via a device interface of the device.