Geographical Limitations for Security System Control Actions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security systems lack effective geographical limitations for control actions, which can lead to unauthorized access and misuse, particularly when users interact with the system remotely through devices outside predetermined ranges.

Innovation Solution

Implementing geographical limitations on control actions by using GPS-enabled user devices to authenticate and authorize requests, ensuring that only actions within specified distance ranges can be performed, thereby enhancing security and compliance with regulatory standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If geographical limitations are implemented on control actions, then system security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different geographical limitation rules to different control actions based on their security requirements. Critical actions like disarming the system require the user to be within a predetermined distance range, while less sensitive actions may allow broader access. This localized application of security constraints maintains convenience for routine operations while ensuring security for critical functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts access permissions based on the user's real-time location relative to the security system. The geographical limitation is not a static restriction but an adaptive constraint that evaluates the user's position against predetermined distance ranges at the moment of control action requests, balancing security requirements with operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If remote access through user devices is allowed, then user flexibility is improved, but unauthorized access risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser flexibilityVSAvoidunauthorized access risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces geographical location verification as an intermediary authentication layer between the user device and the security system. Before granting remote access, the system verifies that the user device is within an approved geographical area. This intermediary check maintains user flexibility for remote operations while mitigating unauthorized access risks by adding a location-based security barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control actions are permitted remotely, then system functionality is improved, but security vulnerability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control actions into different categories based on their security sensitivity and applies distinct geographical limitation rules to each segment. Critical functions like disarming are restricted to users within a short predetermined distance, while less sensitive functions may permit broader remote access. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive functionality while reducing overall security vulnerability through differentiated access controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3105748B1Applying geographical limitations to control actions of a security system
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
  • EP3105748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3105748B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3105748B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus for applying geographical limitations to control actions of a security system is described. The apparatus receive location data from a user device, determines whether location data has the user device within a predetermined distance range from the security system and cause a message to be sent to the security system to perform the control action specified in the request when the processor determines that the user device is within the predetermined distance range.