Home Communication System Component Integration via Key Code Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bus-based home communication systems face challenges in secure integration and configuration of system components, particularly in ensuring that newly connected components cannot operate safety-critical functions like door opening or switching actuators without proper authorization.

Innovation Solution

All system components are identified using a special key code generated by a control/processing unit and stored in memory, ensuring that only authorized components can perform safety-critical actions by using cryptographic methods like challenge-response for secure communication and key code management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If system components are integrated using conventional bus-based communication with acoustic/visual identification, then the system allows flexible component selection and installation, but it cannot prevent unauthorized components from performing safety-critical functions after commissioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of safety-critical functionsVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates and distributes a key code to all authorized system components during the commissioning phase before normal operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that only components present during commissioning can access safety-critical functions, preventing unauthorized components from operating after installation is complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The key code acts as an intermediary authentication mechanism between system components and safety-critical functions. Components must possess and transmit this key code to authorize access, creating a secure intermediary layer that verifies identity and prevents unauthorized operations without requiring complex continuous authentication systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual commissioning of each home station is performed to establish logical links, then accurate addressing can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires repeated physical visits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddressing accuracyVSAvoidcommissioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically generates addressing information and establishes logical links between components through self-configuration during commissioning. Components autonomously transmit their identification data, and the system automatically creates the necessary connections, eliminating the need for manual programming and repeated physical visits by the installer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic feedback during commissioning by detecting when components are connected to the bus and automatically generating and assigning addressing information. This feedback mechanism allows the system to self-configure without requiring continuous manual intervention, significantly reducing commissioning time while maintaining accurate addressing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If acoustic and visual identification features are used for component selection, then the system provides user-friendly interface, but it cannot prevent replacement of components without re-programming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent selection easeVSAvoidcomponent replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The key code is distributed to all system components during the initial commissioning phase before any component replacement can occur. This preliminary distribution ensures that when components are replaced, the new components do not automatically gain access to safety-critical functions, maintaining security while allowing controlled system evolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical programming and physical reconfiguration with an automated electronic key code distribution mechanism. This substitution allows the system to maintain security and component identification through electronic authentication rather than requiring physical re-programming when components are replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2634965B1Integration of system components in a domestic communication system

Publication Date: 2014.03.12 ABB AG(DE)

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AI summary

A system component integration is proposed for a home communication system with at least one door station (16), at least one apartment station (1, 6, 11), at least one door opener (22) and optionally a system central unit (27) as system components, wherein all system components (1, 6, 11, 16, 22) are connected to a bus (32) and a linking / addressing of the system components of the home communication system is carried out by means of coding switches. Furthermore, all system components (1, 6, 11, 16, 22, 27) of the home communication system are marked with a special key code (s), which can be generated by a system component (27, 16) by means of a control processing unit (28, 19) and stored in a memory (29, 20) and forwarded to the other system components (1, 6, 11, 16, 22) and stored there also in memories (4, 9, 14, 20, 25).