Intermediary System Location-Based Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling access to local devices connected to a local network are cumbersome, particularly when managing permissions for user equipment connected to a public network, as they often require changing passwords or laborious manual management of permissions.

Innovation Solution

An intermediary system that uses location-based access control, allowing access to local devices based on the user equipment's location, using techniques such as GPS, network-based localization, and proximity conditions, to provide flexible and automated permission management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If password-based access control is used for local network, then access security is provided, but permission management becomes cumbersome and requires password changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess securityVSAvoidpermission management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the access control parameter from static password-based authentication to dynamic location-based authentication. The intermediary system evaluates real-time location parameters (GPS coordinates, network location) to dynamically grant or deny access permissions, eliminating the need for password changes while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between user equipment and local devices. This intermediary receives location information, evaluates access conditions, and automatically manages permissions without requiring users to manually change passwords or configure access settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment connects to public network for remote access, then accessibility is improved, but access control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidaccess control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary system simplifies access control complexity by centralizing the evaluation logic. It receives location information from user equipment connected via public network, evaluates whether access conditions are met, and automatically manages permissions, thereby reducing the complexity burden from the user side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated self-service access control where the intermediary system automatically evaluates location conditions and grants or denies access without requiring user intervention or complex configuration. The system serves itself by automatically managing permission states based on location evaluations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If location-based access control is implemented, then permission management flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermission management flexibilityVSAvoidintermediary system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: receiving location information from various sources (GPS, network location), evaluating different access conditions, and managing permissions for multiple local devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If manual permission management is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but time consumption for access control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtime for permission management
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary system implements automated self-service permission management by continuously monitoring location information and automatically evaluating access conditions. When location conditions are met, access is automatically granted; when not met, access is automatically denied, eliminating manual intervention and reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where the intermediary system receives real-time location information, evaluates access conditions, and automatically adjusts permission states. This feedback mechanism enables automated real-time access control without manual intervention, significantly reducing time consumption for permission management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3398376B1Method and system for controlling access for a user equipment to a local device
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 KONINK KPN NV
  • EP3398376B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3398376B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3398376B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling access for a user equipment to at least one local device via an intermediary system that is configured to connect to a local network and to a public network. The user equipment is connected to the public network and the at least one local device is connected to the local network. The method comprises a number of steps in the intermediary system. One of these steps is storing one or more location conditions for access for the user equipment to the at least one local device. Another step is receiving first location information of the user equipment over the public network, the first location information indicating a location of the user equipment. Yet another step is controlling access for the user equipment to the at least one local device by verifying whether the first location information satisfies the one or more location conditions. The invention further relates to the intermediary system used in the method.