IoT Gateway Management Console Access via Resolver Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

IoT gateways are often physically inaccessible, making it difficult to access their management consoles without physical ports, which limits their deployment in compact or secure environments and increases costs due to the need for external I/O devices.

Innovation Solution

A method using a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) resolver server to wirelessly access the management console of an IoT gateway, allowing administrative devices to receive an address for the gateway and adjust settings without physical connection, facilitated by a gateway resolver and a unique identifier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical ports and dedicated I/O devices are used to access gateway management console, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to management consoleVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a resolver server as an intermediary between the administrative device and the gateway device. The resolver receives access information from the gateway, generates a time-limited URL, and provides it to the administrative device. This mediator enables wireless access to the management console without requiring physical ports or dedicated I/O devices on the gateway, thus improving ease of operation while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical connection system (physical ports and cables) with a wireless network-based system. Instead of requiring physical access through ports, the gateway publishes access information to a resolver server over the network, and administrative devices access the management console wirelessly through generated URLs. This substitution eliminates the need for physical I/O devices and reduces device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If physical ports are added to gateway device for management access, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to management consoleVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device uses its existing network communication capabilities (designed for IoT data transmission) to also handle management console access information publication. The same network interface and protocol stack serve dual purposes: IoT device communication and management access facilitation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated physical ports or I/O devices, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The resolver server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex access management functionality externally. Instead of building expensive physical access infrastructure into the gateway, the resolver server provides the access management service over the network. This shifts the complexity and cost from device manufacturing to service infrastructure, reducing gateway manufacturing costs while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If gateway device is made physically inaccessible for security, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of access to management console

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical access control mechanisms with network-based access control. The gateway publishes access information to a resolver server over the network, and administrative devices obtain time-limited URLs to access the management console wirelessly. This substitution maintains security by keeping the gateway physically inaccessible while improving ease of operation through convenient wireless access to the management console

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway performs preliminary action by publishing its access information to the resolver server in advance. This allows administrative devices to obtain access URLs before physically approaching the gateway, enabling secure remote access. The time-limited nature of the URLs ensures that even if intercepted, the access credentials become invalid after expiration, maintaining security while enabling easy operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10652107B2Accessing gateway management console

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Technical solutions are described for accessing a management console of a gateway device in an internet of things (IoT) system. An example method includes receiving wirelessly, by an administrative device, access information for the management console of the gateway device. The method further includes receiving, by the administrative device, from a gateway resolver device, an address for the gateway device in response to sending the access information to the gateway resolver device. The method further includes accessing, by the administrative device, the management console of the gateway device using the address. The method further includes adjusting, by the administrative device, one or more settings of the gateway device using the IoT system.