Intermediary Device for Secure IoT Tool Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internet-enabled devices like tablets and mobile phones, which do not meet safety standards for data bus communication, cannot influence the control or regulation of safety-relevant working devices, such as agricultural implements, due to lack of compliance with Agricultural Performance Levels (AgPL) and functional security requirements.
Innovation Solution
A device with interfaces for data exchange, a checking mechanism to ensure proper functioning, and a transfer mechanism to maintain safety by preventing data exchange if the internet-enabled device malfunctions, allowing secure coupling of internet-enabled devices to working devices via a data bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an internet-enabled display and input device is connected to a working device via a data bus, then the ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but the functional security and reliability deteriorate because the device does not meet Agricultural Performance Levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device connected between the internet-enabled display device and the working device via the data bus. This intermediary acts as a mediator that monitors the display device's functionality and controls data exchange, thereby enabling accessibility while maintaining functional security requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the internet-enabled display device for user interaction, the intermediary monitoring device for security management, and the working device for execution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability
2Ease of operation
If an internet-enabled display and input device is used for data collection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to influence control or regulation remains limited due to safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary device enables the internet-enabled display device to influence control and regulation by mediating data exchange. It monitors functionality and selectively permits control commands to pass through, thereby extending versatility while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of control access based on the monitored functionality of the display device. When the device functions properly, control influence is permitted; when dysfunction is detected, access is restricted, providing adaptive control capability
3Reliability
If a checking mechanism is added to monitor device functionality, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The checking mechanism is merged with the data exchange interface in the intermediary device. The same component that manages data communication also performs functionality monitoring, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (5) for connecting an Internet-capable displaying and input apparatus (4), in particular a tablet computer or a mobile telephone, to a tool (2), which tool is to be controlled in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner via a data bus (3), wherein the device has at least one first interface (6a, 6b) for exchanging data with the Internet-capable displaying and input apparatus (4), wherein the device has at least one second interface (7) for exchanging data with the tool (2) to be controlled in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner, wherein the device has a checking means (8) for checking for proper functioning of the Internet-capable displaying and input apparatus (4), and wherein the device has a transferring means (9), which transfers the tool (2) to a safe state if the checking means (8) detects improper functioning of the Internet-capable displaying and input apparatus (4).