Mobile Device Room Control via Cryptographic Certificate Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guestroom rental systems face complexity in guest-device interactions, requiring manual configuration and pin codes for linking mobile devices with room control systems, hindering seamless deployment and access management.
Innovation Solution
A system where a reservation system requests and transmits a cybersecurity certificate from a room control server to both the room equipment and a guest's mobile device, enabling secure, keyless entry and dynamic management of access permissions, allowing the mobile device to authenticate with the room control equipment and update access attributes as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration and pin codes are used for linking mobile devices with room control systems, then security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reservation system as an intermediary that automatically manages certificate distribution between the mobile device and room control system. The reservation system generates cryptographic certificates and pushes them to both the guest's mobile device and the room's control equipment, eliminating the need for manual pairing and pin code entry while maintaining security through cryptographic authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-distributing cryptographic certificates to both the mobile device and room control system before the guest arrives. The reservation system pushes the certificate to the mobile device in advance, and the room control system receives and stores the certificate beforehand, enabling seamless automatic authentication when the guest arrives without requiring on-site configuration.
2Ease of operation
If certificate-based authentication is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential security vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (pin code entry, device pairing) with cryptographic certificate-based authentication. The mobile device and room control system automatically authenticate each other using digitally signed certificates, substituting the mechanical security process with a more reliable cryptographic verification mechanism that is both secure and seamless.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cryptographic copying by distributing identical certificate copies to both the mobile device and room control system through the reservation system. Both parties possess the same certificate, enabling mutual authentication without physical exchange or manual configuration, ensuring that the copied credential maintains its security properties while enabling convenient access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic certificate updates are implemented for changing guest preferences, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the room control system and mobile device continuously verify certificate validity and update access attributes based on changing conditions. The system monitors guest check-out status, room reassignments, and preference changes, automatically refreshing or revoking certificates as needed, with both parties receiving updates and adjusting their authentication state accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the authentication system dynamic by enabling real-time certificate updates and attribute changes. Rather than static credentials, the system allows certificates to be refreshed, extended, or revoked based on ongoing guest status, room availability, and preference changes, with both mobile device and room control system adapting their authentication parameters dynamically throughout the stay.
Data Source
AI summary
A system or arrangement of room control with a mobile device by a guest at a hotel, motel, or the like. When a reservation system assigns a guest to a room in, for instance a hotel, the reservation system may request a security certificate from a server that manages a control system in the room. The certificate may be transmitted to the guestroom control equipment and room reservation system. The certificate may be pushed to a mobile device of the guest. Also a key credential may be pushed to the mobile device for room access. The certificate may indicate the date/time period where the certificate is valid and functional aspects that the certificate can support relative to the room. When a guest goes to the room, the mobile device may link up with the control equipment in the room. Both entities having the same certificate can mutually authenticate each other.