Network Controller Mode Switching for Accessible Access Granting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require physical user input at a central network controller, often located in inaccessible locations, making it cumbersome to grant new devices or applications access to a network of controllable devices.
Innovation Solution
A network controller that switches from a control mode to a configuration mode based on user input received via a control device, allowing access rights to be granted at a more accessible location, such as a light switch, and enabling control devices to provide both control and access rights functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network controller requires physical user input at its location, then security is improved by ensuring user presence, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inaccessible location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary between the user and the network controller. The control device receives user input and transmits it to the network controller, allowing users to grant access rights without physically accessing the network controller's inaccessible location. This mediator enables secure access granting while eliminating the need for users to travel to the network controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the user input function from the access rights granting function. The control device handles user input collection, while the network controller processes access requests. This segmentation allows the network controller to remain in a secure, inaccessible location while still receiving authenticated user commands through the control device intermediary.
2Reliability
If the network controller is placed in an inaccessible location, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to distributed control functions
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a user interface for control commands and as an access rights granting terminal. By making the control device universal, the system avoids adding separate hardware components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security through the distributed architecture.
3Reliability
If access rights granting is centralized at the network controller, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time required to reach the controller
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is pre-configured and positioned in accessible locations throughout the system. Users can immediately grant access rights at the control device without needing to travel to the network controller. This preliminary placement of the control interface eliminates time loss while maintaining centralized security processing at the network controller.
Data Source
AI summary
A network controller (102) for granting a device and/or an application (120) access rights to at least one device of a set of devices (112, 130) is disclosed. The set of devices (112, 130) comprises a controllable device (130) and a control device (110), wherein the control device (110) comprises a user input element (112) configured to receive a user input, and wherein the control device (110) is configured to generate an input signal (114) based on the received user input. The network controller (102) comprises a communication unit (104) configured to receive an access request signal (124) from the device and/or the application (120), and to receive the input signal (114) from the control device (110), and a processor (106) configured to switch, upon receipt of the access request signal (124), the network controller (102) from a control mode to a configuration mode, wherein the processor (106) is configured to control, if the network controller (102) is in the control mode, the controllable device (130) based on the input signal (114), wherein the processor (106) is configured to grant, if the network controller (102) is in the configuration mode, the access rights to the device and/or the application (120) upon receipt of the input signal (114).