NFC Access Control for Secure Wireless Cargo Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cargo loading systems face safety and security risks due to the ability to access and control them remotely without physical presence, leading to potential unauthorized operations.

Innovation Solution

A controller utilizing a processor and memory with instructions for authentication via near-field communication (NFC) protocols to securely connect and control cargo handling systems, ensuring physical presence is required for access and operation, with features for managing access zones and data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless devices are used to control cargo loading systems remotely, then ease of operation is improved, but safety and security deteriorate due to unauthorized access risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidsafety and security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces NFC access points as intermediary devices that mediate between the controller and cargo loading system. The access points authenticate controllers physically present in the cargo compartment and establish secure wireless connections, allowing remote operation while maintaining safety through physical presence verification and authentication credentials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If physical controls are used in cargo compartment, then safety is improved by requiring physical presence, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical physical controls with wireless communication technology. Controllers use NFC and wireless protocols to interact with the cargo loading system without physical contact, eliminating the need for operators to be physically present in the cargo compartment while maintaining safety through authentication mechanisms that verify physical presence at the access point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If wireless communication protocols are used for data transfer, then productivity is improved through faster operations, but reliability deteriorates due to potential unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary authentication actions through NFC access points before allowing wireless communication. The system verifies the controller's credentials and establishes authorized communication channels in advance, ensuring that only authenticated controllers can access the cargo loading system via wireless protocols, thus maintaining reliability while enabling fast data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4287669A1Short range data transfer in wireless cargo applications

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 GOODRICH CORP

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D

AI summary

A controller is disclosed herein. The controller includes a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive authentication credentials for controlling a cargo handling system (200) via an access point (208). The access point uses a short-range wireless communication protocol. The instructions further cause the processor to connect to the cargo handling system via a wireless communication protocol, receive control of the cargo handling system, and send commands to the cargo handling system.