Decentralized Observation System Access Control via Peer-to-Peer Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing observation systems with a server-client structure face high transaction costs and complex infrastructure requirements due to the need for centralized management of confidential data, which complicates secure remote access and operation of observation devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a peer-to-peer network with a peer-to-peer application that controls access to observation devices, eliminating the need for a central server by using a decentralized framework where nodes monitor and authorize access, reducing transaction costs and infrastructure complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a server-client structure with centralized management is used, then secure access control can be implemented, but transaction costs and infrastructure complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure access controlVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized access control function into distributed peer-to-peer modules. Each observation device and access entity receives a peer-to-peer module that enables decentralized authentication and authorization. This segmentation eliminates the need for a central server while maintaining security through distributed consensus and cryptographic verification among peers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the central server component from the access control architecture. By removing the centralized management instance and replacing it with peer-to-peer communication protocols and distributed authentication mechanisms, the system achieves secure access control without the infrastructure complexity and transaction costs associated with centralized servers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a central server manages confidential data, then access control can be centralized, but transaction costs increase and remote access becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote accessVSAvoidtransaction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service authentication and authorization mechanisms where observation devices and access entities independently verify each other's credentials through peer-to-peer cryptographic protocols. Each device maintains its own authentication state and can autonomously grant or deny access without contacting a central server, thereby eliminating transaction costs and simplifying remote access operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If centralized management is used for observation devices, then control can be centralized, but the system requires high security expenditure and complex infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsecurity expenditure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical security infrastructure (central servers, secure data centers, physical access controls) with cryptographic and software-based peer-to-peer authentication mechanisms. Security is achieved through distributed cryptographic verification, digital signatures, and consensus protocols rather than expensive physical security infrastructure, thereby maintaining high security standards while reducing expenditure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3482543B1Observation system
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 INNOGY INNOVATION GMBH
  • EP3482543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3482543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3482543B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an observation system (200, 300, 500, 800), comprising at least one observation device (204, 304.1, 304.2, 504.1, 504.2, 804) comprising at least one observation unit (206, 306.1, 306.2) configured to observe at least one observation object in accordance with at least one first instruction data set, and at least one access control arrangement (201, 301) configured to control access to the observation device (204, 304.1, 304.2, 504.1, 504.2, 804) by at least one access entity (230, 330, 830), wherein the access control arrangement (201, 301) comprises: at least one first peer-to- peer module (226, 326.1, 326.2) assigned to the observation device (204, 304.1, 304.2, 504.1, 504.2, 804) and configured to forward at least one first instruction data set to the observation unit (206, 306.1, 306.2), at least one peer-to-peer application (224, 324, 424, 824) of at least one peer-to-peer network (222, 322, 522), wherein the peer-to-peer application (224, 324, 424, 824) is configured to control the access to the observation device (204, 304.1, 304.2, 504.1, 504.2, 804) by allowing the access entity (230, 330, 830) to cause the provision of at least one first instruction data set to the first peer-to- peer module (226, 326.1, 326.2).