Private Blockchain Building Automation for Secure Device Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building control systems, such as HVAC systems, face challenges with security, connectivity, device authentication, and incompatibility among devices from different manufacturers, leading to potential compromise of critical infrastructure and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a blockchain-based system with a private local blockchain that includes a device ledger, transaction ledger, transaction processor, and local rule engine to authenticate and securely manage transactions among building components, ensuring data integrity and interoperability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional building control systems are used, then system operation is maintained, but security is compromised and device authentication is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a blockchain as an intermediary layer between building components and the central control system. This decentralized ledger mediates communications by providing cryptographic verification and authentication, enhancing security without requiring complete system redesign. The blockchain acts as a trust intermediary that validates device identities and transactions independently of traditional centralized authentication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical and centralized authentication mechanisms with cryptographic verification and distributed consensus algorithms. Instead of relying on centralized servers for device verification, the system uses blockchain-based cryptographic proofs to authenticate building components, substituting the mechanical trust model with a mathematical and distributed trust model that enhances security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If devices from different manufacturers are integrated, then system versatility improves, but incompatibility and communication issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice interoperabilityVSAvoidcommunication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communication protocol built on blockchain technology that enables different building components from various manufacturers to interact seamlessly. The blockchain provides a standardized framework for device registration, authentication, and transaction recording, allowing HVAC systems, lighting controls, and security devices to communicate through common cryptographic protocols rather than manufacturer-specific interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain serves as a universal intermediary that translates and standardizes communication between disparate device protocols. By routing all device-to-device communications through the blockchain ledger, the system automatically handles protocol translation and data standardization, eliminating the need for complex manual integration configurations between different manufacturer ecosystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If centralized control is used, then system management is simplified, but single point of failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem robustnessVSAvoidsystem management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control function into distributed blockchain nodes deployed across multiple building components. Instead of relying on a single centralized server, the control logic is divided and replicated across the network, with each node maintaining a copy of the ledger and executing validation functions independently. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure while distributing management responsibilities throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain system enables building components to autonomously register themselves, authenticate transactions, and maintain their own operational records without requiring constant centralized intervention. Devices perform self-registration by submitting to the blockchain, and the distributed consensus mechanism automatically validates and records transactions, reducing the operational burden on centralized administrators while enhancing system robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250233727A1Systems and methods of enabling blockchain-based building automation systems

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A system includes a plurality of first building components, a private local blockchain, a second building component, and a client device. The private local blockchain includes a device ledger indicating each first building component, a transaction ledger maintaining a plurality of blocks corresponding to a transaction between at least two first building components and including at least one first unique identifier of the corresponding first building component and a timestamp of the transaction, a transaction processor that generates at least one block by executing a predetermined hash function using a previous block, and a local rule engine defining rules to evaluate a transaction. The second building component has at least one second unique identifier. The client device provides the at least one second unique identifier to the private local blockchain. The private local blockchain determines whether to add the second building component to the device ledger.