Proximity Sensing Components with Enhanced Security Communications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional security systems using reed switches are vulnerable to spoofing due to their inability to discriminate between internal and external magnetic fields, allowing unauthorized access by mimicking the magnetic field.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a first security component that generates a wireless signaling magnetic field with an authorizing code and a second security component that receives and compares this code using a magnetic field sensor and processor, ensuring only authorized proximity is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a reed switch is used to detect magnetic fields, then the sensor can detect proximity of components, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to spoofing by external magnets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproximity detection accuracyVSAvoidspoofing vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into multiple independent reed switches (first reed switch and second reed switch) that detect magnetic fields from different sources (first magnet and second magnet respectively). This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between legitimate component proximity and external spoofing attempts by analyzing which magnet triggered which reed switch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple reed switches and magnets, analyzes their spatial relationships, and determines whether the detected magnetic field is from a legitimate component or an external spoofing source. The system uses the relative positions of magnets and reed switches to verify authenticity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple magnets and reed switches are added to prevent spoofing, then security improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-spoofing capabilityVSAvoidsensor component configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first magnet and second magnet serve multiple functions: they act as both the primary sensing elements for detecting component proximity and as potential spoofing sources that the system must distinguish from legitimate operation. The multiple reed switches similarly serve both as detection elements and as part of the verification mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the positions of multiple magnets and reed switches and uses feedback from their relative movements to determine whether the detected signal is legitimate or spoofed. The processor analyzes the feedback signals to verify that the magnetic field source is indeed the expected component and not an external imposter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances security by preventing unauthorized access through the use of a unique authorizing code that is difficult to spoof, thereby improving the reliability of proximity sensing in security systems.

Implementation Method 1

The first security component is configured to emanate a wireless signal with an authorizing code, and may comprise a magnetic field generating device configured to generate a signaling magnetic field including the signal with the authorizing code

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The second security component may comprise a magnetic field sensor configured to sense the signal emanating from the magnetic field generating device, with the magnetic field sensor having a first state and a second state and being changed from one said state to the other said state by a change in the signaling magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11828624B1Proximity sensing components employing enhanced security communications

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 TOBIAS MARC

AI summary

A system may include a first security component configured to emanate a signal with an authorizing code, and may have a magnetic field generating device configured to generate a signaling magnetic field including the signal with the authorizing code. The system may also include a second security component configured to wirelessly receive the signal with the authoring code when the second security component is proximate to the signaling magnetic field of the first security component. The second security component may include a magnetic field sensor configured to sense the signal emanating from the magnetic field generating device, and the sensor may be changed between first and second states by a change in the signaling magnetic field.