Radio Receiver Programming Unit for Secure Transmitter Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio-controlled automation systems face challenges in securely adding new transmitters to the memory of a radio receiver without physical access or proximity, requiring a working transmitter, and potentially influencing other receivers in the vicinity.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a programming unit external to the radio receiver and transmitter, using a certificate that can be transferred wirelessly to enable new transmitters and modify memory contents without physical access, ensuring secure and exclusive control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If self-learning registration is used to store transmitter codes in the receiver memory, then new transmitters can be added flexibly, but the receiver must be physically accessed and activated which is not always possible when placed in inaccessible locations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to add new transmittersVSAvoidPhysical accessibility of receiver
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A programming unit is introduced as an intermediary device that communicates with both the receiver and the transmitter. This mediator enables code transfer without requiring physical access to the receiver by acting as an intermediate interface through which codes can be transmitted wirelessly to the receiver memory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical/physical access requirement for activating self-learning mode is replaced by a wireless communication system. The programming unit uses radio frequency communication to transfer codes to the receiver, eliminating the need for physical proximity or manual activation of the receiver's learning mode.

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

2Reliability

If a working transmitter is required as authorization key to store new transmitter codes, then security is maintained, but the process cannot be performed without having a working transmitter available

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSecurity of code storageVSAvoidAbility to add transmitters independently
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The programming unit serves as an authorized intermediary that has pre-established secure communication channels with both the receiver and transmitter. It performs authentication and code transfer functions without requiring a working transmitter to be present, as the programming unit itself holds the necessary authorization credentials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The programming unit can extract and copy codes from the transmitter memory and transfer them to the receiver memory through wireless communication. This copying function is performed by the authorized programming unit without requiring the presence of a working transmitter as a key.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If transmitters are stored in all receivers within transmission range that recognize them, then wireless communication flexibility is achieved, but unintended receivers may be influenced causing interference

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWireless code transfer convenienceVSAvoidInterference with other receivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The programming unit acts as a controlled intermediary that establishes directed, point-to-point communication between the transmitter and the specific target receiver. It manages the code transfer process to ensure that codes are transmitted only to the intended receiver, preventing unintended receivers from receiving or being influenced by the transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The code transfer operation is localized to a specific transmitter-receiver pair through the programming unit's controlled communication. The programming unit manages the transmission parameters and addressing to ensure that the code storage operation affects only the specific receiver being programmed, not other receivers in the vicinity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP1991972B2Radio receiver and transmitter apparatus for radio- controlled automation systems for opening/closure
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 NICE SPA
  • EP1991972B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1991972B2 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1991972B2 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An apparatus for radio-controlled automation systems for opening/closing curtains, entrance doors, rolling shutters, gates, barriers, electrical switches or the like, comprising a radio receiver which is coupled to an electric motor or to an electrical switch and comprising at least one radio transmitter for the remote actuation. The radio receiver comprises means for actuating the electric motor or the electrical switch on the basis of the content of an actuation radio signal which originates from the radio transmitter. The radio receiver comprises a memory storing a certificate which identifies the radio receiver and is adapted to provide an authorization for any operation at the radio receiver. The actuation means comprise stored instructions to perform the operation if the actuation signal comprises, in encoded form, the certificate in addition to a recognition code of the radio transmitter and a control code which corresponds to the operation to be performed.