Secure Remote Device Servicing via Wireless Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for servicing customer devices require interior access, which is inconvenient and poses safety risks, as technicians need to visit customers' premises for installation, configuration, and troubleshooting, exposing both parties to potential hazards and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables secure remote servicing over a short-range wireless communication network, allowing service technicians to connect to customer devices via a mobile device, eliminating the need for physical access by establishing a secure connection using unique identifiers, public keys, and authentication keys, enabling read/write access for diagnostic tests and configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If technicians visit customers' premises for device servicing, then direct access to customer devices is achieved, but safety risks and inconvenience increase due to required interior access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the service technician and the customer device. The technician uses a mobile device to establish a wireless connection (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular) to the customer device, eliminating the need for physical presence. This intermediary communication channel allows remote servicing while avoiding direct contact and associated safety risks.
2Ease of operation
If technicians visit customers' premises for device servicing, then direct access to customer devices is achieved, but time and scheduling efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel and in-person servicing with an electronic wireless communication system. Service technicians can connect to and service customer devices remotely through mobile devices using wireless protocols, eliminating the need for scheduled appointments and travel time. This substitution transforms a time-consuming physical process into an instantaneous digital connection.
3Reliability
If secure remote connection is established using authentication keys and cryptographic methods, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication framework that handles multiple cryptographic methods (public key infrastructure, symmetric encryption, challenge-response) through a single unified system. The mobile device and customer device both support multiple authentication protocols simultaneously, allowing the system to automatically select the appropriate method based on device capabilities. This multi-functionality approach maintains high security while reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each authentication method.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes providing a system and method for providing remote servicing of a customer device over a secure short-range wireless communication network connection. The customer device may be configured to securely establish a secure short-range wireless network communication connection between the customer device and a mobile device associated with an authorized user. When the mobile device is communicatively coupled with a customer device, the user may be enabled to access various installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and/or settings changing services on the customer device via the secure short-range wireless communication channel.