Secured Commissioning via Dynamic Transmission Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing environment control systems and wireless consumer products face security breaches due to the failure of technicians or users to change generic passwords during commissioning, leading to potential tampering and security risks as more devices become interconnected.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device method and system that stores a generic password, reduces transmission power until a specific password is verified and received, then increases power and replaces the generic password, using encryption and authentication to ensure secure commissioning across technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a generic password is provided for wireless components, then ease of initial setup is improved, but security is worsened due to potential tampering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of initial setupVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary security configuration by reducing transmission power to a limited range before the generic password is changed. This preliminary action ensures that only devices in close proximity can communicate with the component during the vulnerable commissioning phase, preventing remote tampering while maintaining ease of setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission power is made dynamic rather than static - it automatically adjusts between reduced power during commissioning and full power during normal operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced security during the vulnerable setup phase while maintaining normal functionality afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If transmission power is reduced during commissioning, then security is improved by limiting detectability, but communication range is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcommunication range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The reduced transmission power creates a localized communication zone during commissioning, limiting detectability and communication to only devices in immediate proximity. This local quality approach ensures security is enhanced in the critical commissioning phase while the full communication range is restored after secure configuration is achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the generic password must be changed manually, then security is improved, but installation complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback mechanisms to guide technicians through the password change process. The commissioning interface monitors and confirms when the generic password has been successfully replaced with a specific password, providing clear feedback that reduces installation complexity while ensuring security requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10952149B2Method and electronic device for secured commissioning

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 DISTECH CONTROLS

AI summary

The present method and electronic device are adapted for secured commissioning. A generic password is stored in memory of the electronic device, and a transmission power of the electronic device is set to a reduced transmission power. The electronic device receives a commissioning request including the generic password and a specific password. The generic password is replaced in the memory of the electronic device by the specific password, and the transmission power of the electronic device is increased to full transmission power.