Security Control Panel Router Management for Automated Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing router configuration systems lack integrated management capabilities, requiring manual intervention via personal computers and specific IP addresses for configuration changes, which is inefficient and not user-friendly.

Innovation Solution

A security/automation system with integrated router management functionality, allowing configuration through a control panel, virtual interface, or dedicated device, utilizing cellular radios for remote management via a cloud system, enabling seamless and automated router configuration updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual router configuration via personal computer and specific IP address is used, then router configuration can be performed, but the process is inefficient and not user-friendly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouter configuration easeVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control panel as an intermediary device between the user and the router configuration system. This control panel provides a user-friendly interface that abstracts away the complex technical details of router configuration, allowing users to configure routers without needing to manually access specific IP addresses or understand networking protocols. The control panel acts as a mediator that simplifies the interaction and makes the configuration process efficient and user-friendly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If integrated router management functionality is implemented, then user-friendly configuration is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration interfaceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the router management functionality into separate modular components. The control panel contains the user-friendly interface and configuration management logic, while the router itself maintains its core networking functions. This segmentation allows the complexity of integrated router management to be distributed across multiple components rather than concentrated in a single device, making the overall system manageable despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If remote management via cloud system is enabled, then automated configuration updates are possible, but reliance on external systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration automationVSAvoidsystem independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel is pre-configured with the capability to communicate with the cloud-based router management system and receive automated configuration updates. This preliminary setup enables the system to automatically implement configuration changes when needed, reducing manual intervention while maintaining the ability to operate independently if required. The system prepares the automation infrastructure in advance, allowing it to switch between automated and manual modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4141650B1Security / automation system with router functionality
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
  • EP4141650B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4141650B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4141650B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Example implementations include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium comprising receiving, by a control panel of a security or automation system of a premises, an indication of an update in a configuration of a router that is configured to support an Internet protocol "IP" network at the premises; and updating the configuration of the router by the control panel in response to receiving the indication.