Smart Device Access Control via Segmented Host and Guest Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to manage access to smart devices and properties in a way that allows hosts to control and restrict access for guest users, while enhancing the guest experience by providing limited but relevant access.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a centralized control server, a marketplace server, and networked user computing devices, allowing hosts to set access parameters for smart devices through a host environment and providing a limited guest environment for guests to access and control devices according to those parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hosts provide full access to smart devices for guests, then guest convenience and experience are improved, but host security and control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments device access into multiple levels: full host access, limited guest access, and restricted access. The system divides control permissions by device type, feature, and time period, allowing hosts to grant specific capabilities to guests while retaining overall security control. This resolves the contradiction by enabling guest convenience through selective access while maintaining host security through segmented permissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic access control where guest permissions can change over time based on stay duration, device usage patterns, and host-defined parameters. Access levels are not static but can be adjusted during the rental period, allowing the system to adapt to changing security requirements while maintaining guest convenience throughout their stay.
2Manufacturing precision
If hosts control each smart device separately, then security and precision are improved, but system complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control of multiple smart devices into a unified platform that handles authentication, permission management, and device coordination centrally. This consolidation maintains precise access control for each individual device while eliminating the complexity of managing each device separately, as the system provides a single interface for hosts to manage all device access permissions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If varying product features are supported, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unfamiliar control schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal control interface that works across different smart device brands and types. Instead of requiring guests to learn each device's native control scheme, the patent provides a standardized interaction model that adapts to various device features while maintaining consistent user experience. This enables the system to support diverse product features while preserving ease of operation through familiar, uniform controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system for controlling and provisioning access to a smart device associated with a property includes a plurality of connected smart devices physically located within or near the property and communicatively coupled to a local communication network and a remote system server configured to communicate with the connected smart devices via an external communication network. The remote system server includes one or more processors programmed to identify the connected smart devices within or near the property and a respective device definition for each connected smart device, generate a host environment for a host user, generate a guest environment for the guest user, and enable defined control of each connected smart device within the property by the guest user, according to the access parameters.