Smart Dwelling Virtual Twin Transfer for Secure Device Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Homeowners face inefficiencies in transferring ownership of smart devices during the sale of a home, including the need to individually reconfigure each device, lack of access to onboarding information, and concerns over privacy and security.
Innovation Solution
A virtual twin of a smart dwelling is created that includes control of smart devices, fixtures, and user preferences, allowing seamless transfer of ownership, enabling quick setup by the buyer and ensuring privacy and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the buyer individually onboard and reconfigure each smart device, then the buyer can gain control of the smart devices, but the setup time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual twin that copies all smart device configurations, credentials, and settings from the seller's account. The buyer receives this pre-configured virtual twin, eliminating the need to individually onboard each device. The virtual twin acts as a digital replica containing all necessary information to control the smart devices immediately upon transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual twin is prepared in advance by the seller before the transaction occurs. All device pairings, credentials, and configurations are established beforehand and bundled into the virtual twin. When the buyer receives the virtual twin, the preliminary work of device configuration is already complete, significantly reducing setup time.
2Loss of time
If the buyer receives all smart device information from the seller, then the buyer can set up devices quickly, but privacy and security concerns arise regarding seller access
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual twin serves as an intermediary layer between the seller and the smart devices. Instead of directly sharing device credentials and access tokens with the buyer, the system transfers ownership of the virtual twin which then becomes the new intermediary. This controlled transfer mechanism ensures that seller access is properly revoked while buyer access is established through the virtual twin's credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the essential control information from the seller's account and bundles it into the virtual twin. This extraction process separates the necessary operational data from the seller's personal account information, allowing the buyer to receive only what is needed for device control without exposing the seller's personal credentials or sensitive account data.
3Reliability
If the buyer must physically access each smart device for onboarding, then device control can be established, but devices in hard to access locations become difficult to configure
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual twin copies the logical control relationships and credentials for all smart devices, including those in hard-to-reach locations. The buyer gains control through the virtual twin's digital credentials rather than needing physical access to each device's onboard buttons or QR codes. This digital copying approach eliminates the need for physical device interaction during setup.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the seller removes all personal information from smart devices before sale, then buyer privacy is protected, but the buyer loses access to necessary device credentials and settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary operational credentials and configuration data from the seller's account, separating them from personal information. These extracted essentials are bundled into the virtual twin for transfer to the buyer, while personal data remains with or is securely deleted from the seller's account. This selective extraction preserves both privacy and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual twin acts as an intermediary that holds the essential device credentials and settings during the transition period. It provides the buyer with access to device control information without requiring the seller to directly share personal account data. The virtual twin mediates the transfer of necessary information while maintaining privacy boundaries between seller and buyer.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for transferring ownership of virtual twins of smart dwellings are provided. In an aspect, a virtual twin of a smart dwelling maintains information associated with the smart dwelling, such as dwelling information, configuration information, and user preferences. The virtual twin may assist in a sale process for the smart dwelling. The virtual twin may additionally help a buyer of the smart dwelling during move-in, as the virtual twin already has information associated with the smart dwelling compiled and smart devices are already onboarded with the virtual twin. The virtual model further assists the buyer and the seller to ensure their privacy and security are protected after the transfer of ownership. In examples, ownership of the virtual twin is transferred substantially concurrently with a transfer of ownership of the smart dwelling.