Terminal Device Configuration via Identifier Server

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring electronic devices in systems like access control and elevator systems is often time-consuming and error-prone due to the need for detailed and individualized setup processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where electronic terminal devices are configured using a device identifier sent to a configuration server, which responds with configuration information including physical location and orientation, allowing for flexible setup and integration with systems like elevators or access control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If detailed individual configuration is performed for each terminal device, then configuration accuracy is improved, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring terminal devices with unique device identifiers during manufacturing. This allows the devices to be deployed without time-consuming on-site configuration, as they automatically transmit their pre-programmed identifiers to the server for automatic configuration retrieval, thus resolving the contradiction between configuration accuracy and installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal devices perform self-service by automatically transmitting their device identifiers to the configuration server and applying the received configuration information without requiring manual intervention. This self-configuration capability eliminates the need for detailed individual setup while maintaining accuracy, effectively resolving the time-accuracy trade-off

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration input is required for each device, then configuration precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidconfiguration process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration system performs self-service by automatically retrieving configuration information based on device identifiers and applying it without manual input. This eliminates the complexity of manual configuration processes while maintaining precision through the automated matching of device identifiers to their corresponding configuration data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration server acts as an intermediary between the terminal devices and the configuration database. It receives device identifiers, automatically retrieves the appropriate configuration information, and transmits it to the devices, thereby simplifying the overall configuration process while maintaining precision through centralized management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive configuration information is collected, then system adaptability is improved, but information processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by pre-organizing comprehensive configuration information in the server's database before deployment. This allows the terminal devices to quickly retrieve their specific configuration data without time-consuming processing, as the information is already structured and ready for automatic transmission based on device identifiers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration server extracts only the specific configuration information relevant to each individual device from the comprehensive database using the device identifier as a key. This selective extraction approach maintains system adaptability by storing comprehensive data while reducing configuration time by transmitting only the necessary information for each device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3146674B1Configuring terminal devices
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 INVENTIO AG
  • EP3146674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3146674B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3146674B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic terminal device (220, 222) can be configured using a device identifier that is input into the device. The terminal device (220, 222) sends the device identifier to a configuration server (210). The configuration server (210) responds by sending configuration information to the terminal device (220, 222) based on the device identifier.