Wheelchair Remote Diagnostics via Encrypted Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote diagnostic systems for powered wheelchairs lack advanced functionality and secure, efficient data transmission, limiting their ability to provide comprehensive remote access and diagnostics while maintaining robust and reliable configurations.
Innovation Solution
Establishing an encrypted communication link between a remote device and a user equipment associated with a wheelchair, using a wheelchair identifier to authenticate and transmit data through the Internet or cloud computing, with access levels controlled by an access controller to ensure secure and bandwidth-efficient data transfer, including display mirroring capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If telemetry technology is used for remote diagnostic functionality, then data can be collected and pushed to cloud service, but the system lacks secure access control and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the remote diagnostic system into multiple components: user equipment (wheelchair device), remote device (diagnostic tool), access controller (authentication server), and network infrastructure. Each component performs a specific function, with the access controller handling authentication and authorization separately from the diagnostic data collection and transmission, thereby improving both versatility and security
Solution Approach 2:
The access controller acts as an intermediary between the user equipment and remote device. It receives authentication credentials from the remote device, verifies them against stored credentials, and grants or denies access to diagnostic data and functions. This intermediary layer ensures secure access control while enabling comprehensive remote diagnostics
2Adaptability or versatility
If increased functionality is provided in powered wheelchairs, then consumer capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity and configuration reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wheelchair system into functional modules: propulsion system, control system, diagnostic system, and communication system. Each module can be independently configured and accessed remotely, allowing enhanced functionality without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The remote diagnostic system provides feedback about wheelchair status, battery levels, motor performance, and system health to both the user and service providers. This feedback mechanism enables proactive maintenance and troubleshooting, reducing the complexity of managing advanced features by providing real-time system state information
3Productivity
If comprehensive remote access is enabled, then diagnostic capabilities are improved, but data security and bandwidth efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The access controller implements partial access by granting different levels of authorization based on user credentials. Remote devices can access only the specific diagnostic data and functions they are authorized for, rather than all available data. This selective data transmission improves bandwidth efficiency while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capabilities for authorized users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different security and transmission protocols to different types of data based on their sensitivity and size. Critical safety data uses reliable but bandwidth-intensive protocols, while routine status data uses efficient lightweight protocols. This localized optimization of data transmission maintains diagnostic effectiveness while reducing overall bandwidth consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A method including a remote device establishing an encrypted communication link with a user equipment, where the user equipment is associated with a wheelchair, where the encrypted communication link is established based at least partially upon a wheelchair identifier transmitted by the remote device which identifies the wheelchair; transmitting an access level by the remote device to an access controller; and receiving data by the remote device from the wheelchair via the use equipment and a network, where the data received by the remote device is limited corresponding to the access level of the remote device transmitted to the access controller.