Access Control Devices for Emergency Event Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
In emergency situations like fires or lockdowns, guests in hotels or students in schools may not be alerted due to non-functional sound alarms or lack of network connectivity, and occupants in elevators may not be aware of the situation, posing risks as they may enter unsafe floors or zones.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using access control devices with a wireless mesh network to send event notifications and detect user presence, allowing notifications to be received and responded to via mobile devices, even without cellular connectivity, and guiding elevator movements to safe floors during lockdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound alarms are used to alert guests during emergencies, then guests can be notified of the situation, but the alarm may not work or guests may not hear it due to connectivity issues or silent mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses access control devices as intermediary components between the emergency alarm system and guests. These devices receive alarm notifications and relay them to guests through alternative channels (visual displays, haptic feedback, or direct communication), bypassing the failure of traditional sound alarms. The access control devices act as a mediator that ensures notification delivery even when primary alarm systems fail.
2Reliability
If audible or haptic alerts are sent to mobile devices during lockdown, then occupants can be alerted, but it calls attention to the presence of occupants which is undesirable during lockdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different notification modes based on the specific situation and location. During lockdown, the system provides silent or subtle notifications (such as visual indicators on access control devices) that inform occupants of the lockdown status without drawing attention to their specific location. The notification quality adapts to the local context of emergency response requirements.
3Reliability
If traditional fire alarm systems are used, then guests can be alerted, but they require network connectivity and functional sound systems which may not be available
Solution Approach 1:
The access control devices are equipped with local processing and storage capabilities, allowing them to store emergency notification data and display it locally without requiring continuous network connectivity. The devices can independently relay alarm information to guests using local resources (displays, haptic actuators), making the notification system self-sufficient and independent of external network infrastructure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If access control devices broadcast notifications via wireless mesh network, then notifications can reach mobile devices without cellular connectivity, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control devices perform multiple functions: they serve as access control points, emergency notification relays, and presence detection sensors. By combining these functions in a single device, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated devices for each function. The wireless mesh network utilizes existing communication infrastructure between access control devices, leveraging their multi-functionality to avoid additional complex networking hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of using access control devices to send event notifications and to detect user presence includes receiving a notification of an event. The receiving is at an access control device in a wireless mesh network and the notification is initiated by an originating computer. The access control device is at a geographic location. The notification of the event is broadcasted at the access control device. An indication of a presence of a user at a mobile device within proximity of the access control device is received at the access control device. The receiving is in response to the broadcasting and to an action of the user at the mobile device. The indication of the presence of the user and the geographic location is transmitted to the originating computer via the wireless mesh network.