Access Control Location Mapping via Wireless Signal Fingerprinting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control systems face difficulties in determining the relative location of access controls, such as door locks, which hinders efficient room navigation and management.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the detection of wireless signals from access controls to generate a location fingerprint, associating unique device identifiers with signal strength indicators, and transmitting this information to a server to create a location fingerprint array, allowing for the determination of relative locations and positioning of access controls and mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wireless signal detection and location fingerprinting are implemented to determine relative locations of access controls, then location determination capability is improved, but device complexity and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces location fingerprints as an intermediary data structure that mediates between wireless signal detection and location determination. The fingerprinting system captures signal characteristics (RSSI, TOF) and associates them with access control identifiers, creating a pre-processed database that simplifies real-time location queries without requiring complex real-time calculations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing location fingerprints during system commissioning and updates. Location fingerprints are created in advance by detecting wireless signals and storing the relationship between signal characteristics and access control locations, so that actual location determination can be performed quickly by comparing current signals against the pre-built fingerprint database

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If location fingerprinting is used to map access control locations, then installation and rearrangement efficiency is improved, but initial setup time and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and rearrangement efficiencyVSAvoidinitial setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing location fingerprinting during the commissioning phase and after rearrangements. The system proactively detects wireless signals from access controls and builds/updates the location fingerprint database in advance, so that when installation or rearrangement occurs, the location information is already captured and processed, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-installation configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automatic wireless signal detection and location fingerprint generation. When access controls are installed or rearranged, the system automatically detects their wireless signals, determines their locations, and updates the fingerprint database without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving installation efficiency while minimizing setup time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and automatic mapping of access control locations, facilitating efficient installation and rearrangement, as well as precise location determination of mobile devices within the access control system.

Implementation Method 1

an access control in the plurality of access controls detects a wireless signal from another access control in the plurality of access controls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless signal propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

determining a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the first wireless signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal strength indication:

Data Source

PatentEP3797310B1Method for commissioning system for door identification using location fingerprinting
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3797310B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3797310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3797310B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of determining a relative location of one or more access controls is provided. The method including: detecting a first wireless signal from a first access control; determining a unique device identifier (UDID) for the first access control in response to the first wireless signal; determining a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the first wireless signal; and generating a location fingerprint to associate the RSSI of the first wireless signal with the UDID for the first access control.