Access Control Module Remote Check-In Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-room facilities, guests face inconvenience due to the necessity of checking in at the front desk for encoded access cards, which can lead to long lines and inefficiencies in facility management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an access control system with modules that allow guests to remotely check in and have their access data written to their credentials, enabling them to bypass the front desk and manage facility access independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If guests check in at the front desk for encoded access cards, then security and access control are maintained, but wait times increase and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidcheck-in wait time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables guests to perform self-service check-in by presenting their credentials at access control modules located throughout the facility. The module automatically encodes their access cards with appropriate permissions without requiring front desk staff intervention, thus eliminating wait times while maintaining security through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The check-in function is extracted from the front desk and relocated to distributed access control modules throughout the facility. This allows guests to check in at multiple convenient locations rather than being constrained to a single front desk location, reducing congestion and wait times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If guests check in at the front desk, then access credentials are properly encoded, but facility management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecredential encoding accuracyVSAvoidfront desk operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Access control modules are equipped with automated credential encoding capabilities that independently generate and write access permissions to guest cards. The system automatically retrieves guest information from reservations and encodes appropriate access levels without requiring manual front desk staff operations, simplifying facility management while ensuring accurate encoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If traditional front desk check-in is used, then guest access information is collected, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguest access data collectionVSAvoidmanagement operational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically collects guest access information through automated data exchange between the reservation system and access control modules. Guest credentials are encoded with necessary access permissions without requiring front desk staff time or resources, thereby reducing operational costs while ensuring complete data collection for security purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3806046B1Method and system for permitting remote check-in and coordinating access control
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 ASSA ABLOY AB
  • EP3806046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3806046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3806046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for controlling access within a multi-facility room are provided. More specifically, a guest of the multi-room facility is allowed to remotely confirm reservations to the facility as well as bypass the front desk of the multi-room for check-in purposes. At a location within the facility, the guest is allowed to confirm their arrival, check-in, and have their access credential written with personalized access data that may be useable for the duration of the guest's stay.