Access Control Receiver Unit Energy Management via Periodic Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RFID-based access control systems continuously emit electromagnetic fields to maintain contact with transponders, resulting in high energy consumption, especially in areas with infrequent use.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the receiver unit is temporarily switched between active and inactive states based on usage frequency, utilizing near-field communication standards like Bluetooth or NFC, and only activating the power supply when the communication unit is within range and the access code is needed, with optional PIN code queries for enhanced security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the receiver unit continuously emits electromagnetic fields to maintain contact with transponders, then access control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver unit switches between active and inactive states periodically based on usage frequency. Instead of continuously emitting electromagnetic fields, the system activates the receiver only when access control is needed (upon detecting movement or at scheduled intervals), thereby maintaining reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption in infrequently used areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of energy

If the receiver unit remains in deactivated state to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but access control responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidaccess control responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting movement in the vicinity of the secured area before actual access control is needed. When motion is detected, the receiver unit is pre-activated in anticipation of an access attempt, ensuring immediate responsiveness while still maintaining energy savings by keeping the unit inactive during extended periods of no activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the access code is transmitted continuously to ensure availability, then access speed is improved, but security deteriorates due to potential eavesdropping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess speedVSAvoideavesdropping risk
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and transmits only the necessary access code data when actually needed, rather than continuously transmitting or storing sensitive information in accessible formats. The access code is transmitted briefly and only after verification that the user is in proximity, minimizing the window for eavesdropping while maintaining fast access when legitimate users attempt to enter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If the receiver unit is activated frequently to ensure access availability, then access control availability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control availabilityVSAvoidreceiver unit energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the activation frequency of the receiver unit based on actual usage patterns and detected need. Rather than maintaining a fixed high availability mode that consumes excessive energy, the receiver adapts its operational state, increasing availability when activity is detected and reducing activation during low-usage periods, thereby optimizing the balance between availability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Significantly reduces power consumption by minimizing active periods of the receiver unit, especially in less frequently used areas, while ensuring secure access control through localized and timed data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The access code is sent from the communication unit to the receiver unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A near-field communication (NFC) system is preferably used as the communication network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1752929B2Access control method for an area accessible to persons, in particular for a room closed off by means of a door
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 INVENTIO AG
  • EP1752929B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1752929B2 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves transmitting an activation signal within a predetermined range (R) of a receiver unit (10). The receiver unit is activated, when a mobile telephone (20') is located within the range of activation signal and received activation signal. The access code is transmitted from the communication unit to the receiver unit, and checked with the receiver unit, and the access to the area is freed, after a successful check of the access code by the receiver unit.