Physical Access Control Readers With Mesh Networks for Emergencies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing physical access control systems face challenges in efficiently exchanging status information between RFID readers and mobile devices, particularly in emergency situations, without requiring additional hardware or network resources.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network is established using existing communication protocols (e.g., BLE, WiFi, NFC, Zigbee) between physical access control readers and mobile devices, allowing for the exchange of status information, location tracking, and guidance during emergencies, while leveraging the same hardware used for access control decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mesh network is established using existing communication protocols between physical access control readers and mobile devices, then efficient tracking and guidance during emergencies is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing access control readers multi-functional by enabling them to participate in mesh network communication for emergency guidance purposes. The readers use their existing communication interfaces (Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, or Zigbee) to exchange status information and provide guidance not only for access control decisions but also for emergency tracking and navigation, thereby avoiding additional hardware while enhancing emergency response capabilities
2Loss of information
If status information is exchanged over the reader network, then location tracking and guidance information delivery is improved, but loss of information increases due to network constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information exchange into two distinct networks: a first network (reader network) for exchanging status information between readers and mobile devices, and a second network for other communications. This segmentation allows optimized communication paths for different types of data, ensuring that status information including location data, reader conditions, and connection states can be exchanged reliably without being constrained by a single network's limitations
3Use of energy by moving object
If the network is activated only when necessary, then power consumption is reduced, but response time during emergencies may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or event-triggered activation of the mesh network for status information exchange. The network remains dormant during normal operations to conserve power but activates automatically when emergency events are detected or at scheduled intervals, ensuring that power consumption is minimized while still providing timely response when needed
Data Source
AI summary
An access control system includes a plurality of physical access control readers that form a reader network which utilizes a first communication protocol. The system includes a plurality of mobile communication devices each having a first communication interface and a second communication interface. The first communication interface enables the mobile communication devices to access a mobile communication network which utilizes a second communication protocol, and the second communication interlace enables the mobile communication devices to communicate with the access control readers. The plurality of physical access control readers exchange status information for the plurality of physical access control readers and for the plurality of mobile communication devices over the reader network.