BLE E-Paper Visitor Badge for Emergency Location Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entry management systems face challenges in identifying visitor identity and location during emergencies, managing unauthorized access, and manual NFC card handling, leading to inefficiencies in visitor management.
Innovation Solution
An entry terminal device equipped with an e-paper panel, BLE communication, and sensors, which displays visitor information and changes background color based on location and emergency signals, using BLE APs for real-time tracking and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entry information is not displayed on the entry pass, then the entry pass remains simple and easy to manufacture, but it becomes difficult to check visitor identity and location during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that stores and manages visitor information. The entry terminal device communicates with this server to retrieve and display entry information, rather than embedding all information directly in the entry pass. This mediator approach allows the entry pass to remain simple while enabling comprehensive information access through network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a network communication dimension to the entry system. Instead of relying solely on local storage in the entry pass, the system utilizes cloud-based storage and retrieval through BLE communication with access points and server interaction. This dimensional shift enables on-demand information access without increasing physical device complexity.
2Productivity
If manual NFC card mapping is performed, then the system structure remains simple, but administrator workload increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated NFC card mapping where the entry terminal device automatically communicates with the server to retrieve and display visitor information. The administrator simply needs to present the NFC card to the reader, and the system automatically matches the card with visitor data and displays relevant information, eliminating manual mapping procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated feedback loops where the entry terminal device receives NFC card information, queries the server for matching visitor data, and displays the results. This closed-loop automation provides immediate feedback to administrators without requiring manual intervention in the card-visitor matching process.
3Reliability
If real-time location tracking is implemented using BLE APs, then visitor location monitoring capability improves, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The BLE access points are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide location tracking by receiving beacon signals from entry terminal devices, enable network connectivity for information retrieval, and facilitate communication with the central server. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated tracking infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The central server acts as an intermediary that processes location data received from multiple BLE access points. Rather than requiring complex direct communication between all system components, the server mediates location tracking by collecting beacon signals from access points and correlating them with visitor information, simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Reliability
If background color changes are implemented to indicate device state, then emergency situation visibility improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The e-paper panel updates background colors periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The display changes color when specific events occur (normal state, unauthorized area detection, emergency signal reception), and maintains these states until the next update event. This periodic update approach significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous animation or display refresh.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses distinct background colors to represent different operational states: a first background color for normal operation, a second background color for unauthorized area detection, and a third background color for emergency signals. These static color states provide clear visual differentiation without requiring continuous energy input, leveraging the reflective properties of e-paper technology.
Data Source
AI summary
An entry terminal device, an entry management system, and an entry management method are provided. The entry terminal device includes an e-paper panel configured to display entry information of the visitor and a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit configured to transmit and receive beacon signals to and from a plurality of BLE access points (APs). The entry terminal device also includes at least one processor and at least one memory that stores at least one program executable by the at least one processor. The processor is configured to process the entry information received from a visitor management server through a first BLE AP among the plurality of BLE APs to be displayed on the e-paper panel.