Cloud Credential Buffering for Access Control Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control systems for door locks face challenges such as high costs, complex installation, usability issues, connectivity problems, and security concerns, particularly in managing multiple doors and credentials across different locations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intelligent, internet-connected door locks that utilize cloud credential buffering and a universal translation layer to manage credentials and communicate with various lock types, enabling remote authorization and error handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If credential information is stored locally in the access control device memory, then access validation speed is improved, but the quantity of stored credentials is limited and synchronization across multiple devices is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A cloud-based credential buffer serves as an intermediary between multiple access control devices and the credential management system. The buffer stores credential information in the cloud, allowing any access control device to validate credentials by checking against the cloud buffer without requiring complex local synchronization mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by enabling unlimited credential storage (improving quantity) while keeping individual devices simple (managing complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves credential storage from the local device dimension to the cloud dimension. Instead of storing credentials locally in each access control device's memory, the system buffers credentials in the cloud, allowing devices to access credentials remotely. This dimensional shift enables unlimited storage capacity while maintaining device simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple access control devices are deployed across different locations, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but credential synchronization and connectivity management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based credential buffer provides a universal access point for all access control devices regardless of location. Any device can connect to the cloud buffer to validate credentials, eliminating the need for location-specific credential configurations or complex inter-device synchronization. This universal approach improves ease of operation across multiple locations while keeping each device relatively simple.
3Quantity of substance
If cloud-based credential buffering is implemented, then credential storage capacity and remote access are improved, but system connectivity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by buffering credentials in the cloud before they are needed at access control devices. Credential information is pre-loaded into the cloud buffer, allowing devices to quickly validate credentials when connected. This preliminary buffering action enables large storage capacity while allowing the system to function with cached credentials when connectivity is temporarily lost.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different lock types and communication protocols are supported, then system versatility is improved, but communication standardization and integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based credential buffer acts as an intermediary that handles communication with diverse lock types and protocols. Instead of each access control device needing to support multiple protocols directly, the system communicates credential validation requests to the cloud buffer, which manages the complexity of different communication protocols. This enables versatility in supporting different lock types while keeping individual devices simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an access control device having a processor, a memory, and an internet connection comprises receiving a credential from a user; checking, by comparing the credential to matching credential information that would indicate the user is authorized to enter stored in the memory of the access control device, if no matching credential information that indicates the user is authorized is found in the memory of the access control device, then checking, at a remote cloud server, a list of buffered credential information for the matching credential information that indicates the user is authorized, and if the matching credential information that indicates the user is authorized is found, sending an unlock signal from the remote cloud server to the access control device.