Communication Device Retry Timing for Electronic Lock Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

When multiple electronic keys attempt to connect to a locking/unlocking device simultaneously, their wireless communications collide, preventing the electronic lock from being unlocked.

Innovation Solution

The electronic keys retry a scan for receiving an advertisement signal after a delay time that is different from other keys, based on unique ID codes or random numbers, to avoid collisions and ensure successful connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If multiple electronic keys simultaneously attempt to connect to the locking/unlocking device, then the connection speed and responsiveness are improved, but wireless communication collisions occur and connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary scan to detect the presence of other electronic keys before attempting connection. By identifying multiple keys in advance and assigning different delay times based on their detection order or ID codes, the system prevents communication collisions before they occur, ensuring reliable connection while maintaining quick response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the delay time parameter for each electronic key based on its ID code or detection sequence. This parameter differentiation ensures that multiple keys attempting simultaneous connection use different backoff intervals, eliminating collisions while preserving fast connection establishment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If electronic keys use fixed delay times for connection retry, then the connection process is simple and deterministic, but collisions still occur when multiple keys have the same delay time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection process complexityVSAvoidconnection success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each electronic key is assigned a unique local property (ID code or detection order) that determines its specific delay time. This individualization ensures that even though the overall connection process remains simple, each key has a distinct retry timing characteristic, preventing collisions while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4621744A1Communication device, system including communication device and locking/unlocking device, and control program for communication device
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 MINEBEAMITSUMI INC
  • EP4621744A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621744A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621744A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Object Proposed are a communication device for reliably locking and unlocking an electronic lock even when a plurality of communication devices attempt to simultaneously connect to a locking/unlocking device, a system including the communication device and the locking/unlocking device, and a control program for the communication device. Solution A communication device starts connection to a locking/unlocking device provided near a door of a building when receiving an advertisement signal transmitted from the locking/unlocking device. The communication device is configured to retry a scan for receiving the advertisement signal after a delay time different from a delay time of another communication device connectable to the locking/unlocking device when the communication device determines the connection failed.