Credential Matching List for Biometric Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In situations with multiple key devices in communication range of an electronic lock, existing biometric matching systems face challenges in reducing false positives, which can compromise access control security.

Innovation Solution

A method and credential evaluator that determine a matching list of credential identifiers based on how long each credential has been within range of the lock's antenna, reducing the number of biometric templates used for matching and thereby minimizing false positives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric matching is used to determine credential ownership among multiple key devices, then access control security is improved, but the risk of false positives increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidbiometric matching accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating a matching list of credential identifiers before biometric matching occurs. This list is generated based on RF credential detection and positioning, establishing a pre-filtered set of potential matches. By performing this preliminary sorting of credentials based on their presence and position, the system reduces the number of biometric templates that need to be compared, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If all credentials within RF range are used for biometric matching, then comprehensive access control is achieved, but processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control coverageVSAvoidbiometric matching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the set of all RF-detected credentials into two parts: a matching list that contains only the top N credential identifiers most likely to correspond to the person at the barrier, and a remaining set of credentials that are not immediately matched. This segmentation is achieved by sorting credentials based on RF signal strength and proximity, then selecting only the most relevant ones for biometric comparison. This significantly reduces the number of templates to compare while maintaining comprehensive access control coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing complete biometric matching against all credentials within RF range (excessive action), the system performs partial matching only against the matching list containing the most relevant credential identifiers. This partial action approach maintains sufficient access control coverage by focusing computational resources on the most likely candidates, thereby reducing processing time while achieving the necessary security objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3853750B1Determining a matching list for biometric matching
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ASSA ABLOY AB
  • EP3853750B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3853750B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3853750B1 patent drawingFigure 3C

AI summary

It is provided a method for selectively granting access to a physical space secured by a barrier. The method is performed in a credential evaluator and comprises the steps of: determining a matching list containing a strict subset of credential identifiers of credentials within range of an antenna provided in a proximity of the barrier, wherein the matching list is based on how long each credential has been within range of the antenna; obtaining a set of biometric templates, consisting of biometric templates respectively associated with the credential identifiers of the matching list; obtaining biometric data of a person being closest to the barrier; and wherein a positive match between biometric data and one of the biometric templates is a necessary condition for granting access to the physical space.