Decentralized Door Controller Synchronization via Rotating ID Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door locking and/or opening systems lack connectivity and information exchange between multiple door controllers, preventing centralized control, synchronization, and monitoring, which limits their ability to manage and update the entire system effectively.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized network of door controllers is established, allowing communication and synchronization among multiple door controllers, with each controller maintaining a local logbook and configuration file, and using a rotating ID-based update cycle, along with encrypted communication for security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple door controllers are used for multiple doors, then each door can be controlled independently, but the door controllers cannot communicate or synchronize with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent door controllers, each responsible for a specific door, while introducing a decentralized network that allows selective information exchange. This segmentation maintains operational independence while enabling necessary communication through the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The door controllers are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as independent door control units and as networked communication nodes. Each controller can operate autonomously for its assigned door while simultaneously participating in system-wide synchronization and information exchange through the decentralized network.
2Device complexity
If door controllers are separated and operate independently, then system complexity is reduced, but centralized monitoring and synchronization become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
Each door controller maintains local logbooks and configuration files independently, performing self-service operations for its own door. The controllers autonomously update their local records and participate in rotational synchronization, eliminating the need for complex centralized control while maintaining system reliability through distributed self-management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic rotational synchronization where door controllers take turns updating and sharing their local logbooks and configuration files with the network. This periodic action ensures all controllers remain synchronized without requiring continuous complex communication, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
3Reliability
If a centralized control system is implemented, then monitoring and synchronization are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decentralized network acts as an intermediary layer between independent door controllers, enabling monitoring and synchronization without requiring a complex centralized control system. The network mediates information exchange, allowing controllers to share logbooks and configuration files while maintaining their operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where door controllers periodically share their status, logbook entries, and configuration information through the decentralized network. This feedback loop enables system-wide monitoring and synchronization while keeping individual controllers simple and independent.
4Adaptability or versatility
If local logbooks and configuration files are maintained at each controller, then update and synchronization capability is enabled, but data consistency and security become challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the local logbooks and configuration files from multiple door controllers into a unified decentralized network structure. Controllers combine their local data through rotational updates, ensuring all participants maintain consistent copies of system-wide information while preserving local adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Door controllers perform preliminary actions by maintaining up-to-date local logbooks and configuration files before synchronization events. This preliminary preparation ensures that when rotational updates occur, data consistency is efficiently achieved across the network without requiring complex real-time synchronization protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A door locking/opening system includes multiple doors, each configured with a door ID number, a handle, a lock and an I/O controller, the I/O controller controls the corresponding door; multiple door controllers, each door controller connects the I/O controller of the respective door and controls the corresponding door; multiple sensors, each sensor connects the respective door controller and communicates with the corresponding door; a door controller unit, connected with the respective door controller via a decentralized network and controlling the multiple door controllers; the multiple door controllers are digitally connected and communicating with each other via the decentralized network; each door controller contains its local logbook of own activities and a configuration file of the complete door locking and/or opening system, and each door controller configurated to update and synchronize the configuration file with each other in a rotating cycle based on the door ID numbers in an ascending order, beginning with the lowest door ID number.