Smart Door Lock Emergency Unlocking With Alert Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In an aging society, individuals who are alone and unable to move easily may be trapped by locked doors during emergencies, preventing timely assistance due to the inability to unlock doors or communicate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A door access control method using smart mobile devices with a lock application (APP) allows users to execute an emergency report and unlocking procedure, maintaining the lock in an unlocking state until opened, and sends a report to a manager or receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock automatically restores to locking state after a preset time, then security is improved, but accessibility during emergencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by sending an emergency report and unlocking the door before the actual emergency situation develops. When the lock detects abnormal conditions (no movement for preset time, fallen elderly detection, or emergency button press), it proactively unlocks the door and notifies contacts, preventing the emergency situation rather than just responding to it.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock state transitions from static automatic restoration to dynamic conditional maintenance. The door remains unlocked during emergency situations (when abnormal conditions are detected) but automatically restores to locked state when normal conditions return, creating a dynamic response that adapts to the situation.
2Ease of operation
If the door remains unlocked during emergency, then accessibility for assistance is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the door state and automatically restoring the locked state when the door is opened or when abnormal conditions cease. The lock detects whether the door has been opened and responds by re-locking, creating a closed-loop security system that maintains accessibility only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency report notification serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between unlocking and security. By notifying predetermined contacts (family members, emergency services) before unlocking, the system creates a chain of trust where authorized persons are alerted, reducing the risk of unauthorized access while maintaining emergency accessibility.
3Reliability
If manual unlocking is required, then security control is improved, but response time during emergencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock performs self-service by automatically detecting emergency conditions and unlocking itself without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors for abnormal conditions (no movement, fallen elderly detection, emergency button press) and autonomously executes the unlocking and notification process, eliminating the time loss associated with manual unlocking.
Data Source
AI summary
A door access control method includes obtaining the management authority of at least one lock and dividing the users of the lock into normal users and concerned users. A normal user of a lock can only execute a normal unlocking procedure to unlock the lock, and the lock automatically switches back to the locking state after the lock has been unlocked for a preset period of time. Aside from the normal unlocking procedure, a concerned user is permitted to execute an emergency report and unlocking procedure in which the lock remains in the unlocking state even though the unlocking time expires, and a manager or a report receiver is informed of execution of the emergency report and unlocking procedure. In this case, any person can open the lock, and the manager or the report receiver can know the situation of the concerned user at the first moment.