Door Lock Keycard Encoding for Offline Building Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Building management systems face challenges in encoding and managing access rights, especially when the front desk system is down, requiring pre-encoded spare keycards and complex manual processes for access control, particularly in scenarios like construction sites where communication with a central hub is unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A door lock system with a controller that encodes access rights onto client keycards using a master keycard, monitoring specific actions to enter programming mode, granting temporary access rights, and revoking them based on network availability and sequence numbers, allowing flexible access control without a central hub.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the front desk system is down, then the system cannot encode cards, but pre-encoded spare cards must be kept in the hotel safe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control functionalityVSAvoidkeycard management process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door lock system enables self-service encoding of keycards by storing encoding capabilities locally. When the front desk is down, the door lock can independently encode spare keycards using a master keycard, eliminating the need for central system intervention and complex manual processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-loads encoding capabilities and master keycards into the door lock before outages occur. This preliminary preparation allows the door lock to immediately encode spare keycards when needed, without requiring the front desk system to be operational.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the front desk system is down, then access control encoding cannot be performed, but access rights must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control continuityVSAvoidtime to encode keycards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The door lock performs self-service encoding operations using stored master keycards and local processing capabilities. This eliminates the time delay associated with waiting for front desk system recovery or manual intervention, maintaining continuous access control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The door lock pre-stores master keycards and encoding algorithms before outages occur. When an outage happens, the system can immediately encode keycards without waiting for system recovery, thus eliminating time loss and maintaining access control continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If communication with central hub is unavailable, then access rights cannot be managed centrally, but on-site access control is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffline operation capabilityVSAvoiddistributed control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access control system is segmented into independent door lock units that can operate autonomously. Each door lock contains local encoding capabilities and can function independently when disconnected from the central hub, providing adaptability for offline operation while distributing system complexity across multiple simple units rather than one complex centralized system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4028998B1Building access system with programming door locks
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP4028998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4028998B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4028998B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an entry system for a building having: a first door lock that includes a controller; wherein the first door lock is configured for encoding access rights to a first client key card responsive to a first engagement with a master key card.