Two-Stage Building Door Locking System with Local Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building door locking systems lack enhanced security and operation, particularly in preventing unintentional unlocking via smartphone commands from distant locations, which can lead to accidental door opening.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage authorization mechanism is implemented, requiring both a smartphone-based opening command and a physical action at the door, such as pressing a button or activating a sensor, to unlock the door, ensuring that the person intending to open the door confirms the action locally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a smartphone-based opening command is transmitted to the communication unit, then the door can be opened remotely, but the risk of unintentional unlocking from distant locations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote door opening capabilityVSAvoidunintentional unlocking risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a physical actuating device (button or sensor) at the door location as an intermediary confirmation step. This intermediary requires local physical interaction in addition to the remote smartphone command, thereby mediating between remote convenience and local security confirmation to prevent unintentional unlocking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system requires a preliminary physical action at the door (pressing a button or activating a sensor) before the remote opening command becomes effective. This preliminary local action serves as a confirmation step that must occur before the door unlocks, preventing accidental remote unlocking without local intent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a two-stage authorization mechanism is implemented, then security against unintentional unlocking is improved, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against unintentional unlockingVSAvoidtwo-stage authorization system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating device at the door performs self-service by automatically detecting physical interaction (button press or sensor activation) and transmitting this confirmation signal to the control unit. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system by using automatic detection rather than requiring complex manual confirmation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the remote opening command function with the local confirmation function into a unified two-stage authorization system. The communication unit receives both the remote command and local confirmation, and only processes the unlock when both conditions are met, combining security functions into a single integrated mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3096299B1Locking system and method for operating a locking system for a building door
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 CARL FUHR GMBH & CO
  • EP3096299B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3096299B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3096299B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking system for a building door, comprising at least one locking device, e.g. a motor-operated lock, a control unit with a receiver for receiving an opening signal via radio, a communication unit arranged within range of the control unit as a network server, which is integrated into a local radio network and which also has a transmitter for transmitting an opening signal via radio to the receiver of the control unit, and at least one terminal device operating as a network client, which is registered in the communication unit and with which an opening command is transmitted to the communication unit, wherein an opening signal is then transmitted from the communication unit to the control unit.An actuating device is provided in the area of ​​the building door with a transmitter for transmitting an actuating signal to the control unit or the communication unit, whereby the lock can be unlocked with the control unit, provided that both an opening command is transmitted to the communication unit and an actuating signal is transmitted to the control unit or the communication unit.