Door Lock Mobile Credentialing for Automatic Home Security Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home security systems face challenges in determining the optimal time for user authorization, leading to false alarms or unauthorized access due to insufficient or excessive time for credential entry.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes mobile credentials to automatically authorize entry, where a door lock verifies user credentials and communicates directly or through a central security system to unlock entryways and notify offline components of authorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predetermined time period is set for credential entry, then the security system can trigger an alarm for unauthorized access, but insufficient time can cause false alarms when users cannot enter the code in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of unauthorized access detectionVSAvoiduser convenience in entering credentials
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual credential entry system (mechanical/keypad-based) with an automatic biometric recognition system. The door lock system now uses optical, acoustic, or other sensors to automatically detect and verify user credentials without requiring manual code entry, thereby eliminating the time constraint contradiction entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If too much time is allowed for credential entry, then users have sufficient time to enter the code, but unauthorized persons may access the house and leave before the alarm is triggered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenience in entering credentialsVSAvoidprevention of unauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic biometric recognition system eliminates the need for manual code entry, so the time window for credential verification is determined by the speed of the biometric system rather than user input speed. This allows for a very short but sufficient time period that maintains security while ensuring user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic credential verification without requiring user action beyond presenting themselves to the sensor. The door lock system autonomously detects, processes, and verifies credentials, then automatically unlocks or triggers an alarm without manual intervention, thereby eliminating the time contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual authorization systems are used at access panels, then authorized users can enter credentials to deactivate the security system, but the system requires complex infrastructure including access panels and communication networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization processVSAvoidsecurity system infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the credential verification function from the centralized access panel system and embeds it directly into the door lock system. Each door lock now contains its own biometric sensors and verification capabilities, eliminating the need for complex communication infrastructure between access panels and central systems while simplifying the authorization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized security system is segmented into independent door lock units, each with autonomous credential verification capabilities. This distribution of functionality eliminates the need for complex network infrastructure and centralizes the complexity within simple, self-sufficient door lock modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3561789B1Improved home security system with automatic authorization functionality
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CARRIER CORP
  • EP3561789B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3561789B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3561789B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A residential security system includes a central security system (30) and a plurality of offline security system components (52,62). Each of the offline security system components (52,62) is directly connected to the central security system (30). At least one door lock (22) includes a mobile credentialing system (180). The central security system (30) includes software configured to automatically authorize an entry in response to receiving an authorized mobile credential from the at least one door lock system (22).