Electronic Lock Opener with Dual-Mode Tamper Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronically controlled openers for locking systems are vulnerable to manipulation and lack sufficient security, particularly in terms of wire tampering, while also requiring backward compatibility with conventional control methods.

Innovation Solution

The opener is designed to operate in two control modes: a first mode using a simple voltage level and a second mode using a serial control signal, with a computing device to monitor and validate control signals, ensuring enhanced security by only responding to valid serial signals in the second mode, thus preventing manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple voltage level is used to control the opener, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security and tamper resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adapts between two operational modes: a first control mode that accepts simple voltage levels for ease of use, and a second control mode that requires validated serial control signals for enhanced security. The system can switch between these modes based on configuration or detection of tampering attempts, allowing it to optimize between usability and security requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a serial control signal is used to control the opener, then the security and tamper resistance are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The third input of the opener is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: it can accept simple voltage levels when operating in the first control mode, and it can accept serial control signals when operating in the second control mode. This universal input design allows the same hardware interface to support both conventional simple control and secure serial control without requiring additional dedicated inputs for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the opener is upgraded to support serial control signals, then the security is improved, but the backward compatibility with existing control systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidbackward compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adapts between two operational modes: a first control mode that accepts simple voltage levels for ease of use, and a second control mode that requires validated serial control signals for enhanced security. The system can switch between these modes based on configuration or detection of tampering attempts, allowing it to optimize between usability and security requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The third input of the opener is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: it can accept simple voltage levels when operating in the first control mode, and it can accept serial control signals when operating in the second control mode. This universal input design allows the same hardware interface to support both conventional simple control and secure serial control without requiring additional dedicated inputs for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If additional electronic inputs are added for serial control, then the security is improved, but the device complexity and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The third input of the opener is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: it can accept simple voltage levels when operating in the first control mode, and it can accept serial control signals when operating in the second control mode. This universal input design allows the same hardware interface to support both conventional simple control and secure serial control without requiring additional dedicated inputs for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4328404B1Electronically controllable opener for a locking system, a locking system and method for operating the locking system
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 GRETSCH UNITAS GMBH BAUBESCHLAGFABRIK
  • EP4328404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4328404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4328404B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronically controllable opener (20) for unlocking and/or locking a locking mechanism (16) of a locking system, in particular for a door (14) or a window, wherein the opener (20) can be supplied with a supply voltage via a first and a second input (28a, 28b), and wherein a control signal can be provided via a third input (28c), in particular by means of a control module (24), and the control signal can be received by means of the opener (20). According to the invention, the opener (20) is designed such that the opener (20) can be operated in a first control mode and a second control mode, wherein in the first control mode the opener (20) can be controlled via the third input (28c) by applying a simple level and in the second control mode the opener (20) can be controlled via the third input (28c) by providing a serial control signal.