Dual-Mode Receiver for Electronic Door Lock Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Access control systems with wireless communication face high power requirements due to continuous communication between components, which can lead to energy inefficiency and reduced battery life in devices like electronic door locks.

Innovation Solution

The electronic door lock system incorporates a dual-mode receiver setup, where one receiver operates at a low power level to detect beacons and another at a higher power level to receive data, allowing the lock mechanism to transition between locked and unlocked positions based on received data, and includes a sleep mode to conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used between access points and central controller, then system flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver operates in periodic cycles, alternating between sleep mode and active listening mode. It wakes up at predetermined intervals to check for beacon signals, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation dramatically reduces average power consumption compared to continuous operation, while still maintaining the ability to receive wireless communications for system flexibility and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the receiver's operational state based on communication needs. The receiver transitions between sleep mode (low power) and active mode (high power) depending on whether a beacon signal is detected. This dynamic state adjustment allows the system to maintain wireless communication capabilities when needed while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If continuous wireless communication monitoring is implemented, then access control reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control reliabilityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver monitors for beacon signals at periodic intervals rather than continuously. It wakes up at predetermined times to check for communications, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic monitoring maintains access control reliability by ensuring the system can detect and respond to valid access requests while extending battery life by minimizing the time the receiver spends in high-power active state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a low-power beacon detection mechanism that allows the receiver to autonomously determine when to wake up and when to remain in sleep mode. The beacon signal serves as a trigger that activates the full communication protocol only when necessary, allowing the system to self-regulate power consumption while maintaining reliability through event-driven operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the receiver operates at high power level continuously, then data reception capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver alternates between low-power sleep mode and high-power active mode. During sleep mode, it consumes minimal power. When a beacon signal is detected, it transitions to active mode where it operates at high power level to reliably receive and process data transmissions. This periodic switching maintains data reception capability when needed while significantly reducing average power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection using a low-power beacon listening mode before activating the full high-power data reception mode. The beacon signal serves as an advance indicator that triggers the transition to high-power operation only when data transmission is anticipated, avoiding unnecessary high-power operation and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reception capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2441055B1Electronic door lock for reduced power consumption
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 HARROW PROD INC
  • EP2441055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2441055B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2441055B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lock system includes an access point including a portion movable between an open position and a closed position and a lock mechanism coupled to the access point and movable between a locked position in which the access point is maintained in the closed position and an unlocked position in which the access point is freely movable between the open position and the closed position. A wireless module is coupled to the lock mechanism and is operable to move the lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position. The wireless module includes a receiver operable in a first mode to periodically listen for a signal and operable in a second mode in response to receipt of the signal to receive data, the first mode consuming a first amount of power that is less than a second amount of power consumed during operation in the second mode.