Dynamic Access Control System for External Threat Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security systems are limited in their ability to protect authorized persons from unanticipated threats within secured areas, as they primarily focus on detecting intruders rather than dynamically responding to external threats such as neighborhood riots, natural calamities, or the presence of blacklisted individuals.

Innovation Solution

A security system that integrates sensors and cameras with a control panel and processor to receive and respond to external threat alerts from public safety organizations, modifying its operational state based on threat severity, including locking or unlocking doors, and notifying occupants through user-defined settings and real-time updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the security system operates in traditional mode detecting only intruders, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the protection capability against external threats is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: traditional intruder detection plus new capabilities to receive external threat alerts from public safety organizations and dynamically adjust access control levels. The control panel integrates both traditional sensor monitoring and new alert reception/processing functions, allowing a single system to address both internal and external threats.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The access control system transitions from static authorization levels to dynamic adjustment based on received threat alerts. The processor dynamically modifies access control parameters in response to external threats, changing the system's operational state from fixed to adaptive, thereby improving protection capability without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the security system dynamically adjusts access control in response to external threats, then the adaptability to external threats is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to external threatsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel and processor are enhanced to handle multiple functions: traditional access control management plus new capabilities to receive, process, and respond to external threat alerts. This multi-functional design improves adaptability while consolidating complexity within existing system components rather than adding entirely new subsystems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where received threat alerts trigger automatic adjustments to access control levels. The processor continuously monitors alert status and dynamically modifies access control parameters in response, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to external threats based on incoming information from public safety organizations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the security system locks all doors in response to external threats, then the protection level is improved, but the ease of operation for authorized persons deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidaccess for authorized persons
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly locking all doors, the system applies different access control measures to different locations based on threat assessment. The processor can selectively modify access control at specific portals or areas, allowing authorized persons to access certain locations while maintaining security at critical points, thereby balancing protection with operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The access control system dynamically adjusts restrictions based on the nature and severity of received threats. Rather than static full-lockdown protocols, the system adapts access levels in real-time, allowing authorized persons with proper credentials to maintain access to essential areas while restricting access to threatened zones, thus preserving operational flexibility during threat responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2779119B1Access control systems with variable threat level
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP2779119B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method and apparatus incorporating the method where the method includes the steps of providing an access controller that controls locking devices on entry and egress portals of a secured area, registering the controller with an external website or information source that provides information about public threats existing outside the secured area and modifying an access level for entry into the secured area in response to notice of a public threat received from the external website or information source.