Dynamic Digital Key Generation for Electronic Lock Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for unlocking access to areas, such as lockers or mailboxes, face security vulnerabilities due to the risk of lost or stolen smart cards, compromised digital keys, and complex maintenance requirements, which can lead to unauthorized access and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an electronic lock with a control module generating a unique digital key upon closure, which is authenticated by an electronic recognition component, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and simplifying maintenance through centralized key management and secure authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a smart card or digital key is used for unlocking, then access convenience is improved, but security is worsened due to risk of loss, theft, or duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically generates a new digital key each time the opening is closed, rather than using a static key. This dynamic key generation ensures that even if a key is compromised, it becomes invalid after one use, maintaining security while preserving ease of access through automatic generation and transmission to authorized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control module receives closure detection signals, automatically generates new digital keys, and transmits them to authorized communication devices. This closed-loop feedback ensures that key distribution is tightly controlled and synchronized with actual usage events, enhancing security without requiring manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If a predetermined list of digital keys is stored in the device, then unlocking functionality is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase due to need for constant updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the key management burden from the locking device by implementing external key distribution through communication devices. The control module generates keys and transmits them externally, eliminating the need for complex internal key storage and update mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module performs self-service by automatically generating digital keys upon detecting closure events and autonomously transmitting these keys to authorized communication devices. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external intervention or complex maintenance procedures to update key lists, simplifying the system while maintaining functionality.
3Reliability
If digital keys are transmitted via mobile phone, then security is improved compared to smart cards, but vulnerability to previously used keys and maintenance complexity remain
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static digital keys to dynamic, ephemeral keys that are generated fresh for each closure event. This dynamic approach ensures that transmitted keys are valid for only one use, eliminating the vulnerability to previously used keys while maintaining the convenience of mobile phone transmission.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (22) for unlocking at least one opening leaf (20) forming access to a zone. The unlocking device (22) comprises at least one electronic lock (24) and a control module (26), the electronic lock (24) comprising drive means capable of locking and unlocking the opening leaf (20) according to the value of a data item, the control module (26) comprising a sensor (44) of a signal (56) comprising a digital key and an electronic component for authenticating the digital key, the authentication of the digital key by the electronic component (46) generating a command signal to deactivate the drive means. The electronic lock (24) comprises means of detecting a closing of the opening leaf (20), and the control module (26) comprises means (50) of emitting a signal (62), and means (52) of generating digital keys capable of generating a unique digital key for each closing of the opening leaf (20), the electronic component (46) being able to authenticate the digital key received by comparison with the unique digital key generated.