Electronic Key Delayed Scan Retry for Reliable Lock Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
When multiple electronic keys attempt to connect to a locking/unlocking device simultaneously, their wireless communications collide, preventing the electronic lock from being unlocked.
Innovation Solution
The electronic keys implement a delayed retry mechanism for scanning and connecting to the locking/unlocking device, with each key using a unique delay time based on its ID code or a random number to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple electronic keys simultaneously attempt to connect to the locking/unlocking device, then the connection speed and convenience are improved, but wireless communication collisions occur preventing successful unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having electronic keys scan for advertisement signals before attempting connection. When connection fails, keys retry the scan after delay times, preparing for future connection attempts before collisions can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic delay times for retry attempts, where each electronic key uses different delay periods (e.g., first key: 100ms, second key: 200ms, third key: 300ms). This dynamic timing variation prevents simultaneous retry collisions while maintaining overall system responsiveness.
2Speed
If electronic keys use immediate retry upon connection failure, then the responsiveness is improved, but communication collisions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic retry actions with structured delay intervals. Electronic keys perform scans at regular intervals and apply periodic delay patterns (100ms, 200ms, 300ms) between retry attempts, creating a rhythm that avoids collision while maintaining responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time parameter by introducing variable delay intervals between retry attempts. Instead of immediate retry or fixed delay, each key type uses different delay parameters (100ms, 200ms, 300ms) to spread out communication attempts and avoid collisions.
3Reliability
If delay times are introduced for retry scans, then communication collision is reduced, but the time to successfully unlock increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial delay action by using short, targeted delay periods (100ms, 200ms, 300ms) only for retry attempts after initial failure. This partial delay is sufficient to avoid collisions but minimal enough to preserve overall unlock speed and user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a communication device for reliably locking and unlocking an electronic lock even when a plurality of communication devices attempt to simultaneously connect to a locking/unlocking device, a system including the communication device and the locking/unlocking device, and a control program for the communication device. A communication device starts connection to a locking/unlocking device provided near a door of a building when receiving an advertisement signal transmitted from the locking/unlocking device. The communication device is configured to retry a scan for receiving the advertisement signal after a delay time different from a delay time of another communication device connectable to the locking/unlocking device when the communication device determines the connection failed.