Electronic Combination Lock with Multi-Level Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic locking devices lack advanced access control mechanisms, particularly in allowing multiple access levels and temporary user permissions, and do not offer seamless integration with mobile devices for remote unlocking and code management.
Innovation Solution
An electronic combination lock that utilizes a keypad entry system and wireless communication with mobile devices to manage access levels, including temporary codes, and features a key-lock mechanism for independent operation, allowing for different access permissions and remote administration through a mobile app.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic locking devices use basic keypad entry systems, then they provide simple access control, but they lack advanced access control mechanisms for multiple access levels and temporary user permissions
Solution Approach 1:
The access control system is segmented into multiple access levels (first level, second level, third level), each with different permissions. The memory is divided to store different types of codes (preset codes, temporary codes) with distinct functions. This segmentation allows the system to provide versatile access control while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts access permissions based on the type of code entered. Temporary codes automatically expire after a set number of uses, while preset codes provide ongoing access. The system adapts its behavior based on the access level and code validity, providing advanced access control without requiring permanent complex configuration.
2Ease of operation
If electronic locking devices integrate mobile device communication for remote unlocking, then user convenience is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic circuit serves multiple functions: it processes keypad entries, manages preset codes, handles temporary codes, and communicates with mobile devices via wireless signals. By making the electronic circuit universal and multi-functional, the system achieves remote unlocking capability without adding separate dedicated hardware for each function, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the locking mechanism. The mobile device sends signals wirelessly to the electronic circuit, which then processes the request and triggers the appropriate unlocking action. This intermediary approach enables remote operation without requiring direct physical connection or complex integration between the mobile device and lock mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the combination lock stores multiple preset codes for different access levels, then access control flexibility is improved, but memory requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different preset codes are assigned different local qualities or properties: first level codes provide unlimited access and can change all codes, second level codes provide unlimited access but with limited modification rights, and third level codes provide limited access times. This differentiation of local qualities allows the system to store multiple codes efficiently by organizing them according to their specific permission sets rather than treating all codes uniformly.
4Reliability
If temporary codes are issued with limited access times, then security is enhanced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Temporary codes are designed to be self-service in nature: they automatically expire after a predetermined number of uses without requiring manual intervention or system reconfiguration. The system itself tracks and enforces the usage limits, eliminating the need for administrators to manually manage temporary code validity periods. This self-service approach enhances security through automatic expiration while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating manual code management tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination lock has a touch panel to receive a keypad entry code indicative of a combination code for unlocking the lock with various access levels, including a first level and second level. The combination lock is also arranged to receive the combination code from a mobile device via wireless signals. The combination lock also has an independent key-lock mechanism for unlocking the lock with a key. The mobile device has an application icon, when activated, prompting the wireless signals indicative of the combination code. The mobile device also has a deactivation icon and re-activation associated with the combination code of the first level. The deactivation icon causes the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated. The re-activation icon terminates the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated.