Electronic Lock Remote Unlocking via Alert Signal Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security solutions for deliveries and rentals face issues with remote access to physical spaces, as they often rely on users delegating access from any location, leading to potential misuse or incorrect unlocking due to lack of precise location information, such as altitude, resulting in insecurity and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for requesting remote unlocking of an electronic lock that involves sending a control message with user authentication to trigger an alert signal and an unlock message, using a user device to confirm proximity through a lock identifier, which can be acquired via Bluetooth beacon, optical code, or digital image, ensuring secure and accurate unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GPS information is used for remote unlocking, then user convenience is improved, but location precision deteriorates due to insufficient altitude information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alert signal mechanism between the remote user and the physical lock. The system sends an alert signal to a local device near the lock, which then confirms the user's presence before executing the unlock command. This intermediary step resolves the contradiction by maintaining remote operation convenience while adding a verification layer that ensures location precision without requiring the user to be physically present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic verification mechanisms. The alert signal is automatically sent to confirm the user's location, and the unlock command is automatically executed once verification is complete. This eliminates the need for manual intervention while ensuring both convenience and precision, as the system autonomously handles the verification process based on the alert signal response.
2Ease of operation
If access is delegated to another user for remote unlocking, then convenience is improved, but security deteriorates due to potential misuse from any location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where an alert signal is sent to a local device near the lock before unlocking occurs. This feedback loop ensures that the system verifies the user's actual presence at the correct location before granting access. The feedback prevents misuse by confirming that the delegated user is physically present at the intended location, thereby maintaining both convenience and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by sending the alert signal and verifying the user's location before executing the unlock command. This preliminary verification step ensures that even if access is delegated to another user, the unlock only occurs when the user is confirmed to be at the correct physical location, preventing unauthorized access from any location.
3Reliability
If the owner must be available to unlock the lock when delivery arrives, then security is improved, but convenience deteriorates due to constant availability requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically verify the user's presence through the alert signal mechanism and execute the unlock command without owner intervention. The owner can initiate the unlock request from anywhere, and the system autonomously handles the verification and execution, eliminating the requirement for constant owner availability while maintaining security through the alert signal confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alert signal mechanism serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between remote unlock requests and physical lock execution. It allows the owner to initiate unlocking from any location while the system automatically verifies presence through the alert signal, removing the need for the owner to be physically present or constantly available while maintaining security through the verification process.
4Ease of operation
If remote unlocking is allowed from any location, then convenience is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential incorrect unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback through the alert signal mechanism to confirm the user's actual location before unlocking. The system receives feedback from the local device near the lock, verifying that the user is present at the correct location. This feedback loop prevents harmful incorrect unlocking by ensuring that the unlock command is only executed when the alert signal confirms the user's presence at the intended physical location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by sending the alert signal and verifying the user's location before executing the unlock command. This preliminary verification step prevents harmful factors by ensuring that remote unlocking only occurs when the user is confirmed to be at the correct physical location, eliminating the risk of incorrect unlocking while maintaining remote access convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided a method for requesting remote unlocking of an electronic lock controlling access to a physical space. The method is performed in a user device and comprises steps of: sending a control message to an access controller, the control message comprising user authentication information, the control message causing the access controller to trigger the electronic lock to emit an alert signal; and sending an unlock message to the access controller comprising the user authentication information, in order to unlock the electronic lock.