Electronic Lock Authorization via Central Unit Code Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking systems face challenges in achieving high security while maintaining ease of operation, particularly in ensuring that only authorized electronic keys can open specific electronic locks without the possibility of misuse or unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A locking system that uses a central unit to generate an external authorization code, which is transmitted to and stored by the electronic key, and then verified by the electronic lock, ensuring that only a specific key can open a specific lock, with features like one-time use codes and secure memory for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic locks use simple authorization codes stored locally, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to possibility of misuse and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
A central unit acts as an intermediary between the electronic key and electronic lock. The central unit generates external authorization codes that are transmitted to the electronic key, which then presents them to the electronic lock for verification. This intermediary system prevents direct local authorization storage while maintaining operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The central unit performs preliminary actions by generating and transmitting external authorization codes to the electronic key before the actual locking operation. This advance preparation ensures that the electronic key contains valid authorization data, enabling secure and convenient operation without real-time connection to the central unit.
2Reliability
If electronic locks use centralized authorization code verification, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional central unit and communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into three independent components: a central unit for code generation, an electronic key for code storage and transmission, and an electronic lock for code verification. This segmentation distributes complexity across multiple simple devices rather than concentrating it in one complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The external authorization code is copied from the central unit to the electronic key, which then presents this copy to the electronic lock for verification. This copying mechanism allows the actual authorization logic to reside in the simple electronic key while the electronic lock only needs to verify the copied code.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic locks allow multiple keys to open any lock, then adaptability is improved, but security is worsened due to inability to restrict access to specific key-lock pairs
Solution Approach 1:
Each external authorization code is generated with local quality specific to a particular electronic key-lock pair. The central unit incorporates identification data from both the key and lock into the code generation process, ensuring that each code is locally optimized for its specific pairing rather than being universally applicable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes by incorporating variable identification parameters (key ID, lock ID) into the external authorization code generation process. These changing parameters ensure that each code is unique to its specific key-lock pair, providing both adaptability for multiple pairs and security through restriction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating a locking system comprising an electronic key and an electronic lock, as well as a central unit used locally separate from the electronic key and the electronic lock during locking operation, wherein in the method an external authorization code is generated by the central unit using an authorization code determination program, the external authorization code is transmitted to the electronic key, the external authorization code is stored by the electronic key in a memory, wherein when the electronic key interacts with the electronic lock, the external authorization code is read from the memory by the electronic lock and thereby verified by a processor of the electronic lock.that the processor uses its own authorization code determination program to determine its own authorization code and compares it with the external authorization code received from the electronic key, and if the determined own authorization code matches the transmitted external authorization code, the processor enables an opening process.