Electronic Lock Access Using Mobile Location Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of electronic locks in secure environments, such as ATMs, poses challenges due to the need for multiple physical keys and the vulnerability of external access devices to vandalism and theft, which compromises security and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A remote access system using a mobile communications device to transmit location and personal identification information to a remotely accessible server, which determines authorization and sends unlocking instructions to the electronic locking device via a communications network, eliminating the need for physical keys and enhancing security through location verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical keys are used for electronic locks, then access control is simple and reliable, but multiple keys must be carried and security risk increases due to potential loss or theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical key system with an electronic access control system using mobile devices, GPS location verification, and centralized server authentication. This eliminates physical keys entirely, substituting the mechanical authentication method with electronic and location-based verification methods.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external access devices such as PIN entry devices or access card readers are used, then physical keys are not needed, but these devices are vulnerable to vandalism and may become unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication functionality from external access devices and relocates it to the user's mobile device. The mobile device itself becomes the access credential, eliminating the need for vulnerable external PIN pads or card readers at the locking location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary that handles authentication remotely. The server receives location data and authentication requests, verifies credentials, and communicates unlock commands to the locking device, eliminating the need for vulnerable local authentication interfaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If remote access via mobile device is implemented, then security is enhanced and keys are not needed, but location verification and authorization processes become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the mobile device's built-in GPS and communication capabilities to self-determine location and self-transmit authentication requests. The locking device and server automatically handle location verification and authorization decisions, reducing the need for complex manual verification processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for enabling opening of an electronic locking device (12) from a remote location is disclosed. A remotely accessible server (14) receives an opening request to open an electronic locking device (12) which secures a closing member (18). The opening request includes a unique identifier of the electronic locking device (12) and personal identification information of a mobile communications device (28) requesting to open the electronic locking device (12). The server (14) then determines, based on predefined parameters, whether the mobile communications device (28) is permitted to open the electronic locking device (12). If the server (14) determines that the mobile communications device (28) is permitted to open the electronic locking device (12), then it transmits an opening instruction to the electronic locking device (12) to unlock the closing member (18). In an embodiment, the predefined parameters include a proximity range of the mobile communications device (28) to the electronic locking device (12).