Electronic Lock Settings Update via Mobile Device Wireless Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

The keypad interface in electronic locks becomes cumbersome and prone to errors when the number of user access codes and settings exceeds a manageable limit, limiting user experience and hindering manufacturers from offering richer features due to cost constraints.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing an existing mobile device with a lock settings user interface application to wirelessly communicate with the electronic lock, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated hardware and allowing users to easily manage lock settings through a more intuitive interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a keypad interface is used for managing lock settings, then the electronic lock can operate with basic functionality, but the user experience deteriorates when the number of access codes and settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of access codes and settingsVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A mobile device serves as an intermediary between the user and the electronic lock. The mobile device communicates wirelessly with the lock, allowing users to manage lock settings, access codes, and other configurations through a smartphone or tablet application rather than directly through the lock's keypad interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical keypad interface is replaced with a wireless communication system. Instead of physically pressing buttons on the lock's keypad, users interact with the lock settings through a mobile device application that communicates wirelessly with the electronic lock, substituting mechanical input with digital wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a dedicated touch display is provided instead of a keypad, then the user interface improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interfaceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device, which users already possess for other purposes, is utilized as the user interface for the electronic lock. This multi-functional approach allows the same device to serve both as a general-purpose smartphone/tablet and as the lock's configuration interface, eliminating the need for a dedicated display hardware addition to the lock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary that provides the enhanced user interface functionality. Rather than adding a touch display to the lock itself, the mobile device's existing display and interface capabilities are leveraged to provide the improved user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If voice feedback is added to the keypad interface, then user interaction improves, but overall cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive solutionVSAvoidoverall cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device's existing multimedia capabilities, including voice output functionality, are utilized to provide voice feedback. Instead of adding dedicated voice feedback hardware to the lock, the solution leverages the mobile device's built-in capabilities that users already have access to.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If the keypad interface is used for all lock settings, then hardware remains simple, but productivity decreases due to tedious programming steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware simplicityVSAvoidprogramming efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical process of pressing keypad buttons multiple times to navigate menus and program settings is replaced with wireless digital communication. The mobile device application handles the complex sequencing and data transmission automatically, dramatically reducing the number of user actions required to program lock settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device application pre-configures and prepares the necessary programming data and sequences before transmitting to the lock. This preliminary preparation of commands and settings reduces the interactive steps required during the actual programming process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2912638B1Method of updating one or more lock settings of an electronic lock using a mobile device

Publication Date: 2020.06.17 SPECTRUM BRANDS INC

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AI summary

An electronic lock having one or more lock settings that can be updated using a mobile device. The mobile device includes an app that provides a user interface through which one or more lock settings of the electronic lock can be selected and modified. When the user has made the desired selections to the lock settings on the mobile device, the mobile device wirelessly transmits these settings to the electronic lock. The electronic lock is configured to update its lock settings based on the wireless communication from the mobile device.