Electronic Lock Conflict Resolution via Signal Strength Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic locking systems face challenges with access conflicts and security issues due to multiple radio keys and locks within communication range, leading to usability problems and potential unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A method that establishes a wireless communication connection between an electronic lock and key, using a request signal to determine a delay in response signals based on signal level and quality, allowing for selective key-lock combinations to resolve conflicts and ensure authorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radio keys are present in the system, then more users can access the lock, but access conflicts and security issues arise due to multiple keys and locks within communication range
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the response time by assigning different time delays to different locks based on their signal strength. Each lock determines a delay time proportional to its distance from the key, so that locks closer to the key respond first. This temporal segmentation resolves access conflicts by ensuring that only one lock attempts to authenticate at a time, even when multiple locks are within communication range of multiple keys.
2Ease of operation
If the lock control grants access to multiple locks simultaneously, then convenience is improved, but security problems occur because unauthorized third parties can gain access to rooms not intended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the lock send out a request signal before authentication, which includes masking information. The key uses this information to calculate a predetermined time window for sending the response signal. This preliminary time window calculation ensures that only the intended lock (the one closest to the key) can successfully authenticate first, preventing unauthorized access to other locks while maintaining convenience for authorized users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lock sends out request signals to all keys, then all authorized users can potentially access, but the system becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access and conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by making each lock's response behavior dependent on its local condition - specifically, the signal strength received from the key. Each lock calculates a delay time based on its own received signal level, so that locks with stronger signals (closer to the key) respond with shorter delays. This localized adaptation ensures that the system naturally selects the most appropriate lock-key pairing while minimizing interference from other locks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating a system with at least one electronic lock, in particular a door lock. Furthermore, the invention relates to a lock and a key for operation according to the method according to the invention. The object of the present invention is to further develop a generic method in such a way that it overcomes communication conflicts between multiple keys and locks, and to provide a lock and a key for applying the method according to the invention.A method for operating a system with at least one electronic lock, in particular a door lock, and an electronic key is proposed, wherein a locking mechanism of the lock is controlled by means of a control unit of the lock, wherein a wireless communication link is established between the control unit and the electronic key by means of transmitting and receiving means, and the existence of an access authorization is determined, and depending on the existence of the access authorization, access is granted or denied, characterized in that the existence of an access authorization is determined for a key-lock combination that is received on the key and/or lock side with the highest received signal level and/or the highest received signal level change.