Electronic Lock Self-Configuring Wireless Protocol Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic locks require customization for various customer-specific wireless communication protocols, leading to increased costs and complexity in the supply chain due to the need for multiple hardware units to support different communication configurations.
Innovation Solution
An electronic lock with a processor and memory that automatically detects and sets a wireless communication protocol by sequentially trying stored profiles until successful communication is established, allowing it to self-configure and join a system without pre-defined settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple customized electronic lock hardware units are produced to support different customer-specific wireless communication protocols, then communication compatibility with various systems is improved, but manufacturing complexity and supply chain costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic lock is designed with a universal hardware platform that can execute multiple wireless communication protocol profiles (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) through software configuration rather than requiring separate hardware units for each protocol. This multi-functionality approach allows a single lock unit to adapt to different customer-specific communication requirements, thereby improving communication compatibility while reducing supply chain complexity and manufacturing costs
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple customized electronic lock hardware units are produced to support different customer-specific wireless communication protocols, then communication compatibility with various systems is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal hardware platform that supports multiple wireless communication protocols through software profiles rather than dedicated hardware for each protocol, the manufacturing process is simplified. This reduces the need to maintain separate production lines and inventory for different protocol-specific units, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining communication compatibility across various systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple customized electronic lock hardware units are produced to support different customer-specific wireless communication protocols, then communication compatibility with various systems is improved, but distributor and dealer confusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal hardware platform with switchable software profiles eliminates the need for distributors and dealers to manage multiple protocol-specific product lines. A single product SKU can serve multiple communication needs, simplifying inventory management, ordering processes, and customer guidance, thereby reducing distribution channel confusion while maintaining broad communication compatibility
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic lock that is self-configurable to automatically set a wireless communication protocol profile, or configuration, to allow the electronic lock to communicatively join the system in which the electronic lock is to be incorporated. In some embodiments, the electronic lock is programmed to execute in sequence a plurality of wireless protocol profiles stored in memory until a wireless protocol profile establishes wireless communications with another wireless communication device. Once this happens, the wireless protocol profile that was able to establish wireless communications is set as the default wireless protocol profile.