Elevator Security System Using Machine-Readable Credentials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building security systems fail to effectively restrict access to specific floors within high-rise buildings, particularly where elevators directly connect to residences or secured areas, lacking a comprehensive and secure method to manage user access based on permissions, dates, and times.

Innovation Solution

An elevator security system that utilizes machine-readable credentials, such as bar codes or RFID tags, to verify user access permissions, dates, and times, allowing access to authorized floors while maintaining elevator usage counts, with readers at security stations and elevator landings, ensuring secure and controlled access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional building security systems are used with sign-in stations and security guards, then basic access control is provided, but effective restriction of access to specific floors within high-rise buildings is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control effectivenessVSAvoidsecurity system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual security guard verification and physical key card systems with an automated machine-readable credential system. Machine readers at elevators automatically scan credentials, verify access permissions against a database, and control elevator access without human intervention, thereby improving reliability while reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service access control where users present their own machine-readable credentials (such as mobile devices or RFID cards) to machine readers at elevators. The system automatically verifies permissions and grants access without requiring security guard intervention, improving both reliability and reducing system operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If elevators open directly into residences or secured areas, then convenient access is provided, but unauthorized access to specific floors is not prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevator access convenienceVSAvoidfloor access security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of user credentials and floor permissions before the elevator door opens. The machine reader validates the credential and checks against the database to confirm authorized floor access in advance, ensuring security is maintained while preserving convenience for authorized users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements location-specific access control where different floors have different access permissions stored in the database. The machine reader verifies the user's credential against the specific floor's security requirements, allowing convenient access for authorized users while preventing unauthorized access to each specific floor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If machine-readable credentials are implemented for floor access verification, then secure access control is achieved, but additional verification steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess permission verificationVSAvoidaccess verification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual verification processes with automated machine reading and database verification. The machine reader scans the credential and the system automatically checks permissions against the database, significantly reducing verification time while improving reliability compared to manual security guard verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous operation by performing credential verification in real-time as users approach elevators. The automated process continuously validates credentials without interruption to the user flow, minimizing verification time while ensuring reliable access control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9802788B2Elevator security system including a credential transmitted to a user

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

An elevator security system for a building includes data relating to a floor that a user may access in the building, a device in which the data is stored, a credential containing the data in a machine readable format and created by the user, and a first machine reader reading the credential and sending data therein to the device for querying whether the user may access the floor, the device allowing access to an elevator car for transport to the floor if the credential is in sync with the data stored in the device.