Emergency Access Credential Transmission via Dedicated Network

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency responders often face delays in accessing buildings during emergencies due to the absence of available personnel to grant access, time spent searching for access methods like Knox Boxes, and navigating to the nearest entry point under duress.

Innovation Solution

A system that transmits access credentials from an access control server to an emergency responder server, then to a mobile device over a dedicated network, which can authenticate and grant access to secured passageways using wireless communication methods like Bluetooth, NFC, or Ultra-Wide Band, allowing efficient access control for emergency responders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional access control methods (Knox Box, mechanical keys) are used, then security is maintained, but access time is increased and emergency response is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess timeVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Access credentials are pre-provisioned to emergency responder devices before emergencies occur. The system automatically detects emergency situations and pre-activates access credentials, eliminating the need for on-site key retrieval or manual authentication during critical moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical key systems and physical Knox Boxes with electronic access credentials transmitted via wireless communication (Bluetooth, NFC, Ultra-Wide Band). This substitution eliminates mechanical retrieval processes and enables instant digital authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If access credentials are transmitted over public networks, then system complexity is reduced, but security and reliability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidnetwork architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments network communication into dedicated emergency responder networks for credential transmission and separate public networks for other purposes. This segmentation isolates critical access control communications from public network vulnerabilities while maintaining overall system manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If manual access control procedures are used, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity and response speed are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidaccess control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables emergency responders to self-authenticate using credentials automatically provisioned to their devices. The access control system automatically detects emergency situations, activates appropriate credentials, and facilitates authentication without requiring manual intervention from security personnel or building staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11594088B2Access control for emergency responders

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC

AI summary

A method of access control for emergency responders according to one embodiment includes transmitting, by an access control server, an access credential to an emergency responder server over a first network, transmitting, by the emergency responder server, the access credential to an emergency responder mobile device over a second network different from the first network, wherein the second network includes a dedicated emergency responder network, and transmitting the access credential by the emergency responder mobile device to an access control device.