Gateway Protocol Switching for Electronic Lock Security and Load Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Security management systems using electronic locks face vulnerabilities due to continuous use of static WIFI access points and low bandwidth communication protocols, which compromise security and lead to potential overloading of servers during updates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses temporary credentials and dynamic access points over different bandwidth wireless communication protocols to securely communicate payloads between devices, and scheduling payload delivery during low activity periods to balance server load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If low bandwidth wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth low energy) are used to conserve energy and extend battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but data transfer rate becomes slow and communication efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddata transfer rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between low bandwidth and high bandwidth communication protocols based on the type of data being transmitted. Small control commands use low bandwidth protocols to conserve energy, while large payload updates use high bandwidth protocols for efficient data transfer, making the communication system adaptive rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication process is segmented into different phases: small control messages are transmitted using low bandwidth protocols, while large payload data is transmitted using high bandwidth protocols. This segmentation allows each protocol to be optimized for its appropriate use case, preventing the need to use high bandwidth protocols for all communications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If continuous WIFI access points with static SSIDs and passwords are used for high bandwidth communication, then data transfer rate improves, but system security deteriorates due to vulnerability to WIFI snooping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidsystem security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access point credentials are made dynamic rather than static. The system generates temporary SSIDs and passwords that change for each communication session, preventing attackers from using static credentials to gain unauthorized access while still enabling high bandwidth communication when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses temporary, single-use credentials (temporary SSIDs and passwords) that are discarded after one use. These disposable credentials provide strong security because even if compromised, they cannot be reused, yet they enable the necessary high bandwidth communication for payload transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of time

If lock devices autonomously initiate communication with the system server for updates, then update timeliness improves, but server performance deteriorates due to overloading from concurrent connection attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate delayVSAvoidserver performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the initiation of communication into a centralized scheduling process on the server side. Instead of multiple devices independently initiating connections at different times, the server consolidates update distribution by scheduling communications during low-activity periods, reducing concurrent connection attempts while maintaining timely updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic communication scheduling where updates are transmitted at predetermined intervals during low-activity periods. This periodic approach prevents random concurrent connections by synchronizing all device updates to occur at specific times, reducing server load while ensuring regular updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10673993B2Communication protocols for electronic locks

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC

AI summary

A connecting device operating as a gateway in communicating information to a lock device using a first bandwidth wireless communication protocol, and which also operates temporarily as an access point for communicating other information with the lock device using a second bandwidth wireless communication protocol. Temporary, random credentials may be used to establish a one-time connection with the connecting device via the access point. Upon completion of the transfer of information using the second bandwidth wireless communication protocol, the access point may be terminated, and the generated credentials may become obsolete. The server may also attempt to balance a load on the server by scheduling the timing of at least certain types of communications to lock device based on matching periods of time in which usage of the lock device is low with times that would allow for a balance of the load on the server.