Wireless Firmware Update for IoT Electronic Locks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic locks lack an efficient method for wireless firmware updates, often requiring manual intervention and serial updates, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for wirelessly updating multiple electronic locks using a computing device, which scans for compatible locks, determines their signal strength, and sends updates to those within an acceptable range, minimizing user intervention and enabling simultaneous or sequential updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual intervention is used for updating electronic locks, then update reliability is improved, but update time and labor cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate reliabilityVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables electronic locks to perform self-updates by automatically scanning for available firmware updates, downloading them wirelessly, and installing them without requiring manual intervention. The lock device autonomously manages the entire update process including update detection, download, and installation execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical update processes with automated wireless electronic communication. Instead of physically connecting devices or manually transferring firmware, the system uses wireless signals to transmit update information and automatically performs the update installation through electronic communication between devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If serial updates are performed on multiple electronic locks, then update reliability is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate reliabilityVSAvoidupdate speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple update operations into a single automated process that can simultaneously or sequentially update multiple electronic locks. The computing device scans for multiple locks in the environment and initiates update operations for all detected devices, merging what would otherwise be separate serial update tasks into one coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary scanning to identify all electronic locks within range before initiating update operations. This preliminary detection phase allows the system to prepare and coordinate updates for multiple devices simultaneously, rather than discovering and updating each device separately during the update process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If wireless scanning and automatic updates are implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device performs multiple functions including scanning for electronic locks, communicating with them, determining signal strength, downloading firmware updates, and installing updates. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized devices into a single universal platform, managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The computing device serves as an intermediary between the update source and the electronic locks. It manages the complex tasks of scanning, communication, and coordinate updates while the locks themselves perform the actual firmware installation. This intermediary approach centralizes complexity in a controllable device rather than distributing it across multiple lock units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If signal strength monitoring is added to determine update eligibility, then update reliability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate reliabilityVSAvoidsignal strength measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses signal strength as a parameter to determine whether electronic locks are within acceptable range for updating. By monitoring this physical parameter, the system can automatically assess connectivity quality and decide whether to proceed with updates, adding a quantitative criterion that enhances reliability without requiring extremely precise measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250166437A1Over the air update for IoT devices, such as wireless electronic locks

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 ASSA ABLOY AMERICAS RESIDENTIAL

AI summary

In general, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for updating wireless electronic locks. One aspect is a method for updating wireless electronic locks, the method comprising scanning, by the computing device, for signals broadcast from wireless electronic locks within proximity to the computing device, the electronic locks being compatible with a mobile application executing on the computing device, while scanning, recording signal strengths of the signals broadcast from the wireless electronic locks, determining a set of the wireless electronic locks which are within an acceptable range for updating based on the signal strengths, and sending updates from the computing device to the set of the wireless electronic locks.