Local Access Control System Domain Information Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electrical power generation and delivery systems, the connectivity between domain controllers and access control systems can be interrupted or bandwidth-limited, hindering effective physical access control determinations, especially in remote and infrequently accessed locations.

Innovation Solution

A local access control system is configured to manage physical access using locally maintained domain information updates, which are periodically generated and distributed by the domain controller, allowing for independent access control decisions when communication with the domain controller is interrupted or limited.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the access control system continuously communicates with the domain controller to ensure accurate access decisions, then access control accuracy is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases and connectivity requirements become more stringent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control determination accuracyVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by caching domain information locally at the access control system before connectivity is needed. Domain information is retrieved and stored in advance during periods when network connectivity is available, allowing the system to operate independently when connectivity is interrupted or bandwidth is limited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality by maintaining a local cache of domain information at the access control system rather than requiring continuous centralized communication. This allows different parts of the system to operate with different information freshness levels, with the local cache providing sufficient accuracy for access decisions without requiring constant network updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the access control system operates independently with local cached information, then network bandwidth consumption is reduced, but access control determination accuracy may deteriorate due to information staleness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork bandwidth consumptionVSAvoidaccess control determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the access control system periodically checks for updates from the domain controller and compares cached information with current domain information. This feedback loop ensures that the local cache is refreshed when changes occur, maintaining accuracy without requiring continuous polling or communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic action by scheduling intermittent synchronization between the access control system and domain controller. Instead of continuous communication, the system performs periodic checks for domain information updates, consuming network bandwidth only when necessary to maintain accurate access control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If domain information is frequently updated and distributed to all access control systems, then access control accuracy is maintained, but network interaction frequency and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork interaction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary domain information that is relevant to access control decisions and caches it locally at each access control system. Instead of distributing and processing complete domain information sets across the network, each system extracts and maintains only the specific information needed for its access control determinations, reducing network interaction complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Extent of automation

If the system requires continuous network connectivity between domain controller and access control systems, then centralized control is maintained, but system reliability deteriorates in remote or infrequently accessed locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidsystem reliability in remote locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the centralized access control architecture into distributed components, where each access control system maintains local domain information and can operate independently. This segmentation allows remote or infrequently accessed locations to function autonomously without continuous connectivity to the domain controller, improving reliability while maintaining centralized control capabilities when connectivity is available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9922476B2Local access control system management using domain information updates

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are presented for managing physical access to an access-controlled area using a local access control system. In certain embodiments, information that may be used in access control determinations managed by a remote domain controller may be communicated to a local access control system for use in connection with local access control determinations performed by the access control system independent of the domain controller. In some embodiments, such a configuration may allow for access control determinations to be performed when communication with the domain controller is interrupted and/or otherwise limited.