Lock Controller Temporary Credential Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for providing access to electronic locks are limited to specific services, such as deliveries, and lack flexibility in managing access rights and security for various service scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves generating and managing temporary credentials for electronic locks, allowing service providers to access secured physical spaces only after explicit consent from the service consumer, with optional encryption and timed validity, ensuring secure and flexible access control for diverse service scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical locks are used, then physical key management is simple, but access control flexibility and security management are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical key-based locking systems with electronic lock controllers that accept electronic keys and PIN codes. This substitution enables flexible access control through digital credential management while maintaining the physical locking function, resolving the contradiction between mechanical simplicity and access flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock controller is designed to accept multiple types of credentials (electronic keys, PIN codes) and support various service scenarios (deliveries, cleaning, construction). This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle diverse access control needs without requiring separate mechanical key systems for each scenario.
2Productivity
If permanent access credentials are provided to service providers, then service delivery is convenient, but security and access control become compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic credentials with time-based validity periods and service-specific access windows. Instead of permanent credentials, the system generates temporary access rights that are automatically invalidated after use or expiration, enabling efficient service delivery while maintaining security through transient authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically discards used or expired credentials and recovers access control rights to the lock owner. This ensures that service providers cannot retain permanent access, as credentials are designed for single-use or time-limited validity, thereby maintaining security while enabling convenient service delivery.
3Ease of operation
If access credentials are shared among multiple service providers, then service coordination is simplified, but authentication security and access control are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access credentials into individual, non-shareable units assigned to specific service providers or agents. Each credential is tied to a unique identifier and can only be used by its designated recipient, eliminating the need for shared credentials while simplifying coordination through automated assignment and tracking.
4Reliability
If comprehensive access logs are maintained, then audit trails and security monitoring are improved, but data storage and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only essential access log data (timestamp, credential ID, service type, access outcome) rather than comprehensive detailed records. This selective data extraction maintains complete audit trails for security monitoring while minimizing data storage requirements by omitting redundant information.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is presented method for providing access to a lock for provision of a service. The method is performed in a lock manager and comprises the steps of: receiving a request for access to the lock, the request being based on the service consumer ordering a service requiring access to a physical space which is secured by the lock; sending a first consumer request to a service consumer device, asking whether to grant access to the lock for a service provider agent to provide the service; receiving a first positive consumer response from the service consumer device, indicating that the service consumer allows the service provider agent to access the physical space secured by the lock; generating a temporary credential for the service provider agent; providing the temporary credential to the service provider agent; and configuring the lock to accept the temporary credential.