Wireless Lockbox Key with Local Authorization Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless lockbox systems lack secure, reliable, and easy access solutions, particularly in low-light conditions and do not provide a professional detachment mechanism for real estate agents in uncomfortable situations.
Innovation Solution
A wireless lockbox key system with a computer communicating over a primary wireless path, keys that send and receive authorization/deauthorization instructions, and a feature to send predefined text messages, ensuring secure access and illumination, while keys de-authorize if primary communication is lost and provide a mechanism for professional cancellation of appointments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for lockbox access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores authorization data locally in the key device and lockbox before communication failures occur. The key device caches authorization tokens and the lockbox maintains a database of authorized keys, allowing access to continue even when wireless communication is interrupted or unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a local database and cached authorization data as intermediaries between the wireless communication path and the locking mechanism. This intermediary layer allows the system to operate with delayed or offline authorization verification, bridging the gap between wireless convenience and reliable access control.
2Ease of operation
If authorization is maintained continuously, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates due to unauthorized access risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic re-authorization by requiring keys to periodically communicate with the central server to validate their authorization status. Authorization tokens have expiration times and must be refreshed, creating periodic security checks that maintain security while allowing continuous operation between checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes feedback loops where the lockbox reports access attempts and key status to the central server, and the server responds with authorization updates. This continuous feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain secure access by dynamically adjusting authorization based on current security requirements and observed behavior.
3Reliability
If de-authorization feature is added, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic de-authorization through self-service mechanisms. When a key is reported lost or stolen, or when authorization expires, the system automatically revokes access rights without requiring manual intervention at the lockbox. The central server manages de-authorization centrally and propagates updates to all lockboxes, simplifying the local device complexity.
4Reliability
If communication path monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic rather than continuous communication path monitoring. Keys check communication availability at scheduled intervals rather than continuously, and enter a low-power state between checks. This periodic monitoring maintains access reliability by detecting communication failures when they occur while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
An access device for a system having at least one lock (16) that is configured to receive instructions and to energize a lock mechanism (66) to unlock the at least one lock and a computer (12) is disposed at a remote location from the at least one lock and the access device. The computer is connected to a primary wireless communication path (24). The access device comprises at least one key (14) configured for communicating with the computer via the primary wireless communication path and to communicate with the lock over a secondary wireless communications path and wherein the at least one key further is configured as authorized to unlock the at least one lock absent a deauthorizing instruction from the computer.