Locking Apparusing BLE and UWB for Secure Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locking apparatuses using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) protocols for controlling access facilities are inefficient due to lengthy connection times and potential security issues from unintended unlocking when the terminal's distance is reduced, leading to user inconvenience and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
A locking apparatus that includes an approach detector, a signal transmitter, and a measurer using a combination of BLE and ultra-wide band (UWB) wireless communications to authenticate users and determine unlocking conditions based on distance and angle, allowing for secure and rapid access without continuous wireless connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking apparatus uses BLE protocol to communicate with the terminal, then the terminal can control the locking apparatus, but a significant time is consumed for connection establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The locking apparatus and terminal perform preliminary pairing and key exchange before actual use. The terminal scans for and connects to the locking apparatus in advance, establishing a secure connection and exchanging cryptographic keys beforehand. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming connection establishment during actual access operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cryptographic key copies (private keys and public keys) that are exchanged during pairing. Instead of re-establishing secure connections each time, the system uses these pre-exchanged key copies to authenticate and communicate securely, significantly reducing connection time while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If the locking apparatus automatically unlocks when the terminal distance is reduced, then access is convenient, but the entrance may be opened in unintended situations causing security problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-dimensional distance-based authentication to two-dimensional authentication by incorporating both distance measurement and angle measurement. The locking apparatus not only measures the distance to the terminal but also the angle between the locking apparatus and the terminal. Both distance and angle must satisfy predetermined conditions for unlocking, creating a more robust security mechanism that prevents unintended access while maintaining convenience.
3Ease of operation
If the locking apparatus uses distance-based automatic unlocking, then user convenience is improved, but security risks arise from unintended unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds an angular dimension to the authentication process. Instead of relying solely on distance measurement, the system measures both the distance to the terminal and the angle between the locking apparatus and the terminal. Both parameters must meet predetermined conditions simultaneously, creating a more secure authentication mechanism that reduces false positives while maintaining user convenience.
4Reliability
If the locking apparatus requires connection for control, then security is maintained, but battery power is consumed continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The locking apparatus and terminal establish a periodic communication schedule after initial pairing. Instead of maintaining continuous connection, the system uses periodic data transmission and authentication challenges. The pre-exchanged cryptographic keys enable secure communication at these periodic intervals, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-contained cryptographic authentication where each device verifies the other using pre-exchanged keys. This eliminates the need for continuous server-mediated authentication, allowing the devices to maintain security independently with minimal power consumption during idle periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking apparatus according to an embodiment includes an approach detector, a signal transmitter, a measurer, and a controller. The approach detector detects an approach of a user carrying a terminal. The signal transmitter transmits a key authentication signal for authenticating a pre-shared digital key to the terminal using first short-range wireless communication when the approach of the user is detected. The measurer connects a session by generating a security channel with the terminal using second short-range wireless communication and measuring at least one of a distance to and an angle with respect to the terminal when the digital key is authenticated through the key authentication signal. The controller determines whether or not to unlock an access facility in accordance with at least one of the distance to and the angle with respect to the terminal.