Mobile Building Access Using Proximity-Based Digital Credentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physical access control systems relying on physical access cards are time-consuming, cumbersome, and error-prone, necessitating a more efficient and user-friendly method for granting access to authorized areas.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a user's mobile device as an access credential, where the device captures and associates geographic locations of access points, allowing for secure access control through proximity-based unlocking using GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical access cards are used for building access control, then access authorization can be managed, but the system becomes time-consuming and cumbersome to issue and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical access cards with digital copies stored on mobile devices. The mobile device captures and stores geographic locations of access points, creating a digital representation of access credentials that can be instantly issued and managed without physical card distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical physical card-swiping system with an electronic/proximity-based system using mobile devices, GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth capabilities to detect and verify access point locations, eliminating the need for physical card handling
2Reliability
If physical access cards are used for building access control, then access authorization can be managed, but the system becomes error-prone in management
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device stores digital copies of access point locations and access credentials, eliminating errors associated with physical card issuance, tracking, and revocation. The system automatically manages credential distribution through digital storage and retrieval based on geographic proximity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service access control where the mobile device automatically detects access points through GPS and proximity sensors, and the association between the device and access points is automatically established without manual card distribution or programming by administrators
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile device location capturing is implemented for access control, then seamless access to multiple facilities is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a credential storage, a geographic location detector using GPS and WiFi, a proximity sensor using Bluetooth, and a communication device for transmitting access requests. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single universal access solution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages the complexity of associating mobile devices with access points. The server receives location data from mobile devices, performs the association operations, and maintains the access control database, thereby shielding users from the underlying system complexity while enabling versatile multi-facility access
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for unlocking an access point of a facility with a mobile device. Permissions and locations of access points of the facility that are accessible to a user of a particular mobile device may be downloaded and a location of the particular mobile device determined. The mobile device may identify one or more access points of the facility that are accessible by the user of the mobile device based on the location of the mobile device and the downloaded permissions and locations of the access points. The method may include displaying on the mobile device a notification of the access points that are identified by the mobile device, receiving a selection of one of the displayed access points from the user via a user interface of the mobile device, sending a command from the mobile device to unlock the selected access point, and unlocking the selected access point.