Mobile Check-In Authentication for Contactless Facility Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facility usage management systems lack efficient non-contact and non-face-to-face procedures for identity authentication and reservation confirmation.

Innovation Solution

A facility usage control apparatus and system that registers user identity and reservation information, performs authentication using a mobile terminal and a first authentication terminal, determines availability, requests a signature, and acquires electronic signatures without physical interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated identity authentication is implemented, then authentication efficiency is improved, but the check-in procedure still requires face-to-face interaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication efficiencyVSAvoidcontactless operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical face-to-face interaction system with an electronic/digital system. Users authenticate through biometric data captured by cameras and provide signatures through mobile terminal touchscreens, eliminating the need for physical presence at counters or interaction with facility staff during the authentication and signature collection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces mobile terminals as an intermediary between the user and the facility usage control apparatus. The mobile terminal serves as a mediator that captures biometric data, transmits it to the authentication system, and collects digital signatures, thereby enabling contactless interaction while maintaining automated authentication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional check-in procedures are used, then facility usage control is simplified, but physical interaction with staff and equipment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidcontactless operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical check-in procedures (physical signatures on paper, face-to-face verification) with electronic systems. Biometric authentication replaces visual identification, and digital signatures on mobile terminals replace manual signing, thereby achieving contactless operation while maintaining procedural simplicity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables users to complete the entire check-in process independently using their mobile terminals. Users capture their own biometric data, authenticate automatically against the system, and provide digital signatures without requiring assistance from facility staff, thereby achieving both simplicity and contactless operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual check-in procedures are implemented, then user convenience is maintained, but contact and physical interaction are necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidphysical contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical contact mechanisms with electronic/digital alternatives. Instead of physical signatures on paper documents and face-to-face verification, the system uses digital signatures captured through mobile terminal touchscreens and biometric authentication through cameras, thereby eliminating physical contact while enhancing user convenience through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary that enables contactless interaction while maintaining user convenience. It captures biometric data locally, transmits it for authentication, and collects digital signatures, thereby serving as a bridge between the user and the facility system without requiring physical contact with facility equipment or staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12615157B2Facility usage control apparatus, system, method, and computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 NEC CORP

AI summary

A facility usage control apparatus is configured to register identity identification information for registration of a user who makes a reservation to use a predetermined facility, a mobile terminal of the user, and reservation information of the facility in association with each other, control authentication using the identity identification information for registration based on identity identification information for authentication acquired from the user through a first authentication terminal installed at the facility, identify the reservation information associated with the identity identification information for registration of the user who has been successfully authenticated, determine availability of the facility based on the identified reservation information, make a signature request to the mobile terminal associated with the identity identification information for registration when the user is determined that he/she can use the facility, and acquire signature data input by the user to the mobile terminal.