Mobile Device BTLE Ad Filtering for Access Control Intent

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Solution Overview

Problem

In environments with multiple access controls, such as hotels, users face challenges in capturing their intent due to the numerous Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) advertisements from locks, leading to complexity in determining the intended access control.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mobile device that filters BTLE advertisements based on credentials, sorts them by Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and determines user intent through proximity, time of day, and destination intent, allowing for automatic selection of the intended access control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the lock sends periodic BTLE advertisements to be always on, then the battery life is extended to many years, but the complexity of determining user intent increases when multiple locks are within range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcomplexity of determining user intent

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer (the mobile device's application) that receives advertisements from multiple locks, filters them based on credentials, sorts by RSSI, and determines user intent. This intermediary handles the complexity of multiple advertisements, allowing the locks themselves to remain simple periodic advertisers with extended battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple access controls send BTLE advertisements simultaneously, then the system provides comprehensive coverage, but the mobile device receives numerous advertisements complicating intent capture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoiddifficulty in capturing user intent

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts relevant information from the advertisements by filtering based on credentials stored on the mobile device. Only advertisements matching the user's credentials are processed further, extracting the essential information needed for intent determination while discarding irrelevant advertisements from locks the user doesn't have access to.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for selection from equal treatment of all advertisements to sorting by RSSI (signal strength). This parameter change allows the system to prioritize locks based on proximity, with the strongest signal indicating the most likely intended target, thus resolving the ambiguity of multiple advertisements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the system requires manual selection of access control, then user intent is clearly captured, but the process becomes time-consuming and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of intent captureVSAvoidtime for manual intervention

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-filtering advertisements based on credentials and pre-sorting by RSSI before presenting options to the user. This preliminary processing narrows down the choices and prepares the most likely candidate, reducing the user's decision time and manual intervention requirements while maintaining accurate intent capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines user intent automatically by analyzing advertisement signals and comparing them with stored credentials, without requiring explicit user input. The mobile device self-determines which lock the user intends to access based on the strongest matching signal, eliminating manual selection entirely in many cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution simplifies the process of interacting with access controls by filtering out irrelevant advertisements and automatically determining user intent, reducing the need for manual intervention and enhancing efficiency in accessing specific locks.

Implementation Method 1

receiving advertisements from each of a multiple of access controls on a mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBluetooth Low Energy electromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

sorting the filtered received advertisements based on a RSSI (received signal strength indicator)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal strength measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS11043054B2Capturing user intent when interacting with multiple access controls

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method of advertisement filtering including receiving advertisements from a multiple of access controls; filtering the received advertisements based on a credential on the mobile device; comparing the filtered received advertisements and determining a user intent to access a particular access control in response to the comparing and to a destination intent.