Mobile NFC Access Control for Building Doors and Elevators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for managing people flow in buildings, such as Bluetooth readers and QR codes, are expensive and complex, necessitating a low-cost and simple alternative for controlling access and elevator operations using mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing near field communication (NFC) stickers around a building that allow mobile devices to receive information from NFC tags, determine control actions, and send instructions to a control system for state changes like opening doors or calling elevators, without requiring specialized readers or app activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Bluetooth readers and encrypted credentials are used for access control, then security and access management functionality are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive Bluetooth readers with inexpensive NFC tags that are placed on doors and elevators. The mobile device's NFC reader reads the tag information, copying the location and access control data from the tag to the control system, thereby achieving the same access control functionality at lower cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the Bluetooth wireless communication system with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. NFC tags are passive and require no power, while the mobile device's NFC reader actively reads the tags. This substitution eliminates the need for powered readers and complex credential management, reducing system complexity while maintaining security
2Ease of manufacture
If QR codes are used for building access, then low-cost implementation is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to manual activation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tag contains encoded information about its location and the actions required. When the mobile device's NFC reader reads the tag, the system automatically determines the appropriate action (door opening, elevator call) and executes it without requiring the user to manually activate an app or find a QR code. The system serves itself by using the tag's inherent information to trigger the correct response
3Ease of operation
If NFC tags are placed throughout the building, then ease of operation and user convenience are improved, but system cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tags are multi-functional, serving both as location identifiers and as triggers for specific actions (door opening, elevator calls). A single tag placement provides multiple functions: identifying the door location, determining access permissions, and initiating the appropriate state change. This universal approach reduces the need for separate components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device's NFC reader reads the tag information and copies it to the control system. The control system then processes this information to determine the appropriate action. This copying mechanism allows the system to use inexpensive passive tags while achieving complex access control and building management functions through intelligent processing at the control system level
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 provides a cost-effective, convenient, and reliable method for managing access and elevator operations, allowing user-specific actions and minimizing waiting times by utilizing users' own mobile devices and NFC technology.
Implementation Method 1
a near field communication (NFC) reader... receive, from the NFC reader, information encoded in an NFC tag
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, there are provided a mobile device for wireless people flow management. The mobile device comprises at least one processor; at least one memory; and a near field communication, NFC, reader; wherein the at least one memory comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor causes the mobile device to receive, from the NFC reader, information encoded in an NFC tag associated with a specific location in a building; determine control information to trigger at least one state change associated with the location based on the information encoded to the NFC tag; and send the control information to a control system of the building.