Mobile Visitor Access Control for Doors, Floors, and Elevators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building access controls require manual supervision by a building supervisor to manage user access to doors, floors, and elevators, lacking autonomy and efficiency in visitor access management.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes resident devices to grant visitor access permissions through a user interface, determining the visitor's location relative to selected elevator cars, doors, and floors, and granting access based on predefined permissions, with notifications and time/schedule controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual supervision by a building supervisor is used to manage user access, then access control can be centrally managed, but the system lacks autonomy and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomy of visitor access managementVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables residents to independently grant access permissions to visitors through mobile devices without requiring building supervisor intervention. Residents can specify access parameters including elevator car selection, door access, floor restrictions, and time schedules, allowing the system to self-manage visitor access autonomously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures access permissions with specific parameters before visitor arrival. Residents can set up elevator car assignments, door access rights, floor restrictions, and time-based schedules in advance, so that when a visitor arrives, access is automatically granted according to pre-established rules without requiring real-time supervisor decisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If access permissions are granted without restrictions, then visitor convenience is improved, but security control is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisitor access convenienceVSAvoidsecurity control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different access permissions to different locations and time periods. Visitors can be granted access to specific elevator cars, particular doors, and certain floors while being restricted from others. Time-based scheduling allows access rights to vary at different times, providing both convenience for authorized movements and security for restricted areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts access parameters including elevator car assignment, door access rights, floor restrictions, and time windows. These parameters can be modified based on visitor type, time of day, day of week, and specific building zones, allowing flexible security control that adapts to different scenarios while maintaining ease of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If building supervisor controls all access decisions, then centralized management is achieved, but efficiency and response time are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess management efficiencyVSAvoidsupervisor response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically processes visitor access requests based on pre-configured rules without requiring supervisor intervention. When a visitor presents their mobile device at an elevator or door, the system automatically verifies permissions and grants access according to the resident's predetermined settings, eliminating wait time for supervisor approval

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

All access control parameters are configured in advance by residents, including elevator car selections, door access rights, floor restrictions, and time schedules. This preliminary configuration enables the system to make instant access decisions without requiring real-time supervisor input, dramatically improving response time and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3401259B1User management of door and elevator access control
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3401259B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3401259B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3401259B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of controlling access to a building is provided. The method comprising: receiving visitor contact information for a visitor from a resident device, the visitor contact information identifies a visitor device of the visitor; receiving visitor access permissions for the visitor from the resident device, the visitor access permissions include at least one of a selected elevator car, a selected door, and a selected floor; and granting the visitor device access to at least one of the selected elevator car, the selected door, and the selected floor.