Motion-Sensing Security Monitoring for Hands-Free Disarming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security monitoring systems require manual intervention or physical interaction to disarm, which can be inconvenient for users carrying items or with mobility issues, and there is a risk of unauthorized disarm if a portable authentication device is left near the entrance.
Innovation Solution
A security monitoring system with a portable authentication device that includes a motion sensor, allowing hands-free disarming by ensuring the device is in motion with the user, and only transmitting disarm messages if not deemed stationary, enhancing security by preventing disarm if the device is left unattended.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable authentication device is used for hands-free disarming, then user convenience is improved, but security risk increases if the device is left unattended near the entrance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using motion sensors to detect whether the portable authentication device is in motion or stationary. The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on motion detection: if motion is detected, the device is considered authorized for disarming; if stationary, disarming is prevented. This resolves the contradiction by making the authentication process adaptive to the physical state of the device, ensuring convenience for legitimate users while preventing unauthorized disarming of left-behind devices.
2Reliability
If manual code entry is required at a disarm node, then security is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates when users are encumbered or have mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical action of manually entering a code or physically presenting a device with an automated motion-based authentication system. The motion sensor detects the natural motion of a user approaching and passing through the entrance, automatically triggering the disarming sequence without requiring manual code entry or physical interaction with the disarm node. This eliminates the difficulty for encumbered users while maintaining security through motion-based verification.
3Reliability
If the central unit is located away from the entrance door, then system security is improved by centralizing control, but user convenience deteriorates due to longer access time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the authentication function from the centralized control unit and implementing it at the entrance-level disarm node through motion detection. The disarm node independently detects user motion and communicates with the central unit to initiate disarming, eliminating the need for users to physically reach the centrally-located control unit. This maintains the security benefits of centralized control while providing the convenience of local authentication at the entrance.
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
Enables convenient, hands-free disarming while maintaining high security by ensuring the portable authentication device is carried by the user, reducing the risk of unauthorized disarm and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the portable authentication device and to provide an output to the processor based on sensed motion of the portable authentication device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a security monitoring system for a building or a secured space within a building, the system including: a control unit for controlling, arming and disarming the security monitoring system, and having a radio frequency transceiver; a door giving access to the building or the secured space; an electrically controlled lock which is lockable to lock the door to prevent the door being opened from outside the building or the secured space, and which can be unlocked to enable the door to be opened from outside the building; a disarm node for disarming the system, the node having a user interface to receive a user input to change the status of the system, and a radio frequency transmitter to transmit, in consequence of the user input, a status change message to the control unit, the disarm node being located outside the building or the space; and a portable authentication device to permit hands-free disarming of the security monitoring system, the portable authentication device including a radio frequency transceiver, a memory storing a portable authentication device ID that is registered with the control unit, a motion sensor and a processor operatively connected to the transceiver, the motion sensor and the memory; wherein the motion sensor is configured to sense motion of the portable authentication device and to provide an output based on sensed motion of the portable authentication device, and wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the portable authentication device is stationary or in motion, based on the output of the motion sensor; the disarm node being configured to: (i) transmit from the portable authentication device's transceiver, using a short-range transmission mode, a wake up message including a status change event identifier; the portable authentication device being configured to respond to receipt of the wake up message by transmitting, using the portable authentication device's transceiver, a response message including the status change event identifier and the portable authentication device identity, the portable authentication device's transceiver only transmitting the response message if, when the instruction is received, the portable authentication device is not deemed to be stationary;; the control unit being configured: in response to receiving the response message from the portable authentication device, to : (iv) check whether the status change event identifier is for a current status change event; (v) check whether the portable authentication device identifier is for a portable authentication device registered with the control unit; and (vi) if the two checks both give positive results, to implement the requested status change, and, if the status change request includes a request to unlock the electronic lock, to use the control unit's transceiver to transmit a signal to cause the electronic lock to be unlocked.