Offline QR Elevator Credentials for Touch-Free Building Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems and access control technologies in buildings are complex and do not adequately address user concerns about hygiene and security, particularly in the context of bacteria and virus transmission through touch-based interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A building system that uses a registration computer system to generate an activation code, which is encoded on a mobile device via a QR code, allowing users to request elevator services without touching physical buttons, and includes a credential acquisition unit to verify the code, ensuring secure and hygienic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If physical buttons and operating panels are used for elevator requests, then the system is simple and reliable, but users are exposed to bacteria and virus transmission through touch contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical touch-based elevator call buttons with an optical credential system. Users present a visual code (QR code or similar) on their mobile device, and the system uses an optical scanner to read the credential, eliminating the need for physical contact with shared surfaces while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical credential as an intermediary between the user and the elevator system. Instead of direct physical interaction with buttons, the credential acts as a mediator that carries user information optically, breaking the transmission chain for pathogens while enabling system access.
2Reliability
If cleaning and disinfection efforts are enhanced, then user confidence improves, but the system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning and disinfection process with an optical credential verification system. By substituting physical contact points with optical scanning, the system maintains high user confidence without requiring enhanced cleaning protocols or increasing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If offline operation with unique encryption keys is implemented, then security against credential sharing and hacking is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the credential system into offline generation (on mobile device) and verification (at elevator). Each segment operates independently with cryptographic keys stored locally, eliminating centralized vulnerability points while maintaining security. The unique encryption keys are generated and stored separately on user devices, preventing centralized hacking risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cryptographic copying where the user's identity and access rights are encoded into an optical credential that can be displayed on a mobile device. This digital copy enables secure verification without physical contact, and the offline generation ensures each credential is unique and tamper-resistant.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~6B
AI summary
A building system (1) having an elevator system (1) includes a controller system (18) that controls the elevator system (1) to move an elevator car (14) between building floors, and a registration computer system (4) communicatively coupled to the controller system (18). The registration computer system (4) generates an activation code in form of a QR code that a user (2) requesting elevator service can scan with a mobile communications device (20). The activation code encodes user information including access rights of the user (2) in the building. Upon the activation code being provided to the mobile communications device (20), a software application (APP) executable by the mobile communications device (20) generates a graphical user interface (23), wherein displayed content of the graphical user interface (23) is determined by the coded user information of the activation code. The software application (APP) generates an optical credential (47, 48, 50, 52) upon the user (2) specifying the elevator service. A credential acquisition unit (9) reads the optical credential (47, 48, 50, 52) from the mobile communications device (20) presented by the user (2), wherein the controller system (18) is configured to cause the elevator system (1) to perform the specified elevator service upon determining that the optical credential (47, 48, 50, 52) is valid.