Offline Access Control for Waste Containers Using Downloaded Tokens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling access to waste containers require connection to a telecommunications network, which can lead to issues in areas without network coverage and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to download electronic tokens for access control offline, enabling access to waste containers without network connection, with features like geo-position specificity and expiration dates for secure and efficient billing, and data transmission when network access is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection to telecommunications network is required for access control, then data transfer to server is enabled, but energy consumption increases and access is blocked in dead zones
Solution Approach 1:
The system downloads electronic tokens and access authorization data to the communication device before the user reaches the container. This preliminary action stores necessary access credentials locally, enabling offline access control while avoiding continuous network communication and reducing energy consumption during the actual access operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential access authorization data from the network-dependent system and stores it locally in the communication device. By separating the access control function from continuous network connectivity, the system enables offline access while maintaining security through locally stored electronic tokens that are validated by the access device.
2Reliability
If smartphone communicates with server near container, then access authorization is verified, but access fails in dead zones or when network is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary download of electronic tokens and access authorization data to the communication device before the user arrives at the container. This advance preparation ensures that access verification can proceed offline using locally stored credentials, eliminating dependency on network availability or speed at the moment of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device acts as an intermediary that stores electronic tokens locally and transmits them to the access device without requiring real-time server communication. This intermediary approach decouples the access authorization process from the server, allowing verification to occur offline while maintaining security through cryptographic validation of the stored tokens.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If traditional access control system is used, then network connectivity is maintained, but operating costs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device transmits data to the server periodically when network connectivity is available, rather than maintaining continuous communication. This periodic data synchronization allows the container access device to operate independently with minimal energy consumption, while still ensuring that access records and container data are eventually transferred to the server for billing and monitoring purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the data transmission function from the access control moment and separates it into a periodic background process. The essential access control operation proceeds offline with minimal energy use, while data synchronization with the server occurs periodically when network conditions permit, reducing both energy consumption and operating costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user access control system (10) for a waste container (12) is proposed, comprising: at least one communication device (16), each communication device being associated with a user; an access device (20) arranged on the container; and a server (18), remote from the access device and without means of communication with the access device; characterized in that: access control is carried out exclusively by data exchange between the communication device (16) and the access device (20), an access authorization being obtained beforehand by downloading at least one electronic token from the server to the communication device.