Pairable Locker Using Wearable Proximity Beacon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public storage facilities in locations like train stations and airports often rely on physical keys or codes, which can be cumbersome and prone to loss, necessitating a more secure and convenient access method.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where secure-access facilities, such as lockers, pair with wearable user devices using wireless communication and proximity-based technology, eliminating the need for physical keys or codes by using beacons and pairing modules to establish secure connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical keys or codes are used for locker access, then users can securely access their lockers, but the system becomes cumbersome and keys can be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical key-lock system with an electronic proximity-based access system. The locker uses a beacon to establish wireless communication with a user's wearable device, eliminating the need for physical keys or codes. This substitution maintains security through encrypted pairing while dramatically improving convenience by allowing contactless access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the access credential in the form of a paired wearable device. Instead of relying on a physical key that can be lost, the system pairs the locker with a digital representation of user identity stored in the wearable device. This digital copy enables reliable access without the drawbacks of physical keys.
2Ease of operation
If wireless pairing technology is implemented, then key-less access is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universal nature of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, which is already widely integrated into modern smartphones and wearable devices. By using this existing universal communication protocol, the system avoids requiring proprietary or specialized hardware, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while still achieving convenient key-less access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beacon as an intermediary component that simplifies the pairing process. The beacon acts as a mediator between the locker and the user's wearable device, facilitating secure wireless communication and automatic pairing. This intermediary approach manages system complexity by centralizing the communication logic in a dedicated component rather than distributing it across all system elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for providing access to secure-access facilities based on pairing of the secure-access facilities with a user device such as a wearable device. A pairable secure-access facility may be a public storage facility or device such as a locker that includes communications circuitry for pairing with the user device. Once paired with the user device, the locker may operate a locking mechanism to lock the locker when the user device is away from the locker and to unlock the locker when the user device is in the vicinity of the locker. The locker may include a beacon for detecting and pairing with the user devices. Pairing the user device and the locker may include entering a locker identifier into the user device to ensure that the intended user device is paired with the intended locker.