Remote Management of Electronic Locks via Intermediary Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic product management systems lack efficient remote management capabilities, particularly for offline electronic locks, leading to difficulties in firmware updates, preventative maintenance, and warranty tracking.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables remote management of electronic products through a mobile device, local computer, and remote server, allowing for data logging, firmware updates, preventative maintenance notifications, and warranty tracking by transmitting and processing data via wired or wireless connections, using protocols like Schlage Utility Software and Microsoft sync utilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote management capabilities are implemented for electronic products, then ease of operation and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary component that mediates between the electronic product and the user. The server handles complex management tasks including firmware updates, maintenance notifications, and warranty tracking, allowing users to access product information and perform management operations remotely without directly interacting with the product's internal systems. This intermediary approach enables remote management functionality while isolating the complexity within the server infrastructure rather than requiring complex changes to the electronic product itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If data logging and remote monitoring are implemented, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but loss of information and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage data trackingVSAvoiddata management overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a data copying mechanism where usage information and product status data are replicated from the electronic product to a remote server. The server maintains copies of firmware versions, maintenance records, and warranty information, allowing multiple users and systems to access the same data without requiring direct connections to the product. This copying approach enables precise tracking of usage patterns and product state while reducing information loss by maintaining redundant data copies across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If automated firmware updates and maintenance notifications are implemented, then productivity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic communication between the electronic product and the remote server, where the product checks for firmware updates and maintenance notifications at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The system uses periodic data synchronization where the server pushes updates to the product only when changes are available, and the product reports its status at predetermined time intervals. This periodic action enables automated maintenance management while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring and communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10866799B2Remote management of electronic products
Publication Date: 2020.12.15 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC
  • US10866799B2 patent drawing
  • US10866799B2 patent drawing
  • US10866799B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A remote server may receive a data log with information regarding the status and/or a setting of an electronic product. The remote server may store information in the data log in a database. The remote server may process information in the database to determine whether a newer version of firmware is available for the electronic product.