Shared Read/Write Key Box for Secure Electronic Key Lending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional key management boxes are costly due to the need for Read/Write units for each electronic key and do not adequately address security concerns under stringent privacy laws like Japan's Private Information Protection Law.
Innovation Solution
A key management box design that includes a main body for housing electronic keys, a door for access, personal authentication, data writing, electronic-key disabling, and control mechanisms to enable shared data writing and disabling across multiple keys, ensuring security and reducing costs by allowing lending and returning modes for electronic keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Read/Write units are provided in one-to-one correspondence to electronic keys, then data can be written to each key independently, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single Read/Write unit that can be shared across multiple electronic key holders. This unit performs data writing operations for different keys sequentially, eliminating the need for dedicated Read/Write units for each key while maintaining full functionality. The shared unit is controlled by a control unit that manages the lending and returning modes, thereby reducing system complexity and cost without sacrificing the ability to independently manage each electronic key's data.
2Reliability
If electronic keys are assigned one by one to users, then each user has dedicated access, but the number of keys to manage increases with the number of users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic key assignment system where electronic keys are not permanently assigned but temporarily lent to users based on authentication. The system transitions between lending mode (where authenticated users can borrow keys) and returning mode (where keys are returned and disabled). This dynamic approach allows the same physical key to serve multiple users over time, reducing the total number of keys needed while maintaining secure access control through personal authentication verification.
3Reliability
If personal authentication is implemented, then access security is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the personal authentication function with the existing key management system in an integrated manner. The authentication unit works together with the control unit and shared Read/Write unit to provide secure access. When a user presents personal identification information, the system authenticates them and automatically manages the lending mode, enabling key borrowing without requiring separate complex authentication infrastructure. This merged approach enhances security while minimizing additional system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A key management box includes a card reader configured to read ID for personal authentication, a data writing unit to write information on at least the ID read by the card reader in an electronic key, a data erasing unit configured to communication with the electronic key and disable the electronic key when the electronic key is determined to be a key on-lending, and a control substrate configured to determine that a lending mode is established when the card reader reads the ID and cause an electronic lock to permit opening/closing of a door and then activate the data writing unit, or configured to cause the electronic lock to permit opening/closing of the door when the data erasing unit determines that the electronic key is a key on-lending through communication with the electronic key while the card reader does not read ID.