Portable Device Signal Strength Analysis for Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control systems using radio frequency devices often unintentionally trigger when a user is not intending to access a controlled object, leading to unwanted actions such as opening a car door or office door, and fail to provide timely access.

Innovation Solution

A method where a portable device and access control device wirelessly communicate, with the portable device determining signal strength over time and comparing it to a reference profile to differentiate between intended and unintended approaches, allowing for controlled access by matching the user's movement pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the access control device triggers based on simple proximity detection using signal strength, then the user experience is improved by providing timely access, but unintentional triggering occurs when the user is not intending to access the controlled object

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidunintentional triggering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static proximity detection to dynamic movement pattern analysis. By continuously monitoring signal strength over time and comparing it against stored movement profiles, the system adapts to the user's intended action based on their characteristic approach pattern, thereby distinguishing between intentional and unintentional approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the user's movement pattern by comparing real-time signal strength data against pre-stored movement profiles before triggering access. This preliminary action allows the system to predict the user's intention in advance, preventing unintentional triggering while maintaining timely access for legitimate users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the access control device uses simple proximity detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of user intention is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control deviceVSAvoiduser intention detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a temporal dimension to proximity detection by monitoring signal strength over time rather than at a single moment. This transforms the detection from a static threshold check to a dynamic temporal pattern analysis, significantly improving user intention detection precision while keeping the hardware simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the user's characteristic movement pattern by storing a movement profile that captures the temporal signal strength characteristics. This copied profile is then used for comparison with real-time data, enabling precise intention detection without requiring complex sensors or hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of time

If the access control device triggers in advance based on movement pattern recognition, then waiting time is reduced, but false recognition may occur with similar movement patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaiting timeVSAvoidfalse recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the continuous monitoring of signal strength to dynamically adjust and refine the movement pattern recognition. By comparing real-time signal strength data against the stored profile and continuously evaluating the match quality, the system can confirm genuine matches while rejecting false positives, thereby reducing false recognition while maintaining advance triggering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reduces unintentional triggering and provides timely access by accurately identifying the user's intention, allowing the access control device to change states accordingly, such as unlocking a door before the user reaches it, thus minimizing waiting time and improving access control reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a portable device associated with a user and an access control device. The portable device and the access control device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

determining at the portable device a signal strength over time of a signal received from the access control device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal strength detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3477600B1A method for controlling access in a system comprising a portable device associated with a user and an access control device
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 AXIS
  • EP3477600B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3477600B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3477600B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method (200) for controlling access in a system comprising a portable device (104) associated with a user (106) and an access control device (102), wherein the portable device (104) and the access control device (102) are configured to wirelessly communicate (110) with each other, the method (200) comprising: pairing (202) the portable device (104) and the access control device (102), upon the portable device (104) detecting proximity to the access control device, determining (204) at the portable device (104) a signal strength over time of a signal received from the access control device (102), comparing (206) the determined signal strength over time with a previously determined reference signal strength profile, and upon the determined signal strength over time being considered congruent with the reference signal strength profile, controlling (208) the access control device (102).