Smart Lock Authentication Using Distance Trend and Environment Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart unlocking technologies face challenges in preventing relay attacks while ensuring security, particularly when users need to remotely unlock or unlock with digital keys, as existing methods rely solely on proximity-based near field communication, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where a terminal device monitors distance change trends with a smart lock, enabling identity authentication only when approaching within a specific threshold, using Bluetooth, GPS, or IR-UWB, and comparing environment parameters to ensure the user is in the same environment, thereby preventing unauthorized unlocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relay attack prevention measures are implemented, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring distance change trends and comparing environment parameters before enabling identity authentication. The terminal device continuously monitors its distance from the smart lock and compares environment parameters (light, temperature, humidity) in advance, only enabling authentication when approaching trends are detected and parameters match, thereby preventing relay attacks before they can succeed while maintaining seamless user experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring distance changes and environment parameters, then using this information to dynamically control authentication enablement. The terminal device receives feedback from distance monitoring modules and environment sensors, processes this information to determine authentication eligibility, and adjusts authentication state accordingly, creating a closed-loop security system that prevents relay attacks while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If distance monitoring and environment parameter comparison are performed, then relay attack prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay attack preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by utilizing the terminal device's existing multi-functional capabilities - using the same device for communication, distance monitoring, and environment parameter detection. The terminal device leverages its built-in sensors (light, temperature, humidity sensors) and communication modules to perform multiple security functions simultaneously, avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware components and thereby limiting complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by having the terminal device autonomously perform distance monitoring and environment parameter comparison without requiring additional external monitoring equipment. The terminal device uses its own built-in sensors and processing capabilities to evaluate authentication conditions and make decisions, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure and keeping device complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12052357B2Smart lock unlocking method and related device
Publication Date: 2024.07.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • US12052357B2 patent drawing
  • US12052357B2 patent drawing
  • US12052357B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and a related device for unlocking a smart lock are provided, and may be applied to an intelligent vehicle or a self-driving vehicle, to implement an unlocking function of a smart lock of the vehicle. The method includes: A terminal device monitors a distance change trend between the terminal device and an intelligent device, where the intelligent device includes a smart lock. If the terminal device determines that the terminal device is approaching the intelligent device and a distance between the terminal device and the intelligent device is less than a first distance threshold, the terminal device enables an identity authentication process between the terminal device and the intelligent device. The terminal device unlocks the smart lock when identity authentication between the terminal device and the intelligent device succeeds.