Smart Lock Using Time-Sensitive Hash Codes for Longer Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart locks rely on bidirectional wireless communications, which lead to battery drain, connectivity issues, bulkiness, high complexity, and high costs, making them unreliable and cumbersome for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A smart lock that unlocks using a time-sensitive access code solving a cryptographic hash algorithm, with QR code camera, barcode scanner, and/or microphone, a cryptographic hash algorithm, and/or a keypad, eliminating the need for bidirectional wireless communications and utilizing a QR code scanner, a barcode scanner, a camera, a microphone, a keypad, antenna(s)/radio(s) for RFID/NFC inputs, and a cryptographic hash algorithm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional wireless communications are used for smart lock operation, then remote access and control capability is improved, but battery life is reduced and device reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wireless communication capability from the smart lock system, removing the radio frequency module entirely. Instead, the lock uses a one-way communication architecture where the lock emits optical signals (LED flashes) that can be detected by a smartphone camera, eliminating the need for bidirectional wireless communication hardware in the lock itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic/radio frequency communication system with an optical communication system. The smart lock uses LED lights to transmit data through light flashes that encode authentication information, which is then captured by the smartphone's camera sensor, substituting electromagnetic radio waves with optical signals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional wireless communications are implemented in smart locks, then connectivity and remote control are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex bidirectional wireless communication module from the smart lock. The lock only retains minimal electronics for generating optical signals and basic control logic, while all communication processing is shifted to the smartphone device that the user already possesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the smartphone's existing camera, processor, and communication capabilities to handle all complex communication tasks. The smartphone serves multiple functions: capturing optical signals, decoding authentication data, managing wireless communication with the cloud, and controlling the lock, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated complex communication hardware in the lock.
3Device complexity
If traditional mechanical locks are used, then simplicity and reliability are maintained, but key management becomes cumbersome and security is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical key insertion and tumbling mechanism with an optical recognition system. The lock features a camera or light sensor that detects specific light patterns or QR codes presented by the user's smartphone, substituting physical key manipulation with optical signal detection while maintaining the mechanical locking mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copies (light patterns, QR codes, or visual identifiers) as the authentication medium instead of physical keys. The smartphone displays visual authentication data that the lock's optical sensor reads, creating a digital-visual copy of the authentication credential that replaces the physical key while keeping the lock mechanism simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An electromechanical Smart Lock is unlocked by the Smart Lock timely receiving a time sensitive access-code that solves a cryptographic hash algorithm (e.g., SHA-3 or the like) running on that Smart Lock. To enable this functionality, the Smart Lock knows at least three items of information: status of a countdown timer, its cryptographic hash algorithm, and its unique identifier. Further, the Smart Lock may have various elements for receiving the time sensitive access-code, such as, but not limited to, a QR code camera, a barcode scanner, a camera, a microphone, a keypad, and/or optionally, an antenna(s)/radio(s) for RFID/NFC inputs to the Smart Lock. Server(s) may also know the same three items of information for each given Smart Lock; and the Server(s) may provide time sensitive access-codes to (authorized) user(s) and/or to their devices. Users may request, receive, and/or send the time sensitive access-codes via text messaging (or other elements).