Unified Bluetooth Advertisement for Access Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current access control systems face challenges in simultaneously supporting multiple security frameworks like HomeKit and Schlage modes due to the need for alternating Bluetooth Low Energy advertisements, which drains device power and requires frequent microprocessor awakenings, limiting their ability to pair with both frameworks simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a unified mode Bluetooth advertisement framework that allows access control devices to use a single advertisement format compliant with both HomeKit and Schlage modes, eliminating the need for alternating advertisements and reducing power consumption by avoiding frequent microprocessor wake-ups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If access control devices alternate between HomeKit and Schlage mode Bluetooth advertisements, then both security frameworks can be supported, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple security frameworksVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines HomeKit and Schlage mode advertisement data into a single unified Bluetooth advertisement packet. The access control device transmits one advertisement that contains both HomeKit-specific data (service UUIDs, device identifiers) and Schlage mode data (manufacturer-specific data, protocol identifiers) simultaneously, eliminating the need to alternate between separate advertisements for each security framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Bluetooth advertisement structure is designed to serve multiple security frameworks universally. The advertisement packet contains standardized fields that can be interpreted by both HomeKit-compatible devices and Schlage mode devices, allowing a single advertisement to fulfill the pairing initiation function for both security protocols without requiring framework-specific advertisement variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If access control devices alternate between HomeKit and Schlage mode Bluetooth advertisements, then both security frameworks can be supported, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple security frameworksVSAvoidmicroprocessor awakening frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines HomeKit and Schlage mode advertisement data into a single unified Bluetooth advertisement packet. The access control device transmits one advertisement that contains both HomeKit-specific data (service UUIDs, device identifiers) and Schlage mode data (manufacturer-specific data, protocol identifiers) simultaneously, eliminating the need to alternate between separate advertisements for each security framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Bluetooth advertisement structure is designed to serve multiple security frameworks universally. The advertisement packet contains standardized fields that can be interpreted by both HomeKit-compatible devices and Schlage mode devices, allowing a single advertisement to fulfill the pairing initiation function for both security protocols without requiring framework-specific advertisement variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If access control devices use separate Bluetooth advertisements for HomeKit and Schlage modes, then each framework can be optimized, but setup process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframework-specific optimizationVSAvoidsetup process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines HomeKit and Schlage mode advertisement data into a single unified Bluetooth advertisement packet. The access control device transmits one advertisement that contains both HomeKit-specific data (service UUIDs, device identifiers) and Schlage mode data (manufacturer-specific data, protocol identifiers) simultaneously, eliminating the need to alternate between separate advertisements for each security framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10911923B1Technologies for implementing unified mode bluetooth advertisements

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC

AI summary

A method of implementing unified mode Bluetooth advertisements according to one embodiment includes receiving, by a mobile device, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisement data from an access control device, wherein the BLE advertisement data includes (i) a BLE advertisement that is compliant with a HomeKit Accessory Protocol and (ii) a BLE scan response initiated by a scan request to the BLE advertisement, the BLE scan response including data to pair the mobile device with the access control device using another security protocol different from the HomeKit Accessory Protocol, pairing the mobile device with the access control device via the HomeKit Accessory Protocol and the another security protocol using the BLE advertisement data.