UWB Access Control with BLE Wake-Up for Precise Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control systems face challenges in providing seamless and accurate location determination of devices, leading to inefficiencies in access management and environmental adjustments, particularly in congested environments.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies for precise location tracking and communication between devices, leveraging angle of arrival and time of flight calculations to enhance access control systems, enabling dynamic environmental adjustments and personalized user experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If UWB communication circuitry operates continuously to provide accurate location determination, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication to detect the presence and approximate location of mobile devices before activating the power-intensive UWB communication circuitry. This preliminary detection allows the system to wake up UWB only when and where needed, maintaining high location determination accuracy while significantly reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication as an intermediary between continuous operation and complete shutdown of the UWB system. BLE serves as a low-power mediator that screens for devices requiring precise location tracking, then triggers UWB activation only for those specific cases, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous precision and energy savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If Bluetooth Low Energy communication is used for initial device detection, then energy consumption is reduced, but measurement precision for location determination decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidlocation determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the location determination process into two distinct stages: a preliminary screening stage using low-power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication for initial device detection, and a precision measurement stage using ultra-wideband (UWB) communication for accurate location determination. This segmentation allows the system to maintain low energy consumption while achieving high measurement precision when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic communication architecture that transitions between different communication modes based on operational requirements. The system dynamically switches from BLE for initial detection to UWB for precise location determination, optimizing both energy consumption and measurement precision at different stages of the access control process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

UWB technologies provide accurate and efficient access control by ensuring authorized access, optimizing environmental conditions, and enhancing safety and security through precise location monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

determining a duration of time for which the access control device is to retain open a barrier that secures the passageway based on the location of the second computing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

determining the location of the second computing device relative to the first computing device may include determining an angle of arrival of the at least one UWB communication signal at a plurality of antennas of the first computing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAngle of arrival:

Data Source

PatentEP4065800B1Ultra-wideband technologies for seamless access control
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC
  • EP4065800B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4065800B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A system according to one embodiment includes a first computing device comprising ultra-wideband communication circuitry, and a second computing device comprising ultra- wideband communication circuitry configured to communicate with the ultra-wideband communication circuitry of the first computing device to determine the angle and distance of the first computing device relative to the second computing device.