UWB Accessory Intent Detection for Hands-Free Door Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access control systems require active physical interaction, such as swiping or tapping a credential, to grant access, which can be inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An access control system utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) radio frequency intent detection, where a UWB accessory device determines the location of a mobile device relative to a passageway and communicates user intent to an electronic lock via Bluetooth communication, allowing automatic unlocking and access without physical interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If active physical interaction (swiping, tapping credential) is required for access control, then security verification can be performed, but user convenience and access efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence and intent before the user physically interacts with the access control device. By using sensors to detect when a user approaches and intends to access the facility, the system prepares to automatically grant access without requiring the user to perform physical actions like swiping or tapping, thus improving both convenience and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The access control system serves itself by automatically detecting user intent and granting access without requiring manual intervention from the user. The system monitors for user presence, determines access intent, and automatically unlocks doors or opens barriers, eliminating the need for users to physically interact with credentials or readers
2Productivity
If automatic intent detection based on location is implemented, then access efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing multi-functional components (sensors, processors, communication circuits) to perform multiple functions: detecting user presence, determining location, assessing access intent, and controlling access. By making these components serve multiple purposes, the system achieves automatic access control without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary components (such as sensors, communication circuits, and processing units) that mediate between the user's physical presence and the access control decision. These intermediaries automatically detect intent and transmit information, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling efficient automatic access
Data Source
AI summary
A system according to one embodiment includes an access control device comprising a lock mechanism configured to secure access to a passageway, and a UWB accessory device configured to receive a credential of the mobile device via Bluetooth communication, determine, using UWB ranging of the UWB accessory device, a location of a mobile device relative to the passageway secured by the lock mechanism of the access control device, determine whether a user of the mobile device intends to access the passageway based on the determined location of the user relative to the passageway, and communicate an indication that the user intends to access the passageway to the electronic lock via Bluetooth communication, and wherein the access control device is configured to unlock the lock mechanism in response to the indication that the user intends to access the passageway.