Visual Access Control Using Smart Lighting for Room Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-room facilities like hotels and office buildings, guests often face discomfort and anxiety when trying to find their assigned rooms, especially in large unfamiliar buildings, as traditional direction-providing methods are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
An access control system that uses a building management system to assign a one-time unique visual indicator, such as a lighting attribute, to guide users to their assigned location through smart lighting fixtures and a wireless device, eliminating the need for direct interaction with front desk personnel and providing efficient navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional direction-providing methods (maps, verbal directions) are used, then guests can receive location information, but guests experience discomfort and anxiety due to inability to easily locate their assigned rooms in large unfamiliar buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing lighting indicators (e.g., colored LEDs or smart lighting fixtures) to visually guide guests to their assigned rooms. Different colors indicate different floors, hallways, or specific room locations, transforming abstract directional information into intuitive visual cues that guests can follow without needing to interpret maps or verbal directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary visual guidance system between the front desk and the guest's destination. Instead of directly providing room numbers and hoping guests find their way, the system uses illuminated signs, colored lights, and visual indicators throughout the building to actively guide guests step-by-step to their assigned rooms, reducing anxiety and search time.
2Ease of operation
If front desk personnel provide room directions multiple times a day, then guests can receive assistance, but the burden on front desk staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual guidance system enables guests to independently locate their assigned rooms without requiring repeated assistance from front desk staff. The system provides self-service directional information through automated visual indicators, allowing guests to navigate the building autonomously and freeing front desk personnel to focus on other guest services.
3Ease of operation
If guests prefer less direct personal interaction, then guest comfort is improved, but traditional methods requiring front desk contact are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary visual guidance system between the front desk and the guest's destination. Instead of directly providing room numbers and hoping guests find their way, the system uses illuminated signs, colored lights, and visual indicators throughout the building to actively guide guests step-by-step to their assigned rooms, reducing anxiety and search time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback to guests as they move through the building. The visual indicators update or change to confirm the guest is on the correct path, providing continuous directional guidance that adapts to the guest's location and progress toward their assigned room.
Data Source
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AI summary
An access control system (100) includes a building management system in communication with a wireless device (20), a smart lighting system and a locking device (50), wherein the building management system communicates and assigns a lighting attribute (70a, 70b) to at least one of the wireless device, the smart lighting system and the locking device. A method (200) for providing visually aided access to a building location includes: assigning a lighting attribute (70a, 70b) by a building management system to a user (30, 32); communicating the lighting attribute from the building management system to a wireless device (20) of the user; displaying the lighting attribute on the wireless device; communicating the lighting attribute to a smart lighting system in communication with the building management system, to display the lighting attribute; and terminating the lighting attribute when a locking device (50) in communication with the building management system has been opened by the user.