Wi-Fi Access Point SSID Broadcasting for Energy-Efficient Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control systems that utilize both physical key cards and mobile devices for unlocking mechanisms face challenges in synchronizing access rights, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption, particularly in battery-powered locks.

Innovation Solution

An access control system that operates as a Wi-Fi access point, periodically broadcasting a Service Set Identifier (SSID) to communicate with mobile devices using WPA2, eliminating the need for NFC and reducing energy consumption by disabling DHCP and routing, allowing for unified audit trails and credential management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the access control system continuously monitors for mobile devices, then access control responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control responsivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The access control unit enters low-power sleep mode and periodically wakes up to broadcast SSID and check for mobile devices. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain access control functionality while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the access control supports full Wi-Fi functionality including DHCP and routing, then communication capability is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential Wi-Fi functionality needed for access control - specifically the ability to broadcast SSID and establish WPA2-PSK connections - while removing unnecessary features like DHCP and routing. This selective extraction maintains adequate communication capability while reducing energy consumption and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the access control uses NFC for mobile device authentication, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the ubiquitous Wi-Fi capability already present in virtually all mobile devices to perform authentication, replacing the need for specialized NFC hardware. The SSID and WPA2-PSK mechanism provides secure authentication while utilizing a universal communication protocol that requires no additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11532190B2Energy efficient secure Wi-Fi credentialing for access control systems

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

An access control system includes an energy efficient access control that operates as a Wi-Fi access point that broadcasts a Service Set Identifier (SSID) as indicator of access control level to communicate with a mobile device with WPA2 PSK.