Wireless Door Unlocking Using Signal Strength and Side Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic locking systems require active user intervention, which can be challenging for individuals with disabilities and inefficient in terms of time and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A wireless passage and locking system that uses a handheld and mounted wireless signal transceiver to detect signal strength, determining the user's position relative to the door without requiring active steps, utilizing a calculating unit to unlock the door based on signal strength and direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If active electronic key systems are used (requiring user to swipe card, place RFID tag, or press fingerprint), then the intention of the user to unlock is ensured, but the ease of operation deteriorates for mentally or physically disabled persons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the door to unlock itself automatically when the handheld transceiver approaches from the correct side, eliminating the need for the user to perform any active action such as swiping a card or pressing a button. The unlocking function serves itself by detecting the user's presence and intent through signal strength analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical key insertion or active electronic authentication with a passive wireless signal-based system. The mounted transceiver detects the handheld device's signal strength and determines user intent without mechanical contact or active user intervention, substituting physical interaction with electromagnetic field detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If passive electronic key systems are used (magnetic cards, barcode cards, RFID tags), then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unintentional unlocking increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors signal strength feedback from the handheld transceiver and uses this information to determine whether the user is on the correct side of the door. The mounted transceiver adjusts its unlocking decision based on real-time signal strength variations, ensuring that unlocking only occurs when the user is in the appropriate position and intends to enter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to the authentication process by detecting which side of the door the user is on. Instead of relying solely on proximity (one dimension), the system uses signal strength patterns to determine the user's position relative to the door (adding spatial orientation as another dimension), thereby preventing unintentional unlocking from the wrong side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If traditional locking systems are used, then the reliability of locking is ensured, but the time required to unlock the door increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the user's presence and position using wireless signal strength measurement before the unlocking action is triggered. By continuously monitoring signal strength as the user approaches, the system is ready to unlock immediately when the user is on the correct side, eliminating delays associated with manual key insertion or authentication procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If active electronic key systems are used, then the intention of the user to unlock is ensured, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounted transceiver system automatically detects and processes the wireless signal from the handheld device without requiring the user to actively power or activate their key. The system performs all detection, analysis, and unlocking operations autonomously, minimizing the energy requirements for the user's handheld device while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables door unlocking without user interaction, suitable for disabled individuals, and reduces power consumption by allowing hands-free operation.

Implementation Method 1

The mounted wireless signal transceiver comprises an antenna adapted to transmit a wireless signal with a first higher magnitude on a first side of the door, and a second lower magnitude on a second side of the door

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the handheld wireless signal transceiver is adapted to detect the signal strength of the mounted wireless signal transceiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal strength detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3078002B1Wireless passage and locking system
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SWEDEN CONNECTIVITY
  • EP3078002B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3078002B1 patent drawingFigure 1c
  • EP3078002B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

A locking system and method for door and passage un-locking is provided. The system comprises a locking unit adapted to lock and unlock a door, a mounted wireless signal transceiver connected to the locking unit,and a handheld wireless signal transceiver adapted to communicate with the mounted wireless signal transceiver with a patch antenna. The mounted or handheld wireless signal transceiver is adapted to detect the signal strength of the remote wireless signal transceiver, and the locking system further comprises a calculating unit adapted to calculate if the person is on the first or second side of the door based on changes in the detected signal strength. The calculating unit is adapted to determine whether or not to unlock the door on the basis of the detected signal strength and the calculated information related to the person being on the first or second side of the door.