Wireless Electronic Lock Protocol Priority for Lockdown Command Conflicts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless electronic locks in locations like buildings and outdoor areas face challenges in reliably receiving and processing multiple or conflicting lockdown commands during emergencies, leading to potential security risks due to outdated or conflicting instructions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a locking mechanism, transceiver, and electronic processor to receive and process lockdown commands using different protocols, prioritizing commands based on receipt time and potentially discarding conflicting ones, ensuring the locking mechanism operates according to a selected lockdown command.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless electronic locks use multiple wireless protocols to receive lockdown commands, then communication reliability is improved, but the risk of receiving conflicting or outdated commands increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a hierarchical protocol structure before conflicts occur. The lock device is pre-configured with protocol priorities (first protocol > second protocol > third protocol) and automatically selects commands based on this pre-established hierarchy, preventing the need to resolve conflicts in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a command validation system that mediates between multiple incoming commands. The system acts as an intermediary by comparing received commands against the hierarchical protocol structure and selecting only the valid command, filtering out conflicting or outdated commands before they can cause security issues
2Speed
If the lock receives and processes multiple lockdown commands simultaneously, then responsiveness to emergencies is improved, but the accuracy of executing the correct lockdown plan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a hierarchical protocol structure (first protocol, second protocol, third protocol) before emergencies occur. This preliminary configuration allows the lock to automatically determine command validity based on protocol priority, enabling rapid response without sacrificing accuracy in selecting the correct lockdown plan
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of protocol priority weighting to resolve command conflicts. By assigning different levels of authority to different protocols (first protocol having highest priority, third protocol having lowest), the system can quickly identify the most authoritative command without complex real-time analysis, maintaining both speed and accuracy
3Adaptability or versatility
If the locking mechanism overrides default plans frequently during emergencies, then security adaptability is improved, but the stability of default security settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic behavior by allowing the locking mechanism to switch between default plans and emergency lockdown plans based on received commands. The hierarchical protocol structure provides a dynamic yet structured approach to overriding defaults, enabling adaptability during emergencies while maintaining stability through protocol-based control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors received commands against the hierarchical protocol structure and only executes overrides when validated. This feedback loop ensures that default plans are overridden only when necessary and appropriate, maintaining stability while enabling adaptability when needed
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus includes a locking mechanism, a transceiver, a memory storing a default plan for the locking mechanism, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to retrieve, from the memory, and execute cause the electronic processor to: control the locking mechanism based on the default plan and a current time; receive, via the transceiver, a first lockdown command sent according to a first protocol; receive a second lockdown command sent according to a second protocol; determine a selected lockdown command by selecting one of the first lockdown command and the second lockdown command based on a first time of receipt for the first lockdown command and a second time of receipt for the second lockdown command; discard the other of the first lockdown command and the second lockdown command; and override the default plan by controlling the locking mechanism based on the selected lockdown command.