Wireless Translator for Multi-Platform Smart Lock Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing use of smart locks without keyholes poses a challenge for real estate agents and other service providers, as there is no unified mobile app to access multiple smart lock platforms, and traditional lockboxes are ineffective for these locks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless translator device that communicates with a home automation system to control smart locks, allowing service providers to access multiple smart locks through a single mobile app, using various wireless technologies and a central authority for credential management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional lockboxes are used to store keys, then service providers can access homes, but smart locks without keyholes make this method ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translator device as an intermediary between the mobile device and the smart lock. The translator receives access credentials from the mobile device, verifies them, and then communicates with the smart lock to unlock it. This mediator enables compatibility between different smart lock platforms and a single mobile app, resolving the adaptability issue while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical key-based access system with an electronic/wireless system. Instead of using physical keys stored in lockboxes, the system uses wireless communication protocols to transmit access credentials and commands between the mobile device, translator, and smart lock, eliminating the need for mechanical keys and making the system adaptable to keyless smart locks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple smart lock platforms are supported, then service providers can access different manufacturers' locks, but no unified mobile app currently exists
Solution Approach 1:
The translator device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple smart lock platforms from different manufacturers. It can translate between various communication protocols and formats, allowing a single mobile app to interact with diverse smart lock systems. This universal capability enables the system to handle multiple platforms without requiring separate applications for each manufacturer.
Solution Approach 2:
The translator acts as a protocol translation layer between the mobile device and various smart lock platforms. It receives standardized commands from the mobile app, translates them into platform-specific formats, and communicates with the appropriate smart lock. This intermediary approach manages the complexity by centralizing protocol handling in one device rather than requiring the mobile app to support each platform directly.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for access control, then keyless access is enabled, but credential management across multiple platforms becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The translator serves as a verification intermediary that receives access credentials from the mobile device, validates them against stored authorization data, and then relays verified credentials to the smart lock. This centralized verification process ensures reliable credential management across multiple platforms, as the translator handles authentication consistently regardless of which smart lock platform is being accessed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless translator (200) and a method for controlling a locking device (400) using a wireless translator (200) are provided. The wireless translator (200) includes a wireless receiver (210) configured to receive at least one wireless signal from a mobile device (100), and a processor (220) connected to the wireless receiver (210). The wireless translator (200) includes a memory system (230) including one or more computerreadable media that include instructions that, when executed by the processor (220), causes the wireless translator (200) to perform the following operations: (i) receiving access credentials and a lock command for the locking device (400) from the mobile device (100) via a first wireless signal (101); (ii) verifying the access credentials; and (iv) transmitting the lock command to the home automation system (300) via a second wireless signal (201), the home automation system (300) being paired with the locking device (400), and the home automation system (300) being configured to transmit the lock command to the locking device (400) via a third wireless signal (301).