Patent Publication Number: US-11386729-B2

Title: Access control system with dynamic performance tuning

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/489,745, filed Aug. 29, 2019, which is a 371 of International Application PCT/US2018/018595, filed Feb. 19, 2018, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/465,974, filed Mar. 2, 2017. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to access control systems, and more particularly, to a system and a method to increase performance without decreasing battery life. 
     Various mobile devices have been utilized to open locks via an infrared ‘beam’ to the lock, which provides directionality, or a ‘push the button’ on the box to wake up the lock for subsequent communication over Bluetooth. With the capability present in Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) to communicate with very low power, new system architectures allow the lock to be ‘always on’ and sending periodic BTLE advertisements, such as once per second so that the lock may be opened without requiring a wake up procedure. The low power requirements result in many years of battery life. 
     Adding BTLE always on capability to a lock in addition to physical card readers reduces the overall battery life. Additionally, in order to minimize the impact on the battery life, the advertisement rate for a BTLE device must be slowed down to a point to where the operational current draw is acceptable for a given battery life expectancy (i.e. 2 years). The rate at which a connectable device sends BTLE advertisements directly affects the amount of time required to connect to the device because after a person indicates intent to open a lock with their mobile device, the mobile device must wait for the next advertisement before connecting to the device. This leads to a trade-off in performance for how fast the lock opens versus battery life. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method of dynamically changing a mode of advertising for at least one of a multiple of access controls according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure can include transmitting advertisements from an access control according to a nominal mode; and changing the nominal mode in response to a pre-set schedule. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include changing the nominal mode in response to the pre-set schedule includes changing the nominal mode to a different mode. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the pre-set schedule is based on at least one of a temporal variable, time of day, and day of month. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include changing the nominal mode in response to the pre-set schedule includes changing the nominal mode to a slower mode or a faster mode for a period of time in response to an event of the access control. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include wherein the event is at least one of an actuation of the access control, a low battery indication, a door open event, and an office mode state. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that changing the nominal mode in response to the pre-set schedule includes changing the nominal mode to a slower mode or a faster mode while a state of a variable of the access control persists. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the variable is a deadbolt status. 
     A method of dynamically changing a mode of advertising for at least one of a multiple of access controls according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure can include transmitting advertisements from an access control according to a nominal mode and changing the nominal mode in response to an adjustable schedule. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that changing the nominal mode in response to the adjustable schedule includes changing the nominal mode to a faster mode. 
     The method as recited in claim  8 , wherein changing the nominal mode in response to the adjustable schedule includes changing the nominal mode to a slower mode. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the adjustable schedule is selected in response to a remote device. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the adjustable schedule to adjust the performance setting from the nominal condition is performed on an as-needed basis by the remote device. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include adjusting the performance setting from the nominal condition in response to building occupancy. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include adjusting the performance setting from the nominal condition in response to a mobile device user behavior. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include adjusting the performance setting from the nominal condition in response to a check in event. 
     An access control system according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure can include an access control operable to transmit advertisements at a nominal rate and at least one other rate different than the nominal rate. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the rate is selected in response to a dynamic schedule. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the rate is selected in response to a pre-set schedule. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the access control is a lock. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the advertisements using Bluetooth low energy (BTLE) which is receivable by a mobile device. 
     The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a general schematic system diagram of an access control system; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the access control system; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the access control system in which a mode of advertising is dynamically changed; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method to dynamically change a mode of advertising according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a chart comparing example modes of advertising; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method to dynamically change a mode of advertising according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an access control system  10 . The system  10  generally includes a mobile device  12 , a server  14 , and a plurality of access controls  16 , schematically illustrated as  16   a ,  16   b , . . . ,  16   n . It should be appreciated that, although particular systems are separately defined in the schematic block diagrams, each or any of the systems may be otherwise combined or separated via hardware and/or software. 
     The mobile device  12  is a wireless capable handheld device such as a smartphone, which is operable to communicate with the server  14  and the access controls  16 . The server  14  may provide credentials and other data to the mobile device  12 , such as firmware or software updates to be communicated to one or more of the access controls  16 . Although the server  14  is depicted herein as a single device, it should be appreciated that the server  14  may alternatively be embodied as a multiplicity of systems, from which the mobile device  12  receives credentials and other data. 
     Each access control  16  is a wireless-capable, restricted-access, or restricted-use device such as wireless locks, access control readers for building entry, electronic banking controls, data transfer devices, key dispenser devices, tool dispensing devices, and other restricted-use machines. The mobile device  12  submits credentials to the access controls  16 , thereby selectively permitting a user to access or activate functions of the access controls  16 . A user may, for example, submit a credential to an electromechanical lock to unlock it, and thereby gain access to a restricted area. In another example, a user may submit a credential to an electronic banking control to withdraw funds. In still another example, the user may submit the credential to a unit that dispenses key cards with data associated with or data retrieved from the credential. A mobile device  12  may store credentials for one or all or other of the examples noted above, and in addition may store a plurality of credentials for each type of application at the same time. Some credentials may be used for multiple access controls  16 . For example, a plurality of electronic locks in a facility may respond to the same credential. Other credentials may be specific to a single access control  16 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of an example electronic lock system  20  includes the access control  16   a , the mobile device  12 , and the server  14 . The access control  16   a  generally includes a lock actuator  22 , a lock controller  24 , a lock antenna  26 , a lock transceiver  28 , a lock processor  30 , a lock memory  32 , a lock power supply  34 , a lock card reader  90  and a credential module  36 . The access control  16   a  is responsive to credentials from the mobile device  12 , and may, for example, be the lock of a lockbox, a door lock, or a lock core. Although the present disclosure focuses primarily on access control, it should be appreciated that other systems wherein credentials are transmitted from a mobile device to an access control so as to identify the user to an online system or validate user access rights or permissions in an offline system will benefit herefrom. Such systems include virtual or electronic banking systems, machine operation systems, dispensing systems, and data access systems. 
     Upon receiving and authenticating an appropriate credential from the mobile device  12  using the credential module  36 , or after receiving card data from lock card reader  90 , the lock controller  24  commands the lock actuator  22  to lock or unlock a mechanical or electronic lock. The lock controller  24  and the lock actuator  22  may be parts of a single electronic or electromechanical lock unit, or may be components sold or installed separately. 
     The lock transceiver  28  is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from at least the mobile device  12 . The lock transceiver  28  may, for instance, be a near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi transceiver, or another appropriate wireless transceiver. The lock antenna  26  is any antenna appropriate to the lock transceiver  28 . The lock processor  30  and lock memory  32  are, respectively, data processing, and storage devices. The lock processor  30  may, for instance, be a microprocessor that can process instructions to validate card data and determine the access rights contained in the card data or to pass messages from a transceiver to a credential module  36  and to receive a response indication back from the credential module  36  with card data. The lock memory  32  may be RAM, EEPROM, or other storage medium where the lock processor  30  can read and write data including but not limited to lock configuration options and the lock audit trail. The lock audit trail may be a unified audit trail that includes events initiated by accessing the lock via the lock card reader  90  or the mobile device  12 . The lock power supply  34  is a power source such as line power connection, a power scavenging system, or a battery that powers the lock controller  24 . In other embodiments, the lock power supply  34  may only power the lock controller  24 , with the lock actuator  22  powered primarily or entirely by another source, such as user work (e.g. turning a bolt). 
     The credential module  36  is in communication with the lock processor  30  and is operable to decrypt and validate a credential to extract virtual card data communicated into the lock controller  24  as a “virtual card read.” That is, the access control  16   a  has essentially two readers, one reader  90  to read a physical key card  92  and the credential module  36  to communicate with the mobile device  12  via the lock processor  30  and the transceiver  28  and antenna  26 . 
     While the figure shows the lock antenna  26  and the transceiver  28  connected to the processor  30 , this is not to limit other embodiments that may have additional antenna  26  and transceiver  28  connected to the credential module  36  directly. The credential module  36  may contain a transceiver  28  and antenna  26  as part of the credential module. Or the credential module  36  may have a transceiver  28  and antenna  26  separately from the processor  30  which also has a separate transceiver  28  and antenna  26  of the same type or different. In some embodiments, the processor  30  may route communication received via transceiver  28  to the credential module  36 . In other embodiments the credential module may communicate directly to the mobile device  12  through the transceiver  28 . 
     The mobile device  12  generally includes a key antenna  40 , a key transceiver  42 , a key processor  44 , a key memory  46 , a GPS receiver  48 , an input device  50 , an output device  52 , and a key power supply  54 . The key transceiver  42  is a transceiver of a type corresponding to the lock transceiver  28 , and the key antenna  40  is a corresponding antenna. In some embodiments, the key transceiver  42  and the key antenna  40  may also be used to communicate with the server  14 . In other embodiments, one or more separate transceivers and antennas may be included to communicate with server  14 . The key memory  46  is of a type to store a plurality of credentials locally on the mobile device  12 . In other embodiments, the mobile device  12  communicates with the server  14  at the same time as it communicates to the access control  16   a . This is the online configuration and in this embodiment a mobile credential is retrieved in real time and is passed to the credential module  36  without storing first in the key memory  46  on the mobile device  12 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , each access control  16  advertises using, for example, Bluetooth low energy (BTLE) which is received by the mobile device  12  (step  402 ). Advertisements from multiple access controls  16  can be received because they are all in proximity to the mobile device  12 , or they are transmitting at a high enough power that they are within a distance from the mobile device  12  to be received. 
     Each of the multiple of access controls  16  dynamically changes its advertising performance in response to the server  14  and/or the lock controller  24 . That is, the mode of advertising is dynamically changed, i.e. the advertising rate, transmit power, etc., over time such that an overall average power consumption provides for longer battery life, while also providing for peak time periods where the lock performance is increased to facilitate higher user satisfaction. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the access control system  10  dynamically changes the mode of advertising for at least one of the multiple of access controls  16  in response to a pre-set schedule. A method  400  of advertisement follows a pre-set schedule for self-modifying the performance dynamically. Initially, a nominal advertisement rate mode is set as a default (step  402 ). The nominal advertisement rate mode may be, for example, one (1) advertisement per second that results in a 2.5 year battery life ( FIG. 5 ). 
     Then, in response to a pre-set schedule based on, for example, the time of day, the day of the week, and other temporal metrics, the nominal advertisement rate may be changed (step  404 ) to a faster rate such as four (4) advertisements per second, which may be beneficial for lock open response times during check-in times of the day (e.g. 3 pm-5 pm), or to a slower rate such as one (1) advertisements every two (2) second, which may be beneficial during the night for overall lower use of the energy from the batteries  34  in the lock  16 . The result may be an overall better battery life than nominal, for example 2.55 years ( FIG. 5 ), because of energy saved in the batteries  34  during times of slower advertising as compared to additional energy used during times of optimal performance. Other variables such as room occupied/not occupied, i.e. when deadbolt is thrown or there is a recent door open/closed event may further facilitate selection of a particular mode (step  406 ). That is, a look-up table or other reference may be used by the lock processor  30  along with a time component to dynamically change the mode of advertising based on the time or based on other variables that can override the time schedule. Overriding the time schedule can be for a time period based on a configured amount of time after an event. Or the override can persist indefinitely while the access control  16  is in a particular state. An example of another variable where the access control  16  is in a particular state is when a lock  16  deadbolt is closed, the advertising rate can be slower because there is no expectation of being able to open the lock  16  while the deadbolt is closed which benefits to saving energy and a longer battery life. When the deadbolt returns to an open state, the regular schedule can be resumed. 
     For an alternate, non-limiting example of an override by an event, if a lock  16  is actuated once, there is some probability that it may be opened again in a short period of time, so for a short time period the advertising rate may be faster after a door open event to benefit how quickly subsequent lock openings can be made. After some amount of time the schedule may be resumed. The example given is a non-limiting example of an event and there are other access control  16  or access control system events that may be used to dynamically adjust the advertising mode. Other non-limiting examples of other events includes low battery indications in a lock that slow advertisements to conserve remaining battery capacity, and a door opened state that slows the advertisements if the door is already open or is held open since there is no need to unlock the door to enter the room, and an office mode state where the lock is in an unlocked state and there is no need to unlock the door to enter the room so the advertisements can be slower, and also a blocking mode where the lock may not be opened and is blocked for access so therefore the advertising rate can be slower. These are just a few non-limiting examples of types of states and events that can occur in an access control  16  or access control system  10  that can override a scheduled advertising mode. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment, the access control system  10  includes an adjustable mode of advertising for at least one of the multiple access controls  16 . A method  600  of advertisement includes an adjustable schedule for an associated access control  16 . For example, a remote device  100  ( FIG. 3 ) such as a set-top box, a thermostat, a controller mounted nearby, and/or a gateway type device connects to an associated access control  16  to adjust the mode or schedule of advertising from a nominal mode (step  602 ) on an as-needed or on-going basis (step  604 ). The nominal mode (step  602 ) is when the access control  16  is advertising at a nominal or average rate that normally achieves a desired battery life but may not achieve the desired fastest operation time, for example unlocking a door. The method  600  facilitates a cloud-based schedule that can be adjusted dynamically to optimize for, for example, guest behavior, building occupancy, etc. 
     One non-limiting example of method  600  using guest behavior, or more generally users of mobile device  12  behavior, to dynamically adjust the schedule may include the location of the user relative to access control  16  as determined by the current location of the mobile device  12  or as determined by the access control system  10 . For example, if the mobile device  12  is known to be in a proximity to the access control  16 , the nominal mode can be changed to a faster rate while the mobile device  12  is nearby. Knowing the location of the mobile device  12  can be determined by indoor location technologies or other well-known technologies in the art of identifying the position of a mobile device inside or outside a building. The position of the mobile device  12  can be sent to the server  14  or remote device  100  or both so that the schedule can be dynamically changed (step  604 ). When the mobile device  12  is no longer nearby the access control  16 , then the schedule may be set to a slower mode to conserve battery life. In addition to the location of the mobile device  12  relative to the access control  16 , positioning technologies can be used to determine whether the mobile device  12  is moving closer or farther away. This can be further used to determine that a person with a mobile device  12  is getting close and will be getting closer to an access control and triggering method  600  to dynamically change the advertising mode so that when they arrive at the access control it is already operating at a faster rate. This method may also be used when, for example, the mobile device  12  is not yet within Bluetooth range of the access control  16 . 
     Another non-limiting example of method  600  using other variables such as room reservation, check-in times, check-out times, and/or special events to dynamically adjust the schedule may include selection of a desired mode or re-configuration of a pre-programmed schedule stored in lock memory  32 . For example, when a hotel guest checks-in to their room, this event may be registered by server  14  and either sent to remote device  100  or an adjustment request is sent to remote device  100  so that the schedule can be dynamically changed (step  604 ) before the hotel guest arrives so that the adjusted schedule optimizes for guest performance when using their mobile device  12  with the lock  16 . After a room has been vacated, and is no longer occupied, then a nominal schedule can be set back into the access control  16  by the remote device  100  where the adjusted schedule conserves more battery life. Dynamic scheduling facilitates an optimized interaction between the user of the mobile device  12  and the access control  16  while also optimizing for conserving energy in batteries  34  for as long of a battery life as possible. 
     The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts and block diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries between the elements. However, according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may be implemented on machines through computer executable media having a processor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as a monolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or as modules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, or any combination of these, and all such implementations may be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar references in the context of description (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically contradicted by context. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. 
     Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specific illustrated components, the embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments. 
     It should be appreciated that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be appreciated that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit herefrom. 
     Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reason the appended claims should be studied to determine true scope and content.