Patent Publication Number: US-9842446-B2

Title: Systems and methods for lock access management using wireless signals

Description:
FIELD 
     The systems and methods pertain to access control management. More particularly, the systems and methods pertain to an access control system using wireless signals and access points. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Many buildings require variable access to locks within the building. For example, hotels may wish to grant access to a particular room to a particular guest for a definite period of time. Traditionally, such businesses would provide keys, either physical or electronic, to the guest upon their arrival at the premises when the guest would “check in.” However, the check in process could be inconvenient for the guest and the hotel, as employees would have to personally interact with the guest and provide a key. 
     Modern access management solutions can allow a user, for example, a user that requires variable access, to be granted access to particular locks without a check in procedure. However, such solutions may require special hardware owned by or provided to the user, such as proprietary electronic keys. 
     Many users own mobile devices, such as cell phones, tablet computers, etc., which can be used for communicating with locking devices via, for example, wireless signals. However, such communications can be problematic due to the amount of power required by the locking device, which are usually battery operated, to receive such signals. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for access control systems that can utilize communication means available to most mobile devices, while allowing the locking device to minimize power usage. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to embodiments, a system for managing access to locking devices is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a server configured to manage and communicate with mobile devices. The server is further configured to receive access requests from the mobile device, validate user and/or mobile device credentials from the mobile devices, and transfer access credentials to the mobile devices. 
     In additional embodiments, the system comprises a mobile device configured to run an access application and transmit a wireless signal. The mobile device can be additionally be configured to transmit locking device access requests to an access management server, communicate user and/or mobile credentials to the access management server, and receive access credentials from the access management server. The mobile device can be further configured to communicate with a wireless access point via wireless signals and transmit access credentials to the wireless access point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary access management environment, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile device, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting managing access to a locking device, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the various drawing figures in which identical elements are numbered identically throughout, a description of the embodiments is provided. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting an exemplary access management environment, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. The environment comprises an access management server  100  connected to mobile device  110  via network  120 . In embodiments, access management server  100  can be a computing device, while, in further embodiments, access management server  100  can represent a service, such as a cloud service, an application, such as a website application, or a combination thereof. Access management server  100  can communicate with mobile device  110  via network  120 . Network  120  can be, for example, a cellular network including one or more cell sites or base stations, or, in some embodiments, network  120  can be a global or wide area computer network or a combination of cellular and computer networks. 
     Access management server  100  can represent any type of computing device capable of managing locking device access information and communicating with mobile device  110  via network  120 . In embodiments, access management server  100  can represent a single computing device, while, in further embodiments, access management server  100  can represent a plurality of computing devices interconnected via one or more communication networks. 
     In embodiments, access management server  100  can include a processor  102  communicating with a memory  103 , such as electronic random access memory, or other forms of transitory or non-transitory computer readable storage mediums. Memory  103  can include an access information database  104 . Access information database  104  can be utilized to store, for example, locking device identifiers, approved user credentials associated with a locking device identifier, access credentials associated with a locking device identifier, etc. User credentials can include, but are not limited to, a user name, a user password, a security code, a locking device identifier, and mobile device credentials, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number associated with the subscriber identity module (SIM) card of mobile device  110 . Such data can be added to access data record manually by an administrator or automatically after a registration and/or validation process for a user. 
     Processor  102  can execute control logic and perform data processing to perform the functions and techniques as discussed herein. For example, processor  102  can process requests for access to a locking device from mobile device  110 , validate user credentials received from mobile device  110 , determine locking device identifier information associated with the user credentials, and transfer access credentials to mobile device  110 . In embodiments, access credentials can comprise, for example, passwords, security codes, digital certificates, etc. In further embodiments, access credentials can comprise computer readable and/or executable files that can be transferred to and stored on mobile device  110 . 
     In embodiments, access management server  100  can utilize cryptographic protocols to prevent unauthorized access to access management server  100  and to ensure that mobile device  110  is authorized to receive access credentials. Additionally, in embodiments, communications and information exchanged between access management server  100  and mobile device  110  can be encrypted and decrypted using one or more encryption methods. 
     Mobile device  110  can represent any type of mobile device capable of communicating with access management server  100  and transmitting a wireless signal to wireless access point  130 . While mobile device  110  is depicted in  FIG. 1  as a single device, such depiction is for illustrative purposes only, and mobile device  110  can represent a single mobile device or a plurality of mobile devices capable of communicating with access management server  100  and transmitting wireless signals. 
     In embodiments, a user of mobile device  110  may be required to install an access application on mobile device  110  before mobile device  110  can transmit user credentials to and receive access credentials from access management server  100 . Once the user initiates the installation of the access application, mobile device  110  can download the access application from access management server  100  or from a separate content server. Upon receipt of the access application, mobile device can install the application. 
     After mobile device  110  has obtained the access credentials from access management server, mobile device  110  can transmit a wireless signal to search for and connect to wireless access point  130 . For example, mobile device  110  can comprise a Wi-Fi® certified transmitting device, and can transmit a Wi-Fi® signal to search for a Wi-Fi® access point. 
     Wireless access point  130  can include one or more devices capable of receiving wireless signals from mobile device  110  and capable of communicating with locking device  140 . For example, wireless access point  130  can include a wireless router capable of functioning in a wireless local area network (WLAN) and connected to a computing device capable of communicating with locking device  140  over a wired or wireless connection. 
     Wireless access point  130  can further include a communication module  132 . Communication module  132  can comprise a wireless interface  134 . In embodiments, wireless interface  134  is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals, such as Wi-Fi® signals, from mobile device  110 . Communication module  132  can further comprise lock communication interface  136 . In embodiments, lock communication interface  136  is capable of communicating with locking device  140 . 
     In some implementations, if mobile device  110  is unable to find wireless access point  130 , using one or more wireless signals, mobile device  110  will not connect to wireless access point  130  and mobile device  110  can continue to transmit a wireless signal searching for wireless access point  130 . Once mobile device  110  finds and connects to wireless access point  130 , mobile device  110  can, for example, verify access point credentials of wireless access point  130 . Access point credentials can include, but are not limited to, security codes, passwords, access point names, verified responses, digital certificates, etc. If wireless access point  130  does not have the correct credentials or does not respond to a request for access point credentials, mobile device  110  can continue to interact with the wireless access point, but may be unable to submit unlock requests. In some embodiments, mobile device  110  can continue to search for additional wireless access points, or can prompt the user that the wireless access point cannot be verified. 
     If mobile device  110  connects to wireless access point  130  and mobile device  110  is able to verify the access point credentials of access point  130 , mobile device can, in embodiments, prompt the user that a verified connection has been made. In further embodiments, mobile device  110  may not inform the user that a verified connection was made. 
     In embodiments, locking device  140  can comprise one or more locking devices capable of fastening and/or controlling access, and locking device  140  can include mechanical and electrical components. Additionally, locking device  140  can communicate with wireless access point  130 , for example, via a local area network. In some embodiments, locking device  140  can operate in a “wake up” mode and a “sleep” mode to conserve power. For example, locking device  140  can maintain a locked state and utilize little to no power while in “sleep” mode. Further, during “sleep” mode, locking device  140  may not be able to communicate with access point  130 . 
     Locking device  140  can receive a “wake up” signal from a user, such as the user of mobile device  110 . Examples of “wake up” signals include, but are not limited to, the user pressing a “wake up” button on locking device  140 , the user turning a handle connected to locking device  140 , and locking device  140  sensing movement via a proximity sensor. Upon receipt of a “wake up” signal, locking device  140  can enter “wake up” mode. During “wake up” mode, locking device  140  can communicate with wireless access point  130 . In some embodiments, locking device  140  may not enter a “sleep” mode and may consistently persist in an active or “wake up” mode. 
     In some embodiments, the user of mobile device  110  can enter an open command into mobile device  110  using the access application. In some embodiments, the user may be required to enter user credentials before the open command can be processed. In additional embodiments, a user may be granted access to multiple locks, and the user may be required to specify which lock to open before the open command can be processed. 
     Mobile device  110  can send the open command via wireless signal  115  to wireless access point  130 . Wireless access point  130  can, for example, process the command, determine which lock the command is associated with, verify user credentials, and/or verify access credentials. Then, wireless access point  130  can send an open command to locking device  140  via lock communication interface  136 . 
     If locking device  140  is in “sleep” mode, locking device  140  may not receive the open command from wireless access point  130 . Conversely, if locking device  140  is in “wake up” mode, locking device  140  can process the open command and open the lock. 
     It should be appreciated that the environment depicted in  FIG. 1  is merely exemplary and can include various combinations and types of components and processes. For example, in certain embodiments, locking device  140  can further communicate with wireless access point  130  to confirm that an open command has been successfully processed. Wireless access point  130  can then transmit a wireless single, via wireless interface  134 , to mobile device  110  confirming the success of the open command. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , depicted is an exemplary mobile device  200  and components thereof. It should be appreciated that  FIG. 2  represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other components and/or entities can be added or existing components and/or entities can be removed or modified. 
     Mobile device  200  can include a processor  210  communicating with a memory  220 , such as electronic random access memory, or other forms of transitory or non-transitory computer readable storage mediums. Processor  210  can further communicate with communication module  240 , which in turn can communicate with a wide area network, such as various public or private networks, telecommunications networks, and/or via wireless signals. More particularly, the wide area network can connect mobile device  200  to one or more access management servers, such as access management server  100 , as discussed with respect to  FIG. 1 , and/or other components. Additionally, communication module  240  can include wireless transmitter  245  and can communicate with one or more wireless access points, such as wireless access point  130 , as discussed with respect to  FIG. 1 , via wireless transmitter  245 . 
     Processor  210  can execute control logic and perform data processing to perform functions and techniques as discussed herein. For example, processor  210  can install and/or execute access application  230 . Further, access application  230  can be configured to perform operations including, but not limited to, transmitting lock command requests to an access management server, receiving access credentials from the access management server, searching for a wireless access point, confirming credentials of the wireless access point, transmitting user and/or access credentials to the wireless access point, and/or transmitting lock commands to the wireless access point. Lock commands can include, but are not limited to, opening and locking a specified locking device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , depicted is a flowchart detailing embodiments as described herein. More particularly, the flowchart details communications and interactions among an access management server  300 , a mobile device  302 , a wireless access point  304 , and a locking device  306 . Access management server  300  can represent a computing device capable of communicating with mobile devices, similar to access management server  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Mobile device  302  can represent a mobile device capable of communicating with an access management server and a wireless access point, similar to mobile device  110  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Wireless access point  304  can represent one or more devices capable of receiving wireless signals from mobile devices and communicating with locking devices, similar to wireless access point  130  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Locking device  306  can represent a device capable of locking and/or controlling access and capable of communicating with a wireless access point, similar to locking device  140  depicted in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that the flowchart of  FIG. 3  is merely exemplary and can comprise more or fewer functionalities. 
     Processing can begin when a user is associated with and given access to locking device  306 , for example, by an administrator using access management server  300 . The user can further be associated with user credentials, such as mobile device credentials of mobile device  302 . 
     The user can select to install an access application to mobile device  302  ( 310 ). The user can then, in embodiments, input user credentials, such as a user name, and select to access a locking device and/or perform a lock command, such as an open command, and transmit the request to access management server  300  ( 312 ). In some embodiments, mobile device  302  can further transmit the user credentials to access management server  300 . Access management server can validate the request and/or the user credentials ( 314 ), determine that the user and/or mobile device is associated with locking device  306 , and transfer access credentials, such as a digital certificate, for locking device  306  to mobile device  302  ( 316 ). 
     Mobile device  302  can search for a wireless access point in communication with locking device  306 , such as wireless access point  304 . Upon finding and connecting to wireless access point  304  ( 320 ), mobile device can verify access point credentials of wireless access point  304  to ensure wireless access point  304  is connected to locking device  306  and is authorized to perform lock commands. In some embodiments, mobile device  302  can notify the user that a connection has been established. The user can, in some embodiments, input and mobile device  302  can receive a lock command, such as an open command ( 322 ). In other embodiments, the user may have already entered an open command, as described above. Mobile device  302  can transmit the open command and access and/or user credentials to wireless access point  304  ( 324 ). Wireless access point can validate the access and/or user credentials ( 326 ). 
     Wireless access point can send an open command to locking device  306  ( 332 ). If locking device  306  is in a “sleep” mode, locking device  306  may not receive the open command. In some embodiments, the wireless access point  304  can continuously attempt to transmit the open command until an instruction is receive to stop, or wireless access point  304  can attempt to transfer the command a set number of times or for a set period of time. Additionally, wireless access point  304  can transmit a message to mobile device  302  via wireless signal that the open command failed. 
     However, if the user activates or “wakes up” locking device  306  ( 330 ), locking device  306  can receive the open command and perform operations to open an attached lock ( 334 ). In embodiments, locking device  306  can transmit a successfully opened status to wireless access point  304  ( 336 ). In further embodiments, wireless access point  304  can send the success status to mobile device  302  via wireless signal, and mobile device  302  can display an indication of a successfully opened status to the user. 
     The foregoing description of the present disclosure, along with its associated embodiments, has been presented for purposes of illustration only. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing the disclosed embodiments. The steps described need not be performed in the same sequence discussed or with the same degree of separation. Likewise, various steps may be omitted, repeated, or combined, as necessary, to achieve the same or similar objectives or enhancements. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but instead is defined by the appended claims in light of their full scope of equivalents.