Patent Description:
Traditionally, an accessing device (or a lock) is accessed by a user using a key. Along with usage of the key to access the accessing device, several other alternatives have been developed over the years to access the accessing device. One such alternative is usage of an access card by the user to access the accessing device. The access card is encoded by a staff personnel with credentials to access the accessing device and then issued to the user who eventually uses the access card to access the accessing device.

Another advanced alternative is usage of a user device (such as a mobile phone) by a user to access an accessing device. In order to use the user device to access the accessing device, the user may have to place the user device in proximity to the accessing device. Then, accordingly, the accessing device may provide access of the accessing device to the user. However, there may be a situation when battery of the user device may be drained due to which the user will not be able to use the user device to access the accessing device. In such a situation, the user will have to approach a staff personnel for issuing an access card or a key to access the accessing device. In such a case, the user uses the access card or a key to access the accessing device instead of the user device. This causes inconvenience to the user, wastes time of the user and the staff personnel and may also lead to frustration.

In view of the afore-mentioned problems in the existing solutions, there is a need of an efficient and an effective system and a method for providing access of an accessing device to a user. There is also a need for providing access of an accessing device when the battery of the user device is drained. In order to solve the problems in the existing solutions, a system and a method are disclosed.

According to a first aspect of the invention a system for providing access of an accessing device to a user is provided. The system comprises a user device and an accessing device. The user device comprises a detection unit adapted to detect a charged status of a battery of the user device. The user device also comprises an interface adapted to prompt a user of the user device to define credentials when the charged status of the battery reaches below a pre-determined threshold and also adapted to receive the defined credentials from the user. The user device further comprises a communication unit adapted to transmit the defined credentials to a server. The accessing device comprises a receiver adapted to receive the defined credentials from the server and an interface adapted to receive credentials from the user. The accessing device further comprises a processor adapted to validate the credentials with the defined credentials and an access unit adapted to provide access of the accessing device to the user based on the validation. The detection of the charged status of the battery reaching below a pre-determined threshold is determined based on a location of the user device and a time required to reach the accessing device.

The interface of the user device may be further adapted to prompt the user of the user device to define a time window to access the accessing device, wherein the communication unit of the user device is further adapted to transmit the defined time window to the server.

The user device may determine a time window automatically to access the accessing device when the credentials are defined by the user.

The defined time window may correspond to a time taken by the user to reach the accessing device after defining the credentials.

The receiver of the accessing device may be adapted to receive the defined time window from the server.

The server may transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to a camera.

The camera may transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to the accessing device.

The access unit may be adapted to provide access of the accessing device to the user based on a positive validation and is adapted to restrict access of the accessing device to the user based on a negative validation.

The interface of the accessing device may receive the credentials from the user through a microphone associated with the accessing device.

The user device may activate a special mode arrival option for the user when the battery reaches below the pre-determined threshold, wherein the special arrival mode corresponds to using the defined credentials to access the accessing device by the user.

The credentials may compris a password, a personal identification number, a rotation pattern for a handle associated with the accessing device, a voice command, an identification of the user by a camera, a biometric data or a combination thereof.

The user device may transmit the defined user credentials and the defined time window to the server through a mesh network or a cellular network.

The communication unit may be adapted to transmit a notification to a front desk system for encoding an access card when the charged status of the battery reaches below a pre-determined threshold, wherein the encoded access card provides access of the accessing device to the user.

The user device may be adapted to receive an alert from the server after the access card is encoded to allow access of the accessing device to the user.

The user device may be adapted to transmit a cancellation request to the front desk system for cancelling the request to encode the access card when the charged status of the battery reaches above a second pre-determined threshold.

According to another aspect of the invention a method is provided for providing access of an accessing device to a user. The method comprises steps of detecting a charged status of a battery of a user device and prompting a user of the user device to define credentials when the charged status of the battery reaches below a pre-determined threshold. The method further comprising steps of receiving the defined credentials from the user to access an accessing device and transmitting the defined credentials to a server for providing access of the accessing device to the user. The detection of the charged status of the battery reaching below a pre-determined threshold is determined based on a location of the user device and a time required to reach the accessing device.

The user of the user device my be prompted to define a time window to access the accessing device and the defined time window is transmitted to the server.

The user device may receive the defined time window from the user,wherein the time window corresponds to time taken by the user to reach the accessing device after defining the user credentials.

According to another aspect of the invention a computer readable medium is provided for providing access of an accessing device to a user. The computer readable medium comprises one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions being executed by the one or more processors. The memory storing instructions which are executed by the one or more processors are configured to detect a charged status of a battery of a user device and prompt a user of the user device to define credentials when the charged status of the battery reaches below a pre-determined threshold. The memory storing instructions which are executed by the one or more processors are further configured to receive the credentials from the user to access an accessing device and transmit the defined credentials to a server for providing access of the accessing device to the user. The detection of the charged status of the battery reaching below a pre-determined threshold is determined based on a location of the user device and a time required to reach the accessing device.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form from those that are further described below in the detailed description.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose exemplary embodiments of the invention.

US patent application publication <CIT> exemplifies systems and methods addressing a scenario whereby when a user device used for electronic payment is determined to have its battery level dropping below a threshold, alternative authentication credentials in the form of a OR code are presented, so as to be scanned by a point of sale (PoS) terminal and transmitted to a payment server. International patent publication <CIT> disclose systems and methods addressing a scenario whereby a user's device's battery level drops below a predetermined threshold, and in response thereof a user seeking access to an application may be prompted to use another guest device, a so-called second device <NUM>, to gain access to that application. US patent application publication <CIT> teaches systems and methods addressing a scenario whereby on detecting a so-called compromised condition (such as battery level of a device dropping below a certain threshold level), a different "credentialed" device, located nearby within short-range radio vicinity, is chosen to provide access by a user device to a secured network.

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, by way o example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Described herein is technology with a system and a method for providing access of an accessing device to a user. The user may be prompted to define credentials and/or a time window when a charged status of battery of a user device reaches below a pre-determined threshold. The user may then use the defined credentials within the defined time window to access an accessing device.

As used herein, the accessing device may be a latching device and may be associated with a premises, a locker, a key-box or a vehicle. The accessing device may be connected with a server, a camera or with a user device through a network. The accessing device may be opened or closed by the user using the defined credentials within the defined time window. Moreover, the accessing device may be a smart lock, an electronic lock, an electro-mechanical lock, a mechanical lock or any such accessing device that is understood by a person skilled in the art. Also, the premises can be a room, a building or a floor where the lock can be installed.

As used herein, the credentials defined by the user may comprise, but is not limited to, a password, a personal identification number, a rotation pattern for a handle associated with the accessing device, a voice command, a biometric data, an identification of the user by a camera, or any such credentials well known in the art.

As used herein, the user device may be a desktop computer or a hand held device such as a mobile phone with network connectivity. Also, a user may be associated with the user device. Further, the user device may be connected with a server or with an accessing device through a network. Examples of the user device may include a stand-alone device, a computer, a desktop, a workstation PC, a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet, a wearable device and the like.

As used herein, the server has one or more processing capabilities and may also communicate with the accessing device, the camera or the user device through a network. Such server may be a cloud storage, a remote database, or any such storage known in the art.

As used herein, the network may refer to a mesh network, Global System for Mobile (GSM) network, a room management network, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, a code-division multiple access (CDMA) network, a narrow-band internet of thing (NB-IoT) technique or category M1 technique, a bluetooth network, a WiFi network, a ZigBee network or any such network/technique that is known in the art.

Throughout the specification, reference numeral <NUM> depicts a single network. The reference numerals 110A, 110B, 110C. 110N may be considered as one or more networks.

<FIG> depicts a system architecture <NUM> for providing access of an accessing device to a user. As depicted in <FIG>, a premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM>, an accessing device <NUM> associated with the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM>, a server <NUM> connected with a network 110A/110B, a user <NUM> associated with a user device <NUM> connected with a network 110B/110C, and a camera <NUM> installed at the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system architecture <NUM> may allow the user <NUM> to book a service, book an item or purchase an item. In a first exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may book a room in a hotel (i.e. premises) for a period of time or may book open/public space in the hotel. In a second exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may book a locker in a bank for a specific period. In a third exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may purchase a vehicle. In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may purchase a key-box. In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may book a vehicle/key-box for a specific period of time. When the user books an item, takes a service for a period of time or purchases the item, then the accessing device <NUM> associated with the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM> may be accessed by the user <NUM> using an application on a user device <NUM>. Such an application may be stored in the user device <NUM>. As used herein, such an application may be provided by a manufacturer/developer of an accessing device <NUM>, a service-provider of a premises <NUM>, an owner of a premises <NUM>, a manufacturer/developer of the key-box <NUM>, a manufacturer/developer of a vehicle <NUM> or any other such application associated directly or indirectly with the accessing device <NUM>.

However, there may be a situation when the user <NUM> wants to access the accessing device <NUM> associated with the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM> using the user device <NUM>, battery of the user device <NUM> may be drained by the time the user <NUM> reaches the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM>. In such a situation, the user <NUM> may not be able to use the user device <NUM> to access the accessing device <NUM>. In order to circumvent this problem, the user device <NUM> may detect that battery of the user device <NUM> is going to get drained shortly. The user device <NUM> may prompt the user <NUM> to define credentials as well as time-window to access the accessing device <NUM> if a charged status of a battery reaches below a pre-determined threshold. In an embodiment of the invention, the user device <NUM> may determine charged status of the battery. Then, the user <NUM> may define credentials and a time-window to access the accessing device <NUM>. These defined credentials as well as defined time-window may be used by the user <NUM> to access the accessing device <NUM> even when the battery of the user device <NUM> is drained by the time the user <NUM> reaches the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM>.

The present invention encompasses the user device <NUM> to detect a charged status associated with a battery, wherein the battery may be associated with the user device <NUM>. The charged status associated with the battery corresponds to a level of charge or voltage of the battery. Several approaches well known in the art may be used to detect the charged status of the battery. In an embodiment, the user device <NUM> may periodically detect the charged status of the battery. For an instance, the user device <NUM> may detect the charged status of the battery in every <NUM> minutes. In an alternative embodiment, the user device <NUM> may detect the charged status of the battery based on an occurrence of an event. For an example, the user device <NUM> may detect the charged status of the battery when the user <NUM> opens an application stored in the user device <NUM>. The period or the event for detecting the charged status of the battery may be configured by the user <NUM>, a developer of the application stored in the user device <NUM>, or a manufacturer of the user device <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the user device <NUM> detects that the charged status of the battery has reached below a pre-determined threshold, the user device <NUM> may prompt the user <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to define credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>. On detecting that the battery associated with user device <NUM> has reached below the pre-determined threshold, the user device <NUM> may automatically activate a special mode arrival option for the user <NUM> to provide the prompt to the user <NUM>. The special arrival mode may correspond to enabling the user <NUM> to define credentials and a time window to access the accessing device <NUM> and using credentials defined by the user <NUM> to access the accessing device <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-determined threshold may be defined as <NUM>% of charge or voltage in the battery. Considering this example, when the user device <NUM> detects that a charged status of the battery is at <NUM>% charge/voltage or below, then the user device <NUM> may provide a prompt the user <NUM>. Such a pre-determined threshold may be configured at any value by the user <NUM>, a developer of the application stored in the user device <NUM>, or a manufacturer of the user device <NUM>. Also, the user device <NUM> may prompt the user <NUM> of the user device <NUM> through the application stored in the user device <NUM>.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, when the user device <NUM> detects that the charged status of the battery has reached below a pre-determined threshold, the user device <NUM> (using the application) may transmit a notification to a front desk system for encoding an access card. On receiving the notification, a staff personnel at the front desk system may encode an access card that may provide access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM>. After the access card is encoded, the front desk system may transmit an alert to the user device <NUM> for informing the user <NUM> regarding the encoded access card. For an instance, the front desk system may send an alert like "As your device battery is low, we have encoded an access card for allowing the access of the accessing device. Please collect the access card from a reception".

Now, when the user <NUM> reaches a place where the accessing device <NUM> is associated with the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM>, the user <NUM> may collect the encoded access card from the reception and use the encoded access card to access the accessing device <NUM>. Further, the present invention also encompasses the user device <NUM> and the front desk system to communicate through a server <NUM>. Furthermore, the alert to the user <NUM> may be provided through a text message, a voice message, an email message, a social media account or any such medium well known in the art.

As used herein, the front desk system may be associated with a staff personnel. The front desk system may be a desktop computer or a hand held device such as a mobile phone with network connectivity. Example of the front desk system includes a desktop, workstation PC, a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet, a wearable device and the like.

When the user <NUM> views the prompt on the user device <NUM>, the user <NUM> may define credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>. In a first exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may define a password (may be an alphanumeric or a numeric, alphabetical password) to access the accessing device <NUM>. In a second exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may define a personal identification number (PIN) to access the accessing device <NUM>. In a third exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may define a voice command message using a microphone of the user device <NUM> to access the accessing device <NUM>. In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may define a text message to access the accessing device <NUM>. In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may define a rotation pattern for a handle associated with the accessing device <NUM> to access the accessing device <NUM> (such as, for an instance, rotate a handle of the accessing device <NUM> times in a clockwise direction). In a sixth exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may define a biometric data to access the accessing device <NUM>. The present invention also facilitates the user <NUM> to define more than one credential at a time to access the accessing device <NUM>.

Moreover, the user device <NUM> may prompt the user <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to define a time window to access the accessing device <NUM>. The user <NUM> may also define a time window along with the credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>. The defined time window may correspond to a time taken by the user <NUM> to reach the accessing device <NUM> after defining the credentials. For an instance, the user <NUM> may define a time window of <NUM> minutes to reach the accessing device <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the user device <NUM> may automatically determine a time window to access the accessing device <NUM> when the credentials are defined by the user <NUM>. For this, the user device <NUM> may determine a current location of the user device106 using a global positioning system (GPS) of the user device <NUM> or any location sensor of the user device <NUM>. Then, the user device <NUM> may also determine a distance between the current location of the user <NUM> and a location of the accessing device <NUM>. In another embodiment, user device <NUM> may use advertisement/s or signal/s from a beacon placed in a premises to determine a current location of the user device <NUM>. Such embodiment is used only when the user device <NUM> is present inside the premises. Accordingly, the user device <NUM> automatically determines a time window (i.e. a time taken by the user <NUM> to reach the location of the accessing device <NUM>) to access the accessing device <NUM>. In addition, the user device <NUM> may also consider traffic and weather conditions (based on the location of the user <NUM> and the accessing device <NUM>) to automatically determine a time window to access the accessing device <NUM>. Also, the user <NUM> may edit a time window defined by him/her or a time window automatically determined by the user device <NUM>. The present invention facilitates providing the prompt to the user <NUM> for defining the credentials and the time window to access the accessing device <NUM> only when the user <NUM> has booked a service associated with the accessing device <NUM> for a period of time, books an item for a specific period of time or purchases an item associated with the accessing device <NUM>. In a first exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may receive a prompt only when the user <NUM> has booked a room in a hotel (i.e. premises) or may book an open/public space in the hotel where the accessing device <NUM> is located. In a second exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may receive a prompt only when the user <NUM> has booked a locker in a bank where the accessing device <NUM> is present. In a third exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may receive a prompt only when the user <NUM> has purchased a vehicle having the accessing device <NUM>. In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may receive a prompt only when the user <NUM> has purchased a key-box having the accessing device <NUM>. In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may receive a prompt only when the user <NUM> has booked a vehicle/key-box <NUM> for a specific period of time.

When the user <NUM> defines the credentials and the time window, the user device <NUM> may receive the defined credentials and the defined time window from the user <NUM>. Then, the user device <NUM> may transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to the server <NUM> through the network 110B. In a first exemplary embodiment, the server <NUM> may, in turn, transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to the accessing device <NUM> through the network 110A. Also, the server <NUM> may transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to the accessing device <NUM> on a request from the accessing device <NUM>. The server <NUM> may also store the defined credentials and the defined time window received from the user device <NUM>. Also, the server <NUM> may delete or remove the defined credentials and the defined time window after an expiration of a period of time during which the user <NUM> takes a service or after the user <NUM> sold a vehicle/key-box purchased by him/her.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the server <NUM> may transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to the camera <NUM> through the network 110A, wherein the camera <NUM> may be installed at a proximate location to the accessing device <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to the accessing device <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may also identify the user <NUM> who is accessing the accessing device <NUM> if the user <NUM> has opted for such an option while defining the credentials. In a third exemplary embodiment, the user device <NUM> may transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to the accessing device <NUM> through the network 110C. Accordingly, the accessing device <NUM> may receive the defined credentials and the defined time window from the server <NUM> or the camera <NUM> through the network 110A or directly from the user device <NUM> through the network 110C.

Different embodiments of the invention further facilitates the user device <NUM> to transmit, to the server <NUM> or the camera <NUM> or the accessing device <NUM>, information or an identifier of the application through which the user <NUM> generally accesses the accessing device <NUM>. In a first exemplary embodiment, the user device <NUM> may transmit hotel booking information (such as, a room number allocated to the user <NUM>, period of stay, name of the user <NUM> or an identity of the user <NUM>) to the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/accessing device <NUM>. In a second exemplary embodiment, the user device <NUM> may transmit locker booking information (such as, a number of the locker allocated to the user <NUM>, booking duration, name of the user <NUM> or an identity of the user <NUM>) to the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/accessing device <NUM>. In a third exemplary embodiment, the user device <NUM> may transmit vehicle purchasing information (such as, a vehicle number, date of purchase, name of the user <NUM> or an identity of the user <NUM>) to the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/accessing device <NUM>. In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the user device <NUM> may transmit key-box purchasing information (such as, a key-box number, date of purchase, name of the user <NUM> or an identity of the user <NUM>) to the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/accessing device <NUM>. In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the user device <NUM> may transmit key-box/vehicle booking information (such as, a key-box/vehicle number, date of booking, period of booking, name of the user <NUM> or an identity of the user <NUM>) to the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/accessing device <NUM>.

When the user <NUM> reaches a place where the accessing device <NUM> is associated with the premises/locker/key-box/vehicle <NUM>, the user <NUM> may use the defined credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>. The user <NUM> may enter credentials in the accessing device <NUM> through an interface or a microphone associated with the accessing device <NUM>. When the accessing device <NUM> receives the credentials from the user <NUM>, the accessing device <NUM> may validate the credentials received from the user <NUM>. To validate the credentials received from the user <NUM>, the accessing device <NUM> may compare the credentials received from the user <NUM> and the defined credentials received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM> through the network 110A or from the user device <NUM> through the network 110C (as discussed above). The accessing device <NUM> may provide access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM> based on the validation. In an event, the credentials received from the user <NUM> and the defined credentials received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM> matches, then the accessing device <NUM> may provide access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM>. If the credentials received from the user <NUM> and the defined credentials received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM> do not match, then the accessing device <NUM> may not provide access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM>. Along with comparing the credentials received from the user <NUM> and the defined credentials received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM>, the accessing device <NUM> may also determine if the credentials received from the user <NUM> are within the defined time window. If the credentials received from the user <NUM> are within the defined time window, then the accessing device <NUM> may provide access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM>. If the credentials received from the user <NUM> are not within the defined time window, then the accessing device <NUM> may not provide access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM>.

The present invention facilitates the accessing device <NUM> to deny access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM> after the expiration of the defined credentials. In a first exemplary embodiment, the defined credentials for accessing a lock of a room may expire after an expiration of booking period for the room in a hotel (i.e. premises) or for open/public space in the hotel. In a second exemplary embodiment, the defined credentials for accessing a lock of a locker in the bank may expire after an expiration of booking period for the locker in the bank. In a third exemplary embodiment, the defined credentials for accessing a lock of a vehicle may expire after the user <NUM> sold the vehicle owned by him/her. In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the defined credentials for accessing a lock of a key-box may expire after the user <NUM> sold the key-box owned by him/her. In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the defined credentials for accessing a lock of a vehicle/key-box may expire after the expiration of a booking period of the vehicle/key-box.

The present invention further facilitates the user device <NUM> to detect that the charged status of the battery is reaching below a pre-determined threshold based on a location of the user device <NUM> and a time required to reach the accessing device <NUM>. Accordingly, based on the location of the user device <NUM> and the time required to reach the accessing device <NUM>, the user device <NUM> may or may not send any request to encode an access card to the front-desk system. Also, the user device <NUM> may or may not prompt user to define credentials to access the accessing device <NUM> based on the location of the user device <NUM> and the time required to reach the accessing device <NUM>. For this, the user device <NUM> may determine a current location of the user device <NUM> using a global positioning system (GPS) of the user device <NUM> or any location sensor of the user device <NUM>. Then, the user device <NUM> may also determine a distance between the current location of the user <NUM> and a location of the accessing device <NUM>. The user device <NUM> may also automatically determine a time to be taken by the user <NUM> to reach the location of the accessing device <NUM>. In addition, the user device <NUM> may also consider traffic and weather conditions (based on the location of the user <NUM> and the accessing device <NUM>) to determine whether the charged status of the battery is reaching below the pre-determined threshold. For an example, if the user device <NUM> is only <NUM> miles away from the accessing device <NUM> and the time to be taken by the user <NUM> to reach the location of the accessing device <NUM> is <NUM> minutes, then, the user device <NUM> may not send any request to encode an access card to the front-desk system or may not prompt user to define credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>.

The present invention also facilitates the user device <NUM> to cancel a request to encode an access card or to cancel a request for using defined credentials to provide access of the accessing device <NUM> in case the battery is recharged by the user <NUM>. For this, the user device <NUM> may transmit a cancellation request to the front desk system for cancelling the request to encode the access card when the charged status of the battery reaches above a second pre-determined threshold. Alternatively, the user device <NUM> may transmit a cancellation request to the accessing device <NUM> for cancelling the request to use defined credentials for providing access of the accessing device <NUM> when the charged status of the battery reaches above a second pre-determined threshold. As used herein, the second pre-determined threshold may be defined may be configured at any value by the user <NUM>, a developer of the application stored in the user device <NUM>, or a manufacturer of the user device <NUM>. For an instance, the second pre-determined threshold may be defined at <NUM>% above which the cancellation request may be transmitted by the user device <NUM> to the front desk system or the accessing device <NUM>.

The present invention also facilitates the user device <NUM> for not sending any request to encode an access card to the front-desk system or the user device <NUM> may not prompt the user <NUM> to define credentials to access the accessing device <NUM> if the user <NUM> is miles apart from the accessing device <NUM> and would take a greater amount of time to reach the accessing device <NUM>. For this, the user device <NUM> may consider a mode of travel being adopted by the user <NUM> to reach the accessing device <NUM>. The mode of travel includes, but is not limited to, an airplane travel mode, a walking travel mode, a car travel mode, a two-wheeler travel mode or any such mode well known in the art. For an instance, if the user <NUM> is <NUM> miles away from the accessing device <NUM>, and is in airplane travel mode, then, the user device <NUM> may not send any request to encode an access card to the front-desk system or may not prompt the user <NUM> to define credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to the accessing device <NUM>, the server <NUM> and the user device <NUM> communicating with each other through the networks 110A/110B/110C as described above; however, it is understood for a person skilled in the art that these networks 110A/110B/110C can be same networks or can be different networks as well.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram of different components of a user device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The user device <NUM> may comprise of, but is not limited to, an interface <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a biometric sensor/s <NUM>, a detection unit <NUM>, a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The detection unit <NUM> of the user device <NUM> may be adapted to detect a charged status associated with the battery <NUM>. The detection unit <NUM> may also be adapted to indicate or transmit the charged status associated with the battery <NUM> to a processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be adapted to determine if the charged status associated with the battery <NUM> is below the pre-determined threshold by comparing the charged status associated with the battery <NUM> with the pre-determined threshold. If the processor <NUM> determines that the charged status associated with the battery <NUM> is below the pre-determined threshold, the processor <NUM> may transmit a request to an application stored in the user device <NUM> for activating a special arrival mode. After the processor <NUM> determines that the application has activated the special arrival mode, then the processor <NUM> request the interface <NUM> to provide a prompt to the user <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may be adapted to prompt the user <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to define credentials and/or define a time window to access the accessing device <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may use the microphone <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to define a voice command message as a credential to access the accessing device. In another exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may use a keypad of the user device <NUM> to define a text, a pin, or a password as credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>.

In a different exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may use the biometric sensors <NUM> (such as fingerprint sensor) of the user device <NUM> to define biometric data as credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may also be adapted to receive the defined credentials as well as the defined time window from the user <NUM> and provide the defined credentials as well as the defined time window to the communication unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> may be adapted to transmit the defined credentials and the defined time window to a server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/the accessing device <NUM> through a network <NUM>. In an embodiment, the communication unit <NUM> may be a short-range transceiver. In an alternative embodiment, the communication unit <NUM> may be a long-range transceiver. The memory <NUM> may be adapted to store the application, the defined credentials, and/or the defined time window etc. Moreover, the interface <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM>, the biometric sensor/s <NUM>, the detection unit <NUM>, and/or the memory <NUM> may be communicably coupled with the processor <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the invention, the different components of the user device are exemplary. One or more tasks associated with the invention may be enabled using a single component configured to perform the tasks executed by the different components. Likewise, one or more tasks may be performed by the components alone or in combination.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram of different components of an accessing device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The accessing device <NUM> may comprise of, but is not limited to, an interface <NUM>, a transmitter <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, an access unit <NUM>, a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> of the accessing device <NUM> may be adapted to receive the defined credentials and the defined time window from a server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM> through a network <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may be adapted to receive credentials from a user <NUM> when the user <NUM> inputs credentials in the accessing device <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may use the microphone <NUM> of the accessing device <NUM> to provide a voice command message as input credentials to the accessing device <NUM>. In another exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may use a keypad of the user device <NUM> to provide a text, pin, password as input credentials to the accessing device <NUM>. In a different exemplary embodiment, the user <NUM> may use a biometric sensor of the accessing device <NUM> to provide biometric data as input credentials to the accessing device <NUM>. Then, the interface <NUM> may also be adapted to receive the credentials from the user <NUM> and may provide the credentials received from the user <NUM> to the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may then validate the credentials received from the user <NUM> with the defined credentials received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM> through a network <NUM>. In particular, the processor <NUM> may compare the credentials received from the user <NUM> with the defined credentials received from the server <NUM> or the camera <NUM> or the user device <NUM>. In an event, the credentials received from the user <NUM> matches with the defined credentials received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM>, then the processor <NUM> may provide a positive indication to the access unit <NUM> of the accessing device <NUM>. If the credentials received from the user <NUM> do not match with the defined credentials received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM>, then the processor <NUM> may provide a negative indication to the access unit <NUM> of the accessing device <NUM>. The access unit <NUM> may be adapted to provide the access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM> if the access unit <NUM> receives the positive indication from the processor <NUM>.

Alternatively, the access unit <NUM> may be adapted to restrict the access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM> if the access unit <NUM> receives the negative indication from the processor <NUM>. Further, the transmitter <NUM> may be adapted to transmit any request to the server <NUM>. In an embodiment, the transmitter <NUM> or the receiver <NUM> may be a short-range transmitter/receiver. In an alternative embodiment, the transmitter <NUM> or the receiver <NUM> may be a long-range transmitter/receiver. The memory <NUM> may be adapted to store the defined credentials and the defined time window received from the server <NUM>/camera <NUM>/user device <NUM>. Moreover, the interface <NUM>, the transmitter <NUM>, the receiver <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, the access unit <NUM>, and/or the memory <NUM> may be communicably coupled with the processor <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a flowchart outlining the features of the invention in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The method flowchart <NUM> describes a method being performed for providing access of an accessing device <NUM> to a user <NUM>. The method flowchart <NUM> starts at step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the user device <NUM> may detect a charged status of a battery <NUM>, wherein the battery <NUM> may be associated with the user device <NUM>. The charged status associated with the battery <NUM> corresponds to a level of charge inside the battery <NUM>. Several approaches well known in the art may be used to detect the charged status of the battery <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the user device <NUM> may prompt a user <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to define credentials to access the accessing device <NUM> when the user device <NUM> detects that the charged status of the battery <NUM> reaches below a pre-determined threshold. On detecting that the battery associated with user device <NUM> reaches below the pre-determined threshold, the user device <NUM> may activate a special mode arrival option for the user <NUM> for providing the prompt to the user <NUM>. The special arrival mode may correspond to enabling the user <NUM> to define credentials as well as a time window to access the accessing device <NUM> and using credentials defined by the user <NUM> to access the accessing device <NUM>. Moreover, the user device <NUM> may also prompt the user <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to define time window to access the accessing device <NUM>. Then, the user <NUM> may also define a time window along with the credentials to access the accessing device <NUM>. The defined time window may correspond to a time taken by the user <NUM> to reach the accessing device <NUM> after defining the credentials.

At step <NUM>, the user device <NUM> may receive the defined credentials from the user <NUM> to access the accessing device <NUM> as explained in details above. The user device <NUM> may receive defined time window from the user <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the user device <NUM> may transmit the defined credentials and/or the defined time window to a server <NUM> for providing access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM>. The method flowchart may end at <NUM>.

The present invention is applicable to various fields/industries such as, but not limited to, hospitality industry, real-estate industry, hostels, educational institutes, banking sector, automobile industry, and any such field/industry where the accessing device <NUM> can be used and is obvious to a person skilled in the art.

The present invention provides the following technical advantages over the existing solutions a) provides access of an accessing device to a user when a battery of a user device is low or reaches below a pre-determined threshold, b) eliminates usage of an access card or a key for providing access of an accessing device to a user, c) provides convenience to the user by providing easy access of the accessing device to the user in emergency situations, d) enables the user to define credentials and a time window to access of the accessing device, and e) enables the accessing device to receive the defined credentials and defined time window from a server for providing access of the accessing device to the user.

The embodiments of the invention discussed herein are exemplary and various modifications and alterations to a person skilled in the art are within the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, the invention can be operated using the one or more computer readable devices. The one or more computer readable devices can be associated with a user device <NUM>. A computer readable medium comprising one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions which are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to detect a charged status of a battery of a user device <NUM> and prompt a user <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to define credentials when the charged status of the battery reaches below a pre-determined threshold. The memory storing instructions which are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to receive the credentials from the user <NUM> to access an accessing device <NUM> and to transmit the defined credentials to a server <NUM> for providing access of the accessing device <NUM> to the user <NUM>.

Exemplary computer readable media includes flash memory drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media are tangible and mutually exclusive to communication media. Computer storage media are implemented in hardware and exclude carrier waves and propagated signals. Computer storage media for purposes of this invention are not signals per se. Exemplary computer storage media include hard disks, flash drives, and other solid-state memory. In contrast, communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media.

Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, examples of the invention are capable of implementation with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments, configurations, or devices.

Examples of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the Figures/Tables and described herein. Other examples of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.

Aspects of the invention transform a general-purpose computer into a special-purpose computing device when configured to execute the instructions described herein.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term "processor" can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as "data store," "data storage," "database," "cache," and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to "memory components," or entities embodied in a "memory" or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components, or computer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer," "consumer," "agent," and the like are employed interchangeably throughout the subject specification, unless context warrants particular distinction(s) among the terms. Such terms can refer to human entities or automated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the examples thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. " The phrase "one or more of the following: A, B, and C" means "at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C".

Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) comprising:
- a user device (<NUM>) comprising:
a detection unit (<NUM>) adapted to detect a charged status of a battery (<NUM>) of the user device (<NUM>);
an interface (<NUM>) adapted to prompt a user (<NUM>) of the user device (<NUM>) to define credentials when the charged status of the battery (<NUM>) reaches below a pre-determined threshold and to receive the defined credentials from the user (<NUM>); and
a communication unit (<NUM>) adapted to transmit the defined credentials to a server (<NUM>); and
- an accessing device (<NUM>) comprising:
a receiver (<NUM>) adapted to receive the defined credentials from the server (<NUM>);
an interface (<NUM>) adapted to receive credentials from the user (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>) adapted to validate the credentials with the defined credentials; and
an access unit (<NUM>) adapted to provide access of the accessing device (<NUM>) to the user (<NUM>) based on the validation,
characterized in that the detection of the charged status of the battery (<NUM>) reaching below a pre-determined threshold is determined based on a location of the user device (<NUM>) and a time required to reach the accessing device (<NUM>).