Electronic access control and location tracking system

• US 10,115,254 B1
• Filed: 06/11/2018
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Collateral Opportunities Of Nevada, LLC
• Original Assignee: Collateral Opportunities, LLC
• Inventors: Kusens, Bruce Howard, Kusens, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Blouin, Mark S
• Application Number:
  US16/004,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20180293826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 141 Days
• Field of Search: 340 561
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00388 code verification carried out according to the challenge/response method
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/02 Access control comprising means for the enrolment of users
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method and system that allows authorized individuals access into controlled access locations and the ability to grant temporary and limited access to guests into these locations. The method and system allow for navigational services to be provided to members and guests, and real-time tracking and confirmation to members and administrators that guests have arrived at their destination and did not enter any unauthorized areas. The method preferably can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with member and guest'"'"'s electronic devices. Members and administrators can send one or more temporary electronic access keys to a guest'"'"'s smartphone or other electronic device. Wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons provide an access control and location tracking system with real-time data about the member and guest whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking.

Claims

1. An electronic system for granting access to an individual requiring access to a controlled access area with a closed entrance, comprising:

a permissions application (“

App”

) running on a portable electronic device on the person of the individual, the App having instructions to allow the portable electronic device to receive one or more digital keys with each digital key of the one or more digital keys providing access to an associated point of the controlled access area;

an electronic keychain database containing and storing the received one or more digital keys;

wherein the App containing instructions to allow the App to electronically determine which digital key from the received one or more digital keys is needed for accessing a particular access point of the controlled access area; and

an access control computer system in communication with the portable electronic device, the access control computer system programmed to receive the digital key determined by the App for accessing the particular access point and electronically granting access to the individual at the particular access point after receiving the digital key.

2. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 1 wherein the access control computer system is programmed to electronically determine whether the received key is a correct digital key for the particular access point prior to electronically granting access to the individual at the particular access point.

3. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 1 further comprising an access control database in communication with the access control computer for storing electronic information regarding granting or denial of access by the access control computer system for the controlled access area.

4. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 1 wherein the access control computer system is programmed to automatically grant access to the individual at the particular access point upon the access control computer system receiving the digital key from the portable electronic device.

5. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 2 wherein the access control computer system is programmed to automatically grant access to the individual at the particular access point upon the access control computer system electronically determining that the correct digital key was received from the portable electronic device.

6. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 1 further comprising one or more beacons located within the controlled access area, each of the one or more beacons programs to transmit received digital keys from the portable electronic device to the access control computer system for use by the access control computer system in granting or denying access to the individual.

7. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 1 wherein the electronic keychain database is located within the portable electronic device.

8. An electronic system for granting access to an individual requiring access to a controlled access area with a closed entrance, comprising:

a first permissions application (“

first App”

) running on a first portable electronic device on the person of a first individual, the first App having instructions to allow the first portable electronic device to receive one or more digital keys with each digital key of the one or more digital keys providing access to an associated point of the controlled access area;

a first electronic keychain database containing and storing the received one or more digital keys;

an access control computer system in communication with the portable electronic device, the access control computer system programmed to receive one or more digital keys transmitted by the first portable device,

a second permissions application (“

second App”

) running on a second portable electronic device on the person of a second individual;

wherein the access control computer system programmed to transmit duplicative digital keys of at least some of the one or more digital keys to the second App running on the second portable electronic device for use by the second individual obtain access to at least a particular location within the controlled access area.

9. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 further comprising a second electronic keychain database containing and storing the duplicative digital keys.

10. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 wherein the first electronic keychain database is located within the first portable electronic device.

11. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 wherein the first electronic keychain database is located within the first portable electronic device and the second electronic keychain database is located within the second portable electronic device.

12. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 wherein the first App having instructions to allow the first App to select the second portable electronic device from a plurality of portable electronic device choices and to forward information regarding the second portable electronic device to the access control computer system.

13. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 12 wherein the access control computer system is programmed to receive the information concerning the second portable electronic device and is programmed to use such information to transmit the duplicative digital keys to the second portable electronic device.

14. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 further comprising an access control database in communication with the access control computer for storing electronic information regarding granting or denial of access by the access control computer system for the controlled access area.

15. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 wherein the access control computer system is programmed to automatically grant access to the second individual at a particular access point upon the access control computer system receiving a correct digital key of the plurality of duplicative digital keys from the second portable electronic device.

16. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 wherein the access control computer system is programmed to automatically grant access to the second individual at a particular access point upon the access control computer system electronically determining that a correct digital key of the plurality of duplicative digital keys was received from the second portable electronic device.

17. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 further comprising one or more beacons located within the controlled access area, each of the one or more beacons programs to transmit received digital keys from the first portable electronic device to the access control computer system for use by the access control computer system.

18. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 further comprising one or more beacons located within the controlled access area, each of the one or more beacons programs to transmit received duplicative digital keys from the first portable electronic device to the access control computer system for use by the access control computer system.

19. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 wherein the first App having instructions to allow the first App to place access restrictions on one or more of the duplicative digital keys.

20. The electronic system for granting access to an individual of claim 8 wherein the access control computer system is programmed to place access restrictions on one or more of the duplicative digital keys.