Facility and resource access system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) an access control device, wherein the access control device is communicatively coupled with an automatic mechanism providing selective access to an area via an entryway; and
(b) a server configured to store a visitor queue, the visitor queue containing one or more records of visitors and scheduled visits, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device;
wherein the server is configured to;
(i) receive an input indicating a visitor'"'"'s intent to access the area at a scheduled time,(ii) send a notification to an administrator of the area, the notification comprising an indication of the visitor'"'"'s intent to access the area at the schedule time,(iii) receive a visitor confirmation for the visitor and the scheduled time,(iv) add the visitor to the visitor queue, and(v) when the visitor is present in the visitor queue and a current time is within a time window of the scheduled time, cause a user interface of a user device to display an indicator that the visitor may presently access the area; and
wherein the access control device is configured to;
(i) receive an electronic signal indicating that the visitor is attempting to access the area,(ii) determine that the visitor is physically present at the entryway based upon the electronic signal, and(iii) if the visitor is within the visitor queue and physically present at the entryway, and the current time is within the time window of the scheduled time, operate the automatic mechanism to provide the visitor access to the area.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that allows an end-user to locate and gain access to a private facility, such as a restroom or other resource, without requiring that the end-user interact with any facility personnel. A mobile application allows a user to identify and proceed to a location where a private facility is available. When a user arrives at the location, the mobile application communicates with access control devices at the location to notify facility personnel of the user'"'"'s presence and unlock doors or otherwise remove safeguards preventing general public access to the private facility.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) an access control device, wherein the access control device is communicatively coupled with an automatic mechanism providing selective access to an area via an entryway; and (b) a server configured to store a visitor queue, the visitor queue containing one or more records of visitors and scheduled visits, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device; wherein the server is configured to; (i) receive an input indicating a visitor'"'"'s intent to access the area at a scheduled time, (ii) send a notification to an administrator of the area, the notification comprising an indication of the visitor'"'"'s intent to access the area at the schedule time, (iii) receive a visitor confirmation for the visitor and the scheduled time, (iv) add the visitor to the visitor queue, and (v) when the visitor is present in the visitor queue and a current time is within a time window of the scheduled time, cause a user interface of a user device to display an indicator that the visitor may presently access the area; and wherein the access control device is configured to; (i) receive an electronic signal indicating that the visitor is attempting to access the area, (ii) determine that the visitor is physically present at the entryway based upon the electronic signal, and (iii) if the visitor is within the visitor queue and physically present at the entryway, and the current time is within the time window of the scheduled time, operate the automatic mechanism to provide the visitor access to the area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) an access control device, wherein the access control device is communicatively coupled with an automatic mechanism providing selective access to an area via an entryway; and (b) a server configured to store a set unique credentials associated with one or more records of visitors and scheduled visits, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device; wherein the server is configured to; (i) receive an input indicating a visitor'"'"'s intent to access the area at a scheduled time, (ii) send a notification to an administrator of the area, the notification comprising an indication of the visitor'"'"'s intent to access the area at the schedule time, (iii) receive a visitor confirmation for the visitor and the scheduled time, (iv) associate a unique credential of the set of unique credentials with the visitor for the scheduled time, and (v) when a current time is within a time window of the scheduled time, cause a user interface of a user device associated with the visitor to display an indicator that the visitor may presently access the area based upon the unique credential; and wherein the access control device is configured to; (i) receive an electronic signal indicating that the visitor is attempting to access the area, the electronic signal comprising the unique credential, (ii) determine that the visitor is physically present at the entryway based upon the electronic signal, and (iii) if the visitor is physically present at the entryway and the current time is within a time window of the scheduled time, operate the automatic mechanism to provide the visitor access to the area. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising the steps:
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(a) receiving, at a server, an input indicating a visitor will visit an area at a scheduled time, wherein the area may be accessed via an entryway, and wherein an automatic mechanism provides selective access via the entryway, (b) sending a notification to an administrator of the area, the notification comprising an indication of the visitor'"'"'s intent to access the area at the schedule time, and receiving, in response, a visitor confirmation for the visitor and the scheduled time from the administrator, (c) adding the visitor to a visitor queue associated with the area, the visitor queue containing one or more records of visitors and scheduled visits, (d) when the visitor is in the visitor queue and a current time is within a time window of the scheduled time, causing a user interface of a user device to display an indicator that the visitor may presently access the area, (e) placing an access control device proximate to the area, and receiving an electronic signal indicating that the visitor is attempting to access the area via the access control device, (f) determining that the visitor is physically present at the entryway based upon the electric signal, and (g) if the visitor is within the visitor queue and physically present at the entryway, and the current time is within the time window of the scheduled time, operating the automatic mechanism and providing the visitor access to the area. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification