Facility and resource access system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) an access control device configured to provide selective access to a resource, wherein the resource is a private facility; and
(b) a server configured to store a set of access credentials, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device;
wherein the server is configured to;
(i) manage a set of access credentials and a set of access requests so that there is only one valid credential within the set of access credentials at a time, wherein each of the set of access requests is associated with an access credential of the set of access credentials;
(ii) receive an input indicating the user'"'"'s intent to access the resource, the input comprising a user credential, wherein the user credential is associated with the set of access credentials,(iii) provide a notification to the user when the user credential is the valid credential,(iv) receive an electronic signal comprising the user credential and determine that the user is physically proximate to the resource based on the electronic signal,(v) when the user credential is the valid credential and the user is physically proximate to the resource, provide the user access to the resource;
(vi) receive a new user request from a new user,(vii) create a new access credential and associate the new access credential with the new user, and(viii) add the new access credential to the set of access credentials.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system 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.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an access control device configured to provide selective access to a resource, wherein the resource is a private facility; and (b) a server configured to store a set of access credentials, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device; wherein the server is configured to; (i) manage a set of access credentials and a set of access requests so that there is only one valid credential within the set of access credentials at a time, wherein each of the set of access requests is associated with an access credential of the set of access credentials; (ii) receive an input indicating the user'"'"'s intent to access the resource, the input comprising a user credential, wherein the user credential is associated with the set of access credentials, (iii) provide a notification to the user when the user credential is the valid credential, (iv) receive an electronic signal comprising the user credential and determine that the user is physically proximate to the resource based on the electronic signal, (v) when the user credential is the valid credential and the user is physically proximate to the resource, provide the user access to the resource; (vi) receive a new user request from a new user, (vii) create a new access credential and associate the new access credential with the new user, and (viii) add the new access credential to the set of access credentials. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for controlling access to a resource comprising the steps:
-
(i) managing a set of access credentials and a set of access requests on a server that is communicatively coupled with an access control device so that there is only one valid credential within the set of access credentials at a time, wherein each of the set of access requests is associated with an access credential of the set of access credentials; (ii) providing a user credential to a user, wherein the user credential is associated with the set of access credentials; (iii) receiving an input indicating the user'"'"'s intent to access a resource, wherein the resource is a private facility; (iv) providing a notification to the user when the user credential is the valid credential; (v) receiving an electronic signal comprising the user credential and determining that the user is physically proximate to the resource based on the electronic signal; (vi) when the user credential is the valid credential and the user is physically proximate to the resource, providing the user access to the resource by operating the access control device; (vi) receiving a new user request from a new user, (vii) creating a new access credential and associating the new access credential with the new user, and (viii) adding the new access credential to the set of access credentials. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an access control device configured to provide selective access to a resource, wherein the resource is a private facility; and (b) a server configured to store a set of access credentials, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device; wherein the server is configured to; (i) manage a set of access credentials and a set of access requests so that there is only one valid credential within the set of access credentials at a time, wherein each of the set of access requests is associated with an access credential of the set of access credentials; (ii) receive an input indicating the user'"'"'s intent to access the resource, the input comprising a user credential, wherein the user credential is associated with the set of access credentials, (iii) provide a notification to the user when the user credential is the valid credential, (iv) receive an electronic signal comprising the user credential and determine that the user is physically proximate to the resource based on the electronic signal, (v) when the user credential is the valid credential and the user is physically proximate to the resource, provide the user access to the resource, (vi) receive a new user request from a new user, (vii) create a new access credential and associate the new access credential with the new user, (viii) add the new access credential to the set of access credentials, and (ix) immediately after adding the new access credential to the set of access credentials, receive an input indicating the new user'"'"'s intent to access the resource, and (x) provide the new user access to the resource without delay after receiving the new user request from the new user.
-
Specification