METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING TIME-LIMITED CALENDAR BASED PASSCODE ACCESS TO AREAS, BUILDINGS AND/OR ROOMS

• US 20070273474A1
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JTT Investment Partners, LLC (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levine, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,733,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.280
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

Methods, systems and computer program products provide time-restricted passcode access to a restricted access area by: (a) electronically generating a time-limited visitor access passcode that is operational for a security system for a limited time duration; then (b) electronically accepting the visitor access passcode in a security entry control access device in communication with the security system to allow a user with the visitor access passcode a time-limited entry to a restricted area; then (c) automatically electronically preventing user access to the restricted area using the visitor access passcode with the security entry control access device after a certain time or expiration of a certain time period. Embodiments of the invention may be particularly useful for allowing visiting meeting participants physical access to a restricted area in a building to attend a scheduled meeting.

Claims

1. A method of providing time-restricted passcode access to a restricted access area, comprising:

electronically generating a time-limited visitor access passcode that is operational for a limited time duration;

then

electronically accepting the generated visitor access passcode in a security entry access control device to allow a user with the visitor access passcode a time-limited entry to a restricted area;

then

automatically electronically preventing user access to the restricted area using the visitor access passcode with a security entry control access device after a certain time or expiration of a certain time period.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically inviting meeting participants to a meeting at a specified location at a specified time and date, electronically generating at least one meeting-specific access passcode associated with the meeting invitation, and transmitting the generated at least one meeting access passcode to meeting participants, wherein the meeting access passcode is the time-limited visitor access passcode.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one meeting access passcode is generated on an individual visitor basis.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one meeting access passcode is generated on a group participant basis.

5. A method according to claim 2, further comprising receiving a request for visitor access to a restricted area on a specified date and time from a user over a computer network to cause the generating step, and wherein the accepting and preventing steps are carried out automatically using a server system that electronically automatically alters acceptable entry passcodes on the at least one security access device at the appropriate times and dates.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically transmitting at least one time-restricted visitor access code to a visitor after the generating step using a computer network.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a menu prompt on a display requesting a time-limited access code for a visitor, then accepting user input of identifying data for the visitor, an access date and time, and transmitting the time-limited access code to a prospective visitor.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically transmitting the at least one visitor access passcode to a prospective user using at least one of an electronic mail/message to the prospective user'"'"'s computer and/or telephone.

9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically electronically counting numbers of users accessing the restricted area using the at least one time-limited visitor access passcode and electronically terminating acceptance of the passcode when the number exceeds a certain value.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically allowing a limited number of entries to the restricted area per a generated passcode that is user-specific during a period of time.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the preventing user access step is configured to electronically disallow entry using the generated passcode with the security entry access device prior to a scheduled meeting ending time.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises electronically transmitting a time-limited passcode to a realtor requesting visiting access to show a residence or commercial building for sale to a prospective customer on a requested visit date and time, and wherein the electronically accepting step comprises electronically recognizing the transmitted time-limited passcode to allow realtor access to the building or residence for sale for a limited time on the requested visit date.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generated time-limited access code is changed automatically during a time period, and wherein prospective users having longer authorized access times are electronically notified of the changed time-limited passcode.

14. A system for administering limited-time visitor access passcodes, comprising:

a computer network with at least one computer having a visitor requestor portal for requesting visitor access to a restricted area;

a calendar-based access server in communication with the at least one computer, the calendar-based access server configured to generate a time-limited visitor passcode to allow user access to the restricted area;

a security server in communication with the calendar-based access server; and

at least one security passcode entry device in communication with the security server that controls access to at least one restricted access area.

15. A system according to claim 14, further comprising at least one user-specific visitor communication device in communication with the calendar based server, wherein the calendar-based server is configured to transmit time-limited visitor access passcodes to the communication device of the respective prospective visitor.

16. A system according to claim 14, wherein the calendar based access server is configured to generate visitor-specific individualized visitor access passcodes.

17. A system according to claim 14, wherein the calendar based access server is configured to generate a single visitor access passcode for a group of different visitors having the same date and time limitations.

18. A system according to claim 14, wherein the visitor requestor portal is configured to schedule meetings with a plurality of named meeting invitees on a specific date and projected start and end times in the restricted are, and wherein the calendar-based server is configured to notify the security server of the access passcode for each or the group of invitees, and wherein the security server is configured to automatically configure the at least one security control access device to accept the generated security passcode(s) for the restricted area on the date specified for a limited time.

19. A system according to claim 14, wherein the calendar-based access server is configured to generate two different passcodes for the restricted area, which can be used serially for access during different time intervals to the same restricted area, or which can be used to access specific different restricted portions of the restricted area.

20. A computer program product for providing time-limited calendar-based access to restricted areas, comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising;

computer readable program code configured to generate a time-limited access passcode that is operational for a security system for a limited time duration;

computer readable program code configured to accept the access passcode in a security entry control device in communication with the security system to allow a user with the access passcode a time-limited entry to a restricted area; and

computer readable program code configured to reject the access passcode to the restricted area using the security entry control device on a date after a certain time or expiration of a certain time period.