HUB KEY SERVICE

• US 20130305319A1
• Filed: 12/22/2012
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Matthews, Joseph H. III, Vasudevan, Lavanya, Thomas, Shawn M., Schrader, Joseph A., Chen, Ted Tai-Yu, Sarin, Raman K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,710,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

In embodiments of a hub key service, a device includes a communication interface for communication coordination with one or more associated devices of the device, and the associated devices correspond to hub members. A hub manager is implemented to generate an electronic key that includes access permissions, which are configurable to enable controlled access for the hub members, such as to a building, vehicle, media device, or location. The hub manager can then correlate the electronic key with the device to enable access to the building, vehicle, media device, or location with the device utilized as the electronic key.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a communication interface configured for communicating with associated devices of the device, the associated devices corresponding to one or more hub members;

a processing system to implement computer instructions as a hub manager that is configured to;

generate an electronic key that includes access permissions configurable to enable controlled access for the one or more hub members to one of a building or a vehicle; and

correlate the electronic key with the device to enable access to the building or the vehicle with the device utilized as the electronic key.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hub manager is configured to correlate the electronic key with an associated device to enable hub member access to the building or the vehicle with the associated device utilized as the electronic key.

3. A device as recited in claim 2, wherein the hub manager is configured to modify the access permissions of the electronic key to restrict the hub member access to the building or the vehicle with the associated device utilized as the electronic key.

4. A device as recited in claim 2, wherein the hub manager is configured to modify the access permissions of the electronic key to limit the hub member access to the building or the vehicle after a designated time of day.

5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hub manager is configured to monitor entry and exit accesses to the building when the device is utilized as the electronic key.

6. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hub manager is configured to monitor use of the vehicle when the device is utilized as the electronic key.

7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the access permissions of the electronic key are further configurable to enable controlled access for the one or more hub members to a media device.

8. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hub manager is configured to:

receive a user input to enable a non-hub member access to the building; and

initiate unlocking the building utilizing the electronic key communicated from the device.

9. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hub manager is configured to:

change the electronic key to a different electronic key;

correlate the different electronic key with the device to enable the access to the building or the vehicle with the device utilized as the different electronic key; and

communicate the different electronic key to the associated devices to replace the electronic key.

10. A method, comprising:

generating an electronic key that includes access permissions configurable to enable controlled access for one or more hub members to one of a building or a vehicle;

correlating the electronic key with a device to enable access to the building or the vehicle with the device utilized as the electronic key; and

correlating the electronic key with an associated device to enable hub member access to the building or the vehicle with the associated device utilized as the electronic key.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising modifying the access permissions of the electronic key to restrict the hub member access to the building or the vehicle with the associated device utilized as the electronic key.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising modifying the access permissions of the electronic key to limit the hub member access to the building or the vehicle after a designated time of day.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising monitoring entry and exit accesses to the building when the device is utilized as the electronic key.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the access permissions of the electronic key are further configurable to enable controlled access for the one or more hub members to a media device.

15. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a user input at the device to enable a non-hub member access to the building; and

initiating unlocking the building utilizing the electronic key communicated from the device.

16. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising

changing the electronic key to a different electronic key;

correlating the different electronic key with the device to enable the access to the building or the vehicle with the device utilized as the different electronic key; and

communicating the different electronic key to the associated device to replace the electronic key.

17. A hub system, comprising:

a network service device to execute computer instructions as a hub manager that is configured to

generate an electronic key that includes access permissions configurable to enable controlled access for one or more hub members to one of a building or a vehicle;

correlate the electronic key with associated devices of the one or more hub members to enable access to the building or the vehicle with an associated device utilized as the electronic key;

determine the associated devices based on identifiers of the associated devices; and

communicate the electronic key to the associated devices of the one or more hub members.

18. A hub system as recited in claim 17, wherein the hub manager is configured to modify the access permissions of the electronic key to restrict hub member access to the building or the vehicle with an associated device utilized as the electronic key.

19. A hub system as recited in claim 17, wherein the hub manager is configured to monitor entry and exit accesses to the building when an associated device is utilized as the electronic key.

20. A hub system as recited in claim 17, wherein the hub manager is configured to:

receive a user input from an associated device to enable a non-hub member access to the building; and

initiate unlocking the building utilizing the electronic key communicated from the hub system.