ONE-TIME ACCESS TO AN AUTOMATION SYSTEM

• US 20160044024A1
• Filed: 08/11/2014
• Published: 02/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hwang, Jungtaik
• Granted Patent: US 9,860,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0838 using one-time-passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for managing one-time access to an automation system. According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to grant a user access to an automation is described. The method may comprise receiving one or more access parameters to authorize one-time permission to the user to access the automation system. The method may further comprise granting one-time permission to the user to access the automation system based at least in part on the one or more access parameters. The method may additionally comprise generating a message comprising at least the one-time permission to access the automation system. The one or more access parameters may comprise at least one of a limited time frame, single use entry code, or a limited number of entries.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method to grant a user access to an automation system, comprising:

receiving one or more parameters to authorize one-time permission to the user to access the automation system;

granting the one-time permission to the user to access the automation system based at least in part on the one or more access parameters; and

generating a message comprising at least the one-time permission to access the automation system.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the access parameters comprise at least one of a limited time frame, single use entry code, or a limited number of entries.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to grant the one-time permission, wherein the URL is sent to the user via at least one of a SMS, email, ping message, or social media message.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a request to activate the URL, wherein activating the URL grants the user access to the automation system.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to send to the user, wherein the URL activates a webpage allowing the user to access the automation system.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

notifying an administrator of the automation system when the access has been executed.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to grant the access to the user for a predetermined time period.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:

expiring the one-time permission based at least in part on the predetermined time period independent of whether the access has been executed.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthering comprising:

limiting the access to the automation system to a first zone.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the first zone is at least one of a door, room, series of rooms, or a combination thereof.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

arming the automation system a predetermined time period after the one-time permission has been redeemed.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

expiring the one-time permission to access the automation system after the access has been executed.

13. An apparatus to grant a user access to an automation system, comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

receive one or more parameters to authorize one-time permission to the user to access the automation system;

grant the one-time permission to the user to access the automation system based at least in part on the one or more access parameters; and

generate a message comprising at least the one-time permission to access the automation system.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the access parameters comprise at least one of a limited time frame, single use entry code, or a limited number of entries.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

expire the one-time permission based at least in part on a predetermined durational time period independent of whether the access has been executed.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

notify an administrator of the automation system when the access has been executed.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

arm the automation system a predetermined time period after the permission has been redeemed.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to:

receive one or more parameters to authorize one-time permission to the user to access the automation system;

grant the one-time permission to the user to access the automation system based at least in part on the one or more access parameters; and

generate a message comprising at least the one-time permission to access the automation system.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

expire the one-time permission based at least in part on a predetermined durational time period independent of whether the access has been executed.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

arm the automation system a predetermined time period after the permission has been executed.