POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ACCESS CONTROL DEVICES

• US 20170086019A1
• Filed: 09/15/2016
• Published: 03/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyatt Corporation (Hyatt Hotels Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hyatt Corporation (Hyatt Hotels Corporation)
• Inventors: Rabinowitz, Armand, Cowell, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 9,888,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters

Abstract

Managing an access device associated with a controlled area at a place of hospitality is described. A location of a device of a user is determined. A controlled area that the user is authorized to access is determined. The location of the device of the user is monitored, and when the location of the device of the user is within a first area proximate to the controlled area, a first signal is transmitted to an access device associated with the controlled area. The first signal is used to manage an operation of the access device. An additional location of the device of the user may be determined. When the additional location of the device of the user is within a second area proximate to the controlled area, a second signal used to enable access to the controlled area is transmitted to the access device.

Claims

1. A method for managing access devices at a place of hospitality, comprising:

determining a first location of a device of a user;

determining that the user is authorized access to a controlled area;

determining when the first location of the device of the user is within a first area proximate to the controlled area; and

transmitting a first signal to an access device associated with the controlled area when the first location of the device of the user is within the first area proximate to the controlled area, the first signal used to manage an operation of the access device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the access device is an electronic radio-frequency identification lock system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location of the device of the user is determined based on at least one of:

Global Positioning System data, cell tower data, Wi-Fi positioning data, Bluetooth positioning data, image data, and infrared sensor data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the access device is configured to operate in a first mode in response to receiving the first signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the access device operating in the first mode is configured to provide access to the controlled area in a shorter period of time than the access device operating in a second mode.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the access device operating in the first mode uses a greater amount of energy than the access device operating in a second mode.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the access device operating in the first mode is configured to access a code for accessing the controlled area stored in the device of the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlled area is a guest room at the place of hospitality.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the user is authorized access to a controlled area at the place of hospitality comprises:

accessing reservation information for the place of hospitality;

determining that the user has a reservation at the place of hospitality; and

determining a controlled area at the place of hospitality to which the reservation authorizes access.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining when the first location of the device of the user is within the first area proximate to the controlled area comprises:

determining a distance between the first location of the device of the user and the controlled area; and

determining when the distance is less than a predefined value, the predefined value associated with the first area proximate to the controlled area.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining when the first location of the device of the user is within the first area proximate to the controlled area comprises:

accessing a virtual map of the place of hospitality, the virtual map comprising one or more geofences defining a boundary of the first area proximate to the controlled area; and

determining when the first location of the device of the user is disposed within the one or more geofences.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining when the first location of the device of the user is within the first area proximate to the controlled area comprises:

receiving a second signal from a sensor located at a critical point in the place of hospitality, the sensor configured to transmit the second signal when the sensor detects the device of the user.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the critical point is at least one of:

an ingress point, an egress point, and a pivot point.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a second location of the device of the user;

determining when the second location of the device of the user is within a second area proximate to the controlled area; and

transmitting a third signal to the access device associated with the controlled area when the second location of the device of the user is within the second area proximate to the controlled area, the third signal used to enable access to the controlled area.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the second area is disposed more proximate to the controlled area than the first area.

16. A device for providing access to a controlled area at a place of hospitality, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

determine a location of a device of a user, wherein the user is authorized access to the controlled area;

determine when the location of the device of the user is within an area proximate to the controlled area, the location determined based on at least location information of the device; and

transmit a first signal to an access device associated with the controlled area when the location of the device is within the area proximate to the controlled area, the first signal used to enable access to the controlled area.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the device is at least one of:

a tablet computer, and a mobile phone.

18. The device of claim 16, further comprising a receiver configured to receive an input from the user,

wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to transmit the first signal to the access device when the location of the device is within the area proximate to the controlled area and when the input from the user is received.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the memory further stores a code for accessing the controlled area,

wherein the first signal comprises the code for accessing the controlled area.

20. A system for providing access to a controlled area at a place of hospitality, comprising:

an access device configured to provide access to the controlled area;

an access device management system comprising a processor, the access device management system configured to;

determine, using the processor, a first location of a user device of a user;

determine, using the processor, that the user is authorized access to the controlled area;

determine, using the processor, when the first location of the user device is within a first area proximate to the controlled area; and

transmit a first signal to the access device when the first location of the user device is within the first area proximate to the controlled area, the first signal used to manage an operation of the access device; and

the user device configured to transmit a second signal to the access device when a second location of the user device is within a second area proximate to the controlled area, the second signal used to enable access to the controlled area.