Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing time-limited calendar based passcode access to areas, buildings and/or rooms

• US 7,733,213 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JTT Investment Partners, LLC (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levine, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Vernal U
• Application Number:
  US11/420,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.28, 340/5.64, 340/5.65, 340/5.5, 379/102.06, 379/102.01
• US Class Current: 340/5.28
• 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 inviting meeting participants to a meeting at a specified location at a specified time and date;

electronically generating at least one access passcode for invited meeting participants that is operational for a limited time duration associated with the meeting time and date in response to the electronically inviting step;

then

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

then

automatically electronically preventing user access to the restricted area using the generated 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, wherein the generating step is configured to generate at least one meeting-specific access passcode, the method further comprising transmitting the generated at least one meeting-specific access passcode to the invited meeting participants.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one access passcode is generated as a plurality of unique passcodes for a respective meeting, one for each invited meeting participant.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one access passcode is generated on a group participant basis as a meeting-specific passcode.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a request for visitor access to a restricted area on a specified date and time associated with the meeting 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 with a meeting invitation associated with the electronically inviting step to an invited meeting participant after the generating step using a computer network.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a requestor portal in communication with a computer network, wherein the inviting step comprises allowing a user to request a time-limited access code for a meeting participant using the requestor portal, then electronically accepting input of identifying data for the meeting participant, and wherein the method further comprises electronically transmitting the electronically generated time-limited access code to a prospective invited meeting participant over the computer network.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically transmitting the at least one access passcode to an invited meeting participant using at least one of electronic mail or text message.

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 access passcode associated with the invited meeting participants and electronically terminating acceptance of the passcode when the counted 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, and wherein the passcode is configured to expire before a planned end time of the meeting.

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

12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a computer network with a portal that allows a user to electronically request a meeting associated with the electronically inviting step,

wherein the user is a realtor requesting access to a locked residence or commercial building for sale to show the residence or building to a prospective buyer on a requested visit date and time, wherein the electronically generating step generates a time-limited unique visitor access passcode that is operational for a limited time duration in response to a request from the realtor using the portal, wherein the electronically accepting step is associated with a security entry access control device associated with the building or residence for sale to allow the realtor with the visitor access passcode access to the building or residence for sale for a limited time on the requested visit date, and wherein the method further comprises electronically transmitting the generated time-limited passcode to the realtor to provide the time-limited passcode for the electronically accepting step.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generated time-limited access code is changed automatically during a time period, and wherein prospective meeting participants having longer authorized access times than other meeting participants 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 allowing a user to request visitor access to a restricted area, wherein the visitor requestor portal is configured to allow users to electronically request visitor access for at least one specified visitor to at least one specified location associated with a restricted area on a campus, building, floor, office or room, on a specified date and time in advance of a requested visit time;

a calendar-based access server in communication with the computer network, the calendar-based access server and/or the computer network configured to generate a time-limited visitor passcode to allow user access to the restricted area in response to a user placing a request for visitor access using the visitor requestor portal;

a security server in communication with the calendar-based access server and/or the computer network; and

at least one security passcode entry device in communication with the security server and/or the computer network 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 associated with a specified visitor in communication with the computer network and/or calendar based server, wherein the system is configured to transmit the time-limited visitor access passcode to the communication device of the specified 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 system is configured to generate a meeting specific visitor access passcode for a group of different visitors associated with a scheduled meeting identified by the user placing the request for visitor access using the visitor requestor portal.

18. A system according to claim 14, wherein the visitor requestor portal is configured to allow a respective user to electronically schedule a meeting with a plurality of named meeting invitees on a specific date and projected start and end times in the restricted area, and wherein the system is configured to notify the security server of the access passcode for each meeting invitee or the group of invitees, and wherein the system 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 associated with a scheduled meeting.

19. A system according to claim 14, wherein the system is configured to generate two different passcodes for the restricted area, which are 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 at least one restricted area.

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

a non-transitory 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 allow a user to request visitor access to a meeting site in a restricted area at a planned meeting time and date for at least one specified meeting participant using a computer network;

computer readable program code configured to transmit the generated access passcode to the at least one meeting participant over the computer network;

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 associated with the planned meeting time and date.