System and method for providing access to a defined space

• US 9,685,016 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2015
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Virtual Guest Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Virtual Guest Services, LLC
• Inventors: Randolph, Ronald, Weldon, Douglas, Randolph, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US14/941,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20170140588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 340937, 340 57, 340715, 340149, 340147, 348143, 348159, 348152, 382105, 382104, 382100, 382103, 701519
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/30 not involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

A method provides a guest access to a defined space selectively accessible through an automated gate. The method includes the steps of causing a resident interface to be displayed to a resident via a resident data device. Guest data is received from the resident about the guest using the resident data device. The guest data is transmitted to a central station. The guest identifies when the guest arrives at the automated gate. The method also opens the automated gate to allow the guest to travel into the defined space after the automated gate is opened.

Claims

1. A method for providing a guest access to a defined space selectively accessible through a gate controlled by a guard, the method comprising the steps of:

causing a resident interface to be displayed to a resident via a resident data device;

receiving guest data from the resident about the guest using the resident data device;

transmitting the guest data to a central station;

transmitting the guest data from the central station to an attendant for the gate;

identifying the guest when the guest arrives at the gate by having the guard confirm the guest data;

receiving information about the guest from the guard to further identify the guest;

confirming the guest is authorized to enter the defined space;

opening the gate to allow the guest to travel into the defined space after the gate is opened by the guard.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of storing the guest data in a guest database in the resident data device.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 including logging the guest data in a guest log database in the central station.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the information about the guest received by the guard includes a license plate number of a car being used by the guest.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the information about the guest received by the guard includes a type of car be used by the guest.