Access control via a mobile device

• US 9,713,002 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2015
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Roy, Sanjay, Lin, Frank, Jones, Bryan, Godbole, Datta, Khurana, Himanshu
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US14/713,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20160337508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/30 Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for access control via a mobile device are described herein. One method includes receiving location information associated with a mobile device in a facility, determining that the mobile device is within a particular distance of an area of the facility based on the location information, determining whether a user of the mobile device is allowed access to the area, and allowing access to the area via a relay associated with the area responsive to a determination that the user is allowed access.

Claims

1. A method for access control via a mobile device, comprising:

receiving location information associated with a mobile device in a facility;

determining that the mobile device is within a particular distance of an area of the facility based on the location information;

determining whether a user of the mobile device is allowed access to the area based on a digital identity associated with the user and assigned to the mobile device, wherein determining whether the user is allowed access includes determining whether a number of additional access rules particular to the area of the facility apply;

verifying that the mobile device is possessed by the user allowed access by authenticating the user to the mobile device;

allowing access to the area via a relay associated with the area responsive to a determination that the user is allowed access;

denying access to the area responsive to a determination that the user is not allowed access; and

providing a notification via the mobile device responsive to the denial, wherein the notification includes a reason for the denial.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes receiving the location information responsive to a communication being established between the mobile device and a beacon of the facility.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether a user of the mobile device is allowed access to the area includes determining whether the mobile device has been provided with the digital identity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein authenticating includes receiving a biometric input by the mobile device.

5. A system for providing access control via a mobile device, comprising:

an access control system configured to;

determine an area of a facility to which a user is authorized access; and

provide a digital identity associated with the user and configured to allow the user access to the area;

a mobile device configured to;

receive the digital identity;

determine that the mobile device is within a particular distance of the area; and

determine whether the user of the mobile device is allowed access to the area based on the digital identity, wherein determining whether the user is allowed access includes determining whether a number of additional access rules particular to the area of the facility apply;

verify that the mobile device is possessed by the user by authenticating the user to the mobile device; and

a relay configured to;

grant the user access to the area of the facility responsive to;

the determination that the mobile device is within the particular distance of the area; and

the determination by the mobile device that the user is allowed access to the area; and

deny the user access to the area responsive to a determination that the user is not allowed access to the area,

wherein the mobile device is configured to provide a notification responsive to the denial, and wherein the notification includes a reason for the denial.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the access control system is remote with respect to the facility.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the access control system is local with respect to the facility.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the system includes a beacon configured to determine that the user is in within the particular distance of the area.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the beacon is Bluetooth low energy beacon.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the mobile device is a wearable device.

11. The system of claim 5, wherein the relay does not include a controller.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon executable by a processor to:

receive an indication that a mobile device is within a particular distance of an area of a facility;

determine whether a user of the mobile device is allowed access to the area based on a digital identity associated with the user and assigned to the mobile device, wherein determining whether the user is allowed access includes determining whether a number of additional access rules particular to the area of the facility apply;

verify that the mobile device is possessed by the user allowed access by authenticating the user to the mobile device;

cause a relay associated with the area to allow the user access to the area responsive to a determination that the user is allowed access;

deny the user access to the area responsive to a determination that the user is not allowed access; and

provide a notification via the mobile device responsive to the denial, wherein the notification includes a reason for the denial.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions to determine whether the user of the mobile device is allowed access include instructions to determine whether the user is allowed access at a time that the mobile device is within the particular distance of the area.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the indication is received from the mobile device based on a wireless communication between the mobile device and a beacon associated with the area.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the indication is received from the mobile device based on a location functionality associated with the mobile device.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions to determine whether the user of the mobile device is allowed access include instructions to determine access rights associated with the digital identity associated with the user and assigned to the mobile device.