Facility and resource access system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) an access control device, wherein the access control device is configured to be communicatively coupled with an automatic locking mechanism providing selective access through an entryway at a private facility;
(b) a server configured to store a facility queue, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device; and
(c) a user interface operable to provide a set of instructions that is executable by a processor, wherein the user interface is configured to be installed on a user device;
wherein the server is configured to;
(i) receive a user selection indicating a user'"'"'s intent to access the private facility,(ii) add the user to the facility queue,(iii) send a facility notification to an administrator of the private facility, the facility notification comprising an indication that the facility queue has changed,(iv) cause the user interface to display an indicator of the user'"'"'s position in the facility queue, and(v) cause the user interface to display an indicator that the user is at the front of the facility queue; and
wherein the access control device is configured to;
(i) receive an electronic signal indicating that the user is attempting to enter the private facility from the user device,(ii) determine whether the user is physically present at the entryway based upon the electronic signal; and
(iii) if the user is at the front of the facility queue and physically present at the entryway, disable the automatic locking mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that allows an end-user to locate and gain access to a private facility, such as a restroom or other resource, without requiring that the end-user interact with any facility personnel. A mobile application allows a user to identify and proceed to a location where a private facility is available. When a user arrives at the location, the mobile application communicates with access control devices at the location to notify facility personnel of the user'"'"'s presence and unlock doors or otherwise remove safeguards preventing general public access to the private facility.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) an access control device, wherein the access control device is configured to be communicatively coupled with an automatic locking mechanism providing selective access through an entryway at a private facility; (b) a server configured to store a facility queue, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device; and (c) a user interface operable to provide a set of instructions that is executable by a processor, wherein the user interface is configured to be installed on a user device; wherein the server is configured to; (i) receive a user selection indicating a user'"'"'s intent to access the private facility, (ii) add the user to the facility queue, (iii) send a facility notification to an administrator of the private facility, the facility notification comprising an indication that the facility queue has changed, (iv) cause the user interface to display an indicator of the user'"'"'s position in the facility queue, and (v) cause the user interface to display an indicator that the user is at the front of the facility queue; and wherein the access control device is configured to; (i) receive an electronic signal indicating that the user is attempting to enter the private facility from the user device, (ii) determine whether the user is physically present at the entryway based upon the electronic signal; and (iii) if the user is at the front of the facility queue and physically present at the entryway, disable the automatic locking mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a user interface that is configurable on a user device; (b) receiving, at a server, a user selection indicating a user'"'"'s intent to access a private facility; (c) adding the user to a facility queue stored on the server; (d) sending a facility notification to an administrator of the private facility, the facility notification comprising an indication that the facility queue has changed; (e) causing the user interface to display an indicator of the user'"'"'s position in the facility queue; (f) causing the user interface to display an indicator that the user is at the front of the facility queue; (g) receiving, at an access control device from the user device, an electronic signal indicating that the user is attempting to enter the private facility; (h) determine whether the user is physically present at a barrier of the private facility based upon the electronic signal; and (i) if the user at the front of the facility queue and physically present at the barrier, disabling an automatic locking mechanism, wherein the automatic locking mechanism is configured to prevent the barrier from being moved, and wherein the barrier is configured to prevent access to the private facility. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) an access control device, wherein the access control device is configured to be communicatively coupled with an automated barrier providing selective access to a secured area; (b) a server configured to store an authorized user list, wherein the server is communicatively coupled with the access control device; and (c) a user interface operable to provide a set of instructions that is executable by a processor, wherein the user interface is configured to be installed on a user device; (d) a set of parking sensors; wherein the automated barrier is a parking facility entry gate, and wherein each parking sensor of the set of parking sensors is configured to sense the presence of a vehicle in the parking spot; wherein the server is configured to; (i) receive a user selection indicating a user'"'"'s intent to access the secured area, and (ii) determine if the user is authorized to access the secured area, (iii) maintain a list of parking spot vacancies based upon a set of sensor information from the set of parking sensors; (iv) identify a vacant spot in response to receiving the user selection; (v) send a description of the vacant spot to the user device; wherein the access control device is configured to; (i) receive an electronic signal indicating that the user is authorized to access the secured area, and (ii) allowing access via the automated barrier.
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Specification