Electronic access control and location tracking system

• US 9,997,001 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2017
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Collateral Opportunities, LLC
• Original Assignee: Collateral Opportunities, LLC
• Inventors: Kusens, Bruce Howard, Kusens, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUIN, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US15/818,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20180096550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 204 Days
• Field of Search: 340 561
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00388 code verification carried out according to the challenge/response method
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/02 Access control comprising means for the enrolment of users
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method and system that allows authorized individuals access into controlled access locations and the ability to grant temporary and limited access to guests into these locations. The method and system allows for navigational services to be provided to members and guests, and real-time tracking and confirmation to members and administrators that guests have arrived at their destination and did not enter any unauthorized areas. The method preferably can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with member and guest'"'"'s electronic devices. Members and administrators can send one or more temporary electronic access keys to a guest'"'"'s smartphone or other electronic device. Wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons provide an access control and location tracking system with real-time data about the member and guest whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking.

Claims

1. An electronic method for granting access to an individual requiring access to a controlled access area with a closed entrance, said method comprising the steps of:

a. electronically receiving one or more digital by a portable electronic device of a first party, each of said one or more digital keys providing access for the first party to an associated access point of a controlled access area;

b. electronically storing the digital key to an electronic keychain database;

c. electronically determining by the portable electronic device which digital key from one or more digital keys is needed by the first party for accessing to a specific access point of a controlled access area;

d. wirelessly transmitting the digital key determined in step (c) by the portable electronic device for use by an access control computer system in order for granting of access by the access control computer system.

2. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 wherein step (d) includes wirelessly transmitting the digital key by the portable electronic device to one or more beacons located in an immediate proximity to a closed entrance for the controlled access area for sending of the digital key by the one or more beacons to the access control computer system in order for granting of access by the access control computer system.

3. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 wherein the electronic keychain database is contained within the portable electronic device.

4. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically retrieving the determined digital key from the electronic keychain database by the portable electronic device prior to step (d).

5. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 further comprising the step of confirming that the first party desires to use the determined digital key from the electronic keychain database by the portable electronic device.

6. The electronic method for granting access of claim 5 wherein the step of confirming comprising either receiving indication that a confirmation button was pressed by the first party or receiving a biometric identifier from the first party prior to step (d).

7. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 further comprising the step of automatically determining or sensing which beacons are in proximity to the entrance for the controlled access area prior to step (c).

8. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 further comprising the step of wirelessly receiving a signal by the portable electronic device from a beacon in range with the portable electronic device informing the portable electronic device to wirelessly transmit the digital key prior to step (c);

wherein in step (c) the portable electronic device uses information from the received signal sent by the beacon to determine which digital key from the one or more digital keys to wirelessly transmit in step (d).

9. The electronic method for granting access of claim 2 wherein the digital key wirelessly transmitted to the one or more beacons in step (d) is electronically received by the access control computer system for processing and determining whether the first party has permission to access the controlled access area.

10. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting the digital key determined in step (c) at continuous intervals after access permission has been granted by the access computer system and while the first party remains in the controlled access area in order to provide for real time information on access permissions granted including where an individual associated with the portable electronic device remain in the controlled access area after an authorized designated time period.

11. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting the digital key determined in step (c) at continuous intervals after access permission has been granted by the access computer system and while the first party remains in the controlled access area for receipt by at least one beacon from a plurality of beacons positioned throughout the controlled access area in order to provide for real time information on access permissions granted including where an individual associated with the portable electronic device remain in the controlled access area after an authorized designated time period.

12. The electronic method for granting access of claim 11 further comprising the step of electronically receiving one or more possible routes information by the portable electronic device that are sent from the access control computer system to direct the first party to a final authorized location for the first party from a current location of the first party, wherein the one or more possible routes are determined by the access control computer system based on authorizations granted to the individual by the access control computer system.

13. The electronic method for granting access of claim 12, wherein the one or more possible routes information are calculated by the access control computer system after the access control computer system determines that the first party has not reached the final authorized location from information received from the at least one beacon.

14. The electronic method for granting access of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically updating the electronic keychain database to indicate that the digital key was used to gain access to the controlled access area by the first party.

15. An electronic system for granting access to an individual requiring access to a controlled access area with a closed entrance, comprising:

an access control computer specifically programmed to grant and deny access authorizations for one or more access points of a controlled access area for a location;

a software application running on a portable electronic device for receiving one or more digital keys and determining which specific digital key to select from the one or more digital keys, each of the digital keys providing access for a first party to an associated access point of a controlled access area;

an electronic database;

wherein the one or more digital keys are stored in the electronic database;

wherein the access control computer uses information for the selected digital key in deciding to grant or deny access authorizations.

16. The electronic system for granting access of claim 15 wherein the electronic database is an electronic keychain database which is contained within the portable electronic device.

17. The electronic system for granting access of claim 15 further comprising one or more beacons located in an immediate proximity to a closed entrance for the controlled access area, each of the one or more beacons programmed to transmit any received digital key to the access control computer system for use by the access control computer in granting of access by the access control computer system.

18. The electronic system for granting access of claim 15 wherein the software application retrieves the determined digital key from the electronic database.

19. The electronic system for granting access of claim 16 wherein the software application retrieves the determined digital key from the electronic keychain database.

20. The electronic system for granting access of claim 17 wherein the software application automatically determines or senses which beacons are in proximity to the entrance for the controlled access area as part of the digital key selection.

21. An electronic method for granting access to an individual requiring access to a controlled access area with a closed entrance, said method comprising the steps of:

a. electronically determining by a portable electronic device which digital key from one or more digital keys is needed by a first party for the first party to access to a specific access point of a controlled access area; and

b. wirelessly transmitting the digital key determined in step (a) by the portable electronic device for use by an access control computer system in order for granting of access by the access control computer system.

22. An electronic system for granting access to an individual requiring access to a controlled access area with a closed entrance, comprising:

an access control computer specifically programmed to grant and deny access authorizations for one or more access points of a controlled access area for a location, and

a software application adapted to run a portable electronic device of a first party and capable of determining which specific digital key to select from one or more digital keys for use to by the access control computer in determining whether to grant or deny access to the first party.

23. An electronic method for granting access to an individual requiring access to a controlled access area with a closed entrance, said method comprising the steps of:

a. electronically retrieving one or more digital keys from one or more digital keys stored in an electronic keychain database of a portable electronic device of a first party wishing to grant access to a second party;

b. electronically transmitting duplicate digital keys of the retrieved one or more digital keys to an access control computer system; and

c. electronically transmitting by the access control computer system the duplicate digital keys to the portable electronic device of a second party, each of the duplicate digital keys received by the portable electronic device providing access for the second party to an associated access point of a controlled access area.

24. The electronic method for granting access of claim 23 further comprising the steps of electronically selecting a second party to receive the one or more duplicative digital keys and forwarding information regarding the selected second party to the access control computer system prior to step (c).

25. The electronic method for granting access of claim 23 further comprising the step of electronically configuring a number of times the duplicate key is valid for use by the second party prior to step (c).

26. The electronic method for granting access of claim 23 further comprising the step of electronically configuring one or more dates the duplicate key is valid for use by the second party prior to step (c).

27. The electronic method for granting access of claim 23 further comprising the step of electronically configuring one or more time ranges the duplicate key is valid for use by the second party prior to step (c).

28. The electronic method for granting access of claim 23 further comprising the step of electronically configuring one or more specific access points of a controlled access area the duplicate digital key is valid for use by the second party prior to step (c).

29. The electronic method for granting access of claim 23 further comprising the step of electronically configuring one or more notification settings for when the duplicate digital key is used by the second party prior to step (c).