REMOTE ADMINISTRATION OF AN ELECTRONIC KEY TO FACILITATE USE BY AUTHORIZED PERSONS

• US 20170249794A1
• Filed: 05/16/2017
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Videx Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tammy A. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Paul R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,115,256 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00476 dynamically
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00587 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0088 centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent

Abstract

Embodiments relate to remote administration of a portable electronic key. An activation signal may be delivered to wireless communications circuitry of the portable electronic key to enable the key to perform one or more tasks. A smart device can receive information related to the activation signal from a server device. The smart device may deliver the activation signal to the portable electronic key via a wireless communications link established in accordance with a wireless networking standardized communications protocol. A user verification procedure may be performed at one of the portable electronic key and the smart device. The user verification procedure may indicate if a holder of the portable electronic key is authorized to use the key. Delivery of the activation signal may be initiated in response to completion of the user verification procedure.

Claims

1. A method, performed by a smart device having a wireless networking radio, of signaling a portable electronic key configured to couple with, energize circuitry of, and electrically communicate an access credential to an electronic locking device, to enable the portable electronic key to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device, the method comprising:

receiving, at the wireless networking radio from a server and according to a first wireless networking standardized communication protocol, access control information including an activation signal for causing the portable electronic key to change from a first state in which the portable electronic key is unable to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device to a second state in which the portable electronic key is able to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device;

establishing, based on a second wireless networking standardized communication protocol, a wireless communications link between the wireless networking radio and wireless communication circuitry of the portable electronic key;

performing a user verification procedure to determine if a key holder is authorized to use the portable electronic key to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device; and

transmitting, through the wireless communications link and in response to the user verification procedure indicating that the key holder is authorized to use the portable electronic key, a message including the activation signal that causes the portable electronic key to change from the first state to the second state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the smart device includes a memory for storing user reference data related to the key holder and wherein the user verification procedure comprises receiving, at a user interface of the smart device, user input data, and wherein the user verification procedure indicates that the key holder is authorized to use the portable electronic key to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device if the user input data corresponds to the user reference data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the user verification procedure comprises receiving, at a biometric sensor of the smart device, user biometric data, and wherein the user verification procedure indicates that the key holder is authorized to use the portable electronic key to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device if the user biometric data corresponds to the user reference data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user verification procedure is performed in response to the portable electronic key mechanically coupling with the electronic locking device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the smart device includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to receive signals from GPS satellite transmitters indicative of a GPS location of the smart device, and wherein the user verification procedure is performed in response to the GPS location of the smart device corresponding to a GPS location associated with the electronic locking device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless networking standardized communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of an IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) protocol, an IEEE 802.16 (WiMax) protocol, a 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) protocol, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol, and a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) protocol.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second wireless networking standardized communication protocol is different from the first wireless networking standardized communication protocol and wherein the second wireless networking standardized communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth protocol, a Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol, an IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) protocol, and a Z-Wave protocol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications link is established over a network selected from the group consisting of a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless mesh network, and a wireless ad hoc network.