Electronic access control and location tracking system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9466163-B2
Application number	US-201615055477-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 26, 2016
Priority date	Aug 15, 2014
Publication date	Oct 11, 2016
Grant date	Oct 11, 2016

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic method for determining a specific digital access key from a plurality of digital access keys to send to an access control computer system in order for the access control computer system to grant access to an individual at a specific location of a controlled access area, the specific digital access key associated with the specific location of the controlled access area, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) electronically receiving an identification signal by a portable electronic device in the possession of a person who wishes to enter a specific location of a controlled access area, the identification signal transmitted from a beacon associated with the specific location, the portable electronic device programmed with a permissions application;
(b) querying a digital access keychain database stored with the portable electronic device for a specific key associated with the specific location based on the identification signal received from the beacon;
(c) selecting the specific digital access key from the keychain database for the specific location based on the identification signal received from the beacon; and
(d) electronically transmitting the specific digital access key by the portable electronic device to an access control and location tracking system.

2. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 1 wherein step (d) is performed only after certain conditions concerning the identification signal are met.

3. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 1 further comprising the steps of prior to step (d):
learning or determining by the portable electronic device a power setting for the identification signal received from the beacon;
determining by the portable electronic device if the power level of the identification signal equals or exceeds the power setting; and
proceeding to step (d) where the power level is determined to equal or exceed the power setting.

4. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 1 further comprising the steps of prior to step (d):
learning or determining by the portable electronic device a signal duration setting for the identification signal received from the beacon;
determining by the portable electronic device if the identification signal was received by the portable electronic device for a time period equaling or exceeding the signal duration setting; and
proceeding to step (d) where the duration that the identification signal is received for a time period equaling or exceeding the signal duration setting.

5. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 1 wherein the identification signal includes a unique identifier associated with the beacon which is used by the portable electronic device for selecting the specific digital access key in step (c).

6. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 1 further comprising the step of electronically scanning by the portable electronic device for identification signals from one or more beacons located in the controlled access area prior to step (a).

7. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 1 further comprising the step of placing a plurality of beacons throughout the controlled access area prior to step (a).

8. An electronic method for determining a specific digital access key from a plurality of digital access keys to send to an access control computer system in order for the access control computer system to grant access to an individual at a specific location of a controlled access area, the specific digital access key associated with the specific location of the controlled access area, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) electronically receiving an identification signal by a portable electronic device in the possession of a person who wishes to enter a specific location of a controlled access area, the identification signal transmitted from a beacon associated with the specific location and also contains a power setting and signal duration setting, the portable electronic device programmed with a permissions application;
(b) querying a digital access keychain database stored with the portable electronic device for a specific key associated with the specific location based on the identification signal received from the beacon;
(c) selecting the specific digital access key from the keychain database for the specific location based on the identification signal received from the beacon;
(d) determining by the portable electronic device if the power level of the received identification signal equals or exceeds the power setting;
(e) determining by the portable electronic device if the power level of the received identification signal remains equal to or exceeds the power setting for a time period equaling or exceeding the signal duration setting; and
(f) electronically transmitting the specific digital access key by the portable electronic device to an access control and location tracking system where the received identification signal power level remains equal to or exceeds the power setting for a time period equaling or exceeding the signal duration setting.

9. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 8 wherein the identification signal includes a unique identifier associated with the beacon which is used by the portable electronic device for selecting the specific digital access key in step (c).

10. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 8 further comprising the step of electronically scanning by the portable electronic device for identification signals from one or more beacons located in the controlled access area prior to step (a).

11. The electronic method for determining a specific digital access key of claim 8 further comprising the step of placing a plurality of beacons throughout the controlled access area prior to step (a).

12. An electronic system for determining a specific digital access key from a plurality of digital access keys to send to an access control computer system in order for the access control computer system to grant access to an individual at a specific location of a controlled access area, the specific digital access key associated with the specific location of the controlled access area, said system comprising:
at least one beacon located in the proximity of a specific location within a controlled access area;
a portable electronic device specifically programmed with a software application for processing or retaining access permissions for a particular individual, said access permissions in the form of one or more digital keys, said portable electronic device carried by or on the person of the particular individual when the particular individual seeks access to the controlled access area; and
an access control electronic keychain database contained within the portable electronic device for storing the one or more digital keys;
wherein when the particular individual is in range of the at least one beacon, said portable electronic device receives an identification signal from the at least one beacon which the portable electronic device uses for selecting a specific key from the one or more digital keys stored in the electronic keychain database.

13. The electronic system for determining a specific digital access key of claim 12 further comprising:
an access control computer specifically programmed to monitor, grant and deny access authorizations for one or more specific location of the controlled access area; and
an a

Assignees

• Collateral Opportunities Llc

Inventors

• Kusens Bruce Howard
• Kusens Michael

Classifications

• G07C9/27

  with central registration · CPC title

• G07C9/28

  the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence · CPC title

• G07C2009/00769

  with data transmission performed by wireless means · CPC title

• G07C2209/02

  Access control comprising means for the enrolment of users · CPC title

• H04W4/024

  Guidance services · CPC title