Patent Application
20210264708
The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to the field of access control systems, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for communication between access controls of access control systems.
Access controls may be utilized to control access to specific entry point, such as, for example a lock on a door. While mobile devices may be utilized to actuate access controls (i.e., locks) that control access to rooms, actuation is not automated and visually impaired individuals may have difficulty finding the access control and navigating through a building with multiple control access controls.
According to one embodiment, a method of operating an access control system is provided. The method including: determining that the individual intends to actuate an access control; transmitting an entrance inquiry notification to the individual; receiving an entrance inquiry response from the individual; determining an entrance inquiry response intent in response to the entrance inquiry response; receiving an access request from a mobile device being carried by the individual in response to the entrance inquiry response intent; and actuating the access control in response to access request.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining that the individual intends to actuate an access control further includes: detecting a location of the mobile device being carried by the individual; and determining that the location of the mobile device is located proximate the access control.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that transmitting an entrance inquiry notification to the individual further includes: generating audio sound waves, wherein the entrance inquiry notification is transmitted to the individual via the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a speaker on the mobile device generates the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a speaker on the access control generates the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that receiving an entrance inquiry response from the individual further includes: receiving audio sound waves, wherein the entrance inquiry notification response is received via the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a microphone on the mobile device receives the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a microphone on the access control receives the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the access control is a door lock.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include: actuating a servo to open a door to a room, the door being operably connected to the access control.
According to another embodiment, an access control system is provided. The access control system including: a processor; and a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations including: determining that the individual intends to actuate an access control; transmitting an entrance inquiry notification to the individual; receiving an entrance inquiry response from the individual; determining an entrance inquiry response intent in response to the entrance inquiry response; receiving an access request from a mobile device being carried by the individual in response to the entrance inquiry response intent; and actuating the access control in response to access request.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining that the individual intends to actuate an access control further includes: detecting a location of the mobile device being carried by the individual; and determining that the location of the mobile device is located proximate the access control.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that transmitting an entrance inquiry notification to the individual further includes: generating audio sound waves, wherein the entrance inquiry notification is transmitted to the individual via the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a speaker on the mobile device generates the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a speaker on the access control generates the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that receiving an entrance inquiry response from the individual further includes: receiving audio sound waves, wherein the entrance inquiry notification response is received via the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a microphone on the mobile device receives the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that a microphone on the access control receives the audio sound waves.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the access control is a door lock, and the operations further include: actuating a servo to open a door to a room, the door being operably connected to the access control.
According to another embodiment, a computer program product tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium is provided. The computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: determining that the individual intends to actuate an access control; transmitting an entrance inquiry notification to the individual; receiving an entrance inquiry response from the individual; determining an entrance inquiry response intent in response to the entrance inquiry response; receiving an access request from a mobile device being carried by the individual in response to the entrance inquiry response intent; and actuating the access control in response to access request.
Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include detecting when an individual intends to actuate an access control, transmitting an audible command to the individual asking whether the individual would like to actuate the access control, and receiving an audible command from the individual indicating whether the individual would like to actuate the access control.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
and
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring now to
A mobile device 12 belonging to an individual 10 may be granted access to one or more access controls 16 (e.g. the door lock on an office or hotel room assigned to the individual) via the digital credential 360. There may be one or more mobile devices 12 assigned to a room 208 (e.g. a husband and a wife in a hotel; or multiple workers in a collaborative workspace). An individual 10 may utilize their mobile device 12 to unlock and/or lock the access control 16 operably connected to their assigned room 208 through an access request 304, which may include the digital credential 360. The mobile device 12 stores the digital credential 360 to unlock and/or lock the access control 16. The digital credential 360 may be used for multiple access controls 16 if there are multiple access controls 16 for a single assigned room 208 or the individual is assigned access to multiple rooms 208. For example, an access control 16 operably connected to an individual's hotel room 208 and an access control 16 operably connected to a hotel pool may respond to the same the digital credential 360. Other digital credentials 360 may be specific to a single access control 16.
Wireless communication may occur between the access control 16 and the mobile device 12 via short range wireless communication, such as for example Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, infrared, or any other short-range wireless communication method known to one of skill in the art. In an embodiment, the short-range wireless communication is Bluetooth. The mobile device 12 may have to be within a selected range of the access control 16 in order to utilize short-range wireless communication. For example, the selected range may be manually set by an individual as a chosen range or automatically set based on the limitations of hardware associated with the mobile device 12 and/or the access control 16.
Each access control 16 is a wireless-capable, restricted-access, or restricted-use device such as wireless locks, access control readers for building entry, and other restricted-use machines. The mobile device 12 submits the digital credential 360 to the access controls 16, thereby selectively permitting a user to actuate (i.e., access or activate) functions of the access controls 16. A user may, for example, submit a digital credential 360 to an electromechanical lock to unlock it, and thereby gain access to a room 208.
The mobile device 12 may transmit an access request 304 including the digital credential 360 to the access control 16 by short-range radio transmission when the mobile device 12 is placed proximate the access control 16. The mobile device 12 is a wireless capable handheld device such as a smartphone that is operable to communicate with the server 14 and the access controls 16. The server 14 may provide data 320 including digital credentials 360 and other data to the access control 16, such as firmware or software updates to be communicated to one or more of the access controls 16. Although the server 14 is depicted herein as a single device, it should be appreciated that the server 14 may alternatively be embodied as a multiplicity of systems, from which the access controls 16 receives digital credential 360 and other data.
The server 14 may be an electronic controller including a processor and an associated memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The processor may be, but is not limited to, a single-processor or multi-processor system of any of a wide array of possible architectures, including field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP) or graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged homogenously or heterogeneously. The memory may be but is not limited to a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium.
In order to determine a current location of the mobile device 12, an indoor positioning system 100 may collect and analyze positional data. The indoor positioning system 100 may include the access controls 16 and the wireless access control devices 216. In one embodiment, the indoor positioning system 100 is a separate electronic controller in electronic communication with the access controls 16 and the wireless access protocol devices 216. The indoor positioning system 100 may also be in communication with the mobile device 12. In the embodiment where the indoor positioning system 100 is an electronic controller, the indoor positioning system 100 may include a processor and an associated memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The processor may be, but is not limited to, a single-processor or multi-processor system of any of a wide array of possible architectures, including field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP) or graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged homogenously or heterogeneously. The memory may be but is not limited to a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium. In another embodiment, the indoor positioning system 100 may be software located on at least one of the access controls 16, the wireless access protocol devices 216, and the server 14.
The access control 16 may be configured to continuously advertise a wireless signal 306 to the mobile device 12. The advertisement is the access control 16 declaring its presence to any nearby listening device and if it is a connectable advertisement it is an opportunity for another device (i.e., nearby mobile device 12) to connect to the access control 16. For example, the wireless signal 306 of the access control 16 may be a Bluetooth signal. The mobile device 12 is configured to detect the wireless signal 306 and determine positional data of the mobile device 12 in response to a signal strength of the wireless signal 306. The positional data of the mobile device 12 may help determine which access control 16 is located proximate the mobile device 12, and thus which access control 16 the mobile device 12 desires to enter.
Positional data of the mobile device 12 may also be determined using the wireless access protocol device 216. The wireless access protocol device 216 may be configured to advertise a wireless signal 307. The advertisement is the wireless access protocol device 216 declaring its presence to any nearby listening device and if it is a connectable advertisement it is an opportunity for another device (i.e., nearby mobile device 12) to connect to the wireless access protocol device 216. For example, the wireless signal 307 of the wireless access protocol device 216 may be a Wi-Fi signal. The mobile device 12 is configured to detect the wireless signal 307 and determine a positional data of the mobile device 12 in response to a signal strength of the wireless signal 307.
Positional data of the mobile device 12 may also be determined using the wireless access protocol device 216 and/or the access controls 16 to detect a wireless signal 308 advertised by the mobile device 12. The mobile device 12 may be configured to advertise a wireless signal 308. The advertisement is the mobile device 12 declaring its presence to any nearby listening device and if it is a connectable advertisement it is an opportunity for another device (i.e., access control 16 or wireless access protocol device 216) to detect this advertisement and triangulate the location of the mobile device 12. The wireless access protocol device 216 and/or the access controls 16 are configured to detect the wireless signal 308 and determine a positional data of the mobile device 12 in response to a signal strength of the wireless signal 308.
Wireless signal interaction data between the mobile device 12 and at least one of the access device 16 and the wireless access protocol device 216 may be transmitted to the indoor positioning system 100 to determine positional data and a current location of the mobile device 12. The indoor positioning system 100 may use signal strength detected between the mobile device 12, access controls 16, and the wireless access protocol device 216 to determine positional data of the mobile device 12.
As an individual 10 carrying a mobile device 12 approaches an access control 16, the current location of the mobile device 12 may be tracked to determine when the individual 12 has the intent to enter the access control 16. Intent may be determined by the proximity of the individual 10 to an access control 16, a predicted schedule of the individual 10, past usage of the access control 16 by the individual 10, a direction of travel of the individual 16, an electronic schedule of the individual 10, etc. If the individual 10 has a dedicated office or is a host of a conference room, then the individual 10 can open the door 202 without proximity and/or past schedule once the mobile device 12 has detected the access control 16. Once the individual 10 is determined to intend to enter a specific access control 16, an entrance inquiry notification 11a may be transmitted to the individual 10 inquiring whether the individual 10 desires to enter the access control 16. The entrance inquiry notification 11a may be audible, visual, tactile, or vibratory. The entrance inquire notification 11a may be transmitted to the individual 10 by the mobile device 12 and/or a separate device located proximate the door 202 of the access control 16, such as, for example, the access control 16. The entrance inquire notification 11a may be transmitted by an audio speaker 58 of the mobile device 12 and/or an audio speaker 31 of the access control 16. For example, the entrance inquire notification 11a may be an audible alert from the mobile device 12 stating “Do you desire to enter Door A?” Advantageously, utilizing an audible alert from the mobile device 12 may help visually impaired individuals navigate through an access control system 200.
Following the entrance inquiry notification 11a, the individual 10 may provide an entrance inquiry response 11b that may be verbally provided or entered into the user interface (e.g., input device 50 see
Referring now to
The access control 16 may have essentially two readers, one reader 90 to read a physical key card 92 and the credential module 36 to communicate with the mobile device 12 via the lock processor 30 and the transceiver 28 and antenna 26. In addition to utilizing the mobile device 12 to actuate the access control 16, a physical key card 92 may also be used to actuate the access control 16 by being inserted into the access control 16 for the access control 16 to read the physical key card 92 (e.g. a magnetic strip on an encoded card 92). The physical key card 92 is capable of being encoded with card data, such as, for example, a magnetic strip or RFID chip. The card data may include credentials similar to the digital credential 360 to grant access to a specific access control 16. For example, for a period the mobile device 12 may be granted access to a specific access control 16, such as, for example, a period of stay/employment for the individual possessing the mobile device 12.
The access control 16 is responsive to the digital credential 360 from the mobile device 12, and may, for example, be the lock of a door lock. Upon receiving and authenticating an appropriate digital credential 360 from the mobile device 12 using the credential module 36, or after receiving card data from lock card reader 90, the lock controller 24 commands the lock actuator 22 to lock or unlock a mechanical or electronic lock. The lock controller 24 and the lock actuator 22 may be parts of a single electronic or electromechanical lock unit, or may be components sold or installed separately. In an embodiment, the access control 16 is composed of separate components—a reader (e.g., transceiver 28 and/or antenna 26) at a door 202, a processor 30 that gets the digital credential 360 from the reader, and then a lock actuator 22 that gets a signal from the processor 30 to actuate an electromechanical lock.
The lock transceiver 28 is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from at least one of the mobile device 12, the wireless access protocol device 216, and the other access controls 16. The lock transceiver 28 may, for instance, be a near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth, infrared, ZigBee, or Wi-Fi transceiver, or another appropriate wireless transceiver. The lock antenna 26 is any antenna appropriate to the lock transceiver 28. The lock processor 30 and lock memory 32 are, respectively, data processing, and storage devices. The lock processor 30 may, for instance, be a microprocessor that can process instructions to the validate digital credential 360 and determine the access rights contained in the digital credential 360 or to pass messages from the transceiver 28 to the credential module 36 and to receive a response indication back from the credential module 36. The lock memory 32 may be RAM, EEPROM, or other storage medium where the lock processor 30 can read and write data including but not limited to lock configuration options. The lock power supply 34 is a power source such as line power connection, a power scavenging system, or a battery that powers the lock controller 24. In other embodiments, the lock power supply 34 may only power the lock controller 24, with the lock actuator 22 powered primarily or entirely by another source, such as user work (e.g. turning a bolt).
While
The mobile device 12 generally includes a key antenna 40, a key transceiver 42, a key processor 44, a key memory 46, a GPS receiver 48, an input device 50, an output device 52, a key power supply 54, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor 57, a speaker 58, and a microphone 59. The key transceiver 42 is a transceiver of a type corresponding to the lock transceiver 28, and the key antenna 40 is a corresponding antenna. In some embodiments, the key transceiver 42 and the key antenna 40 may also be used to communicate with the server 14. In other embodiments, one or more separate transceivers and antennas may be included to communicate with server 14. The key memory 46 is of a type to store a plurality of digital credentials 360 locally on the mobile device 12. The mobile device 12 may also include a mobile device application 80. Embodiments disclosed herein, may operate through the mobile device application 80 installed on the mobile device 12. The IMU sensor 57 may be a sensor such as, for example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a similar sensor known to one of skill in the art. The speaker 58 is configured to generate audio sound waves (i.e., audible sound). The microphone 59 is configured to detect audio sound waves (i.e., audible sound).
Referring now to
At block 504, it is determined that the individual 10 intends to actuate an access control 16. It may be determined that the individual 10 intends to actuate an access control 16 by: detecting a location of a mobile device 12 being carried by an individual 10; and determining that the location of the mobile device 12 is located proximate the access control 16 or is enroute to the access control 16.
At block 506, an entrance inquiry notification 11a is transmitted to the individual 10. The entrance inquiry notification 11a may be transmitted to the individual 10 via audio sound waves generated by at least one of the speaker 58 on the mobile device 12 and the speaker 31 on the access control 16. At block 508, an entrance inquiry response 11b is received from the individual 10. The entrance inquiry response 11b may be transmitted by the individual 10 and received by at least one of the microphone 59 on the mobile device 12 and the microphone 33 on the access control 16.
At block 510, an entrance inquiry notification intent 11c is determined in response to the entrance inquiry notification 11b. At block 512, an access request 304 is received from a mobile device 12 being carried by the individual 10 in response to the entrance inquiry notification intent 11c. At block 514, the access control 16 is actuated in response to access request 304. The access control 16 within the method 500 may be a door lock. The method may further comprise: actuating servo 18 to open a door 202 to a room 208, the door 202 being operably connected to the access control 16.
While the above description has described the flow process of
As described above, embodiments can be in the form of processor-implemented processes and devices for practicing those processes, such as a processor. Embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as network cloud storage, SD cards, flash drives, floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes a device for practicing the embodiments. Embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an device for practicing the embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201811042570 | Nov 2018 | IN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2019/057146 | 10/21/2019 | WO | 00 |
