Building access using a mobile device

Abstract

A mobile device determines a current location based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received from a wireless access point. A wireless access point receives, from a mobile device, a current location of the mobile device and an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device. When it is determined that a current location of a user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door and a wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user having access authority to access through the door, the door is electrically unlocked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to methods of gaining access to a controlled space, and more particularly to methods of using a mobile device in gaining access to a controlled space. Background Art

[0002] Physical access control systems are designed to allow access to buildings and / or specific areas of buildings to individuals who are authorized to enter such areas, and to deny access to buildings and / or specific areas of buildings to individuals who are not authorized to enter such areas. For example, certain individuals may be authorized to enter secure areas of a building, while other individuals may not be allowed to enter secure areas. In another example, certain individuals may be authorized to enter a first building, but not a second building, while other individuals may not be allowed to enter either building. In some cases, access may be granted only during certain times.

[0003] Current methods of physical access control systems typically rely on users (e.g., employees) to carry physical access cards (e.g., physical badges) to gain access to building areas. For example, a user may swipe a physical access card in an access card reader at a security door to gain access to building areas. However, issuing and managing physical access cards can be time consuming, cumbersome, and prone to error. A system that allows a user's mobile device to serve as an access credential for a building access system is desired. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates to providing and / or managing access control, and more specifically to methods and systems for using a user's mobile device as an access credential to enter one or more authorized areas. An example may be present in a method for controlling access through a door of a facility having a door lock that can be electrically locked and unlocked. The illustrative method includes establishing wireless communication between one or more wireless access points and a user's mobile device. The user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points. One or more of the wireless access points wirelessly receive the user's mobile device's current location and an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device from the user's mobile device. The IMEI-based identifier can operate as a user credential. Determine when the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door. Determine when the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door. When the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door and the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door, the door is electrically unlocked.

[0005] Another example may exist in an access control system for controlling access through a door of a facility. The exemplary access control system includes one or more wireless access points, a user's mobile device, and a door lock for locking and unlocking a door of the facility. The user's mobile device is configured to establish wireless communication with one or more of the wireless access points and determine the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points. The user's mobile device is configured to wirelessly transmit the determined current location of the user's mobile device and wirelessly transmit an IMEI-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device. One of the wireless access points is configured to wirelessly receive the current location of the user's mobile device and an IMEI-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device from the user's mobile device. The access controller is operatively coupled to one of the wireless access points and is configured to receive the current location of the user's mobile device and an IMEI-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device. The access controller is configured to determine when a current location of a user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of a door, determine when an IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door, and unlock the door via the door lock when the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door and the IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door.

[0006] Another example may be present in a method of controlling access through a door of a facility having a door lock that can be electrically locked and unlocked. The illustrative method includes establishing wireless communication between one or more wireless 5G millimeter wave routers and a user's mobile device. The user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more wireless 5G millimeter wave routers in the wireless 5G millimeter wave routers. One or more wireless 5G millimeter wave routers in the wireless 5G millimeter wave routers wirelessly receive the current location of the user's mobile device and an IMEI-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device from the user's mobile device. The method includes determining when the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door, and determining when the IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device received wirelessly is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door. When the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door and the IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device received wirelessly is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door, the door is electrically unlocked.

[0007] The above summary is provided to facilitate understanding of some features of the present disclosure, but is not intended to be a complete description. A comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure can be obtained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings and abstract as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure may be more fully understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary access control system;

[0010] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating an illustrative method of controlling access through a door of a facility having an electronically controlled door lock;

[0011] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an illustrative method of controlling access through a door of a facility having an electronically controlled door lock; and

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary access control system.

[0013] Although the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, the details thereof have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the aspects of the present disclosure to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] For the following defined terms, these definitions shall prevail unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.

[0015] Whether or not explicitly indicated, all numerical values ​​are assumed herein to be modified by the term "about". The term "about" generally refers to a range of numbers that one skilled in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many cases, the term "about" may be indicated to include numbers rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0016] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (eg, 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

[0017] While some suitable sizes, ranges and / or values ​​are disclosed in connection with various components, features and / or specifications, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure refers will appreciate that the desired sizes, ranges and / or values ​​may deviate from those explicitly disclosed.

[0018] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and / or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] The following description should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered in the same manner. The accompanying drawings show, by way of example, the manner in which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced. The exemplary embodiments shown are intended to be exemplary only. Unless expressly stated to the contrary, selected features of any exemplary embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment.

[0020] The user's interaction with the access control system can be streamlined using the capabilities provided by the mobile device. For example, in some embodiments, the location service of the mobile device can determine the current location of the mobile device. The location service can use, for example, global positioning system (GPS) signals, cellular signals, ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, WiFi signals, Bluetooth signals, and / or other signals to determine the current location of the mobile device. In another example, the communication service of the mobile device can be used to communicate with one or more remote devices, and to transfer information between the mobile device and one or more remote devices. Therefore, in some cases, instead of physically presenting a card (or other device) to an access reader to gain access to an area or facility, a user can simply move within a specific distance of the door and be automatically presented with the option of unlocking the door. That is, instead of using a "card reader", the embodiments of the present disclosure allow the user's mobile device to perform the function of an access card, sometimes without downloading a corresponding application from an application store. It is conceivable that the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with various entry systems. In some cases, the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with systems with access control card readers (with and / or without Alternatively or in addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with a system that includes only an actuable locking mechanism (e.g., without a card reader).

[0021] The present disclosure as a whole relates to methods and systems for allowing safe access to one or more entry points (e.g., doors, gates, passages, etc.) using a mobile device. It is contemplated that a system may allow a user to use the same mobile device to enter two different buildings with two different access control vendors. In some cases, the buildings may belong to the same entity (e.g., a company and / or enterprise) or the buildings may belong to different entities. Typically, entry points may be marked with geographic locations (e.g., latitude, longitude, and / or altitude) and door names. These entry points may be selectively provided to users via their mobile devices. Actuation of an unlock button on a mobile device may result in unlocking of a door. In some cases, when the mobile device is adjacent to a door, and in some cases, when the mobile device is adjacent to the door and moves in a predetermined manner (i.e., turning toward the door), the door may be automatically unlocked without requiring the user to activate an unlock button, etc., via a user interface of the mobile device.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce the need to issue physical badges to each location or facility that a person (e.g., employee, contractor, maintenance worker, etc.) needs to enter. In some cases, embodiments of the present disclosure may be retrofitted to existing access control systems with and / or without smart reader systems without having to add additional hardware. Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure may streamline or facilitate access requests to facilities and / or locations.

[0023] Figure 1 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an exemplary access control system 10 for controlling access through a door 12 of a facility. The exemplary access control system 10 includes one or more wireless access points 14 (only one is shown), a user's mobile device 16, and a door lock 18 configured to lock and unlock the door 12 of the facility. In some cases, the door lock 18 is configured to be able to lock and unlock electronically. In some cases, the one or more wireless access points 14 include a beacon. In some cases, the one or more wireless access points 14 include a wireless 5G millimeter wave access point (e.g., a wireless 5G millimeter wave router or a 5G cellular tower) or a UWB access point (e.g., a wireless UWB router).

[0024] The user's mobile device 16 includes an operating system 16a, which is configured to determine the current location 16b of the user's mobile device 16, such as through the location service of the operating system 16a. The user's mobile device 16 includes an IMEI-based identifier 16c unique to the user's mobile device 16. In some cases, the IMEI-based identifier 16c is actually the IMEI number of the mobile device 16. In some cases, the IMEI-based identifier 16c can be derived from the IMEI number of the mobile device. For example, in some cases, the IMEI number of the user's mobile device can be hashed with the SIM card serial number of the user's mobile device to derive the IMEI-based identifier 16c. In some cases, the hash value can be encrypted to derive the IMEI-based identifier 16c. These are just examples. In any case, the IMEI-based identifier 16c operates as a user credential for entering the control system. In some cases, the operating system 16a of the user's mobile device 16 can be configured to wirelessly send the determined current location 16b of the user's mobile device 16 and the IMEI-based identifier 16c unique to the user's mobile device 16, without first being prompted by an application running on the user's mobile device 16.

[0025] In some cases, the operating system 16a of the user's mobile device 16 may transmit the current location of the user's mobile device 16 and the IMEI-based identifier 16c only when the user is currently logged into the mobile device 16, or after the user has unlocked the mobile device 16. For example, unlocking the user's mobile device 16 may require entering a pin code, or using biometric information such as facial recognition or thumbprint. In some cases, the user may be required to unlock his mobile device 16 each time the user wishes to enter through a locked door. In some cases, the operating system 16a of the mobile device 16 may transmit the current location of the user's mobile device 16 and the IMEI-based identifier 16c, regardless of whether the user's mobile device 16 is logged in or otherwise unlocked.

[0026] In one embodiment, the user's mobile device 16 is configured to establish wireless communications with one or more of the wireless access points 14, and determine the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received by the user's mobile device 16 from one or more of the wireless access points 14. The one or more signals received by the user's mobile device 16 from one or more of the wireless access points 14 may include, for example, cellular signals, ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, WiFi signals, Bluetooth signals, and / or other signals to help determine the current location of the user's mobile device. In some cases, the location service of the operating system 16a of the user's mobile device 16 may determine the current location of the user's mobile device.

[0027] The user's mobile device 16 is configured to wirelessly transmit the determined current location 16b of the user's mobile device 16 and to wirelessly transmit an IMEI-based identifier 16c unique to the user's mobile device 16. One of the wireless access points 14 is configured to wirelessly receive the current location 16b of the user's mobile device 16 and an IMEI-based identifier 16c unique to the user's mobile device 16 from the user's mobile device 16.

[0028] In the illustrated example, the access control system 10 includes an access controller 20 that is operatively coupled to the one of the wireless access points and is configured to wirelessly receive a current location 16 b of a user's mobile device 16 and an IMEI-based identifier 16 c that is unique to the user's mobile device 16. The access controller 20 is configured to determine when the current location 16 b of the user's mobile device 16 is within a predetermined proximity of the door 12, and to determine when the IMEI-based identifier 16 c of the user's mobile device 16 is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door 12. The access controller 20 is configured to unlock the door 12 via the door lock 18 when the current location 16 b of the user's mobile device 16 is within a predetermined proximity of the door 12 and the IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device 16 is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door 12. In some cases, the entry controller 20 is operably coupled to the one of the wireless access points 14, which is configured to wirelessly receive the current location 16b of the user's mobile device 16 and the IMEI-based identifier 16c unique to the user's mobile device 16 via a network 22 (wired and / or wireless network).

[0029] Figure 2 2 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method 24 for controlling access through an entry point (such as door 12) of a facility having a door lock (such as door lock 18) that can be electrically locked and unlocked. The exemplary method 24 includes establishing wireless communication between one or more wireless access points and a user's mobile device, as shown at box 26. In some cases, the one or more wireless access points include a 5G millimeter wave access point, and the wireless communication includes sending and receiving one or more 5G millimeter wave signals. In some cases, the one or more wireless access points include an ultra-wideband (UWB) access point, and the wireless communication includes sending and receiving one or more UWB signals. In some cases, one or more of the wireless access points may include at least one wireless 5G millimeter wave router. In some cases, one or more of the wireless access points may include at least one wireless 5G cellular tower.

[0030] The user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points, as shown at block 28. In some cases, the user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more 5G millimeter wave signals in the 5G millimeter wave signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points. In some cases, the user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more UWB signals in the UWB signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points. In some cases, the user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more of Bluetooth or Wifi signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points (e.g., beacons).

[0031] One or more of the wireless access points then wirelessly receives the current location of the user's mobile device and an IMEI-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device from the user's mobile device, as shown at block 30. The IMEI-based identifier operates as a user credential. In some cases, the user's mobile device includes an operating system that sends the current location of the user's mobile device and the IMEI-based identifier to one or more of the wireless access points without first being prompted by an application running on the user's mobile device (e.g., without downloading a corresponding application from an application store to the user's mobile device).

[0032] The exemplary method 24 includes determining when a current location of a user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of a door, as shown at block 32. The method 24 includes determining when an IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device, which is wirelessly received, is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door, as shown at block 34. When the current location of the user's mobile device is within the predetermined proximity of the door and the IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device, which is wirelessly received, is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door, the door is electrically unlocked, as shown at block 36. In some cases, electrically unlocking the door may include sending an unlock signal from one of the one or more wireless access points to the door lock. In some cases, when one or more of the wireless access points include a router that communicates with a network of the facility, electrically unlocking the door may include sending an unlock signal from one of the one or more wireless access points that include the router to the door lock across at least a portion of the network of the facility via the router.

[0033] In some cases, one or more of the wireless access points include a router, and one of the wireless access points that includes the router may send one or more of the current location of the user's mobile device and an IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device to an access controller (such as access controller 20) via the router. The access controller may determine when the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door and when the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door. In some cases, electrically unlocking the door includes causing the access controller to send an unlock signal from the access controller to the door lock.

[0034] In some cases, the method 24 includes hashing the IMEI number of the user's mobile device with the sim card serial number of the user's mobile device to form an IMEI-based identifier, as shown at block 38. In some cases, the method 24 may include hashing the IMEI number of the user's mobile device with the sim card serial number of the user's mobile device to obtain a hash value, and then encrypting the hash value to form an IMEI-based identifier, as shown at block 40. These are just examples.

[0035] Figure 3 4 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method 42 for controlling access through an entry point (such as door 12) of a facility having a door lock (such as door lock 18) that can be electrically locked and unlocked. The exemplary method 42 includes establishing wireless communication between one or more wireless 5G mmWave routers and a user's mobile device, as shown at block 44. The user's mobile device determines a current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless 5G mmWave routers, as shown at block 46.

[0036] One or more of the wireless 5G millimeter wave routers wirelessly receive the current location of the user's mobile device and an IMEI-based identifier unique to the user's mobile device from the user's mobile device, as shown at box 48. In some cases, the operating system running on the user's mobile device will send the current location of the user's mobile device and the IMEI-based identifier to one or more of the wireless 5G millimeter wave routers without first being prompted by an application running on the user's mobile device. Determine when the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door, as shown at box 50. In some cases, determining when the current location of the user's mobile device is within the predetermined proximity of the door includes determining when the current location of the user's mobile device remains within the predetermined proximity of the door for at least a threshold period of time. In some cases, determining when the current location of the user's mobile device is within the predetermined proximity of the door includes determining when the current location of the user's mobile device remains within the predetermined proximity of the door for at least a threshold period of time and the user's mobile device moves adjacent to the door in a predetermined manner (i.e., turns toward the door and / or makes some other predetermined gesture adjacent to the door).

[0037] It is also determined when the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door, as shown at block 52. When the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door and the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door, the door is electrically unlocked, as shown at block 54.

[0038] Figure 4is a schematic block diagram showing an exemplary access control system 56. The exemplary access control system 56 can be considered as an example of the access control system 10. The door 58 includes a door lock 60. In some cases, the door lock 60 can be configured to communicate via UWB, 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other suitable wireless protocol. The exemplary access control system 56 includes a door IO box 62, a wireless 5G millimeter wave router 64, a main cloud server 66, and a backup local server 68. Each of the door IO box 62, the wireless 5G millimeter wave router 64, the main cloud server 66, and the backup local server 68 communicates via a network 70. In the example shown, the door IO box 62 provides a wired or wireless connection between the door lock 60 and the network 70. The user holds a mobile device 72. In some cases, the mobile device 72 determines its location, and therefore determines its location relative to the door 58, and transmits its location to the wireless 5G millimeter wave router 64. This information is shared with the main cloud server 66 via the network 70. Assuming the user with the mobile device 72 is close enough to the door 58 (eg, within a predetermined proximity of the door 58 ), and is authorized to gain entry through the door 58 , the master cloud server 66 will instruct the door lock 60 to unlock the door 58 .

[0039] In some cases, the door lock 60 may be wireless. In this case, the IO box 62 is not included. Instead, the mobile device 72 communicates with the wireless 5G millimeter wave router 64, which then communicates directly with the door lock 60. In some cases, the wireless 5G millimeter wave router 64 can track the distance between the user's mobile device 72 and the door 58 by itself, and can decide by itself when to grant access through the door 58. If the door lock 60 is wireless and the wireless 5G millimeter wave router 64 is down, the mobile device 72 may be able to communicate directly with the door lock 60 and unlock the door 58 when appropriate. In some cases, if the main cloud server 66 fails, the backup local server 68 will be occupied. In some cases, when the door lock 60 is wired, and when the wireless 5G millimeter wave router 64 fails, the user's mobile device 72 can communicate directly with the door lock 60, and the door lock 60 will share details with the network 70 and therefore the main cloud server 66 via the door IO box 62. These are just examples.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms other than the specific embodiments described and contemplated herein. Therefore, changes in form and details may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of controlling access through a door of a facility having a door lock that can be electrically locked and unlocked, the method comprising: establishing wireless communications between one or more wireless access points and a user's mobile device; the user's mobile device determining a current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points; one or more of the wireless access points wirelessly receiving from the user's mobile device the current location of the user's mobile device and an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) based identifier unique to the user's mobile device and operating as a user credential; determining when the current location of the user's mobile device is within a predetermined proximity of the door; determining when the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user having access rights to enter through the door; as well as The door is electrically unlocked when the current location of the user's mobile device is within the predetermined proximity of the door and the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user with access rights to enter through the door.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more wireless access points include a 5G millimeter wave access point, and the wireless communication includes sending and receiving one or more 5G millimeter wave signals.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more of the 5G millimeter wave signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless access points include ultra-wideband (UWB) access points, and the wireless communications include sending and receiving one or more UWB signals.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The user's mobile device determines the current location of the user's mobile device based at least in part on one or more characteristics of one or more of the UWB signals received by the user's mobile device from one or more of the wireless access points. 6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein electrically unlocking the door comprises sending an unlock signal from one of the one or more wireless access points to the door lock.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein one or more of the wireless access points include a router in communication with a network of the facility, wherein electrically unlocking the door includes sending the unlock signal to the door lock via the router from one of the one or more wireless access points including the router across at least a portion of the network of the facility.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the wireless access points include a router, and one of the wireless access points that includes the router sends one or more of the current location of the user's mobile device and the IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device to an entry controller via the router, the entry controller determining one or more of: when the current location of the user's mobile device is within the predetermined proximity of the door; when the wirelessly received IMEI-based identifier of the user's mobile device is associated with a user having access rights to enter through the door; and Wherein electrically unlocking the door comprises sending an unlock signal from the access controller to the door lock.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising hashing the IMEI number of the user's mobile device with a SIM card serial number of the user's mobile device to form the IMEI-based identifier.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user's mobile device includes an operating system (OS), the OS sending the current location of the user's mobile device and the IMEI-based identifier to one or more of the wireless access points without first being prompted by an application running on the user's mobile device.

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