Mobile Key Agent Mediator for Secure Booking Reference Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Booking agents face the challenge of distributing mobile keys for physical space access without revealing user contact details to property owners, as existing methods require sharing this information for key distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a mobile key agent receives a booking signal from a booking agent, generates or obtains a system booking reference, and establishes contact with a mobile key repository to transmit a key allocation command to an electronic access control system, allowing mobile key distribution without sharing user identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contact details are shared for mobile key distribution, then key distribution is enabled, but the booking agent loses control over user communication and commercial relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a property management system as an intermediary between the booking agent and the user. The PMS receives mobile key distribution requests from the booking agent using only a booking reference, generates the actual mobile keys, and delivers them to users through alternative channels (email, SMS, or direct app download). This intermediary architecture enables complete mobile key distribution functionality while preventing the booking agent from accessing or sharing user contact details, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and information confidentiality.
2Device complexity
If a direct connection is established between booking agent and property owner for key distribution, then key distribution is simplified, but the booking agent's commercial interface is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mobile key distribution process into distinct functional modules: (1) booking reference exchange between booking agent and PMS, (2) mobile key generation by PMS, (3) key delivery to user through multiple channel options, and (4) key validation by electronic locks. This segmentation allows the booking agent to maintain a simple interface while the PMS handles the complex key distribution logistics, preserving commercial relationship flexibility without sacrificing distribution simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The property management system serves as a mediator that absorbs the complexity of mobile key distribution infrastructure. The booking agent only needs to send booking references and receive confirmation, while the PMS manages key generation, storage, delivery, and revocation. This intermediary architecture decouples the commercial interface from the technical complexity, allowing the booking agent to maintain versatility in commercial relationships while the system handles distribution complexity centrally.
3Productivity
If user identifiers are shared with property owner, then mobile key allocation is streamlined, but the booking agent cannot maintain commercial control
Solution Approach 1:
The property management system acts as a reliable intermediary that maintains commercial relationship stability while ensuring efficient key allocation. The PMS receives booking references from the booking agent, uses these references to retrieve user information from its own databases, generates mobile keys, and delivers them to users. This intermediary role ensures that the booking agent never needs to share user identifiers with the property owner, maintaining commercial control, while the PMS's internal processes ensure efficient and reliable key allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses booking references as copies or proxies for user identification. Instead of requiring actual user identifiers (names, email addresses, phone numbers) to be shared between booking agent and property owner, the system creates and exchanges booking reference codes that uniquely identify bookings without exposing personal information. These reference copies enable all necessary lookups, key generation, and delivery operations while preserving the confidentiality of user identifiers and maintaining commercial relationship stability.
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided a method for enabling distribution of a mobile key for obtaining access to a physical space. The method is performed in a mobile key agent and comprises the steps of: receiving a booking signal from a booking agent, the booking signal being associated with a booking of physical space, wherein the booking signal comprises a property identifier, an allocation time, and a name of the user; obtaining a system booking reference associated with the booking of physical space; providing the system booking reference to the booking agent; establishing contact with the mobile key repository, yielding an identifier of the mobile key repository; receiving a space allocation message comprising an identifier of a physical space and the system booking reference; and transmitting a key allocation command to an electronic access control system associated with the property, the key allocation command comprising the identifier of the mobile key repository, the identifier of the physical space and the allocation time.