Systems and methods for controlling a locking mechanism using a portable electronic device

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for operating a remotely operable lock. In an example embodiment, a method comprises receiving credentials at a web service from a portable electronic device, authenticating the credentials, and based on a successful authentication, issuing a command for receipt by the lock from the web service or the portable electronic device.

1 . A method of operating a remotely operable lock, the method comprising:
 receiving credentials at a web service from a portable electronic device;   authenticating the credentials; and   based on a successful authentication, issuing a command for receipt by the lock from the web service or the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of the credentials at a web service from the portable electronic device includes receiving device credentials relating to the portable electronic device, the device credentials including at least one device credential element selected from a group comprising: GPS coordinates of the device location; a Wifi ID; a Bluetooth ID; a telephone number; SMS address; and pin code. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of the credentials at a web service from the portable electronic device includes receiving lock credentials relating to the lock, the lock credentials including at least one lock credential element selected from a group comprising: GPS coordinates of the lock or an identification tag associated with the lock; WiFi ID; Bluetooth ID; Near Field Communication verification; pin code entry; Quick Response (QR) code recognition; and a timed lock operation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least some of the lock credentials are cached in the portable electronic device, the cached lock credentials allow at least partial authorization of the credentials by the device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying a user of the closest geographically nearby operable lock to the device based on receipt and authentication of the credentials, the geographically nearby operable lock being located within a determinable distance of the device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting proximity of the device to the lock, wherein detecting the proximity of the device to the lock includes use of one or more of the following elements in a group comprising: reading a tag located proximately to and associated with the lock; GPS coordinates of the lock; GPS coordinates of the device; detection of a network; Near Field Communication verification; pin code entry; Quick Response (QR) code recognition; and, a timed lock operation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the detecting of the proximity of the device to the lock launches a software application on the device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising providing the lock software application, associated with the web service, for installation on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the software application is further to notify the web service of the proximity of the device to the lock and the credentials upon launch. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein detecting the proximity of the device to the lock includes providing a tag located proximately to and associated with the lock. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving a signal at the web service that the tag has been read by the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tag is a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, or is encoded with a software application Universal Resource Indicator (URI). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tag is encoded with a unique code, the unique code forming at least part of the credentials. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising controlling the lock in response to a command issued by the web service or portable electronic device using a lock server in communication with the web service or portable electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising sending the command to the lock using a wireless remote unit or relay control circuit in communication with the lock server. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising placing the door lock server in communication with the web service using a user's internet service. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising notifying a user that the lock server is not in communication with the web service in response to a failed receipt by the lock of the command. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using a remotely operable lock and notifying the user of successful actuation of the lock in response to the command. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the command issued by the web service for receipt by the lock is based on an input received at the portable electronic device from a user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the command issued by the web service for receipt by the lock is based on input provided by the user using a software application installed on the portable electronic device, and wherein the command is one of the commands selected from a group of commands comprising: lock; unlock; timed lock request; timed unlock request; and toggle lock/unlock request. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the command is associated with a customized lock operation scenario. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the credentials include a unique code associated with a user of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising issuing a further unique code associated with another user of the lock. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein authenticating the credentials includes use of one or more of the following elements in a group comprising: GPS coordinates; detection of a network; Near Field Communication verification; pin code entry; Quick Response (QR) code recognition; and a timed entry. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a connectivity component in the remotely operable lock for connectivity with a network, and issuing the command for receipt by the lock at least via the network. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing pairing of the lock with a web-enabled portable electronic device, and issuing the command for receipt by the lock at least via an internet connection established by the web-enabled portable electronic device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising receiving the credentials or a user command from the portable electronic device at least via the internet connection. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a vibration sensor for detecting vibration of the lock or a door associated with the lock, and receiving a signal at least initiated by the vibration sensor. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the credentials from the portable electronic device as a text (SMS) message. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a command as a text (SMS) message from a user's portable electronic device and basing the command for receipt by the lock on the texted command. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an online account at the web service for a user. 
     
     
         32 . A system for operating a remotely operable lock, the system comprising:
 a web service to:
 receive credentials from a portable electronic device; 
 authenticate the received credentials; and 
 issue a command for receipt by the lock upon successful authentication of the credentials. 
   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising a tag located on or adjacent the lock and associated with the lock, the tag to allow the portable electronic device to identify or receive credentials from the tag.