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 authenticating, at a web service, credentials received from a portable electronic device, detecting the proximity of the portable electronic device to the lock, and issuing a command for receipt by the lock from the web service or portable electronic device.

1 . A method of operating a remotely operable lock, the method comprising:
 authenticating, at a web service, credentials received from a portable electronic device;   detecting the proximity of the portable electronic device to the lock; and   issuing a command for receipt by the lock from the web service or portable electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authenticating of the received credentials includes an initial authentication of the portable electronic device to allow the portable electronic device to communicate directly with the lock and issue a command for receipt by the lock. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least some credentials are cached in the portable electronic device to allow at least partial authorization of credentials by the device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the credentials include at least one 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. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received credentials include device credentials relating to the portable electronic device, the received 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. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received credentials include 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. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying a user of the identity of the lock based on authentication of the received credentials. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying a user of a lock to select for operation, or the nearest operable lock, based on the user's geo-location. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the proximity of the device to the lock automatically launches a software application installed on the device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the software application is a third party application. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an application programming interface (API) for integrating third party software with the web service to allow an associated portable electronic device to operate the lock or communicate with the web service. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , 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 using the software application installed on the device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the issued 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. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the software application is a lock software application, associated with the web service, for installation on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein detecting the proximity of the device to the lock includes providing a tag located proximately to and associated with the lock, the tag to be read by the portable electronic device to launch the software application. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising receiving a signal that the tag has been read by the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tag is a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, or is encoded with a software application Universal Resource Indicator (URI). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tag is encoded with a unique code, the unique code forming at least part of the credentials. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the remotely operable lock to connect to a network, and issuing the command for receipt by the lock at least via the network. 
     
     
         21 . 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. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an accessory component in association with the lock, the component to integrate or communicate with the lock, the web service or a user to at least assist in operating the lock. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the accessory component is a component selected from the group comprising: lock power component; lock operation component; lock server; connectivity component; pin or command entry keypad; presence detector; vibration sensor; doormat; doorbell; and video or still camera. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the connectivity component is a component selected from the group of components comprising: Bluetooth™; Radio Frequency (RF); WiFi; internet; infrared; and piezo-electric. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the accessory component has a passive and an active state, and wherein detecting the proximity of the portable electronic device to the lock triggers the accessory component into its active state, or causes the component to perform an operation. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein detecting the proximity of the portable electronic device to the lock includes notifying a user that the accessory component is not in integration or communication with the lock or the web service in response to a failed receipt by the lock of the command. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using a remotely operable lock and notifying a user of successful actuation of the lock in response to the command. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the command is associated with a customized lock operation. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying a first user of an attempt or request to operate the lock by a second user. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising authenticating credentials received from the first user in response to the notification, and receiving a command from the first user to actuate the lock. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the credentials from the portable electronic device as a text (SMS) message. 
     
     
         32 . 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. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an online account at the web service for a user. 
     
     
         34 . A system for operating a remotely operable lock, the system comprising:
 a web service to:
 detect the proximity of a portable electronic device to the lock; 
 authenticate credentials received from the portable electronic device; and 
 issue a command for receipt by the lock based on a successful authentication. 
   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , 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. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the web service is further to communicate with a software application installed on the portable electronic device, the application to allow communication of credentials or commands from the portable electronic device to the web service. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein detecting the proximity of the portable electronic device to the lock automatically launches the software application.