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 or a request at a web service from a portable electronic device having a high-powered radio for communicating with the web service and a low-powered radio for communicating directly with the remotely operable lock or indirectly with the web service, in respective high-power and low-power communication channels;   securing a connection between the web service and the remotely operable lock allowing bidirectional communications between the web service and the remotely operable lock;   the securing including
 encrypting the high-power or the low-power channels using encryption data decryptable by the web service and the remotely operable lock but not decryptable by the portable electronic device; 
   authenticating the credentials or the request; and   based on a successful authentication, issuing a secure command for receipt by the lock through the portable electronic device, the secure command including at least some of the encrypted data and further including a command to change or query either the status of the lock or data on the lock without requiring further authentication by the lock from the web service.   
     
     
         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 lock software application on the device. 
     
     
         8 . A system for operating a remotely operable lock, the system comprising:
 a web service to:
 receive credentials or a request from a portable electronic device having a high-powered radio for communicating with the web service and a low-powered radio for communicating directly with the remotely operable lock or indirectly with the web service, in respective high-power and low-power communication channels; 
 authenticate the received credentials or request; 
 the system further including
 an encryption module executing on at least one computer processor to:
 secure a connection between the web service and the remotely operable lock allowing bidirectional communications between the web service and the remotely operable lock; the securing including encrypting the high-power or the low-power channels using encryption data decryptable by the web service and the remotely operable lock but not decryptable by the portable electronic device; and 
 
 a command module to:
 issue a secure command, based on a successful authentication, for receipt by the lock through the portable electronic device, the secure command including at least some of the encrypted data and further including a command to change or query either the status of the lock or data on the lock without requiring further authentication by the lock from the web service. 
 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , 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.