Abstract: An electronic system including a mobile device that communicates with a reader device. In one embodiment, the mobile device may be configured as a mobile phone and the reader device may be configured as an electronic reader associated with an electronic lock. One or more devices in the system may determine the position of the mobile device in relation to the reader device, and cause an electronic lock or another type of access control device to perform a selected function based at least in part on the position of the mobile device in relation to the reader device.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving, by an access control device, a credential token from a mobile device, wherein the credential token includes an access credential, a credential identifier, and a caveat that instructs the access control device to perform an associated action, determining, by the access control device, a credential type associated with the access credential based on the credential identifier, determining, by the access control device, a set of caveat rules associated with the credential type, wherein the set of caveat rules identifies one or more actions authorized for an access credential of the credential type, and performing, by the access control device, the associated action identified by the caveat in response to a determination that the associated action is an action authorized by the set of caveat rules associated with the credential type.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment pertains to a method of operating an electronic lockset during a plurality of iterations of a recurring period of time, wherein the electronic lockset includes a first electronic component. The method generally includes generating a usage score for the electronic component based on usage of the electronic lockset during the first iteration of the recurring period of time, selecting a schedule for the electronic component based on the first usage score, and during a second iteration of the recurring period of time occurring after the first iteration of the recurring period of time, operating the electronic component operating according to the selected schedule.

Abstract: A peripheral controller for an access control system according to one embodiment includes a reader interface, a Power over Ethernet circuit, a processor, and a memory. The reader interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to at least one credential reader. The Power over Ethernet (PoE) circuit is configured to receive power over an Ethernet cable for powering the peripheral controller. The memory includes a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, causes the peripheral controller to analyze credential data received via the reader interface make an access control decision based on the analyzed credential data.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving, by an access control device, access control data from a server, storing the received access control data to a no tour database stored in a memory of the access control device, determining a credential device has been presented to a credential reader associated with the access control device, and transmitting the stored access control data to the credential device in response to determining the credential device has been presented to the credential reader and prior to communication with the server.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment pertains to a method of operating an electronic lockset during a plurality of iterations of a recurring period of time, wherein the electronic lockset includes a first electronic component. The method generally includes generating a usage score for the electronic component based on usage of the electronic lockset during the first iteration of the recurring period of time, selecting a schedule for the electronic component based on the first usage score, and during a second iteration of the recurring period of time occurring after the first iteration of the recurring period of time, operating the electronic component operating according to the selected schedule.

Abstract: A door closer assembly for an entryway device having a position sensor that assists in determining the location of the door closer assembly, and thus the location of the associated entryway device, relative to at least an entryway. The position sensor can be coupled to, and/or part of, the door closer assembly. Information obtained by the position sensor may be used by one or processing devices of an access control system to determine whether the door closer assembly and/or the entryway device is at the closed location, among other locations, as well as the direction(s) of displacement of the entryway device. Such information may be utilized in calibrating other devices, as well as determining the occurrence of a number of events, including unauthorized displacement or holding of the entryway device. A timer may also be utilized to further evaluate the nature of the displacement of the entryway device.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes transmitting a wireless power signal from an electrical device connected to line power, receiving the wireless power signal at an electronic access control device, and operating the electronic access control device using electrical power harvested from the wireless power signal. In certain forms, the method further includes adjusting an orientation of the antenna by which the wireless power signal is transmitted.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes determining, by an access control device that controls access to a passageway, a location of a mobile device relative to the access control device based on a signal distance traveled and an angle of arrival of a signal received by the access control device from the mobile device, determining whether the location of the mobile device relative to the access control device is a location that indicates an intent of the user of the mobile device to access the passageway, and unlocking a lock mechanism of the access control device in response to a determination that the location of the mobile device relative to the access control device indicates that the user intends to access the passageway.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes operating an access control device in a standalone mode, which involves controlling a locked/unlocked state of the access control device locally, and operating a wireless transceiver of the access control device in a lower-power state in which the wireless transceiver is operable to receive a lockdown signal from an external device. The method further includes operating the access control device in a networked lockdown mode in response to receiving the lockdown signal from the external device. Operating the access control device in the networked lockdown mode involves placing the access control device in a locked state, establishing a wireless communication connection with the external device via the wireless transceiver while operating the wireless transceiver in a higher-power state.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving, by an access control device, access control data from a server, storing the received access control data to a no tour database stored in a memory of the access control device, determining a credential device has been presented to a credential reader associated with the access control device, and transmitting the stored access control data to the credential device in response to determining the credential device has been presented to the credential reader and prior to communication with the server.

Abstract: A connecting device operating as a gateway in communicating information to a lock device using a first bandwidth wireless communication protocol, and which also operates temporarily as an access point for communicating other information with the lock device using a second bandwidth wireless communication protocol. Temporary, random credentials may be used to establish a one-time connection with the connecting device via the access point. Upon completion of the transfer of information using the second bandwidth wireless communication protocol, the access point may be terminated, and the generated credentials may become obsolete. The server may also attempt to balance a load on the server by scheduling the timing of at least certain types of communications to lock device based on matching periods of time in which usage of the lock device is low with times that would allow for a balance of the load on the server.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a wireless power transmitter in power communication with a power supply, and a wirelessly-powered electronic device powered by the wireless power transmitter. The wirelessly-powered electronic device includes a wireless power receiver and an electronic device in power communication with the wireless power receiver, and may further include an energy storage device. During operation, the transmitter transmits electromagnetic radiation to the receiver, which in turn converts the electromagnetic radiation to electricity that is utilized by the electronic device. In certain embodiments, the transmitter is provided as an infrared laser.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application generally relate to controlling ingress/egress through entryway devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present invention relate to attaining confirmation of intent relating to access to a controlled opening. According to certain embodiments, the credential device and/or the user of the credential device is prompted to provide a response, or otherwise is to perform certain actions, that can demonstrate a confirmation of intent to gain access to the controlled opening. Such responses and/or actions can be evaluated to determine authority to gain access to the controlled opening. Further, such intent confirmation events may, depending on the embodiment, be performed before or after credential information is communicated from the credential device and/or before or after pairing of the access control device and the credential device.

Abstract: A electronic lock system and method including an electronic lock, a mobile device and/or a wireless device. The electronic lock is capable of sending a message to the mobile device via wireless communication and/or to the wireless device based on a triggering event. The mobile device and/or the wireless device may in turn perform an action based on the received message. In one embodiment, the electronic lock, the mobile device the wireless device communicate with one another wirelessly via Bluetooth communication.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus includes a sensor, control circuitry, and an alert mechanism. The sensor is configured to sense one or more users entering a passageway. The control circuitry in communication with the sensor and a credential reader, and is configured to count a number of the one or more users entering the passageway, to count a number of authorized credentials presented to the credential reader, and to transmit an alert signal based upon the number of the one or more users and the number of authorized credentials. The alert mechanism in communication with the control circuitry, and is configured to perform an alert operation in response to the alert signal.

Abstract: An access control system and methods according to at least one embodiment leverage wireless access credentials to allow a user to securely gain access to a secured area using his or her mobile device. As such, a credentialed mobile device may permit access to the secured area without requiring a real-time connection to a credential management system and/or an administrative system.

Abstract: An access control system including a data storage device configured to store a master credential database having a plurality of master identifiers and master status codes, an access control device having a local credential database including a plurality of local identifiers, and an electronic credential including a credential identifier. The access control device is configured to receive the credential identifier from the electronic credential, to determine whether to perform an update based upon the local status code associated with the local identifier of the credential identifier, and to update data in the local credential database with data in the master credential database by way of communication with the data storage device in response to the determining.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a network access control system that includes a server encrypting a first identifier that can be related to a registered user and communicating the encrypted first identifier to the mobile device. The lock device receives, from the mobile device, a first data set that includes at least the encrypted first identifier. The lock device may encrypt the first data set to generate a second data set and communicates the encrypted second data set to the mobile device. The server receives a third data set that includes at least the encrypted second data set and a second identifier that can also be related to the registered user. The server extracts from the communicated third data set the first and second identifiers, and the extracted first and second identifiers are compared to verify that the second identifier is indeed related to the first identifier.