Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to electronic access control. An electronic key can access a set of one or more electronic locks according to scheduled access permissions. Access schedules may define one or more authorized time periods during which access to an electronic lock is permitted. Access schedules can be generated based on user input received via a user interface. A key configuration corresponding to an access schedule is transmitted from a server to the electronic key. The set of electronic locks includes at least one lock designated as a conditional access lock. The conditional access lock is associated with access control information including at least one of environment data or personnel data. Responsive to determining that the access control information does not meet one or more criteria, the server automatically adjusts access schedules and generates a corresponding key configuration for the electronic key.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to enhanced access control features based on proximity between a portable electronic key and an electronic locking device. The portable electronic key receives first authentication information from an access administration device. Based on the portable electronic key being located within a threshold distance to the electronic locking device, the portable electronic key receives second authentication information from the access administration device. In some aspects, determining whether the key is located within the threshold distance to the electronic locking device comprises detecting a communication between the locking device and the portable electronic key. The portable electronic key may initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device based on the first authentication information and the second authentication information.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to administration of access credentials for electronic access control are disclosed. Web resources are provided for rendering a webpage including an access credential. A server device receives an access instruction authorizing a user to access an electronic lock associated with the access credential. A client device of the user transmits a first request for the access credential. The first request may be generated by a browser application of the client device. The server device provides the web resources and a browser cookie to the client device. Responsive to subsequent requests for the access credential, the server device determines whether the client device is authorized to receive the access credential based on the client device providing the browser cookie. When the server device determines that a subsequent request authorizes the client device to receive the access credential, the web resources are provided to the browser application.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for administering access to resources in an access control system. In one implementation, the access control system comprises an electronic lock for restricting access to a resource. An electronic key can deliver a signal based on an access credential to the electronic lock to initiate an unlocking event for facilitating access to the resource. An access validation engine can process access control information related to access conditions. Access to resources may be granted according to scheduled access permissions. In other aspects, access to resources can be granted based on access conditions. The access validation engine can evaluate whether access to a resource is authorized based on a determination that one or more access conditions are satisfied. An unlocking signal can be delivered to the electronic lock in response to a determination that the one or more access conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to administration of authentication information for electronic access control are disclosed. Authentication information is conveyed to an electronic locking device configured to restrict access to an entry point. In various embodiments, a smart device comprises a display screen for presenting a machine-readable optical code comprising encoded authentication information. An image sensor of the electronic locking device can decode the machine-readable optical code to obtain the authentication information. The electronic locking device is configured to permit access to the entry point in response to the image sensor detecting a machine-readable optical code corresponding to an access credential. A server device can provide authentication information to the smart device based on an access criterion. Conveying authentication information to the locking device may include rendering a webpage comprising the machine-readable optical code corresponding to the access credential.

Abstract: Vending machine circuitry adapted to interface with vending machine electronics so as to provide data communications between a handheld device, preferably a wireless handheld device operated by a potential consumer, and the vending machine electronics, with the handheld device providing the network communications connectivity for transmitting and receiving information to and from remote data centers, data bases, and/or servers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a computer-implemented method of providing an interactive avatar that reacts to a communication from a communicating party. Data from an avatar characteristic table is provided to an avatar action model, where the avatar characteristic table is a data structure stored on a computer-readable medium that includes values for a plurality of avatar personality characteristics. A communication with the avatar is received from the communicating party. A next state for the avatar is determined using the avatar action model, where the avatar action model determines the next state based on the data from the avatar characteristic table, a current state for the avatar, and the communication. The next state for the avatar is implemented, and the avatar characteristic table is updated based on the communication from the communicating party, where a subsequent state for the avatar is determined based on the updated avatar characteristic table.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to the processing of information associated with a user of a portable electronic key to limit use of the key by unauthorized persons. The portable electronic key includes an input device configured to receive user input information from a holder of the key. A user verification procedure is performed based on the user input information. The user input information can include biometric information associated with the holder of the key. The user verification procedure includes a determination that the user input information corresponds to authorized user information stored in a memory of the key. Based in part on execution of the user verification procedure, the portable electronic key can be configured to initiate an unlocking event at an entry point.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to communication of authentication information in an access control system are disclosed. The authentication information is transmitted to an electronic locking device configured to restrict access to an entry point of the access control system. In various embodiments, a smart device comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) and a wireless networking radio for exchanging access control information with a remote server. The smart device may receive information from the remote server that configures the LED to present authentication information as an optical signal. According to various embodiments, the smart device may comprise a user interface display. Presentation of the authentication information may include rendering a webpage comprising a dynamic visual feature that changes visual content appearing on the user interface display so as to convey the authentication information as the optical signal emitted by the user interface display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices relating to administration of a portable electronic key are disclosed. The portable electronic key is configured for controlling access to an electronic locking device. A motion detection sensor detects a movement of the portable electronic key. Based on the movement of the key, a wireless communications link is established between the portable electronic key and an access administration device for exchanging messages related to access control information.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to communication of authentication information in an access control system. Authentication information is transmitted to an electronic locking device configured to restrict access to an entry point of the access control system. A smart device comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) and a wireless networking radio for exchanging access control information with a remote server. The smart device may receive information from the remote server that configures the LED to present authentication information as an optical signal. The electronic locking device may comprise a photodetector arranged to receive the optical signal. According to various embodiments, the smart device may comprise a user interface display.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to remote administration of a portable electronic key. An activation signal may be delivered to wireless communications circuitry of the portable electronic key to enable the key to perform one or more tasks. A smart device can receive information related to the activation signal from a server device. The smart device may deliver the activation signal to the portable electronic key via a wireless communications link established in accordance with a wireless networking standardized communications protocol. A user verification procedure may be performed at one of the portable electronic key and the smart device. The user verification procedure may indicate if a holder of the portable electronic key is authorized to use the key. Delivery of the activation signal may be initiated in response to completion of the user verification procedure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems, and devices for communication of authentication information in an access control system. The authentication information may be transmitted to an electronic locking device configured to restrict access to an entry point of the access control system. In various embodiments, a smart device comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) and a wireless networking radio for exchanging access control information with a remote server. The smart device may receive information from the remote server that configures the LED to present authentication information as an optical signal. The electronic locking device may comprise a photodetector arranged to confront a user holding the smart device so as to receive an optical signal emitted by the smart device. According to various embodiments, the electronic locking device may be configured to respond to the authentication information conveyed by the optical signal by unlocking the entry point.

Abstract: A portable electronic key for use with an electronic locking device comprises a wireless communications module, a processor, and a software application configured to transmit, receive, and respond to electronic messages related to access control information. The electronic messages are formatted according to a request-response protocol. The wireless communications module is configured to use a standardized communication protocol to establish a wireless communications link with a networking device operably associated with a remote administration device located away from the portable electronic key. The software application periodically exchanges, via the wireless communications link, request-response messages related to access control information with a server application of the remote administration device.

Abstract: Vending machine circuitry adapted to interface with vending machine electronics so as to provide data communications between a handheld device, preferably a wireless handheld device operated by a potential consumer, and the vending machine electronics, with the handheld device providing the network communications connectivity for transmitting and receiving information to and from remote data centers, data bases, and/or servers.