Electronic locking systems, methods, and apparatus
Electronic locking devices, systems, and methods may require the utilization of an electronic key generated by an electronic key generation device. The electronic key may be generated using a data payload received from server and/or an administrative device. The administrative device is enabled to remotely manage the locking device and locking system via, for example, a software application running on the administrative device and/or a website.
1. A method comprising:
receiving, by an electronic key generation device, a data payload from at least one of an administrative device and a server;
receiving, by the electronic key generation device, a first request from a user of the electronic key generation device to generate an electronic key to a tangible locking device;
generating using the data payload, responsive to the received first request, by a processor of the electronic key generation device, the electronic key, wherein the electronic key includes instructions to change a lock state of the tangible locking device, said instructions, when verified by the tangible locking device using the electronic key, enabling automatic locking of the tangible locking device if the tangible locking device is in an unlocked state, or automatic unlocking of the tangible locking device if the tangible locking device is in a locked state;
transmitting, by the electronic key generation device, to the tangible locking device, a second request for an indication of a current state of the tangible locking device, wherein the current state is either the unlocked state or the locked state, and receiving, by the electronic key generation device and from the tangible locking device responsively to the second request, the indication of the current state of the tangible locking device; and
transmitting, by the electronic key generation device, the electronic key to the tangible locking device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic key generation device is at least one of a mobile telephone, a key fob, a mobile communication device, and a portable computer.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first request is received from the user via a software application running on the electronic key generation device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data payload is specific to at least one of the user of the electronic key generation device and the electronic key generation device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generation of the electronic key includes encrypting the data payload.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one administrative device and server are wirelessly coupled to the processor via a communication network.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein electronic key is transmitted from the electronic key generation device to the locking device via a wireless electromagnetic signal.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the wireless electromagnetic signal is at least one of a cellular signal, a radio signal, an ultrasonic signal, an infrared signal, a short-wavelength radio signal, a telecommunication signal, a cellular communication signal, a near-field radio signal, a Bluetooth™ signal, a Bluetooth™ low energy signal, and a Wi-Fi signal.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data payload cannot be transferred from the electronic key generation device to another device.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a message at the electronic key generation device from the tangible locking device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the message is one of a personalized greeting, a status of the locking device, a graphic, a uniform resource locator (URL), and an indication of recent activity at the tangible locking device.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the personalized greeting includes an image.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the image comprises an image of a last individual to lock or unlock the tangible locking device.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the image comprises an image of a user associated with the electronic key.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the data payload and the electronic key is unique to the electronic key generation device.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sharing at least one of the data payload and the electronic key with another electronic key generation device.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the electronic key generation device, from the server, information regarding a status of the tangible locking device.