Access management system

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for remotely managing access to an area. An access management platform, which can be an electronic lock that is installed on, e.g., a door of a house, can enable a user to establish a virtual presence at the door. In one example a delivery person activates a doorbell button icon of the access management platform, which sends a message to a smartphone of the owner of the platform. The owner, who is at work, uses his smartphone to initiate a video stream using a camera of the platform, and a two way audio stream. The owner sees and initiates a discussion with the delivery person. The owner uses his smartphone to unlock the door, and asks the delivery person to open the door and deliver the package inside. The owner uses his smartphone to capture his signature to acknowledge the delivery.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A door management platform comprising:
 a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor;   a wireless communication interface coupled to the processor;   an input device coupled to the processor;   an output device coupled to the processor;   a locking mechanism; and   a motor coupled to the processor and to the locking mechanism,   wherein the door management platform is configured to communicate, via the wireless communication interface, with an autonomous vehicle,   wherein the door management platform is configured to authenticate the autonomous vehicle, and   wherein the door management platform is configured to unlock the door management platform in response to the authentication of the autonomous vehicle to enable the autonomous vehicle to deliver an item to an area protected by the door management platform.   
     
     
         2 . The door management platform of  claim 1 , wherein the input device is a microphone and the output device is a speaker, further comprising:
 a camera coupled to the processor,   wherein the door management platform is configured to send, via the wireless communication interface, a real-time video stream from the camera to a computing device of an administrator of the door management platform, and   wherein the door management platform is configured to provide, via the wireless communication interface, a two-way real-time audio connection between the door management platform and the computing device of the administrator, the two-way real-time audio connection being facilitated by the microphone and the speaker.   
     
     
         3 . The door management platform of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the area protected by the door management platform is an area, inside of an object that includes any of a door, gate, lid, or drawer, to which access is restricted by the door, gate, lid or drawer, and wherein the door management platform is installed in the door gate, lid, or drawer, or   wherein the area protected by the door management platform is a fenced in area to which access is restricted by a gate that is part of a fence that bounds a portion of the fenced in area, and wherein the door management platform is installed in the gate.   
     
     
         4 . The door management platform of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is an assembly of moving parts that enables any of a door, gate, lid, or drawer in which the locking mechanism is installed to be secured in a closed position. 
     
     
         5 . A door management platform comprising:
 a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor;   a communication interface coupled to the processor;   an input device coupled to the processor;   an output device coupled to the processor;   a locking mechanism; and   a motor coupled to the processor and to the locking mechanism,   wherein the door management platform is configured to send, via the communication interface, data entered via the input device to a server to enable the server to identify a company associated with a person requesting access to an area protected by the door management platform.   wherein the door management platform is configured to enable two-way real-time communication, via the communication interface, between the door management platform and a computing device of an administrator of the door management platform to enable the administrator and the person requesting access to be able to communicate, the two-way real-time communication being facilitated by the output device, and   wherein the door management platform is configured to lock or unlock the door management platform in response to a message from the computing device of the administrator that indicates to lock or unlock the door management platform.   
     
     
         6 . The door management platform of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the input device is a keypad, and   wherein the door management platform being configured to send the data to the server includes being configured to send a code entered at the keypad to the server to enable the server to identify the company based on the code.   
     
     
         7 . The door management platform of  claim 6 , wherein the door management platform being configured to send the code entered at the keypad includes being configured to send the code entered at the keypad to enable the server to communicate with a computing system of the company to enable the server to determine whether the company has a delivery scheduled at a location associated with the door management platform. 
     
     
         8 . The door management platform of  claim 7 , wherein the door management platform being configured to send the code entered at the keypad includes being configured to send the code entered at the keypad to enable the server to receive identifying information of a delivery person that is to make the delivery scheduled at the location. 
     
     
         9 . The door management platform of  claim 7 , wherein the location is an address that was registered in association with a purchase of the door management platform.