Geo-Location Estimate (GLE) Sensitive Physical Access Control Methods of Operation

Abstract

A method operates a server that is coupled to a network controlling door actuators at physical geo-locations. The server receives through a wireless communication network a request to enable physical access at a portal using a secure channel and a geo-location estimate from a mobile device. A circuit of the mobile device receives radio signal magnitude, phase, and power from at least one transmitter and authentication input from a user interface. Dual secured communications paths protect the server on its separately provisioned request channel and actuator command channel. Each legacy electronically controlled access portal is enabled to support smartphones without installing a replacement multi-band radio frequency reader at the geo-location.

1 . A method for operating a physical access control server comprising:
 receiving a Geo-Location Estimate (GLE) coordinate and identity from a mobile wireless device;   verifying that the user is permitted to traverse a physical access portal within a range of the GLE coordinate according to a rule;   acknowledging a successful enablement; and   transmitting an actuation command to an actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 presenting a webpage to a browser to receive an identity and GLE coordinate. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 emulating an NFR/RFID keycard resonator/reader to an access control panel. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method for operation of an Access Control Cloud Server (Server) that controls an actuator operative on a portal responsive to requests from mobile wireless devices, the method comprising:
 receiving and storing authentication keys from an App Store for each instance of an installed access control app;   receiving via a cellular network an access control request from the Access Control App which contains an authenticated user id, a Geo-Location Estimate (GLE) coordinate, and a timestamp;   determining that a user associated with the installed access control app is allowed access at a geo-location area portal, according to a rule; and   transmitting an encrypted access actuator command to an actuator within a specified area bounding the GLE coordinate of the access request, wherein the Access Control App is signed by a Certificate Authority (CA).