Electronic access control and location tracking system

Abstract

A method and system in a first embodiment that allows authorized individuals access into controlled access locations and the ability to grant temporary and limited access to guests into these locations. The method and system allow for navigational services to be provided to members and guests, and real-time tracking and confirmation to members and administrators that guests have arrived at their destination and did not enter any unauthorized areas. The method preferably can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with member and guest's electronic devices. Members and administrators can send one or more temporary electronic access keys to a guest's smartphone or other electronic device. Wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons provide an access control and location tracking system with real-time data about the member and guest whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking. A system and method in a second embodiment for identifying a customer's location within a facility or place of business, such as, but not limited to a casino. The system and method provide notification to company representatives upon arrival of the customer at the given location. Additionally, the method and system allow for navigational services to be provided to customers, and real-time location determination, location tracking and confirmation to customers of location and rewards program status. The disclosed method and system can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with the customer's smartphone, computer system, or other electronic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic method for determining when an individual is present within a geographical area, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) wirelessly transmitting electronic data from a portable electronic device to a particular beacon from a plurality of beacons located in the geographical area that is in communication range with the portable electronic device; wherein the portable electronic device belongs to an individual who carries the portable electronic device or has the portable electronic device on his or her person while the individual is located in the geographical range; and   (b) transmitting the received electronic data by the particular beacon to a tracking computer system.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of determining a current location of the individual within the geographical area by the tracking computer system based on the electronic data and a location of the particular beacon within the communication range. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic method of  claim 2  wherein the location of the particular beacon is selected for determining the current location of the individual where a signal strength between the particular beacon and the portable electronic device is above a predetermined percentage or threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of storing or saving electronic data representing the current location for the individual in a tracking electronic database, the tracking electronic database in communication with the tracking computer system. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic method of  claim 1  wherein each beacon of said plurality of beacons is a wireless radio, sound or light-based beacon. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of sending an electronic notification by the tracking computer system to a designated person based on permissions information for the individual stored in a tracking electronic database when the tracking computer determines that the individual is present within the geographical area based on the electronic data received from the at least one beacon. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic method of  claim 1  wherein the electronic notification informs the designated of a presence of the individual within the geographical area. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of periodically automatically determining a then current location for the individual within the geographical area and updating the tracking electronic database with any changes in location by the individual within the geographical area. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic system for determining or tracking a current location for an individual within a geographical area, said system comprising:
 an identification and location tracking computer specifically programmed to monitor, track and determine current locations of an individual within a geographical area;   an identification and location tracking electronic database storing any permissions information for the individual, the electronic database in electronic communication with the tracking computer;   at least one beacon located within the geographical area; said at least one beacon in electronic communication with the tracking computer; and   a portable electronic device specifically programmed with a software application for permitting electronic wireless communication between the portable electronic device and the at least one beacon, the portable electronic device carried by or on the person of the individual when the individual travels or is present within the geographical area;   wherein when the individual is in a communication range of the at least one beacon, said portable electronic device transmits electronic data to the at least one beacon and said at least beacon transmits the electronic data to the tracking computer to allow the tracking computer to determine the current location of the individual within the geographical area.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic system of  claim 9  wherein electronic information representing the current location of the individual is stored within the tracking electronic database by the tracking computer. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic system of  claim 9  wherein each beacon of said at least one beacon is a wireless radio, sound or light-based beacon. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic system of  claim 9  wherein the tracking computer is programmed to send an electronic notification to a designated person based on permissions information for the individual stored in the tracking electronic database when the tracking computer determines that the individual is present within the geographical area based on the electronic data received from the at least one beacon. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic system of  claim 12  wherein the tracking computer is programmed to update the tracking electronic database with information concerning current location of the individual within the geographical area. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one beacon are a plurality of beacons disposed throughout the geographical area such that the current location of the individual within the geographical area can be determined by the signal strength between the portable electronic device and a particular one of the plurality of beacons exceeding a predetermined percentage or threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one beacon are a plurality of beacons disposed throughout the geographical area such that the current location of the individual within the geographical area can be determined by the signal strength between the portable electronic device and a particular one of the plurality of beacons exceeding a predetermined percentage or threshold for at least a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one beacon are a plurality of beacons and once the individual is within the geographical area the portable electronic device maintains electronic communication with at least one of the plurality of beacons at all times. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic system of  claim 9  wherein the tracking computer is programmed to continuously or periodically update the tracking control electronic database with current location information for the individual within the geographical area. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic system of  claim 9 , wherein the geographical area is a facility or place of business.