Check-in/be-out (cibo) and be-in/be-out (bibo) using mesh networks

Abstract

Techniques for Check-In/Be-out (CiBo) and Be-in/Be-out (BiBo) using mesh networks are disclosed. In one implementation, an access control system includes a mesh network. The mesh network includes a set of mesh nodes disposed proximate to a gate to an access-controlled area and a master mesh node communicatively coupled to the set of mesh nodes. The master mesh node is configured to determine whether a device is near the gate based on a strength of a signal received at one of the set of the mesh nodes from the device. The system further includes a validator communicatively coupled to the master mesh node and a backend system. The validator is configured to: receive an indication from the master mesh node that the device is near the gate, determine, based on the indication, whether the device is authorized to enter or exit through the gate, and transmit a result of the determination of whether the device is authorized to enter or exit through the gate to the backend system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An access control system, comprising: a mesh network including (1) a set of mesh nodes disposed proximate to a gate to an access-controlled area and (2) a master mesh node communicatively coupled to the set of mesh nodes, wherein:
 the master mesh node is configured to determine whether a device is near the gate based on a strength of a signal received at one of the set of the mesh nodes from the device; and   a validator communicatively coupled to the master mesh node and a backend system, wherein the validator is configured to:   (1) receive an indication from the master mesh node that the device is near the gate,   (2) determine, based on the indication, whether the device is authorized to enter or exit through the gate, and   (3) transmit a result of the determination of whether the device is authorized to enter or exit through the gate to the backend system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gate includes an electrically-controlled barrier and the validator is further configured to cause actuation of the barrier to open or close based on the result. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gate includes an electrically-controlled barrier and the validator is further configured to cause the barrier to lock or unlock based on the result. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gate includes a light and the validator is further configured to cause the light to turn on or off based on the result. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gate is on a vehicle and the access-controlled area is the inside of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of mesh nodes is distributed more densely around the gate compared to a region inside the access-controlled area. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gate is at a transportation platform and the access-controlled area is the platform.