Method and system for controlling a smart lock

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a smart lock-and-key system. The smart lock-and-key system can include a smart lock corresponding to a lock identifier and a smart key capable of locking and unlocking the smart lock. The smart key can include a first communication interface for communicating with the smart lock and a second communication interface for communicating with a mobile computing device. The smart key can be configured to obtain the lock identifier and receive, from the mobile computing device, an operation command based on the obtained lock identifier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A smart key for locking and unlocking a smart lock, the smart key comprising:
 a lock-communication module configured to store a lock identifier corresponding to a smart lock; and   a mobile-device-communication module configured to:
 forward the lock identifier to a mobile computing device to allow the mobile computing device to validate the smart lock based on the lock identifier; and 
 receive, from the mobile computing device, an operation command based on the lock identifier, in response to the mobile computing device validating the smart lock, thereby facilitating the smart key to lock or unlock the smart lock based on the operation command. 
   
     
     
         2 . The smart key of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile-device communication module comprises one or more of:
 a Bluetooth™ interface;   a ZigBee™ interface; and   a Z-Wave™ interface.   
     
     
         3 . The smart key of  claim 1 , wherein the lock-communication module comprises a low-frequency radio frequency (RF) communication interface. 
     
     
         4 . The smart key of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile-device communication module is further configured to:
 forward the lock identifier to a remote server via the mobile computing device to allow the remote server to validate the smart lock based on the lock identifier.   
     
     
         5 . The smart key of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile computing device maintains an operation queue comprising a set of lock identifiers and a corresponding set of operation commands, and wherein the mobile computing device validates the smart lock by looking up the lock identifier in the operation queue. 
     
     
         6 . The smart key of  claim 1 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting communications between the smart key and the smart lock and/or communications between the smart key and the mobile computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The smart key of  claim 1 , further comprising a position-detection module configured to detect a relative position between the smart key and the smart lock. 
     
     
         8 . The smart key of  claim 1 , wherein the lock-communication module is further configured to receive, from the smart lock, a current status of the smart lock subsequent to the smart key locking or unlocking the smart lock, and wherein the mobile-device-communication module is further configured to upload the current status of the smart lock to a remote server, via the mobile computing device, thereby facilitating the remote server in maintaining the current status of the smart lock. 
     
     
         9 . The smart key of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile computing device comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         10 . The smart key of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile computing device is configured to display an error message in response to invalidating the smart lock. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method for using a smart key to lock or unlock a smart lock, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the smart key via a first communication interface, a lock identifier from the smart lock; and   forwarding, by the smart key via a second communication interface, the lock identifier to a mobile computing device to allow the mobile computing device to validate the smart lock based on the lock identifier;   receiving, from the mobile computing device, an operation command based on the lock identifier in response to the mobile computing device validating the smart lock; and   locking or unlocking the smart lock based on the received operation command.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first communication interface comprises a low-frequency radio frequency (RF) communication interface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second communication interface comprises one or more of:
 a Bluetooth™ interface;   a ZigBee™ interface; and   a Z-Wave™ interface.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising;
 uploading, by the mobile computing device, the lock identifier to a remote server, thereby facilitating the remote server to validate the smart lock based on a set of lock identifiers and/or a set of operation commands stored on the remote server; and   receiving, from the remote server, a result indicating whether the smart lock is validated.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 maintaining, by the mobile computing device, an operation queue comprising a set of lock identifiers and a corresponding set of operation commands; and   looking up the operation queue based on the received lock identifier to validate the smart lock.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising encrypting communications between the smart key and the smart lock and/or communications between the smart key and the mobile computing device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein locking or unlocking the smart lock comprises detecting a relative position between the smart key and the smart lock. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the smart key from the smart lock, a current status of the smart lock subsequent to the smart key locking or unlocking the smart lock; and   uploading, by the smart key via the mobile computing device, the current status of the smart lock to a remote server, thereby facilitating the remote server in maintaining the current status of the smart lock.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mobile computing device comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 displaying, by the mobile computing device, an error message in response to invalidating the smart lock.