Assa Abloy has filed a patent for a method that allows users to request access to a physical space secured by a lock using their mobile devices. The method involves authenticating the device with an authentication server, storing a token indicating the user’s access groups, obtaining the lock identifier, and transmitting an access request to an access control device. The patent aims to enhance security and convenience in accessing physical spaces. GlobalData’s report on Assa Abloy gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Assa Abloy, intelligent access control was a key innovation area identified from patents. Assa Abloy's grant share as of September 2023 was 56%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for requesting access to a secured physical space
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230316831A1) describes a method for requesting access to a physical space secured by a lock using a mobile device. The method involves authenticating the mobile device with an authentication server, resulting in a token that indicates the user's access groups. This token is stored in the mobile device. The user then obtains the lock identifier and transmits an access request to an access control device, including the token and lock identifier.
The patent also mentions that the access groups used for physical space access can also be used for access to computer-based assets. The token may include a validity time, and there is a provision for renewing the token's validity with the authentication server before it expires.
Authentication of the mobile device can be done through user input for authentication data, such as a password, or by collecting biometric data of the user. The authentication server can be a single sign-on server.
The token format used in this method is JavaScript Object Notation Web Token (JWT). The lock identifier can be obtained through short-range wireless communication or by obtaining a pointer to the access control device.
In addition to the method, the patent also describes a mobile device associated with a user that can perform the steps mentioned above. The mobile device includes a processor and memory storing instructions for authentication, token storage, obtaining the lock identifier, and transmitting the access request.
Furthermore, the patent includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a computer program for requesting access to a physical space secured by a lock. When run on a mobile device, this program authenticates the device, stores the token, obtains the lock identifier, and transmits the access request.
Overall, this patent presents a method and mobile device for secure access to physical spaces using a mobile device and authentication with an authentication server. The inclusion of access groups and the ability to use the same groups for computer-based assets adds versatility to the system. The use of tokens and the option to renew their validity ensures secure access control.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Assa Abloy, buy the report here.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
