An embodiment of an electronic access control system includes an electronic key, an electronic lock, and an access control administration program. The electronic key can include program code for switching between a lock mode and a computer mode. In some embodiments, the lock mode and computer mode allow for simplified administration and operation of the access control system. Some embodiments of the electronic key include a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the access control system includes a hybrid power supply system having a rechargeable battery and a generator. In some embodiments, the electronic lock includes a piezoelectric latch. In some embodiments, the electronic key is configured to act as a storage device for a computer system. Some embodiments provide an electronic access control system with a streamlined user interface.

A method according to one embodiment includes receiving, by an access control device, a credential token from a mobile device, wherein the credential token includes an access credential, a credential identifier, and a caveat that instructs the access control device to perform an associated action, determining, by the access control device, a credential type associated with the access credential based on the credential identifier, determining, by the access control device, a set of caveat rules associated with the credential type, wherein the set of caveat rules identifies one or more actions authorized for an access credential of the credential type, and performing, by the access control device, the associated action identified by the caveat in response to a determination that the associated action is an action authorized by the set of caveat rules associated with the credential type.

Methods and systems relating to administration of access credentials for electronic access control are disclosed. Web resources are provided for rendering a webpage including an access credential. A server device receives an access instruction authorizing a user to access an electronic lock associated with the access credential. A client device of the user transmits a first request for the access credential. The first request may be generated by a browser application of the client device. The server device provides the web resources and a browser cookie to the client device. Responsive to subsequent requests for the access credential, the server device determines whether the client device is authorized to receive the access credential based on the client device providing the browser cookie. When the server device determines that a subsequent request authorizes the client device to receive the access credential, the web resources are provided to the browser application.

A residential key may be programmed by a computer with access rights information. A lock device may receive the access rights information from the residential key. The lock device may store and utilize the access rights information if the lock determines that the residential key is authorized to update the lock device.

An illustrative example access management device includes a processor, memory associated with the processor, a receiver configured to receive wireless communications, and a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with other devices. The memory contains an application. The receiver receives an access request from a user device and the transmitter wirelessly communicate payload to a lock for unlocking the lock when the processor invokes the application in the memory and thereby determines that the received access request is an authorized request.

Establishing a status of a user at a physical area includes determining a presence of a mobile user device at a location relative to the physical area, determining an identification of the user from the mobile user device, accessing, from a secure component included proximal to the mobile user device, a credential for authorizing the mobile user device to communicate transactions with one or more other remotely located components, using the credential to securely determine one or more first attributes of the user and one or more second attributes of one or more resources located at the physical area, and determining a status of a user with respect to the one or more resources based at least in part on the determined identification of the user, the first attributes and the second attributes. The credential may be a block chain credential and the transactions may be block chain transactions.

An apparatus for authenticating a package delivery in absence of a recipient. The apparatus includes a frame that can be mounted to ground or an upstanding structure. One or more enclosures and a control unit encased in the frame. Each one or more enclosures having a digital lock operably coupled to the control unit. The enclosures can be reserved for package delivery, wherein the control unit can receive a configuration file from a user device and reserves the enclosure for the package delivery on a predefined date and duration. The control unit can receive and verify the delivery request from a service provider's device for the package delivery. The control unit can verify and authenticate the delivery request based on the configuration instruction and accordingly unlock the enclosure for the package delivery.

Disclosed is a secure enclosure such as a safe that may be used sequentially by multiply users that includes a programmed data processing unit and an input device for the user to input information to the data processing unit. The input device could be an SMS code, PIN or a biometric sensor such as, for example, a fingerprint scanner. The programmable software enables a user to input specific operating information for providing access to the enclosure, as well as enabling such user to input a code for another device such as a mobile device selected by this user. The mobile device could be any device that is external to the secure enclosure, and may include a mobile phone, tablet or other device conveying information to a user of the condition of the safe and its use.

The present invention relates to a shelf-stable cooking-aid for coating and flying a food product in one step for example in a heating pan, the cooking aid comprising 3-28 wt % oil, 20-60 wt % water, 2.3-5.5 wt % modified starch, 3-15 wt % salt, 0.5-30 wt % sugar and 0.5-30 wt % flavorings and wherein the cooking aid has a viscosity in the range of 8 to 60 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 1s.sup.−1 at 25° C., and the oil and water are in form of an emulsion. Further aspects of the invention are the method for making said cooking-aid as well as a method for coating and flying a food product in a heated pan or heated surface.

Methods and systems relating to administration of authentication information for electronic access control are disclosed. Authentication information is conveyed to an electronic locking device configured to restrict access to an entry point. In various embodiments, a smart device comprises a display screen for presenting a machine-readable optical code comprising encoded authentication information. An image sensor of the electronic locking device can decode the machine-readable optical code to obtain the authentication information. The electronic locking device is configured to permit access to the entry point in response to the image sensor detecting a machine-readable optical code corresponding to an access credential. A server device can provide authentication information to the smart device based on an access criterion. Conveying authentication information to the locking device may include rendering a webpage comprising the machine-readable optical code corresponding to the access credential.