A smart lock box system is described. One implementation of the lock box system includes a locking mechanism configured to securely hold a cover over a compartment. The lock box system includes a receiver capable of receiving signals from a user device. The lock box system also includes a processor configured to identify an access message in a received signal, a service to verify that the access message was provided by an authorized party, and cause the locking mechanism to be released in response to verifying that the access message was provided by the authorized party. The open/close events are recorded in a distributed ledger to document which user's device was used to access a given property at a given time. Furthermore, the smart lock box system utilizes a push notification service, based on user device's GPS, to inform owners when to depart/return to the property.

A system and method for locating fitness centers within a user's geographic area and gaining access and redeeming time-based memberships to fitness centers through an integrated mobile computer application via a mobile electronic device (e.g., smartphone, electronic tablet). The integrated mobile computer application allows an individual user to purchase a time-based membership (e.g., one day, two day, three day, one week, one month, etc.) from participating fitness centers using the integrated mobile computer application, redeem and activate the time-based membership upon check-in at a selected fitness center, and then continue to subsequently check-in at the selected fitness center throughout the term of the purchased time-based membership. In a preferred embodiment, initial check-in, activation and subsequent check-in at the selected fitness center is achieved through an electronic validation process using the user's mobile electronic device.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a memory configured to store a user key specific to a particular user or token; software code; a token relating to a second apparatus, the token comprising the user key and the software code, and at least one processing core configured to: participate in an interaction with the second apparatus, the interaction being based at least partly on the token and the user key and the interaction comprising transmitting the token to the second apparatus.

An electronic locking device includes an electronically controllable locking mechanism, a memory, a wireless transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a user device to receive an encrypted package containing a biometric template corresponding to an authorized user, and a processor. The processor is configured to decrypt the encrypted package and store the biometric template in the memory, receive a biometric input corresponding to a user attempting to access the electronic locking device, determine if the biometric input matches the biometric template of the authorized user, and activate the electronically controllable locking mechanism in response to a determination that the biometric input matches the biometric template of the authorized user.

A method for securely accessing a motor vehicle whose opening elements are locked and unlocked through wireless communication between a portable access device and an access control module on board the vehicle. The method includes authenticating the device with the access control module, unlocking the vehicle when the device has been authenticated, periodically transmitting, by way of the access control module, an interrogation signal into at least part of the passenger compartment of the vehicle intended for the device following unlocking of the vehicle, upon each reception by the device of said interrogation signal, triggering a first timeout the duration of which is greater than the transmission period of the interrogation signal, and deactivating the device when the first timeout has expired and the immobile state of the device is detected.

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.

A smart lock box system is described. One implementation of the lock box system includes a locking mechanism configured to securely hold a cover over a compartment. The lock box system includes a receiver capable of receiving signals from a user device. The lock box system also includes a processor configured to identify an access message in a received signal, a service to verify that the access message was provided by an authorized party, and cause the locking mechanism to be released in response to verifying that the access message was provided by the authorized party. The open/close events are recorded in a distributed ledger to document which user's device was used to access a given property at a given time. Furthermore, the smart lock box system utilizes a push notification service, based on user device's GPS, to inform owners when to depart/return to the property.

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.

Controlling activity within a physical area under control of an entity includes determining a current location of a mobile user device of a user relative to the physical area, where the mobile user device is not affiliated with the entity and the entity remotely controlling one or more capabilities of the mobile user device while the mobile user device is located within, or within a predefined proximity of, the physical area. Remotely controlling may include disabling WIFI communication capabilities and disabling wireless telephony communication capabilities. Remotely controlling may include allowing GPS and near field communication capabilities to remain enabled. Controlling activity within a physical area under control of an entity may also include providing one or more access codes for things located within the physical area. Controlling activity within a physical area under control of a first entity may include accessing a secure component.

A vehicle parking and mass transport beacon system (60) implemented with a beacon device (10) configured as a wireless identifier and authentication mechanism offers a user a capability of bypassing infrastructures of commercial parking lots and facilities, mass transit systems, and taxi services when using them. The beacon system includes a source beacon and a user beacon, the latter of which implemented in a user smart device (36) such as a smartphone. The use of a source beacon and user smart device enables elimination of reliance on a cellular communication connection from the time of the user's grant of permission for action to the time of separation of the user smart device and the beacon by a distance outside the range of connectivity between them. Such elimination of reliance on cellular communication connection avoids delay and communication coverage issues stemming from use of a cellular communication network.