Methods and apparatus for using visible light communications for controlling access to an area

摘要

Methods and apparatus for controlling access to secure areas are described. Time varying values are generated from access device identifiers, e.g., door identifiers. The time varying value, e.g., a hashed door identifier value, is transmitted as a VLC signal by a luminaire near the door to which the hashed identifier corresponds. A mobile detects the transmitted hashed door identifier value and sends an access request via a wireless signal, e.g., a radio signal. The access request includes a value generated from the received hashed door identifier and a mobile device identifier. A control device determines, from information in the access request and stored information indicating which mobile devices have authority to access which doors, if access should be granted to the door corresponding to the hashed access device identifier from which the received information was generated. The received information may be hash of the mobile identifier and hashed door identifier.

主权项

1. A method of operating an access authorization device, said method comprising:
storing a plurality of unique identifiers corresponding to mobile wireless communications devices authorized to control an access device used to control access to an area; providing identification information corresponding to said access device to a light emitting device by way of a power line network; receiving a first hashed value from a mobile wireless communications device, said first hashed value having been generated from said identification information corresponding to said access device and a unique identifier corresponding to said mobile wireless communications device seeking to trigger unlocking of said access device; receiving, from said mobile wireless communications device, said unique identifier corresponding to said mobile wireless communications device; generating a second hashed value by hashing said unique identifier corresponding to said mobile wireless communications device with said identification information corresponding to said access device; determining if said first hashed value was generated from one of said mobile wireless communications devices authorized to control said access device based at least in part on determining if said second hashed value matches said first hashed value; and sending an access command for unlocking said access device after determining that said first hashed value was generated from one of said mobile wireless communications devices authorized to control said access device.