111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US011189118B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Marcinkowski et al.
`
`US 11,189,118 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 30, 2021
`
`(54) SMART THERMOSTAT HUB
`
`(56)
`
`(71) Applicant:
`
`EDST, LLC, Lubbock, TX (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Dave Marcinkowski, Lubbock, TX
`(US); Thomas Mandry, Lubbock, TX
`(US)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9,478,084 B1
`9,875,647 B1 *
`
`10/2016 Robinson
`112018 Tannenbaum
`(Continued)
`
`G07C 9/28
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`EDST, LLC, Lubbock, TX (US)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 16/912,370
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 25, 2020
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2020/0327751 Al
`Oct. 15, 2020
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 16/162,262, filed on
`Oct. 16, 2018, now Pat. No. 10,825,273.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04W 4100
`G07C 9100
`
`(2018.01)
`(2020.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ....... G07C 9100182 (2013.01); G06F 310484
`(2013.01); G07C 9100904 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ............ G07C 9/27; G07C 2009/00825; G07C
`9/00182; G07C 9/00896; G07C
`2009/00317; G07C 2009/00769; G07C
`9/00309; G07C 9/00571; G07C 9/00904;
`G07C 2009/00198; G07C 2009/00333;
`(Continued)
`
`EP
`wo
`
`0533507 A1
`W0-2014107196 A1
`
`3/1993
`7/2014
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion issued for PCT
`Application No. PCT/IB2019/057876, dated Dec. 10, 2019, 30
`pages.
`
`Primary Examiner- Dionne Pendleton
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Norton Rose Fulbright
`US LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A smart thermostat hub and a management platform for
`controlling and securing smart devices in a multi-family
`residential property are disclosed. Smart thermostat hubs
`may bi-directionally communicate with the management
`platform using a LoRa WAN communication link and com-
`municate with smart devices present within an apartment of
`the multi-family residential property via a non-LoRaWAN
`communication link. Smart thermostat hub may provide a
`gateway or bridge between the management platform and an
`ofl.line door lock, thereby enabling access credentials for an
`ofl.line door lock to be disabled from the management
`platform, and may serve to facilitate remote configuration of
`other smart devices, such as thermostats and smart light
`fixtures, for example.
`
`20 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`160~L----T-hi_rd_P_ar_ty_D_ev_ic_el_:s) __ __.
`
`130
`
`136
`
`512~
`514
`
`Smart
`lock
`
`Smart
`Lock
`
`~ b
`
`532
`
`534
`
`524
`522~ Hub
`Smart I
`526
`Light(s)
`t-----------------------------------·-··--------------------------------------------···-·-····-----····----···------------····----······-··
`
`r--'540
`
`544
`
`~ b
`
`542
`
`500~
`r·--------------------------------------·-········----------------------------···-------------···········································•
`!
`r--'530
`510~
`!
`I : i :
`j
`!
`!
`l
`I
`
`520~
`
`Smart
`Lock
`
`Smart
`Lock
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 1 of 28
`
`

`

`US 11,189,118 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(2021.01)
`(2013.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04W 12104
`G06F 310484
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ........ H04W 12104 (2013.01); G07C 9/00309
`(2013.01); G07C 2009/00198 (2013.01); G07C
`2009/00333 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00357
`(2013.01); G07C 2009/00507 (2013.01); G07C
`2009/00769 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00825
`(2013.01)
`
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ........... G07C 2009/00357; G07C 2009/00428;
`G07C 2009/00507; G07C 2009/00936;
`G07C 9/00817; G07C 9/215; G05B
`19/00; H04L 67/02; H04L 67/06; H04L
`67/1023; H04L 67/104; H04L 67/12;
`H04L 41/046; H04L 41/0806; H04L
`41/0816; H04L 47/825; H04L 51/046;
`H04L 51/38; H04L 63/029; H04L 63/168;
`H04L 63/20; H04L 67/10; H04L 67/1014;
`H04L 67/125; H04L 67/28; H04L 9/0866;
`H04L 41/0806; H04L 67/06; H04L
`67/104; H04L 9/0866; H04L 67/12;
`
`H04W 4/021; H04W 4/027; H04W 4/80;
`H04W 4/90; H04W 12/04; H04W 4/50;
`H04W 84/042; H04W 84/12; H04W 4/80;
`H04W 4/50; H04W 4/027; G06F 1/3231;
`G06F 1/3287; G06F 3/0484; G06F 9/06;
`G06F 9/5088; G06F 9/06; G06F 9/5088;
`G06Q 10/02; G06Q 50/12; G06Q 50/163;
`G06Q 50/163
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2016/0005247 A1
`2016/0124401 A1
`2016/0239001 A1
`2018/0110093 A1
`2018/0234489 A1 *
`2018/0350170 A1 *
`2019/0371096 A1 *
`2020/0118370 A1 *
`2020/0118371 A1 *
`2021/0142601 A1 *
`* cited by examiner
`
`112016 Mehl et a!.
`5/2016 Li
`8/2016 Chin et a!.
`4/2018 Deros et al.
`8/2018 Hannnons ............... H04L 67/12
`12/2018 Wang .................... G06F 1/3231
`G07C 9/27
`12/2019 Fisher .
`4/2020 Marcinkowski ...... G06F 3/0484
`4/2020 Marcinkowski . G07C 9/00896
`5/2021 Schoenfelder . G07C 9/00309
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 2 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
`""""'
`"'I,C
`""""' 00
`""""'
`"'
`""""'
`d rJl
`
`.... 0
`0 .....
`....
`.....
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`
`('D
`
`z 0
`~ = ~
`
`0
`N
`~0
`(.H
`~
`
`N ....
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`
`e • 00
`
`FIG~ 1
`
`~110
`
`I_ ----~S~ma~rt~Hu~b ____ _
`~ ~112
`
`_...;114
`
`Third Party Device{s)
`
`Smart Device(s)
`
`User Device(s)
`
`160
`
`120
`
`140
`
`136
`
`137
`
`135
`
`134
`'-...../133
`r ~132
`
`I
`
`LoRa Gateway
`
`Communication lnterface(s)
`
`Credential Management Interface
`
`Database(s)
`
`Instructions
`Memory
`
`Processor( s)
`
`Server
`
`130\
`
`I
`
`•I
`
`)•
`
`Cloud-Based I
`
`Service(s)
`
`100~
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 3 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
`""""'
`"'I,C
`""""' 00
`""""'
`"'
`""""'
`d rJl
`
`.... 0
`0 .....
`N
`.....
`rFJ =- ('D
`
`('D
`
`z 0
`~ = ~
`
`0
`N
`~0
`(.H
`~
`
`N ....
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`
`e • 00
`
`226
`225
`
`224
`223
`222
`
`~ f...-" v-
`v
`~ !---" v-
`~ v
`l v
`
`f...-"
`
`Measurement Devices
`
`lnput'Output Device(s)
`
`Instructions
`Memory
`
`Processor(s)
`
`HVAC Controller
`
`220'--/\
`
`FIG. 2
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`Thermostat "Smart Hub"
`
`Input/Output Device(s)
`
`Communication lnterface(s)
`
`Instructions
`Memory
`
`Processor(s)
`
`"Smart Hub" Controller
`
`210"-'\
`
`N
`N
`1-'f
`N 1'\
`
`v
`v
`!--""
`v
`v
`
`216
`
`215
`
`214
`213
`
`212
`
`200~
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 4 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
`""""'
`"'I,C
`""""' 00
`""""'
`"'
`""""'
`d rJl
`
`.... 0
`0 .....
`.....
`rFJ =- ('D
`
`(.H
`
`('D
`
`z 0
`~ = ~
`
`0
`N
`~0
`(.H
`~
`
`N ....
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`
`e • 00
`
`FIG~ 3
`
`Power Interface
`
`lnputiOutput Device(s)
`
`Communication lnterface(s)
`
`I
`
`Instructions
`Memory
`
`Processor( s)
`
`"Smart Hub" Controller
`
`210~
`
`"Smart Hub"
`
`~
`~
`~
`....._..., -'f
`...../ '
`...../ 'f
`
`302
`
`216
`
`215
`
`214
`213
`
`212
`
`300~
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 5 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
`~
`\C
`00
`""""' ~
`""""'
`d rJl
`
`.... 0
`0 .....
`.....
`rFJ =- ('D
`
`.j;o.
`
`('D
`
`z 0
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`
`e • 00
`
`0
`N
`~0
`(.H
`~
`
`N ....
`
`412
`
`226
`225
`
`224
`223
`222
`
`""'
`r
`r -
`""'
`""'
`r
`
`,....-....
`
`r-.
`
`"'-..
`
`r
`
`FIG~ 4
`
`"Smart Hub" Interface
`
`1,/
`~
`
`402
`
`"4 I
`
`Measurement Devices
`
`Input/Output Device(s)
`
`Instructions
`Memory
`
`Processor( s)
`
`I
`
`HVAC Controller
`
`Thermostat
`
`220~
`
`410
`
`Thermostat lntetiace
`
`Input/Output Device(s)
`
`Communication lnterface(s)
`
`I
`
`Instructions
`Memory
`
`Processor(s)
`
`"Smart Hub'' Controller
`
`"Smart Hub"
`
`210~
`
`4LU~
`
`400~
`
`n
`If
`n
`f-.-.-"' 1-ri
`v 1\
`v N
`
`422
`
`216
`
`21
`
`214
`213
`
`212
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 6 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
`""""'
`"'I,C
`""""' 00
`""""'
`"'
`""""'
`d rJl
`
`.... 0
`0 .....
`Ul
`.....
`rFJ =- ('D
`
`('D
`
`z 0
`~ = ~
`
`0
`N
`~0
`(.H
`~
`
`N ....
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`
`e • 00
`
`FIG~ 5
`
`L--·••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
`
`~ 542
`
`544
`
`~540
`
`526
`
`Lock
`Smart
`
`524
`
`520~
`
`512 ~ ~ 532
`
`534
`
`Lock
`Smart
`
`514
`
`~530
`
`510~
`
`500~
`
`136
`
`130
`
`LoRa Gateway(s)
`
`Server
`
`I
`I
`
`Third Party Device(s)
`
`User Device(s)
`
`160~
`
`140~
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 7 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
`""""'
`"'I,C
`""""' 00
`""""'
`"'
`""""'
`d rJl
`
`.... 0
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`
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`
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`
`~
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`•
`
`e • 00
`
`0
`N
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`~
`
`N ....
`
`130
`
`FIG~ 7
`
`Server
`
`1.---------------------------------------·-----------------------------------------·
`I 1•1 762 H "164 llf\ 760!
`730'\J I 734 H "132 1-.1
`
`750
`
`740
`
`720
`
`710
`
`700~
`
`FIG~ 6
`
`136
`
`LoRa Gateway(s)
`
`618
`
`617
`
`616
`
`614v0
`
`613~
`
`612v0
`
`Lf
`Lf
`Lf
`L____0
`
`130
`
`Server
`
`610~
`
`611~
`----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
`
`615
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 8 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 2021
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 11,189,118 B2
`
`800 ~
`
`Receive, by one or more processors of a smart thermostat hub, control information
`810 ~
`associated with an offline door lock from a property management platform via a Long
`Rage (LoRa)-based communication link
`
`'if
`Generate, by the one or more processors of the smart thermostat hub, a command
`820 ~
`configured to disable one or more access credentials identified in the control
`information
`
`,,.
`830 ~ Transmit, by the one or more processors, the command to the offline door lock via a
`non-loRa-based communication link
`
`FIG. 8
`
`900 ~
`
`Transmit, by one or more processors of a smart thermostat hub, an access log
`910 ~
`request to an offline door lock via a non-Long Rage (LoRa}-based
`communication link
`
`,,.
`
`Receive, by the one or more processors, at least a portion of an access log
`920 ~
`information from a lock processor of the offline door lock via the non-LoRa-based
`communication link
`
`,,.
`
`Transmit, by the one or more processors, at least the portion of the access log
`930 ~
`information to a property management platform via a LoRa-based communication
`link
`
`FIG~ 9
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 9 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 2021
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 11,189,118 B2
`
`1000 ~
`
`1010 ~ Receive, by a lock processor of an offline door lock, a command via a non-Long
`Rage (LoRa)-based communication link
`
`Modify, by the lock processor, access credential validation information stored at a
`1020 ~
`memory of the offline door lock to disable the one or more access credentials based
`
`•
`on the command +
`
`1030 ~ Receive, by a sensor of the offline door lock, access credential information from a
`credential device placed in proximity to the sensor
`+
`
`Determine, by the lock processor, a validity of the access credential information
`1040 ~
`based on whether the access credential validation information indicates the access
`credential information is valid or disabled
`~
`Engage, in response to a determination that the access credential is valid, a locking
`1050 ~
`mechanism of the offline door lock such that the locking mechanism is configurable
`to change between locked state and an unlocked state
`
`1100~
`
`FIG. 10
`
`1110 ~ Store, by a lock processor of an offline door lock, access log information at a
`memory of the offline door lock
`
`'
`1120 ~ Receive, by the lock processor, an access log request via a non-Long Rage (LoRa)-
`based communication link
`
`1130 ~ Transmit, by the lock processor, at least a portion of the access log information to a
`smart thermostat hub via the non-LoRa-based communication link;
`
`FIG. 11
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 10 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
`""""'
`"'I,C
`""""' 00
`""""'
`"'
`""""'
`d rJl
`
`.... 0
`0 .....
`\0
`.....
`rFJ =- ('D
`
`('D
`
`z 0
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`
`e • 00
`
`0
`N
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`
`N ....
`
`FIG~ 12
`
`1220
`
`1214
`
`1242
`
`1212
`
`1210
`
`Credential
`Memory
`
`Data
`
`Mechanism
`
`Locking
`
`Components
`
`Sensor
`
`1
`
`1 1
`
`1 Processor
`
`1
`
`Electro-
`
`Mechanism
`Lock Control
`
`Offline Door Lock
`
`1240 •
`
`1200
`
`1232
`
`1230
`
`1204~
`
`§ ~32
`
`1244
`
`I
`
`1242
`
`1202~
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 11 of 28
`
`

`

`""""' 00 = N
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`FIG. 13
`
`1302
`
`226
`
`225
`
`224
`223
`222
`
`"" v--
`
`v---
`
`"' ~
`
`~
`
`LoRa-based Communication lntetface
`
`r-
`r 1--
`r-
`
`Measurement Devices
`
`Input/Output Device(s)
`
`Instructions
`Memory
`
`Processor(s)
`
`I
`
`HVAC Controller
`
`Thermostat
`
`220~
`
`1300
`
`iApartments Ex. 1001
`
`Page 12 of 28
`
`

`

`US 11,189,118 B2
`
`2
`manager or property maintenance personnel, to connect
`(e.g., via a universal serial bus (USB) connection) an exter-
`nal device (e.g., a laptop, tablet, or other electronic device)
`to the offline door lock and then use software or another
`utility provided by the external device to disable access
`credentials. The requirement that access credentials for
`offline door locks be disabled in person presents risks with
`respect to the security of residents of a multi-family resi-
`dential property. For example, if a resident's access creden-
`10 tial (e.g., fob, smartcard, etc.) is lost or stolen, the access
`device may be used to gain entry into the resident's apart-
`ment before the appropriate personnel can visit the resi-
`dent's apartment and use an external device to disable the
`lost or stolen access credential. As another example, if a
`15 resident gives an access credential to a non-resident and then
`has a falling out with the non-resident, the resident cannot
`prevent the non-resident from using access credential to gain
`entry into the resident's apartment and must wait until the
`appropriate personnel can visit the resident's apartment to
`20 disable the access credential provided to the non-resident.
`
`1
`SMART THERMOSTAT HUB
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 16/162,262 filed Oct. 16, 2018, entitled
`"SMART THERMOSTAT HUB"; the disclosures of which
`are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present disclosure is directed to an intelligent ther-
`mostat. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to an
`intelligent thermostat that can function as a hub having
`multi-band/multi-radio communication capabilities and can
`be implemented in a system for controlling and securing
`offline door locks and other smart devices within a multi-
`family property.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Technology and the benefits it provides often plays an
`important role with respect to how many consumers make
`decisions. This has become increasingly so in the real-estate 25
`industry, and more specifically in the multi-family residen-
`tial property market. To illustrate, Class A multi-family
`residential properties (e.g., apartments, etc.) may have key-
`less entry systems installed that allow residents to gain entry
`into their respective apartments by placing a fob, smart-
`phone, or smartcard in proximity to a door lock. As another
`example, these Class A multi-family residential properties
`may have been constructed with infrastructure, such as
`Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access points and/or wired net-
`works (e.g., Ethernet), for providing Internet access to 35
`residents. While the security and convenience these tech-
`nologies provide are attractive to residents, deploying such
`technologies in older multi-family residential properties,
`such as Class B and C multi-family residential properties,
`can be cost prohibitive and/or present challenges with 40
`respect to the security of residents of the multi-family
`residential property.
`For example, keyless entry systems may utilize online
`door locks or offline door locks. Online door locks may be
`controlled (e.g., locked and unlocked) remotely through an 45
`Internet-accessible network connection and locally by a
`device (e.g., a fob, smartphone, smartcard, etc.) that is
`placed in proximity to a sensor of the online door lock, while
`offline door locks can only be controlled (e.g., locked and
`unlocked) by a device (e.g., a fob, smartphone, smartcard, 50
`etc.) that is placed in proximity to a sensor of the offline door
`lock. The cost to deploy an online door lock-based keyless
`entry system in a multi-family residential property can be
`significantly higher than offline door lock-based keyless
`entry systems due to the requirement that network commu- 55
`nication infrastructure (e.g., a mesh network, a Wi-Fi net-
`work, etc.) be provided to facilitate network-based control of
`the door lock.
`While less expensive to deploy, the offline door lock-
`based keyless entry systems present challenges with respect 60
`to security. For example, in addition to being controlled
`remotely, online door locks can be managed remotely, such
`as to authorize and disable new access credentials. For
`offline door locks, new access credentials for controlling an
`offline door lock may be created via a network-based appli-
`cation (e.g., a cloud-based application or website); however,
`offline door locks require an individual, such as a property
`
`Embodiments described herein provide a system that
`comprises smart thermostat hubs and a management plat-
`form for controlling and securing smart devices in a multi-
`family residential property. Smart thermostat hubs may
`comprise a first communication interface that facilitates
`bi-directional communication between smart thermostat hub
`30 and the management platform and a second communication
`interface
`that
`facilitates bi-directional communication
`between the thermostat smart hub and the smart devices
`present within a unit of the multi-family residential property.
`Smart thermostat hub may provide a gateway or bridge
`between the management platform and an offline door lock,
`thereby enabling access credentials for an offline door lock
`to be disabled from the management platform via the
`bi-directional communication links provided by the first and
`second communication interfaces of smart thermostat hub.
`In addition to providing enhanced the security for offline
`door lock-based keyless entry systems, smart thermostat hub
`may also provide functionality for automating and improv-
`ing various property management tasks. For example, the
`management platform may be configured to automatically
`detect (e.g., based on a database) when a unit of a multi-
`family residential property becomes vacant and may trans-
`mit control information to smart thermostat hub of the
`vacant unit. The control information may include informa-
`tion that identifies various smart devices within the unit, as
`well as parameters for configuring the identified smart
`devices. Upon receiving the control information via first
`communication interface, smart thermostat hub may trans-
`mit commands to each of the identified smart devices via
`second communication interface, where the commands con-
`figure the identified smart devices in accordance with
`parameters specified in the control information. Similar
`operations may be performed when the management plat-
`form detects that a resident is scheduled to move in to a
`vacant unit of the multi-family residential property.
`The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
`technical advantages of the present invention in order that
`the detailed description of the invention that follows may be
`better understood. Additional features and advantages of the
`invention will be described hereinafter which form the
`65 subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appre-
`ciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and
`specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a
`
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`
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`

`US 11,189,118 B2
`
`4
`which render other details difficult to perceive may have
`been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that this
`disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments
`illustrated herein.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`3
`basis for modifying or designing other structures for carry-
`ing out the same purposes of the present invention. It should
`also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equiva-
`lent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of
`the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel
`features which are believed to be characteristic of the
`invention, both as to its organization and method of opera-
`tion, together with further objects and advantages will be
`better understood from the following description when con-
`sidered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to 10
`be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is
`provided for the purpose of illustration and description only
`and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the disclosed
`methods and apparatuses, reference should be made to the
`embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompany-
`ing drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for
`managing and securing access credentials for accessing a
`multi-family residential property using smart devices in
`accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a smart thermostat hub in
`accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another smart hub in
`accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a modular smart thermostat
`hub in accordance with embodiments of the present disclo-
`sure;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of an
`intelligent property management system configured in
`accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating additional aspects of
`an intelligent property management system configured in
`accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating additional aspects of
`an intelligent property management system configured in 40
`accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
`for securing smart devices within an apartment of a multi-
`family residential property in accordance with embodiments
`of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for
`retrieving access log data from an of!Iine door lock in
`accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
`method for securing an of!Iine door lock of an apartment of 50
`a multi-family residential property in accordance with
`embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
`method for securing an of!Iine door lock of an apartment of
`a multi-family residential property in accordance with 55
`embodiments of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary features
`of an of!Iine door lock configured in accordance with
`embodiments of the present disclosure; and
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of 60
`a smart thermostat in accordance with embodiments of the
`present disclosure.
`It should be understood that the drawings are not neces-
`sarily to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are
`sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views.
`In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an
`understanding of the disclosed methods and apparatuses or
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary
`system for managing and securing access credentials for
`accessing a multi-family residential property using smart
`devices in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure
`is shown as a system 100. As described in more detail below,
`system 100 provides functionality that improves the manner
`in which access to multi-family residential properties is
`15 managed and secured. Additionally, system 100 may reduce
`the cost of deploying various technologies in a multi-family
`residential property, thereby enabling such technologies to
`be utilized in certain multi-family residential properties for
`which previous technologies were deemed cost prohibitive,
`20 such as Class B and Class C properties.
`In FIG. 1, system 100 is illustrated as comprising smart
`hub 110, one or more smart devices 120, and server 130. As
`shown in FIG. 1, server 130 may include one or more
`processors 132, memory 133, credential management mod-
`25 ule 137, and one or more communication interfaces 138.
`Memory 133 may include random access memory (RAM),
`read only memory (ROM), hard disk drives(s) (HDDs ), solid
`state drive(s) (SSDs), network attached storage (NAS)
`devices, or other types of memory devices for storing data
`30 in a persistent or non-persistent state. Memory 133 may
`store instructions 134 that, when executed by the one or
`more processors 132, cause the one or more processors 132
`to perform the operations of server 130 described with
`reference to FIGS. 1-6. Additionally, one or more databases
`35 135 may be stored at memory 133. Exemplary types of
`information that may be stored at the one or more databases
`135 are described in more detail below. It is noted that
`although FIG. 1 illustrates server 130 as a standalone device,
`it is to be understood that server 130 and the functionality
`described herein with respect to the server 130, may be
`implemented using more than one server or via a collection
`of computing resources (e.g., processors, memory, commu-
`nication interfaces, and the like) deployed in the cloud.
`Credential management interface 137 may be configured
`45 to manage (e.g., create and disable) access credentials pro-
`vided to residents of a multi-family residential property. For
`example, credential management interface 137 may be con-
`figured to generate access credentials that enable a resident
`to access one or more areas of a multi-family residential
`property, such as the resident's apartment, a workout facility,
`a pool, a parking garage, and the like. Access credentials
`may be stored on a device, such as a fob, a smartcard, or a
`resident's smartphone and may be used to control (e.g., lock
`and unlock) an of!Iine door lock installed on a door of the
`resident's apartment. In an embodiment, each of the of!Iine
`door locks of the multi-family residential property may
`comprise logic configured to process access credentials
`presented for authentication. For example, when a resident
`places a device having the resident's access credential in
`proximity to a sensor (e.g., a near field communication
`(NFC) device, a Bluetooth device, etc.) of the of!Iine door
`lock, access credential may be received by the logic for
`processing, which may include applying a hash function or
`other data processing technique. If the processing is suc-
`65 cessful (e.g., a result of the hash function or other processing
`technique satisfies a criterion), a lock control mechanism
`may be engaged, thereby enabling the resident to tum a knob
`
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`
`Page 14 of 28
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`

`US 11,189,118 B2
`
`45
`
`5
`that controls a deadbolt or other form of locking device to
`either lock or unlock the offline door lock. If the processing
`is not successful (e.g., the result of the hash function or other
`processing technique does not satisfY the criterion), the lock
`control mechanism may not be engaged. When the lock
`control mechanism is not engaged, the knob that controls the
`deadbolt may spin freely (or not move at all), thereby
`preventing the deadbolt from being placed in a locked state
`or an unlocked state. Additional features provided by an
`offline door lock in accordance with embodiments are 10
`described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 12.
`In an embodiment, rather than generating access creden-
`tials, the credential management interface 137 may interface
`with a system of a third party service provider that is
`configured to generate access credentials. In such an 15
`embodiment, the credential management interface 137 may
`enable property management personnel and/or a resident to
`request an additional access credential that may be utilized
`to unlock an ofl.line door lock be generated by the system of
`the third party service provider. As a result of the request, the 20
`system of the third party service provider may generate the
`requested access credential (assuming appropriate authenti-
`cation of the request and/or requestor has been performed).
`Where the access credential is to be utilized by a user device,
`such as a smart phone, the system of the third party may 25
`provide the newly generated access credential to the user
`device directly, such as by downloading the access creden-
`tial to the user device via an access credential management
`application installed on the user device, or indirectly, such
`via a message (e.g., a text message, e-mail message, etc.) 30
`provided to the user device that includes information that
`enables the user device to retrieve or otherwise obtain or
`download the newly generated access credential, or via
`another technique. In an embodiment, if an access credential
`that is to be disabled corresponds to an access credential that
`was generated by the system of the third party and that is
`stored on a user device, such as a smart phone, the server 130
`may be configured to interact with the system of the third
`party to disable such access credentials, such as by providing
`information the user device to disable further use of the 40
`access credential. If, however, the access credential is stored
`on a third party device 160, such as a fob or smartcard,
`disabling of the access credential may be accomplished via
`communication of control information to smart hub 110, as
`described in more detail below.
`In an embodiment, one or more databases 135 may
`include a credential database storing information associated
`with the ofl.line door locks installed at the multi-family
`residential property. When an access credential for a par-
`ticular offline door lock is to be generated, credential man- 50
`agement module 137 may access the credential database to
`obtain information associated with the particular offline door
`lock, and then use the obtained information to create access
`credential. For example, the information stored in access
`credential database 135 may comprise information that may 55
`be used to generate access credentials that, when processed
`by the logic of the designated ofl.line door lock, produce a
`successful result. Additionally, when new access credentials
`are generated, access credential management module 137
`may update one or more records stored at the credential 60
`database (or another database), such as to record information
`that identifies the resident or individual access credential
`was provided to.
`The one or more communication interfaces 138 may
`include a first communication interface configured to com-
`municatively couple server 130 to smart hubs deployed
`within the multi-family residential property, such as smart
`
`6
`hub 110, and may include a second communication interface
`configured to communicatively couple server 130 to one or
`more communication networks. First communication inter-
`face of server 130 may be configured to communicate with
`smart hub 110 via Long Range (LoRa) wide area network
`(LoRa WAN) communication link 112 and second commu-
`nication interface of server 130 may be configured to
`communicate with the one or more communication networks
`via a non-LoRa WAN communication link, such as a Insti-
`tute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11
`communication link, an Ethernet communication link, and
`the like. In an embodiment, the first communication inter-
`face may communicatively couple the server 130 to a LoRa
`gateway 136, as shown in FIG. 1. The LoRa gateway 136
`may be configured to relay information received from the
`server 130 to one or more smart hubs using the LoRa WAN
`communication link 112 and to relay information received
`from one or more smart hubs via the LoRaWAN commu-
`nication link 112 to the server 130. It is noted that although
`communication link 112 may be described herein as a
`LoRaWAN communication link or LoRa-based communi-
`cation link, it should be understood that communication link
`112 may be a communication link within a low-power, wide
`area network (LPWAN) or another type of network topology
`utilizing low power- or LoRa-based communication links.
`For example, in an embodiment, communication link 112
`may utilize narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) com-
`munication
`links, Sigfox-based communication
`links,
`Weightless communication links, and the like.
`Smart hub 110 may include a first communication inter-
`face and one or more additional communication interfaces.
`First communication interface may communicatively couple
`smart hub 110 to server 130 via LoRa WAN communication
`link 112 and one or more additional co