Smart Access Control Using Phone Location and Bluetooth
This patent describes a system that uses a mobile phone's Bluetooth signal for authentication and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise location to figure out if a user intends to open a secured door or asset, then performs an action like unlocking it.
Original patent title: “Physical access control systems with localization-based intent detection”
This patent describes a system that uses a mobile phone's Bluetooth signal for authentication and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise location to figure out if a user intends to open a secured door or asset, then performs an action like unlocking it. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The system first authenticates a mobile device using a Bluetooth connection, checking if the device is allowed access. Next, it uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to precisely measure the mobile device's location relative to a reader, like a door lock. Based on this UWB location data and other 'intent criteria,' the system determines if the user actually wants to access the secured asset. If intent is confirmed, the system then performs a 'predefined function,' such as unlocking the door. For example, if you walk up to your smart-locked front door with your phone in your pocket, the system authenticates your phone via Bluetooth, then uses UWB to see you're standing right in front of the door, decides you want to enter, and unlocks it automatically.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover access control systems that determine a mobile device's location without using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) data.
- Does not cover systems where the user's intent to access is determined without considering UWB location data.
- Does not cover systems that authenticate the mobile device using only UWB, without a Bluetooth communication connection.
- Does not cover systems that do not perform a predefined function after determining user intent, such as just logging presence.
- Does not cover access systems that require a physical action like tapping a card or pressing a button after authentication and intent detection.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in combining the broad authentication capabilities of Bluetooth with the highly precise, real-time location tracking of UWB to accurately infer a user's *intent* to access, rather than just their proximity. This allows for smarter, more context-aware access decisions.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Keyless entry systems for smart homes
Hands-free access for corporate offices
Vehicle entry systems that unlock as you approach
Secure access to data centers or restricted areas
Smart lockers that open when a specific user is detected nearby
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent describes a method for more seamless and secure physical access control. By combining Bluetooth for initial authentication with UWB for precise location and intent detection, it aims to reduce false positives (e.g., unlocking a door when someone just walks by) and improve user convenience. This approach can enable truly hands-free entry into buildings, vehicles, or secure areas, enhancing both security and user experience in various environments.
Filed
September 18, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, and NXP are actively developing and integrating UWB technology into their mobile devices and chipsets. Smart lock manufacturers such as August, Schlage, and Yale, along with access control providers like HID Global and LenelS2, are exploring and implementing advanced localization-based access solutions.
Market impact
This technology contributes to the growing market for smart access solutions, moving beyond traditional key cards and fobs. It enables a new generation of truly hands-free and context-aware security systems, potentially making physical access more convenient and secure. This could lead to increased adoption of UWB in consumer electronics and commercial security systems, creating new product categories and enhancing existing ones.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The system first authenticates a mobile device using a Bluetooth connection, checking if the device is allowed access. Next, it uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to precisely measure the mobile device's location relative to a reader, like a door lock. Based on this UWB location data and other 'intent criteria,' the system determines if the user actually wants to access the secured asset. If intent is confirmed, the system then performs a 'predefined function,' such as unlocking the door. For example, if you walk up to your smart-locked front door with your phone in your pocket, the system authenticates your phone via Bluetooth, then uses UWB to see you're standing right in front of the door, decides you want to enter, and unlocks it automatically.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in combining the broad authentication capabilities of Bluetooth with the highly precise, real-time location tracking of UWB to accurately infer a user's *intent* to access, rather than just their proximity. This allows for smarter, more context-aware access decisions.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover access control systems that determine a mobile device's location without using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) data.
- Does not cover systems where the user's intent to access is determined without considering UWB location data.
- Does not cover systems that authenticate the mobile device using only UWB, without a Bluetooth communication connection.
- Does not cover systems that do not perform a predefined function after determining user intent, such as just logging presence.
- Does not cover access systems that require a physical action like tapping a card or pressing a button after authentication and intent detection.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$18K – $58K
Midpoint $36K · 17.9 yr remaining · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Smart Access Control Using Phone Location and Bluetooth (U.S. Patent No. 12,739,636). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12739636/physical-access-control-systems-with-localization-based-intent-detection
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Smart Access Control Using Phone Location and Bluetooth cover?
This patent describes a system that uses a mobile phone's Bluetooth signal for authentication and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise location to figure out if a user intends to open a secured door or asset, then performs an action like unlocking it.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent describes a method for more seamless and secure physical access control. By combining Bluetooth for initial authentication with UWB for precise location and intent detection, it aims to reduce false positives (e.g., unlocking a door when someone just walks by) and improve user convenience. This approach can enable truly hands-free entry into buildings, vehicles, or secure areas, enhancing both security and user experience in various environments.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover access control systems that determine a mobile device's location without using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) data.
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