BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to the field of systems controlled by mobile devices, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for conserving mobile device battery energy when operating the system.

Existing access controls may allow an individual to unlock doors via a mobile device however this may lead the mobile device to continuously monitoring for when the individual intends to the unlock the door. This continuous monitoring may lead to a high battery consumption of mobile devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method of conserving energy while seeking to wirelessly actuate an access control using a mobile device is provided. The method including: searching for a wireless signal at a first rate; detecting a wireless signal; generating a zone of interest; detecting positional data of a mobile device; and searching for a wireless signal at a second rate greater than the first rate when positional data of the mobile device indicates that the mobile device is within the zone of interest.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that prior to the generating a zone of interest, the method further includes: connecting to the wireless signal; transmitting an access request from the mobile device to an access control; and actuating the access control.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the wireless signal is transmitted by the access control and detected by the mobile device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the wireless signal is transmitted by the mobile device and detected by the access control.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include: searching for a wireless signal at a third rate less than the second rate when positional data of the mobile device indicates that the mobile device is outside of the zone of interest or motionless for a selected period of time.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the third rate is equal to the first rate.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include: receiving a manual input from the mobile device; and adjusting the zone of interest in response to the manual input.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include: receiving a manual input from the mobile device; and generating a second zone of interest in response to the manual input.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the selected range of the zone of interest is adjusted in response to the manual input.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the detecting positional data of a mobile device further includes: determining a distance between the mobile device and the access control in response to a signal strength of the wireless signal.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the wireless signal is Bluetooth.

According to another embodiment, a computer program product tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium is provided. The computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: searching for a wireless signal at a first rate; detecting a wireless signal; connecting to the wireless signal; transmitting an access request from the mobile device to an access control; actuating the access control; generating a zone of interest; detecting positional data of the mobile device; and searching for a wireless signal at a second rate greater than the first rate when positional data of the mobile device indicates that the mobile device is within the zone of interest.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that prior to the generating a zone of interest, the operations further include: connecting to the wireless signal; transmitting an access request from the mobile device to an access control; and actuating the access control.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the wireless signal is transmitted by the access control and detected by the mobile device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the wireless signal is transmitted by the mobile device and detected by the access control.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the operations further include: searching for a wireless signal at a third rate less than the second rate when positional data of the mobile device indicates that the mobile device is outside of the zone of interest or motionless for a selected period of time.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the third rate is equal to the first rate.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the operations further include: receiving a manual input from the mobile device; and adjusting the zone of interest in response to the manual input.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the operations further include: receiving a manual input from the mobile device; and generating a second zone of interest in response to the manual input.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the selected range of the zone of interest is adjusted in response to the manual input.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include tracking a location, position, and movement of a mobile device relative to access controls in order to determine zones of interest for the mobile device and increase sensing rate when the mobile device is within the zone of interest.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.

