Mobile digital locking technology

A digital locking mobile station app stored in a non-transient memory medium in a mobile station, having computer-readable program code embodied therewith, the computer-readable program code executable by one or more computer processors to perform an operation, the operation comprising:

• authenticating a user of the mobile station when a screen lock for the mobile station is unlocked;
• remembering the authentication of the user for the mobile station for a pre-defined time period that is longer than the time it takes for the mobile station screen lock to activate;
• submitting, during the pre-defined time period, a digital key relating to the user via a Near Field Communication (NFC) connection to a self-powered lock configured to lock an object, thereby opening the lock;
• determining a location of the mobile station;
• storing a record correlating the authentication with the location;
• and,
• inside a pre-defined distance of the location and based on the record, permitting multiple lock operations without requesting the authentication, wherein
• the mobile station app is configured to be updated and maintained by software updates from a cloud server,
• the mobile station is configured to provide operating power to the lock without a power cord, and
• the mobile station app is configured to communicate with the lock via the NFC connection.

A digital locking method, comprising;

• updating a mobile station app installed in a mobile station using a cloud server;
• providing, from the mobile station, operating power to a self powered lock configured to lock an object without a power cord;
• communicating from the mobile station app to the lock via a Near Field Communication (NFC) connection;
• authenticating a user of the mobile station, using the mobile station app, when a mobile station screen lock is unlocked;
• remembering the authentication of the user for the mobile station for a pre-defined time period that is longer than the time it takes for the mobile station screen lock to activate;
• submitting, during the pre-defined time period, a digital key relating to the user via the NFC connection to the lock, thereby opening the lock:
• determining a location of the mobile station;
• storing a record correlating the authentication with the stored location;
• and
• inside a pre-defined distance of the location and based on the record, permitting multiple lock operations without requesting the authentication.

A digital locking system, comprising:

• a mobile station;
• a mobile station app;
• and
• a self-powered lock configured to lock a door, wherein
• the mobile station is configured to provide operating power to the lock,
• the mobile station app is configured to communicate with the lock via a Near Field Communication (NFC) connection, and
• the mobile station app is configured to:
• authenticate a user of the mobile station when the screen lock for the mobile station is unlocked,
• remember the authentication of the user for the mobile station for a pre-defined time period that is longer than a time it takes for the screen lock to activate, wherein during the pre-defined time period the mobile station app is configured to submit a digital key relating to the user via the NFC connection to the lock, thereby opening the lock, and
• determine a location of the mobile station, store a record correlating the authentication with the location, and, inside a pre-defined distance of the location and based on the record, permit multiple lock operations without requesting the authentication.