Smart IOT end devices supervised by a gateway device and secure methods of operation

A smart IoT device operation method directed to a server, an artificial intelligence (AI) module connectable to the server, a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN), a smart gateway device located in a secure site, and a smart IoT device including a smart lock for controlling a user entry to the secure site, such that the server, the LPWAN, the smart gateway device and the smart lock are in sequential communication links, so that the smart IoT device operation method comprises:

• a user sending an access request to the server;
• the server generating an access instance after the access request to the secure site has been approved, wherein the access instance comprises a user identity, gateway identity, smart lock identity, a scheduled date and time of visit to the secure site;
• determining a quality of service by the AI module, with the AI module comprising a pre-selection module and a lock operation access scenario selection module, and the pre-selection module determining a historical quality of service of the LPWAN link and all available communication links (including any cellular or IoT network;
• and
• selecting a lock operation according to the historical determined quality of service at all the communication links at the gateway and at a user device, from the following scenarios:
• scenario A, wherein the server and the smart gateway device are functioning reliably, the access instance and a lock virtual key are sent only after the user has reached the secure site and sent an entry request to the server;
• or
• scenario B, wherein the server and the smart gateway device are functioning but the smart gateway device has a history of deteriorated reliability, the access instance and a lock virtual key are sent to the smart gateway device;
• or
• scenario C, wherein the server and the smart gateway device are functioning, the access instance and a lock virtual key are sent to the smart gateway device, and a long range (LR) communication link between the server and the smart gateway device is later found to be unreliable by the lock operation access scenario selection module;
• or
• scenario D, wherein the server and the smart gateway device are functioning, the access instance and a lock virtual key are sent to the smart gateway device, after which the smart gateway device is found to be defective or absent by the lock operation access scenario selection module;
• or
• scenario E, wherein after the smart gateway device and all the available communication links thereto are found to be out of working order due to an outage or non existent;
• and
• operating the smart IoT lock device at a secure level consistent with the selected access scenario.