Patent attributes
Embodiments relate to remote administration of a portable electronic key. An activation signal may be delivered to wireless communications circuitry of the portable electronic key to enable the key to perform one or more tasks. A smart device can receive information related to the activation signal from a server device. The smart device may deliver the activation signal to the portable electronic key via a wireless communications link established in accordance with a wireless networking standardized communications protocol. A user verification procedure may be performed at one of the portable electronic key and the smart device. The user verification procedure may indicate if a holder of the portable electronic key is authorized to use the key. Delivery of the activation signal may be initiated in response to completion of the user verification procedure.