Systems and methods related to door control networks

• US 10,186,095 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2016
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JNL Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: JNL Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Dehnert, Drew D., Gleason, James P., Kunda, Anthony L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pendleton, Dionne H
• Application Number:
  US15/364,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20180151008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/29 the pass containing active electronic elements, e.g. smartcards
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0013 characterised by the co-operation between reed switch and permanent magnet; Magnetic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings

Abstract

Systems and methods of ingress/egress control and monitoring and area monitoring include networked modules having wireless communications capability. Modules detect wireless communications transmitters within a particular range of the modules. The modules also monitor status of ingress and egress through doors and door status. Door access control is provided in a centralized database through a system server and distributed to each module to operate as a stand-alone module in the event of disconnection from the system server. Modules repeatedly monitor the system server for programming updates and provide information to the system server for reporting.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a door control system comprising;

a microprocessor electrically coupled to a wireless communications transceiver and electronic memory, the wireless communications transceiver positioned a predetermined distance from a manway door;

a verification input from an identification reader to allow authorized personnel to interact with the door control system;

a first electrical output;

a beacon device secured to a human comprising;

a wireless communications transmitter configured to transmit a beacon device identifier;

wherein the door control system is electrically coupled to a wired electrical communications network, and capable of communications with a network server and a paging system over the wired electrical communications network,

wherein, the door control system is programmable to communicate with the paging system after the wireless communications transceiver receives the beacon device identifier, and the paging system is configured to broadcast notifications to one or more persons after receiving a communication from the door control system.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is capable of determining a strength of a wireless transmission received from the wireless transmitter.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the wireless transmission comprises the beacon device identifier.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the wireless transmission further comprises a character pattern.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to:

compare the character pattern to a predetermined character value;

store the beacon device identifier only if the character pattern matches the predetermined character value; and

communicate the beacon device identifier to the paging system.

6. A system according to claim 3, wherein the door control system paging system communication is programmed to occur only if the strength of the wireless transmission is above a predetermined level.

7. A system according to claim 1, the system further comprising:

a door disposed within a doorway; and

at least one door latch configured in a first position to prevent the door from opening and in a second position to allow the door to open.

8. A system according to claim 7, the at least one door latch being selected from the group consisting of an egress lock and an access strike.

9. A system according to claim 7, further comprising:

a magnet coupled to the door and disposed proximate an edge of the door; and

a reed switch disposed in the doorway,

wherein the reed switch is in one of an open circuit and a closed circuit when the door is in a closed position and the reed switch is in the other of the open circuit and the closed circuit when the door is in an open position.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the door control system further comprises an electrical input coupled to the reed switch.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the communication with the network server is established through a network socket connection.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the beacon device further comprises a battery.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the beacon device further comprises a reed switch to electrically connect the battery to the wireless communications transmitter.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the beacon address identifier comprises a media access control address.