Interactive key control system and method of managing access to secured locations

• US 20020023232A1
• Filed: 08/10/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shield Security Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Shield Security Systems LLC
• Inventors: McMillin, Leslie S., Serani, Scott M., Blish, Charles D. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,120,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2113 Multi-level security, e.g. mandatory access control
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/65 Central control

Abstract

An interactive method and system for managing access to one or more secured locations by one of more users via a global communication network which comprises software made up of a plurality of databases, each of the databases requiring a different level of access to the secured locations as well as being able to perform one or more functions at each different level of access, and a key or other entry control device is assigned to each user for use in gaining access to one or more of the locations at a predetermined level of access assigned to that user, the system as described being capable of being added to, deleted in whole or in part, or modified, and the databases are capable of maintaining the status of the entry control devices, locations and users in a real time mode for instantaneous access, maintenance and control anywhere in the world.

Claims

1. In an interactive system for managing access via a global communications network by one or more users to a secured location comprising in combination:

an entry control device assigned for use in gaining access to said location by each said user;

data processing means having a plurality of databases, each of said databases requiring a different level of access to said location;

means for assigning a password to each said user corresponding to one of said levels of access; and

each of said databases having one or more functions selectable by each said user according to said user'"'"'s password.

2. In a system according to claim 1 wherein said devices are tangible items containing encoded criteria.

3. In a system according to claim 2 wherein said encoded criteria are assigned to each said user.

4. In a system according to claim 2 wherein said tangible items are selected from the group consisting of a key, access card, chip and bar codes.

5. In a system according to claim 1 wherein said devices are intangible objects assigned to and in possession of each said user.

6. In a system according to claim 5 wherein said objects are selected from the group consisting of code numbers, PIN numbers and code words or phrases.

7. In a system according to claim 1 wherein said location includes an accessway having a locking member which must be unlocked to gain access to said location.

8. In a system according to claim 6 wherein said location includes a security system which requires one of said objects to gain access to information in said system.

9. In a system according to claim 1 wherein one of said different levels of access is selected from the group consisting of a key, card and padlock combination.

10. In a system according to claim 1 wherein one of said different levels of access includes the ability to configure said device for said location.

11. In a system according to claim 1 wherein one of said different levels of access includes the ability to determine which of said users is allowed access to one of said secured locations.

12. In a system according to claim 1 wherein said functions include adding, modifying, deleting and viewing entries from each of said databases.

13. In a system according to claim 12 wherein profile means is provided to control access of each said user to said database entries.

15. In an interactive system according to claim 14 wherein each said user is assigned a password to enable the user to gain access to said location and to define said level of access to each said data authorized for said user.

16. In a system according to claim 14 wherein said devices are tangible items containing encoded criteria, said encoded criteria being assigned to each said user, and said tangible items being selected from the group consisting of a key, access card, chip and bar codes.

17. In a system according to claim 14 wherein said devices are intangible objects assigned to and in possession of each said user, and said objects are selected from the group consisting of code numbers, PIN numbers and code words or phrases.

18. In a system according to claim 14 wherein each said secured location includes an accessway having a locking device which must be unlocked to gain access to said secured location, and said secured location includes a security system which requires one of said devices to gain access to information in said system.

19. In a system according to claim 14 wherein one of said different levels of access is selected from the group consisting of a key, card and padlock combination.

20. In a system according to claim 15 wherein one of said different levels of access includes the ability to configure said device for said secured location.

21. In a system according to claim 15 wherein one of said different levels of access includes the ability to determine which of said users is allowed access to said secured location.

22. In a system according to claim 15 wherein said functions include adding, modifying, deleting and viewing entries from each of said databases.

23. In a system according to claim 22 wherein access control means is provided to control access of each said user to said databases according to said password assigned.

24. In a system according to claim 15 wherein said access control means is operative to display records of each of said devices for said location and to display information pertaining to ownership and other associated data for each of said devices.

25. In a system according to claim 24 wherein said access control means is operative to display information relating to one of said devices which is lost or stolen.

26. In a system according to claim 24 wherein said access control means is operative to display said data entries in real time.

29. The method according to claim 28 characterized by the step of interactively communicating between each said user and said databases.

30. The method according to claim 28 including the step of maintaining said devices, locations and users in a real time mode.

31. The method according to claim 28 wherein said functions include the steps of adding, modifying, deleting and viewing data entries from each of said databases.

32. The method according to claim 28 comprising the step of dynamically linking said databases and s aid user via a global communications network.

33. The method according to claim 32 including the step of maintaining current and historical data on each of said devices, locations and users.

34. The method according to claim 32 including the steps of selecting a function to be performed and verifying that the function selected is authorized.

35. The method according to claim 28 including the step of looking up in said database to determine if said user is authorized to have access to one of said levels of access.

36. The method according to claim 28 including the step of providing information relating to a device which has been found.

37. The method according to claim 28 including the step of providing information relating to a device which has been lost.

38. The method according to claim 37 including the step of providing information relating to said stolen device.

39. The method according to claim 28 including the step of providing information relating to current status of devices for said different levels of access at each said location.

40. The method according to claim 28 including the step of adding one of said devices, locations, and users to one of said databases.

41. The method according to claim 28 including the step of recording the addition of a key blank.

42. The method according to claim 28 including the step of ordering one of said devices.

43. The method according to claim 28 including the step of adding an additional access control system to said database.

14. In an interactive system for managing access via a global communications network by one or more users to one or more secured locations comprising in combination:

an entry control device assigned to each said location for use in gaining access by each said user;

data processing means having a plurality of databases whereby each of said databases has a different level of access to each said location;

means for assigning a password to each said user corresponding to one of said levels of access; and

access control means for maintaining said devices, locations and users in a real time mode.

27. An interactive system for managing access by one or more users to at least one secured location wherein a key is assigned to said location for use in gaining access to a particular part of said location by each said user comprising in combination:

data processing means having a plurality of databases wherein each of said databases requires a selected level of access to said location;

means for assigning a password to each said user corresponding to one of said levels; and

each of said databases having one or more functions selectable by each said user according to said user'"'"'s password.

28. A method for managing access by one or more users to an access control system for at least one secured location comprising the steps of:

assigning an entry control device to said location for use in gaining access by each said user;

providing a plurality of databases wherein each of said databases defines a different level of access to said location or to data relating to said location;

assigning a password to each said user which corresponds to one of said levels; and

providing one or more functions in each of said databases from which each said user can select.