Door security system audit trail

• US 20030071715A1
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harrow Products (Delaware) LLC (Allegion PLC), Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Harrow Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Lavelle, Gary E., Conklin, Peter S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,019,614 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.5
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00841 by a portable device
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key

Abstract

A door security system for a door having an electrically actuated lock. The lock is controlled by a lock controller having an audit trail memory. An entry code reader transmits entered access codes to the controller. The controller compares the entered access code to prestored access codes and actuates the lock in response to the comparison. The controller stores the entered access code and a time stamp in the audit trail memory.

Claims

1. An electronic control system operable to control access to a plurality of doors by a plurality of users, the system comprising:

a plurality of door controllers, each door controller operable to control access to one of the plurality of doors and including memory, data storage, an input device, and a processor, each door controller storing the users identity and time of access within the data storage following each attempted access to the door; and

a central computer including an input device, memory, data storage, and a processor, the central computer operable to program each of the door controllers individually or in groups, the computer selectively connectable to one of the plurality of door controllers to facilitate data transfer therebetween.

2. The electronic control system of claim 1, further comprising an electromechanical lock actuatable by the door controller.

3. The electronic control system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of programs, each program including a list of valid user codes, each door controller storing and running one of the programs, the program receiving a user code from the door controller input device and using the user code to determine whether a particular user is allowed access to the particular door.

4. The electronic control system of claim 3, wherein the program compares the input user code to the list of valid user codes stored within the door controller of the door being accessed to determine if access should be granted.

5. The electronic control system of claim 4, wherein the program calculates an access allowed time range and compares the time at which the user code is input to the range, and wherein access is denied when the time at which access is attempted falls outside of the access allowed range.

6. The electronic control system of claim 3, wherein the input device includes an alphanumeric keypad.

7. The electronic control system of claim 3, wherein the input device includes a card reader.

8. The electronic control system of claim 1, wherein the data stored within each door controller includes an audit trail, and wherein the audit trail is downloadable to the central computer for review.

9. The electronic control system of claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic lock actuatable by the door controller.

10. The electronic control system of claim 1, wherein the central computer is in data communication with each of the door controllers to transfer data therebetween.

11. An electronic door control system for a plurality of buildings, the system comprising:

a plurality of doors in each of the plurality of buildings, each door including an electrically actuatable lock mechanism;

a plurality of door controllers, each door controller operable to control access to one of the plurality of doors and including memory, data storage, an input device, and a processor, each door controller storing a user'"'"'s code and time of access within the data storage following each attempted access to the door; and

a central computer including an input device, memory, storage, and a processor, the central computer operable to program each of the door controllers individually or in groups, such that each controller alone controls access to its respective door.

12. The electronic control system of claim 11, wherein the electrically actuatable lock mechanism includes an electromechanical lock actuatable by the door controller.

13. The electronic control system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of programs, each program including a list of valid user codes, each door controller storing and running one of the programs, the program receiving the user code from the door controller input device and using the user code to determine whether a particular user is allowed access to the particular door.

14. The electronic control system of claim 13, wherein the program compares the input user code to the list of valid user codes stored within the door controller of the door being accessed to determine if access should be granted.

15. The electronic control system of claim 14, wherein the program calculates an access allowed time range and compares the time at which the user code is input to the range, and wherein access is denied when the time at which access is attempted falls outside of the access allowed range.

16. The electronic control system of claim 13, wherein the input device includes an alphanumeric keypad.

17. The electronic control system of claim 13, wherein the input device includes a card reader.

18. The electronic control system of claim 11, wherein the data stored within each door controller includes an audit trail, and wherein the audit trail is downloadable to the central computer for review.

19. The electronic control system of claim 11, further comprising an electromagnetic lock actuatable by the door controller.

20. The electronic control system of claim 11, wherein the central computer is in data communication with each of the door controllers to transfer data therebetween.

21. A method of controlling access to a plurality of doors by a new user, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a plurality of door controllers, each door controller operable to control access to one of the plurality of doors and including memory, data storage, an input device, and a processor;

connecting a central computer to each of the plurality of door controllers to facilitate data exchange therebetween;

randomly assigning the user a user code;

reprogramming each of the door controllers individually or in groups using the central computer such that the door controllers recognize the user code;

allowing or denying access to the user at each door;

storing the user code and time at which entry was attempted within the data storage of the individual door controller; and

periodically downloading the data from the desired door controllers to the central computer for evaluation.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of inputting the user code at one of the door controllers.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the allowing or denying access to the user at each door step further comprises comparing the entered code to a list of valid codes stored in the data storage of the door controller and denying access if the user code is not on the list of valid codes.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the allowing or denying access to the user at each door step further comprises determining if entry is allowed at the particular time the user code is entered.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the central computer is connected to each of the door controllers simultaneously.