Wireless access control and event controller system

• US 20060214767A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alarm Lock Systems Incorporated (Napco Security Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alarm Lock Systems Incorporated (Napco Security Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carrieri, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,791,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.610
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/22 in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

A wireless access control system and method is described which permits wireless communication between a remote access controller and a central access controller on an “on demand” basis. The remote access controller can determine the state of the locking mechanism without communication to the central access controller when a valid access request is presented. However, if an invalid access request is presented, a remote wireless communicator will be placed in its transmission mode to request updated user control data from the central access controller. The remote wireless communicator can also be placed in its transmission mode to request updated user control data from the central access controller by a communication command input at a remote programming mode device.

Claims

1. An access control system comprising:

a locking mechanism having a first state and a second state;

a control circuit coupled to said locking mechanism for switching said locking mechanism from said first state to said second state;

an access request receiving device for receiving a user credential and converting said credential into an access request signal;

a remote access controller electrically coupled to said access request receiving device and adapted to send a status signal to said control circuit;

a remote storage device coupled to said remote access controller for maintaining access control data which will be compared to said access request signal to determine whether said access request signal reflects a valid access request;

a remote wireless communicator electrically coupled to said remote access controller and adapted to both transmit and receive access control data, said remote wireless communicator having a standby mode during which no access control data can be received or transmitted, a wake-up listening mode during which access control data can be received, and a transmission mode during which access control data can be transmitted;

a timer set to a preset value and coupled to said remote access controller;

a central access controller located remotely from said remote access controller;

a central wireless communicator electrically coupled to said central access controller and adapted to transmit access control data, and receive access control data from said remote wireless communicator; and

wherein said remote access controller can determine the state of said locking mechanism without communication to said central access controller when a valid access request is presented, wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its transmission mode by an invalid access request signal, and further wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its wake-up listening mode by the expiration of said timer.

2. The access control system of claim 1 wherein said user credential is in the form of a user keypad.

3. The access control system of claim 1 wherein said user credential is in the form of a biometric reader.

4. The access control system of claim 1 wherein said user credential is in the form of a card key.

5. The access control system of claim 1 further comprising a wake-up control timer coupled to said remote wireless communicator to establish the period of time remote wireless communicator will stay in its wake-up listening mode before reverting to standby mode.

6. The access control system of claim 1 wherein the access control data transferred between said remote wireless communicator and said central wireless communicator is encrypted prior to transmission.

7. The access control system of claim 1 further comprising a synchronizing clock coupled to said central wireless communicator to time the transmission of updated access control data to said remote wireless communicator to when said remote wireless communicator is in its wake-up listening mode.

8. The access control system of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism is a door lock.

9. The access control system of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism controls ignition of a vehicle.

10. The access control system of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism controls operation of a power tool.

11. The access control system of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism controls access to telecommunication equipment.

12. The access control system of claim 1 said locking mechanism controls access to a computer network.

13. An access control system comprising:

a locking mechanism having a first state and a second state;

a control circuit coupled to said locking mechanism for switching said locking mechanism from said first state to said second state;

an access request receiving device for receiving a user credential and converting said credential into an access request signal;

a remote access controller electrically coupled to said access request receiving device and adapted to send a status signal to said control circuit;

a remote storage device coupled to said remote access controller for maintaining access request data which will be compared to said access request signal to determine whether said access control signal reflects a valid access request;

a remote wireless communicator electrically coupled to said remote access controller and adapted to both transmit and receive access control data, said remote wireless communicator having a standby mode during which no access control data can be received or transmitted, a wake-up listening mode during which access control data can be received, and a transmission mode during which access control data can be transmitted;

a transducer coupled to said remote access controller;

a central access controller located remotely from said remote access controller;

a central wireless communicator electrically coupled to said central access controller and adapted to both transmit to, and receive from, said remote wireless communicator access control data;

a transducer stimulator, located remotely from said transducer, for activating said transducer; and

wherein said remote access controller can determine the state of said locking mechanism without communication to said central access controller when a valid access request is presented, wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its transmission mode by an invalid access request signal, and further wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its wake-up listening mode by activation of said transducer by said transducer stimulator.

14. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said user credential is in the form of a user keypad.

15. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said user credential is in the form of a biometric reader.

16. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said user credential is in the form of a card key.

17. The access control system of claim 13 further comprising a wake-up control timer coupled to said remote wireless communicator to establish the period of time remote wireless communicator will stay in its wake-up listening mode before reverting to standby mode.

18. The access control system of claim 13 wherein the access control data transferred between said remote wireless communicator and said central wireless communicator is encrypted prior to transmission.

19. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize ultrasonic transmissions.

20. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize infrared transmissions.

21. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize radio frequency transmissions.

22. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize audio transmissions.

23. The access control system of claim 22 wherein said transducer stimulator transmissions are amplified over a public address system.

24. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said locking mechanism is a door lock.

25. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said locking mechanism controls ignition of a vehicle.

26. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said locking mechanism controls operation of a power tool.

27. The access control system of claim 13 wherein said locking mechanism controls access to telecommunication equipment.

28. The access control system of claim 13 said locking mechanism controls access to a computer network.

29. An access control system comprising:

a locking mechanism having a first state and a second state;

a control circuit coupled to said locking mechanism for switching said locking mechanism from said first state to said second state;

an access request receiving device for receiving a user credential and converting said credential into an access request signal;

a remote access controller electrically coupled to said access request receiving device and adapted to send a status signal to said control circuit;

a remote storage device coupled to said remote access controller for maintaining access request data which will be compared to said access request signal to determine whether said access request signal reflects a valid access request;

a remote programming mode device coupled to said remote access controller;

a remote wireless communicator electrically coupled to said remote access controller and adapted to both transmit and receive access control data, said remote wireless communicator having a standby mode during which no access control data can be received or transmitted, a wake-up listening mode during which access control data can be received and a transmission mode during which access control data can be transmitted;

a timer set to a preset value and coupled to said remote access controller;

a central access controller located remotely from said remote access controller;

a central wireless communicator electrically coupled to said central access controller and adapted to both transmit to, and receive from said remote wireless communicator access control data; and

wherein said remote access controller can determine the state of said locking mechanism without communication to said central access controller when a valid access request is presented, wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its transmission mode by either an invalid access request signal or a communication command input at said remote programming mode device, and further wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its transmission mode by the expiration of said timer.

30. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said user credential is in the form of a user keypad.

31. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said user credential is in the form of a biometric reader.

32. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said user credential is in the form of a card key.

33. The access control system of claim 29 further comprising a wake-up control timer coupled to said remote wireless communicator to establish the period of time remote wireless communicator will stay in its wake-up listening mode before reverting to standby mode.

34. The access control system of claim 29 wherein the access control data transferred between said remote wireless communicator and said central wireless communicator is encrypted prior to transmission.

35. The access control system of claim 29 further comprising a synchronizing clock coupled to said central wireless communicator to time the transmission of updated access control data to said remote wireless communicator to when said remote wireless communicator is in its wake-up listening mode.

36. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said locking mechanism is a door lock.

37. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said locking mechanism controls ignition of a vehicle.

38. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said locking mechanism controls operation of a power tool.

39. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said locking mechanism controls access to telecommunication equipment.

40. The access control system of claim 29 said locking mechanism controls access to a computer network.

41. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said communication command input includes an instruction to transmit a transaction log from said remote wireless communicator to said central wireless communicator.

42. The access control system of claim 29 wherein said communication command input includes an instruction to request updated access control data from said central wireless communicator.

43. An access control system comprising:

a locking mechanism having a first state and a second state;

a control circuit coupled to said locking mechanism for switching said locking mechanism from said first state to said second state;

an access request receiving device for receiving a user credential and converting said credential into an access request signal;

a remote access controller electrically coupled to said access request receiving device and adapted to send a status signal to said control circuit;

a remote storage device coupled to said remote access controller for maintaining access request data which will be compared to said access request signal to determine whether said access request signal reflects a valid access request;

a remote programming mode device coupled to said remote access controller;

a remote wireless communicator electrically coupled to said remote access controller and adapted to both transmit and receive access control data, said remote wireless communicator having a standby mode during which no access control data can be received or transmitted, a wake-up listening mode during which access control data can be received and a transmission mode during which access control data can be transmitted;

a transducer coupled to said remote access controller;

a central access controller located remotely from said remote access controller;

a central wireless communicator electrically coupled to said central access controller and adapted to both transmit to, and receive from, said remote wireless communicator access control data;

a transducer stimulator, located remotely from said transducer, for activating said transducer; and

wherein said remote access controller can determine the state of said locking mechanism without communication to said central access controller when a valid access request is presented, wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its transmission mode by either an invalid access request signal, or a communication command input at said remote programming mode device, and further wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its wake-up listening mode by activation of said transducer by said transducer stimulator.

44. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said user credential is in the form of a user keypad.

45. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said user credential is in the form of a biometric reader.

46. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said user credential is in the form of a card key.

47. The access control system of claim 43 further comprising a wake-up control timer coupled to said remote wireless communicator to establish the period of time remote wireless communicator will stay in its wake-up listening mode before reverting to standby mode.

48. The access control system of claim 43 wherein the access control data transferred between said remote wireless communicator and said central wireless communicator is encrypted prior to transmission.

49. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize ultrasonic transmissions.

50. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize infrared transmissions.

51. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize radio frequency transmissions.

52. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize audio transmissions.

53. The access control system of claim 52 wherein said transducer stimulator transmissions are amplified over a public address system.

54. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said locking mechanism is a door lock.

55. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said locking mechanism controls ignition of a vehicle.

56. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said locking mechanism controls operation of a power tool.

57. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said locking mechanism controls access to telecommunication equipment.

58. The access control system of claim 43 said locking mechanism controls access to a computer network.

59. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said communication command input includes an instruction to transmit a transaction log from said remote wireless communicator to said central wireless communicator.

60. The access control system of claim 43 wherein said communication command input includes an instruction to request updated access control data from said central wireless communicator.

61. An access control system comprising:

a locking mechanism having a first state and a second state;

a control circuit coupled to said locking mechanism for switching said locking mechanism from said first state to said second state;

an access request receiving device for receiving a user credential and converting said credential into an access request signal;

a remote access controller electrically coupled to said access request receiving device and adapted to send a status signal to said control circuit;

a remote storage device coupled to said remote access controller for maintaining access request data which will be compared to said access request signal to determine whether said access control signal reflects a valid access request;

a remote programming mode device coupled to said remote access controller;

a remote wireless communicator electrically coupled to said remote access controller and adapted to both transmit and receive access control data, said remote wireless communicator having a standby mode during which no access control data can be received or transmitted, a wake-up listening mode during which access control data can be received, and a transmission mode during which access control data can be transmitted;

a transducer coupled to said remote access controller;

a timer set to a preset value and coupled to said remote access controller;

a central access controller located remotely from said remote access controller;

a central wireless communicator electrically coupled to said central access controller and adapted to both transmit to, and receive from, said remote wireless communicator access control data;

a transducer stimulator, located remotely from said transducer, for activating said transducer; and

wherein said remote access controller can determine the state of said locking mechanism without communication to said central access controller when a valid access request is presented, wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its transmission mode by either an invalid access request signal or a communication command input at said remote programming mode device, and further wherein said remote wireless communicator is placed in its wake-up listening mode by either activation of said transducer by said transducer stimulator or expiration of said timer.

62. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said user credential is in the form of a user keypad.

63. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said user credential is in the form of a biometric reader.

64. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said user credential is in the form of a card key.

65. The access control system of claim 61 further comprising a wake-up control timer coupled to said remote wireless communicator to establish the period of time remote wireless communicator will stay in its wake-up listening mode before reverting to standby mode.

66. The access control system of claim 61 wherein the access control data transferred between said remote wireless communicator and said central wireless communicator is encrypted prior to transmission.

67. The access control system of claim 61 further comprising a synchronizing clock coupled to said central wireless communicator to time the transmission of updated access control data to said remote wireless communicator to when said remote wireless communicator is in its wake-up listening mode.

68. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said locking mechanism is a door lock.

69. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said locking mechanism controls ignition of a vehicle.

70. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said locking mechanism controls operation of a power tool.

71. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said locking mechanism controls access to telecommunication equipment.

72. The access control system of claim 61 said locking mechanism controls access to a computer network.

73. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize ultrasonic transmissions.

74. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize infrared transmissions.

75. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize radio frequency transmissions.

76. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said transducer and transducer stimulator utilize audio transmissions.

77. The access control system of claim 76 wherein said transducer stimulator transmissions are amplified over a public address system.

78. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said communication command input includes an instruction to transmit a transaction log from said remote wireless communicator to said central wireless communicator.

79. The access control system of claim 61 wherein said communication command input includes an instruction to request updated access control data from said central wireless communicator.

80. A demand-based authorization method for controlling access to a plurality of lock mechanisms in a wireless access control system having a central access control system comprising a central access controller and a central wireless communicator, and having a separate remote access control system connected to each of said plurality of lock mechanisms comprising a remote access controller, a remote credential reader and a remote wireless communicator maintained in a standby mode to conserve power until activated, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

storing a list of valid credentials in a memory at said remote access control system wherein said list is indicative of authorized users;

receiving a credential at said credential reader;

comparing said credential to said list of valid credentials;

authorizing access from said remote access control system if said comparing step is indicative of an authorized user;

activating said remote wireless communicator to initiate a wireless communication between said remote wireless communicator and central wireless communicator when said comparing step is not indicative of an authorized user to obtain an updated list of valid credentials;

re-comparing said credential to said updated list of valid credentials; and

authorizing access if said re-comparing step is indicative of an authorized user.

81. The demand-based authorization method of claim 80 whereby said central access control system further comprises a transducer stimulator and each said separate remote access control system comprises a transducer, said method further comprising the step of:

activating said remote wireless communicator by means of a signal from said transducer stimulator to said transducer.

82. The demand-based authorization method of claim 81 further comprising the step of:

forwarding access control data from said central access control system to said remote access control system.

83. The demand-based authorization method of claim 81 further comprising the step of:

amplifying said signal from said transducer stimulator over a public address system.

84. The demand-based authorization method of claim 80 further comprising the steps of:

activating said remote wireless communicator at predetermined times for a period of time; and

initiating a wireless communication of access control data from said central access control system to said remote access control system during said period of time that said remote wireless communicator is activated.

85. The demand-based authorization method of claim 84 further comprising the step of:

extending said period of time that said remote wireless communicator is activated if transmission of access control data from said central access control system to said remote access control system is not completed.

86. The demand-based authorization method of claim 80 further comprising the step of:

activating said remote wireless communicator by means of a programming mode signal entered at said remote access control system.