Access Control System

• US 20100176917A1
• Filed: 01/10/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pro Tech Systems of Maryland, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pro Tech Systems of Maryland, Inc.
• Inventors: Bacarella, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,854,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.600
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 51/02 by pneumatic or hydraulic means E05B17/0029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/14 Arrangement of several locks or locks with several bolts, e.g. arranged one behind the other locks having bolts with multiple head E05B15/108; with provision for latching E05B59/00, E05B61/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0075 for safes, strongrooms, vaults, fire-resisting cabinets or the like safes, closures and fastenings therefor E05G
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/005 Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/026 Closures protective doors, windows, or like closures against air raid or other war-like action E06B5/10; shutters, movable grilles, other safety closures E06B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/04 Closure fasteners locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 2700/00 Safes or accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/30 not involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/32 in combination with an identity check
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration

Abstract

An access controlled storage device may include multiple doors, each having a different lock, to insure safety and security of the contents of the storage device. In one example, the access controlled storage may include a first outer door having a physical lock and a second interior door having an electronic lock. The physical lock and the electronic lock may require different keys. Additionally or alternatively, unlocking the interior door may require unlocking of the first door in an authorized manner. Access and inventory data may be transmitted to or received from remote devices through wireless communication networks.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a housing having an internal compartment;

a plurality of doors connected to the housing, wherein a first door includes a first physical lock and the second door includes an electronic lock, wherein unlocking the first and second doors are required to access the internal compartment; and

a data access device configured to receive unlocking information from the electronic lock and to store the unlocking information in association with an identifier identifying a key used to unlock the electronic lock.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic lock is associated with an electronic scanner device configured to read identification information from an electronic key.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first lock and the second lock are fail secure.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein unlocking the second door requires unlocking the first door.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmission device configured to transmit information relating to accessing the internal compartment to a remote device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is fixedly attached to a vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the data access device is further configured to receive information specifying a change in inventory in the internal compartment.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the data access device is in a separate location from the housing.

9. A system comprising:

a physical storage apparatus having a plurality of doors, a first door having a first lock and the second door having a second lock and wherein at least one of the first and second doors includes an electronic lock; and

an access controlled compartment separate from the storage apparatus, the access controlled compartment including;

a data access device controlling unlocking of the electronic lock; and

a lock securing access to the data access device.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a third door inside the first and second doors, wherein the third door comprises a third lock.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the data access device is configured to store authorization information for unlocking the electronic lock.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the physical storage apparatus and the access controlled compartment are attached to a vehicle.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein unlocking the first lock in an authorized manner is required to unlock the second lock.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein unlocking the second lock further requires an electronic key different from a key required for unlocking the first lock in the authorized manner.

15. A method comprising:

detecting, by an access control device, opening of a first door of an access controlled storage device, the first door having a first lock;

determining, by the access control device, whether the opening of the first door was authorized;

in response to determining that the opening of the first door was authorized, waiting for a request to open a second door;

receiving the request to open the second door, the request including a request to unlock a second lock of the second door, wherein the second lock includes an electronic lock;

determining whether the request is authorized;

in response to determining that the request is authorized, unlocking the second door and providing access to an interior compartment of the access controlled storage device; and

recording the access to the interior compartment.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining whether the opening of the first door was authorized includes determining whether a first key was used to unlock the first lock.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein recording the access to the interior compartment includes transmitting access information to a data storage device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the data storage device is located remotely from the access controlled storage device.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein determining whether the request to open the second door is authorized includes transmitting the request to a remote server and receiving a response indicating whether the request is authorized.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising recording a change in inventory of the access controlled storage device.