Method and System for Monitoring Physical Security and Notifying if Anomalies

• US 20120169458A1
• Filed: 12/31/2010
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Buildings LLC (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric Buildings AB (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Dubois, Richard L. Jr., Morley, Michael, Welsh, Fred Morris Jr.
• Application Number:
  US12/982,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20120169458A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.3
• 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 9/38 with central registration

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring access requests for physical access to a location includes a plurality of access control devices for control accessing to specific locations. The system determines if access is authorized based on comparing information associated with the request with a database. Access is granted to a physical location based on the comparison of information. In addition, the system compares an access request to prior access requests. The system determines if the access request is an anomaly from previous requests. If the access request is an anomaly from previous requests, the system notifies an operator that the access request is an anomaly.

Claims

1. A security system for detecting changes in patterns of access requests, the system comprising:

at least one access control device for controlling the flow of items in a physical setting;

a control system for receiving information from the at least one access control device and determining if access is to be granted;

a database for collecting information regarding access;

an analytical system for analyzing the data gathered to determine patterns and variations from the patterns; and

a notification system for notifying of an anomaly in the patterns.

2. A security system of claim 1 wherein the analytical system examines current requests and historical data.

3. A security system of claim 1 where the items being monitored for flow are personnel.

4. A security system of claim 1 wherein the items being monitored for flow are equipment.

5. A security system of claim 1 wherein criteria can be adjusted as to when events are considered an anomaly and the type of notification for such an anomaly.

6. A security system of claim 1 wherein the at least one access control device is a key pad access control device.

7. A security system of claim 1 wherein the at least one access control device is RFID (radio frequency identification device) including a transmitter and a receiver device.

8. A security system of claim 1 wherein the at least one access control device includes a proximity card and associated card reader.

9. A method of detecting changes in patterns of access request comprising:

comparing an access request to prior access requests;

determining if the access request is an anomaly from previous requests; and

notifying an operator if the access request is an anomaly.

10. A method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving an access request from an access control device for controlling the flow of items in a physical setting;

comparing information associated with the request with a database; and

granting access to a physical location based on the comparison of information.

11. A method of claim 10 wherein the system notifies an operator of any denied access request.

12. A method of claim 9 wherein the anomaly is determined based on factors including the time of day.

13. A method of claim 9 wherein the anomaly is determined based on factors including the day of week.

14. A method of claim 9 wherein the anomaly is determined based on factors including activity of others at the same time period.

15. A method of claim 9 wherein the anomaly is determined based on factors including the number of previous requests at the requested access point.