WIRELESS ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20120234058A1
• Filed: 03/08/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unikey Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unlkey Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Neil, James W., Dumas, Philip C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,336,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/91
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5155 Door

Abstract

A wireless access control system includes a remote access device. A plugin device communicates with the remote access device. A lock controls the ability to lock and unlock a door in which the lock is disposed. The lock is in communication with the plugin device. The plugin device determines a distance between the remote access device and the lock and causes the lock to communicate with the remote access device when the remote access device is at a distance less than or equal to a predetermined distance from the lock to enable the lock to be unlocked.

Claims

1. A wireless access control system comprising:

a remote access device;

a plugin device, the plugin device communicating with the remote access device;

a lock for locking and unlocking a door in which the lock is disposed, the lock being in communication with the plugin device, the plugin device determining a first predetermined distance between the remote access device and the lock as a function of communicating with the remote access device, and causing the lock to communicate with the remote access device when the remote access device is at a distance less than or equal to a second predetermined distance from the lock to enable the lock to be unlocked.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote access device transmits a signal to the plugin device;

the remote access device sending a signal to the plugin device in response thereto; and

the plugin device and determining the position of the remote access device as a function of the received signal strength indication.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said lock communicates with the remote access device and receives a signal from the remote access device, determining the position of the remote access device as a function of a received signal strength indication of the signal from the remote access device, and enabling locking or unlocking of the lock as a function of a determined position of the remote access device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said lock communicates with the remote access device and receives the signal from the remote access device and determines the position of the remote access device being determined as a function of a received signal strength indication of the signal from the remote access device by the lock and the plugin device.

5. The system of claim 3, further comprising at least a second plugin device for communicating with the remote access device and the lock, and determining the position of the remote access device as a function of the received signal strength indication of the signal from the remote access device, the position of the remote access device, being determined as a function of the position determination of the plugin device, the at least second plugin device, and the lock.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal from the remote access device is a Bluetooth signal, the plugin recognizing the Bluetooth signal of the remote access device identifier to authorize operation of the lock by the remote access device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote access device is a key.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote access device is a mobile wireless communications device having an application stored thereon, the application providing access control of the lock.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a server, the server being in communication with the plugin.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the lock exhibits a hibernation state and an awake state, the plugin device sending a signal to the lock to enter the awake state when the plugin device determines that the remote access device is at a distance less than or equal to the second predetermined distance from the lock.

11. The system of claim 1, the second predetermined distance from the lock is less than the first predetermined distance from the lock.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a first directional antenna facing in a first direction, and a second directional antenna facing in an opposed second direction, the lock receiving a signal or greater signal strength from the remote access device at one of the first directional antenna, and second directional antenna and enabling locking or unlocking of the lock only when the signal from the remote access device is sensed at a lesser signal strength at the second directional antenna than the first directional antenna.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote access device includes a global positioning system sensor, and the remote access device only outputting the signal when the global positioning system sensor determines that the remote access device is within a predetermined distance of at least one of the lock and plugin device

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a motor, the motor locking and unlocking the lock in response to the remote access device communicating with the lock and being at a distance less than or equal to the second predetermined distance from the lock.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the plugin device determines the received signal strength intensity of two or more signals received from a remote access device;

determines an average maximum average in range value and an average minimum in range value and adjusts the first predetermined distance as a function of at least one of the average maximum in range value and the average minimum in range value.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote access device has an authorized token for recognition by at least one of the plugin device and the lock to enable the remote access device to open the lock.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least a second remote access device, the remote access device communicating with the at least second remote access device to transfer the authorized token to the at least second remote access device.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least a second remote access device, the remote access device communicating with the at least second remote access device to share the authorized token to the at least second remote access device.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote access device is a cellular phone, and the authorized token is an application stored on the cellular phone.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote access device communicates with the at least second remote access device across a cellular network.