Systems and methods for secure lock systems with redundant access control

• US 9,672,674 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2016
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acsys Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Acsys Ip Holding, Inc.
• Inventors: Meganck, David, Fares, Ahmad, Belhadia, Karim, Mouradian, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US15/203,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20170053467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 340 561, 340 57
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0061 Knobs or handles with protective cover, buffer or shock absorber
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/1614 of hard materials, to prevent drilling E05B67/04, E05B67/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0086 Emergency release, e.g. key or electromagnet E05B63/0073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0095 Mechanical aspects of locks controlled by telephone signals, e.g. by mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 3/06 by means arranged in or on the rose or escutcheon
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 41/00 Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked indicator lights E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0615 operated by handles, e.g. by knobs
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0638 by disconnecting the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/25 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/654 International mobile subscriber identity [IMSI] numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing secure locks having redundant access channels are disclosed. In some embodiments of the invention, the smart lock has a hardware processor, a power source, a cylinder, a button that forms a rose knob, and a rose protector. The rose knob and rose protector protect and conceal the hardware processor, the power source, and the cylinder. The rose protector forms an annular groove that slidably interlocks with the rose knob. The rose knob has a plurality of redundant access channels for receiving authentication information. The redundant access channels may include a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad for entering a token, or a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device. When the user cannot open the lock through the first redundant access channel, the smart lock is configured to allow access through a second access channel.

Claims

1. A lock for providing redundant channels of access comprising:

a hardware processor;

a power source;

a cylinder adaptable to fit a standard profile slot of a door, the cylinder comprising a cam to engage a bolt;

a button for engaging the cam to unlock the bolt and for forming a rose knob for protecting and concealing the hardware processor, the power source, and the cylinder; and

a rose protector for protecting and concealing the hardware processor, the power source, and the cylinder, such that the hardware processor, the power source, and the cylinder are entirely protected and concealed by the rose knob and the rose protector,

wherein the rose protector has an outer wall and an inner wall forming an annular groove for interlocking with the rose knob, the inner wall formed substantially perpendicular with respect to the door, the outer wall formed conically with respect to the door, the annular groove having a graduating thickness that decreases along a plane normal to the door as a result of the conical shape of the outer wall, wherein the shape of the outer wall deflects a strike of brute force,

wherein the rose knob has an exterior surface and an interior surface, the exterior surface and interior surface forming;

     1) an annular rim for interlocking with the annular groove of the rose protector, the annular rim having a thickness that matches the graduating thickness of the annular groove; and

     2) an opening comprising the power source, the hardware processor, and a plurality of redundant access channels for receiving authentication information, the redundant access channels comprising a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad, and a wireless transceiver configured to communicate in near real-time with a mobile device,

wherein the rose protector has a set of through-holes for one or more securing rods and one or more fasteners that secure the rose protector to the door, and when the annular rim of the rose knob slidably interlocks with the annular groove of the rose protector, the rose knob is irremovably secured to the rose protector,

wherein the rose knob is freely rotatable until valid authentication information is received from the passcode keypad, biometric scanner, or mobile device, upon which the rose knob is configured to actuate the cam to unlock the bolt, and

wherein the hardware processor is configured to validate authentication information received from the passcode keypad, biometric scanner, or mobile device based on a set of rules determined by an administrator, unlock the bolt when a user is authenticated through a first channel of the plurality of redundant access channels, and when the user cannot open the lock through the first channel, allow access through a second channel of the plurality of redundant access channels.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the cylinder is a double entry cylinder allowing for keyed access from two sides, wherein the hardware processor is a first hardware processor, the power source is a first power source, the rose protector is a first rose protector, and the rose knob is a first rose knob, the lock further comprising:

a second hardware processor;

a second power source;

a second button for engaging the cam to unlock the bolt and for forming a second rose knob for protecting and concealing the second hardware processor, the second power source, and the cylinder,

a second rose protector for protecting and concealing the second hardware processor, the second power source, and the cylinder, such that the second hardware processor, the second power source, and the cylinder are entirely protected and concealed by the second rose knob and the second rose protector; and

wherein the second rose protector has an outer wall and an inner wall forming an annular groove for interlocking with the second rose knob, the inner wall formed substantially perpendicular with respect to the door, the outer wall formed conically with respect to the door, the annular groove having a graduating thickness that decreases along a plane normal to the door as a result of the conical shape of the outer wall, wherein the shape of the outer wall deflects a strike of brute force,

wherein the second rose knob has an exterior surface and an interior surface, the exterior surface and interior surface forming;

     1) an annular rim for interlocking with the annular groove of the second rose protector, the annular rim having a thickness that matches the graduating thickness of the annular groove; and

     2) an opening comprising the second power source and the second hardware processor,

wherein the second rose protector has a set of through-holes for one or more securing rods and one or more fasteners that secure the rose protector to the door, and when the annular rim of the second rose knob slidably interlocks with the annular groove of the second rose protector, the second rose knob is irremovably secured to the second rose protector, and

wherein the first rose protector and the first rose knob are disposed on the exterior of the door, and the second rose protector and the second rose knob are disposed on the interior of the door.

3. The lock of claim 2, wherein the second rose protector is fastened to the first rose protector by one or more securing rods and one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more fasteners are inserted from the second rose protector, and are concealed from the exterior side of the door.

4. The lock of claim 1, wherein the rose knob has a frustum, and wherein the biometric scanner for receiving biometric information and the passcode keypad are disposed on the frustum.

5. The lock of claim 1, wherein the rose knob and the rose protector are constructed of stainless steel.

6. The lock of claim 1, wherein the rose knob has a finished surface, the finished surface having a coating that substantially reduces the rose knob'"'"'s coefficient of friction.

7. The lock of claim 1, wherein the lock is a lock selected from the group consisting of a mechatronic lock, a mechanical lock, and a padlock.

8. The lock of claim 1, wherein the rose knob actuates the cam to unlock the bolt upon validating authentication information by actuating a release mechanism that moves from a blocking position to an unblocking position, enabling the rose knob to be pushed inwards and engage the cam upon further rotation.

9. The lock of claim 1, wherein the rose knob actuates the cam for a first series of turns, and after the first series of turns, actuates a latch of the cylinder.

10. The lock of claim 1, further comprising a numeric display that associates the rotational movement of the rose knob with an alphanumeric display, and wherein the hardware processor is further configured to validate authentication information based on the rotational movement the rose knob, wherein the rotational movement of the rose knob is associated with the alphanumeric display and corresponds to a passcode, and wherein the hardware processor validates the passcode electronically.

11. An access control system for providing redundant access channels comprising:

the lock according to claim 1;

a user mobile device configured to request access to the lock;

an administrator device for controlling the user mobile device'"'"'s access to the lock, the administrator device being configured to grant or deny the request for access in near real-time, wherein upon being granted access to the lock, the user mobile device is configured to receive authentication information comprising a token for opening the lock, and to provide the token to the lock; and

wherein the lock comprises a storage medium for storing access information, and the lock is configured to transmit a response comprising the stored access information.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the response transmitted from the lock comprises an access record indicating whether the token was accepted by the lock and that the lock was opened, and wherein the step of transmitting the response comprises transmitting the response from the user mobile device to the administrator device in near real-time.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the administrator device is configured to grant access to the user mobile device based on a set of configurable rules and wherein the set of configurable rules comprises:

a user role that is associated with a set of permissions to one or more locks, the set of configurable rules restricting access to a user based on the user'"'"'s location, time the lock is being accessed, and the user'"'"'s role; and

a triggering event, the mobile device automatically sending a request for access to the lock based upon the mobile device registering the triggering event.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the power source is a rechargeable power source and comprises a piezo element, and the rotational movement of the button is applied to the piezo element and generates piezoelectricity that is stored in the rechargeable power source.

15. The lock of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is further configured to communicate in near real-time with one of:

1) a network device,

     2) a control access server, and

     3) an administrator device.

16. The lock of claim 15, further comprising a wireless modem configured to create a cellular broadband connection and communicate to an administrator device or a central access server in near real-time, and to create a short range wireless connection for communicating to an administrator device or a central access server in near real-time.

17. The lock of claim 16, wherein the lock is configured to receive an instruction from the central access server or the administrator device over the cellular broadband connection to block access to a user based on the user'"'"'s biometric scan, passcode, or mobile device IMEI.

18. The lock of claim 16, wherein the lock is configured to:

receive a token, a biometric scan or a passcode,

transmit a request for access to the lock based on a set of configurable rules, and

receive an instruction to grant or deny the request for access from the administrator device or central access server in near real-time.

19. The lock of claim 16, wherein the button comprises an inertial module configured to determine a door status that indicates whether a door has been opened or closed, and communicate the door status to the administrator device or central access server in near real-time, and wherein the lock is configured to determine a bolt status that indicates whether the bolt is in a locked or unlocked position, and communicate the bolt status to the administrator device or central access server in near real-time.

20. A system for controlling a lock having redundant access channels, the system comprising:

the lock for providing redundant access channels according to claim 16; and

a network device, wherein the lock is coupled to the network device over a short-range wireless connection, and the network device is coupled to the administrator device or central access server over a network connection.