Systems and methods for remote access rights and verification

• US 9,984,524 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2017
• Issued: 05/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acsys Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Acsys Ip Holding, Inc.
• Inventors: Fares, Ahmad, Meganck, David, Belhadia, Karim, Mouradian, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Bousono, Orlando
• Application Number:
  US15/415,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20170213406A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/20 Checking timed patrols, e.g. of watchman
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00396 starting with prompting the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00753 operated by active electrical keys
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0088 centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

An access control system is provided that enables a network operations center to manage and control access to a plurality of remote sites and to verify servicing of the remote sites. Individuals in possession of electronic programmable keys can be provided opening codes to activate their keys while in the field, and to enable the keys to access one or more electronic locks located at the remote sites. Usage information associated with the utilization of the electronic programmable keys at the remote sites is stored on the electronic programmable keys. A lock attendance code is generated by the keys to verify attendance at the remote locations. The lock attendance codes are then transmitted to the network operations center where they are decoded to verify servicing of the remote sites.

Claims

1. An access control system for controlling access to one or more secured areas of a site, comprising:

one or more electronic locks located at a site;

a portable electronic programmable key which includes a processor and a non-transitory storage device for storing instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the portable electronic programmable key to;

receive an opening code via an input device integrated into the portable electronic programmable key;

in response to determining that the opening code is valid, activate the portable electronic programmable key to open the one or more electronic locks;

generate a lock attendance code using a verification function stored on the portable electronic programmable key, wherein the lock attendance code comprises an encoded string that is decodable to verify engagement of the portable electronic programmable key with the one or more electronic locks and to verify attendance of an individual at the one or more secured areas.

2. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the portable electronic programmable key to:

download and store usage information on the portable electronic programmable key pertaining to interactions between the portable electronic programmable key and the one or more electronic locks.

3. The access control system of claim 2, wherein the usage information includes access logs associated with entry attempts involving the portable electronic programmable key and the one or more electronic locks, and the access logs are utilized, at least in part, to generate the lock attendance code.

4. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality of electronic locks and the opening code enables selective access to a subset of the electronic locks at specified times or dates.

5. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the decoded lock attendance code provides information relating to times and dates when the portable electronic programmable key was used, locations where the portable electronic programmable key was used, and data that includes whether or not the portable electronic programmable key was granted or denied entry via the one or more electronic locks.

6. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a network operations center that manages security for a plurality of sites which are located remotely with respect to the network operations center, and the network operations center includes a computing device that is configured to receive and decode the lock attendance code.

7. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the opening code is transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device of a service provider prior to being received via the input device of the portable electronic programmable key.

8. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic programmable key includes a display screen and the portable electronic programmable key is configured to output the lock attendance code on the display screen.

9. The access control system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic programmable key and the input device integrated into the portable electronic programmable key are physically separate from the one or more electronic locks.

10. The access control system of claim 9, wherein the portable electronic programmable key is adapted for transportation by the individual in possession of the portable electronic programmable key to secured areas at sites located in different geographic locations.

11. The access control system of claim 9, wherein:

a plurality of electronic locks are located at the site;

the portable electronic programmable key stores data associated with a plurality of valid opening codes;

in response to determining that the opening code entered into the input device of the portable electronic programmable key is valid, the portable electronic programmable key determines a subset of the plurality of electronic locks at the site that can be opened with the portable electronic programmable key, and the individual in possession of the portable electronic programmable key is provided with real-time and on-demand access to the secured areas protected by the subset of the plurality of electronic locks.

12. A method for controlling access to one or more secured areas of a site, comprising:

receiving an opening code via an input device integrated into a portable electronic programmable key;

in response to determining that the opening code is valid, activating the portable electronic programmable key to enable opening of one or more electronic locks located at a site;

generating a lock attendance code using a verification function stored on the portable electronic programmable key, wherein the lock attendance code comprises an encoded string that is decodable to verify engagement of the portable electronic programmable key with the one or more electronic locks and to verify attendance of an individual at the one or more secured areas.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

downloading and storing usage information on the portable electronic programmable key pertaining to interactions between the portable electronic programmable key and the one or more electronic locks.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the usage information includes access logs associated with entry attempts involving the portable electronic programmable key and the one or more electronic locks, and the access logs are utilized, at least in part, to generate the lock attendance code.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the site includes a plurality of electronic locks and the opening code enables selective access to a subset of the electronic locks at specified times or dates.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the decoded lock attendance code provides information relating to times and dates when the portable electronic programmable key was used, locations where the portable electronic programmable key was used, and data that includes whether or not the portable electronic programmable key was granted or denied entry via the one or more electronic locks.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein a network operations center manages security for a plurality of sites which are located remotely with respect to the network operations center, and the network operations center includes a computing device that is configured to receive and decode the lock attendance code.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the opening code is transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device of a service provider prior to being received via the input device of the portable electronic programmable key.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the portable electronic programmable key includes a display screen and the portable electronic programmable key is configured to output the lock attendance code on the display screen.