SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUNDANT ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS BASED ON MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20160260271A1
• Filed: 03/03/2016
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acsys Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Acsys Ip Holding, Inc.
• Inventors: Belhadia, Karim, Mouradian, Jean, Meganck, David, Fares, Ahmad
• Granted Patent: US 10,013,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• 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 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing redundant access control systems are disclosed. According to some embodiments of the invention, the systems and methods include a smart lock that provides redundant access control. The smart lock includes a button that 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. In some embodiments, the button is a freely rotating button that translates the rotational energy into electrical energy using, for example piezo elements, to energize a rechargeable power source, such as a capacitor bank.

Claims

1. A lock for providing redundant access control comprising:

a hardware processor;

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

a button for engaging the cam to unlock the bolt, the button comprising 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 for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device;

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. A system for providing redundant access channels comprising:

the lock for providing redundant access channels 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 configure 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.

3. The system of claim 2, 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.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the administrator device is configured to grant access to the user mobile device based on a set of configurable rules.

5. The system of claim 4, 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.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the set of configurable rules further comprise a triggering event, the mobile device automatically sending a request for access to the lock based upon the mobile device registering the triggering event.

7. The lock of claim 1 further comprising a rechargeable power source, wherein:

the button is a freely rotating button for unlocking the bolt and energizing the rechargeable power source; and

the rotational energy generated by the movement of the button is converted to electric energy and stored in the rechargeable power source.

8. The lock of claim 7, further comprising a piezo element, wherein the rotational movement of the button is applied to the piezo element and generates piezoelectricity that is stored in the rechargeable power source.

9. The lock of claim 7, further comprising an armature and electrical generator, wherein the rotational movement of the button is applied to the armature and electrical generator to generate electrostatic energy that is stored in the rechargeable power source.

10. A method for a user to obtain access to a lock having a plurality of redundant access channels, the method comprising the steps of:

providing user authentication information to the lock to obtain access to a first redundant access channel of the plurality of redundant access channels, the plurality of redundant access channels comprising a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad, and a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device; and

receiving a response from the lock regarding whether the user'"'"'s authentication information was validated in connection with the first redundant access channel based on a set of rules determined by an administrator.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of providing user authentication information further comprises one of:

sending a request from a mobile device of the user;

receiving a token at the mobile device of the user; and

providing the token to the lock.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sending a request from the user mobile device comprises one of:

sending a text message to an administrator;

placing a call to an administrator; and

sending a notification to a mobile application on an administrator'"'"'s mobile device over an internet connection.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of prompting the user for additional authentication information.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the token is a dynamic passcode based on the IMEI of the user'"'"'s mobile device, the network ID of the user mobile device, or both;

and wherein the step of providing the token to the lock comprises automatically transmitting the token to the wireless transceiver of the lock.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving a response from the lock at the mobile device, the response indicating whether the token was accepted by the lock and whether the lock was opened.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of automatically notifying an administrator when the user attempts to access the lock.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the user mobile device automatically receives the token and transmits the token based on a triggering event.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

registering the triggering event;

identifying the lock;

sending a request for access to the lock;

determining whether the user has rights to access the lock based on the set of configurable rules; and

receiving the token based upon determining that the user has access to the lock.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the triggering event is based on the user'"'"'s distance to the lock, and wherein the triggering event is registered when the user'"'"'s distance to the lock is within a predetermined distance.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the triggering event is based on a user'"'"'s gesture, and wherein the triggering event is registered when the user'"'"'s gesture matches a predetermined gesture.

21. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of requesting activation of an inter-connected hub of devices based upon obtaining access to the lock, wherein the inter-connected hub of devices comprises a thermostat, a lighting system, and a sound system.

22. A method for controlling access to a lock with a plurality of redundant access channels, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying a set of configurable rules to an administrator to control access to the lock through the plurality of access channels, the plurality of redundant access channels comprising a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad, and a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a user'"'"'s mobile device and transmitting a response to the user'"'"'s mobile device; and

receiving from the administrator a selection indicating a second channel of the plurality of redundant access channels for the user to access the lock when the user cannot open the lock through a first channel of the plurality of redundant access channels.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising configuring a set of rules to block access requests from a stolen or lost user mobile device.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving a request from a user for one-time access to a lock;

generating a single use passcode; and

transmitting the single use passcode to a user.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving from the user'"'"'s mobile device an indication of whether the lock was opened; and

displaying, in response to the indication, the status of the lock.