Wireless access control and event controller system

• US 7,791,452 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alarm Lock Systems Incorporated (Napco Security Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alarm Lock Systems Incorporated (Napco Security Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carrieri, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Vernal U
• Application Number:
  US11/087,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20060214767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,994 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.6, 340/5.51, 340/5.7, 340/5.74, 340/5.81, 340/540, 340/5.3, 340/541
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/22 in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

A wireless access control system and method is described which permits wireless communication between a remote access controller and a central access controller on an “on demand” basis. The remote access controller can determine the state of the locking mechanism without communication to the central access controller when a valid access request is presented. However, if an invalid access request is presented, a remote wireless communicator will be placed in its transmission mode to request updated user control data from the central access controller. The remote wireless communicator can also be placed in its transmission mode to request updated user control data from the central access controller by a communication command input at a remote programming mode device.

Claims

1. A demand-based authorization method for controlling access to a plurality of lock mechanisms in a wireless access control system having a central access control system comprising a central access controller and a central wireless communicator, and having a separate remote access control system connected to each of said plurality of lock mechanisms comprising a remote access controller, a remote credential reader and a remote wireless communicator maintained in a standby mode to conserve power until activated, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

storing a list of valid credentials in a memory at said remote access control system wherein said list is indicative of authorized users;

receiving a credential at said credential reader;

comparing said credential to said list of valid credentials;

authorizing access from said remote access control system if said comparing step is indicative of an authorized user;

activating said remote wireless communicator to initiate a wireless communication between said remote wireless communicator and central wireless communicator when said comparing step is not indicative of an authorized user to obtain an updated list of valid credentials;

re-comparing said credential to said updated list of valid credentials; and

authorizing access if said re-comparing step is indicative of an authorized user.

2. The demand-based authorization method of claim 1 whereby said central access control system further comprises a transducer stimulator and each said separate remote access control system comprises a transducer, said method further comprising the step of:

activating said remote wireless communicator by means of a signal from said transducer stimulator to said transducer.

3. The demand-based authorization method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

forwarding access control data from said central access control system to said remote access control system.

4. The demand-based authorization method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

amplifying said signal from said transducer stimulator over a public address system.

5. The demand-based authorization method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

activating said remote wireless communicator at predetermined times for a period of time; and

initiating a wireless communication of access control data from said central access control system to said remote access control system during said period of time that said remote wireless communicator is activated.

6. The demand-based authorization method of claim 5 further comprising the step of:

extending said period of time that said remote wireless communicator is activated if transmission of access control data from said central access control system to said remote access control system is not completed.

7. The demand-based authorization method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

activating said remote wireless communicator by means of a programming mode signal entered at said remote access control system.