Access control system

• US 9,695,617 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2014
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pro Tech Systems of Maryland, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pro Tech Systems of Maryland, Inc.
• Inventors: Bacarella, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMSON, SARA B
• Application Number:
  US14/505,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20150337562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 51/02 by pneumatic or hydraulic means E05B17/0029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/14 Arrangement of several locks or locks with several bolts, e.g. arranged one behind the other locks having bolts with multiple head E05B15/108; with provision for latching E05B59/00, E05B61/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0075 for safes, strongrooms, vaults, fire-resisting cabinets or the like safes, closures and fastenings therefor E05G
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/005 Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/026 Closures protective doors, windows, or like closures against air raid or other war-like action E06B5/10; shutters, movable grilles, other safety closures E06B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/04 Closure fasteners locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 2700/00 Safes or accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/30 not involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/32 in combination with an identity check
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration

Abstract

An access controlled storage device may include multiple doors, each having a different lock, to insure safety and security of the contents of the storage device. In one example, the access controlled storage may include a first outer door having a physical lock and a second interior door having an electronic lock. The physical lock and the electronic lock may require different keys. Additionally or alternatively, unlocking the interior door may require unlocking of the first door in an authorized manner. Access and inventory data may be transmitted to or received from remote devices through wireless communication networks.

Claims

1. An access controlled storage system comprising:

a housing having an internal compartment;

a plurality of doors connected to the housing, wherein a first door includes a first physical lock and a second door includes an electronic lock, wherein unlocking the first and second doors are required to access the internal compartment, the electronic lock being unlockable using one or more authorized keys outside of a fail secure mode;

a wireless communication device configured to wirelessly transmit and receive information including a fail secure mode command to prevent access to the internal compartment when the housing is physically connected to a vehicle; and

a controller configured to;

in response to receipt of the fail secure mode command through the wireless communication device, enable activation of the fail secure mode upon satisfaction of a fail secure condition; and

cause the access controlled storage system to enter the fail secure mode upon determining the fail secure condition has been met, wherein, in the fail secure mode, the controller prevents access to the internal compartment irrespective of whether the one or more authorized keys is used.

2. The access controlled storage system of claim 1, further comprising a remote device configured to receive information transmitted by the wireless communication device and to track and monitor information related to accessing the internal compartment, the remote device being in a separate location from the housing.

3. The access controlled storage system of claim 2, wherein the remote device includes a control monitoring system configured to monitor and adjust climate conditions in the internal compartment and the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly transmit information relating to climate conditions to the remote device.

4. The access controlled storage system of claim 1, wherein the one or more authorized keys for the electronic lock includes at least one of:

a code, a near-field communication tag or a sensor.

5. The access controlled storage system of claim 4, wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to extract and wirelessly receive unlocking information from a data access device, and the data access device being in a separate location from the housing.

6. The access controlled storage system of claim 1, further comprising a data input device configured to receive user specified inventory information identifying a change in inventory in the internal compartment, and

wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the user specified inventory information to a remote system.

7. The access controlled storage system of claim 2, wherein the remote device is further configured to selectively activate or deactivate the electronic lock.

8. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to;

detect opening of a first door of an access controlled storage device, the first door having a first lock, the access controlled storage device further including a second door having an electronic second lock unlockable using one or more authorized keys;

determine whether the first door was opened in an authorized manner including determining whether a first key was used to unlock the first lock;

in response to determining that the first door was not opened in an authorized manner, setting the electronic second lock of the second door to fail secure status such that the electronic second lock cannot be unlocked using the one or more authorized keys; and

in response to determining that the first door was opened in an authorized manner;

wait for a first request to open the second door;

receive a request to unlock the electronic second lock of the second door;

wirelessly transmit the request using a wireless communication device;

wirelessly receive a response indicating whether the request is authorized using the wireless communication device;

in response to determining that the request is authorized, unlock the second door and provide access to an internal compartment of the access controlled storage device;

record the access to the internal compartment;

in response to determining that the request is not authorized, prevent access to the internal compartment; and

wirelessly transmit access information using the wireless communication device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a remote server wirelessly receives the request and wirelessly transmits the response indicating whether the request was authorized, the remote server being located remotely from the access controlled storage device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to:

record a change in inventory of the access controlled storage device; and

wirelessly transmit the change in inventory to the remote server.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to execute an authorization command to activate or deactivate authorizations to the access controlled storage device.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to:

record climate conditions of the internal compartment;

wirelessly transmit information relating to climate conditions to the remote server using the wireless communication device; and

execute a climate control command by the remote server to adjust climate conditions of the internal compartment.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to:

execute a fail secure mode command received through the wireless communication device to prevent access to the internal compartment when the access controlled storage device is physically connected to a vehicle,

wherein, when it is determined that the vehicle is in a powered-off state, the access controlled storage device is configured to prevent access to the internal compartment by placing the internal compartment into a locked state, and

wherein, when it is determined that the vehicle is in a powered on state and a request to access the internal compartment is authorized, the access controlled storage device is configured to unlock the electronic second lock to provide access to the internal compartment.