FR3145370A1 - Access control system - Google Patents

Abstract

Access control system This system comprises: - an access control unit (110) configured to generate information indicating that a person is a person authorized to enter, and - an alarm module (130) configured to automatically disarm an alarm device, without a disarming code having been acquired by a reader, if the following two conditions are satisfied: - condition 1): the alarm module has established, from the information generated by the access control unit, that the opening of the entrance door which triggered the countdown of a predetermined time interval for entering the disarming code, results from the movement of a bolt mechanism by a person authorized to enter, and - condition 2): during the predetermined time interval counted down from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, the closing of the entrance door is detected. Fig. 2

Description

Access control system

The invention relates to an access control system and method.

Known access control systems include a card reader capable of reading the access rights recorded on this card and, in response, if the access rights read are authorized, of unlocking a door. Some of these access control systems also include an alarm device. Typically, this alarm device includes a sensor capable of detecting the opening of the door. Thus, in response to the opening of the door, an alarm can be triggered. However, in order not to trigger the alarm inadvertently, it is provided that when the access rights read by the card reader are authorized to unlock the door, then this automatically disarms the alarm device. Thus the authorized user can open the door without triggering the alarm. Such an access control system is for example disclosed in application WO9610813A1.

Other known access control systems also include a keypad to acquire a disarming code that is separate from the access rights contained on the card. Thus, in this case, holding an authorized card is not sufficient to also disarm the alarm device. However, with these known access control systems, to authorize a craftsman to carry out work in his apartment, he must be provided with a card with valid access rights and given the disarming code. Owners do not hesitate to provide a card to the craftsman so that he can unlock the door because they recover this card at the end of the work. However, owners often do not want to give the disarming code to the craftsman because they fear that he will disclose it to a burglar. The burglar could then force the apartment door and then disarm the alarm device using the disarming code.

The invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing an access control system which does not require the owner to communicate the disarming code to the craftsman.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an access control system comprising:

- an electronic lock comprising:

- a bolt mechanism capable of moving from a projecting state in which it locks an entry door in a closed position, to a retracted state in which it allows the entry door to be moved to an open position, and

- an access control unit capable of establishing that a person present in front of the entrance door is a person authorized to enter from:

- access rights contained on a medium presented by this person in front of this electronic lock, or

- a biometric characteristic of this person present in front of the electronic lock,

- an alarm device comprising:

- a sensor capable of detecting the opening and, alternately, the closing of the entrance door,

- a reader capable of acquiring a disarming code for the alarm device, this reader being chosen from the group consisting of a human-machine interface allowing the person to enter the disarming code and a reader of a mechanical medium containing the disarming code and lacking access rights,

- a configured alarm module (136):

- to, if the disarming code acquired by the reader is a correct disarming code and has been acquired within a predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, disarm the alarm device, and

- to, if no correct disarming code has been acquired within the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the front door, automatically trigger the reporting of an attempted break-in,

in which:

- the access control unit is configured to generate information indicating that it has been established that the person present in front of the entrance door is a person authorized to enter, and

- the alarm module is, in addition, configured to automatically disarm the alarm device, without a disarming code having been acquired by the reader, if the following two conditions are satisfied:

- condition 1): the alarm module has established, from the information generated by the access control unit, that the opening of the entrance door which triggered the countdown of the predetermined time interval, results from the movement of the bolt mechanism into its retracted state by a person authorized to enter, and

- condition 2): during the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, the closing of the entrance door is detected by the sensor.

Embodiments of this system may include one or more of the following features:

1) the reader of the alarm device is a reader capable of acquiring the disarming code contained on a mechanical medium.

2) the alarm device reader is a human-machine interface capable of acquiring a disarming code entered by the user.

3) the access control unit includes:

- a biometric reader capable of acquiring the biometric characteristic of the person present in front of the door, and

- an access control module configured to trigger the movement of the bolt mechanism to its retracted state if the biometric characteristic acquired by the biometric reader is a biometric characteristic authorized to move this bolt mechanism to its retracted state.

4) the alarm device includes a buzzer and the alarm module is configured to, in response to detection of the door opening, immediately command this buzzer to play a sound which alerts the user that the alarm device is armed and that the predetermined time interval for acquiring a correct disarming code is counting down.

5) the alarm module is configured to:

- determine a time when the access control unit has established that a person authorized to enter is present in front of the entrance door from the information generated by the access control unit, then

- compare, with a predetermined threshold, the difference between the moment when the opening of the entrance door is detected and the moment when the access control unit has established that a person authorized to enter is present in front of the entrance door, then

- if the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, establish that the opening of the entrance door which triggered the countdown of the predetermined time interval, results from the movement of the bolt mechanism in its retracted state by a person authorized to enter.

6) if the deviation is greater than the predetermined threshold, the alarm module is configured to authorize the disarming of the alarm device only in response to the acquisition, by the disarming code reader, of a correct disarming code within the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door.

7) the electronic lock is an electronic door strip capable of being fixed to an interior face of the entrance door, this electronic door strip being in the form of a single part comprising all of the following components: the access control unit, the sensor, the reader and the alarm module and the connections between all of these components of the electronic door strip.

The invention also relates to an access control method comprising:

- moving the bolt mechanism of an electronic lock from a protruding state in which it locks an entry door in a closed position, to a retracted state in which it allows the entry door to be moved to an open position,

- the establishment that a person present in front of the entrance door is a person authorized to enter from:

- access rights contained on a medium presented by this person in front of the electronic lock, or

- a biometric characteristic of this person present in front of the electronic lock,

- detection of the opening and, alternately, the closing of the entrance door,

- the acquisition, by a reader, of a disarming code for an alarm device, this reader being chosen from the group consisting of a human-machine interface allowing the person to enter the disarming code and a reader of a mechanical medium containing the disarming code and lacking access rights,

- disarming the alarm device if the disarming code acquired by the reader is a correct disarming code and has been acquired within a predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, and

- triggering the signaling of an attempted break-in if no correct disarming code has been acquired within the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door,

in which the method comprises:

- the generation of information indicating that it has been established that a person present at the entrance door is a person authorized to enter, and

- disarming the alarm device, without a disarming code having been acquired by the reader, if the following two conditions are satisfied:

- condition 1): it has been established, from the information generated, that the opening of the entrance door which triggered the countdown of the predetermined time interval, results from the movement of the bolt mechanism into its retracted state by a person authorized to enter, and

- condition 2): during the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, the closing of the entrance door is detected.

The invention will be better understood upon reading the description which follows, given solely as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

- there is a schematic illustration of an access control system,

- there is a schematic illustration of different components of a door strip of the system of the ,

- there is a flowchart of an access control method implemented in the system of the .

In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements. In the remainder of this description, the characteristics and functions well known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail.

In this description a detailed example of an embodiment is first described in a chapter I with reference to the figures. Then, in a chapter II, variants of this embodiment are introduced. Finally, the advantages of the different embodiments are specified in a chapter III.

Chapter I: Example of embodiment

There represents a system 2 for controlling access to a home. System 2 ensures that an unauthorized person cannot enter the home or can do so with great difficulty. In addition, system 2 triggers the signaling of an attempted break-in in the event that an unauthorized person breaks into the home.

Subsequently, as an example, a person not authorized to enter the home is a burglar. A person authorized to enter the home is the owner.

For this purpose, system 2 includes:

- an entrance door 4,

- a remote terminal 6 intended to be used by the owner, and

- an electronic lock 8 mounted on door 4.

Subsequently, the lock 8 is described in the particular case where it is a door strip. Consequently, the reference numeral 8 is also used to designate the door strip.

Door 4 is located at the entrance of the home. This door 4 delimits the interior of the home from the exterior of the home. Subsequently, the terms "interior" and "exterior" are used to designate what is located, respectively, inside and outside the home. For example, door 4 is a landing door of an apartment or a house or any other dwelling. Door 4 has an interior face facing the interior of the home and, on the opposite side, an exterior face. The interior and exterior faces extend mainly in parallel vertical planes. Door 4 is movable between an open position, shown in , and a closed position. In the open position, a person can enter the interior of the home and therefore move from outside the home to the interior. Conversely, in the closed position, a person cannot enter the interior of the home.

Terminal 6, for example, is located outside the home and can be several kilometers away from home. To simplify the , only one terminal 6 is shown. However, in practice, there are often several copies of terminal 6 that operate in the same way. Here, terminal 6 is the owner's.

The terminal 6 is capable of receiving an alarm message sent to it by the headband 8, via a telecommunications network 28. The terminal 6 communicates this alarm message to the owner via a human-machine interface. Typically, the terminal 6 is a smartphone.

Strip 8 is a multi-point door strip. Strip 8 is mounted, without any degree of freedom, on the inner face of door 4.

The strip 8 is in the form of a single piece inside which are housed the various components described with reference to the . For this purpose, the strip 8 is in the form of a rigid housing 30 inside which its various components are fixed. The housing 30 is here fixed along the vertical edge of the door 4 located on the side opposite the hinges. The housing 30 is fixed on the inner face of the door 4, for example, using screws. Thus, advantageously, the strip 8 can be installed on the inner face of a pre-existing door.

On the , only the components of the strip 8 which protrude from the housing 30 on the inner side or cross the vertical edge of this housing 30 are visible. Thus, only the following components of the strip 8 are visible on the :

- a 36 half-turn bolt,

- a 38 handle,

- 42 deadbolts,

- a 44 touch screen, and

- a 46 lock cylinder.

The bolt 36 is movable by the handle 38 from an extended position (shown in the ) to a retracted position. The bolt 36 is permanently pushed back to an extended position by a return spring. The distal end of the bolt 36 is beveled so that when the door 4 is slammed from its open position to its closed position, by shape cooperation between the beveled end and an upright 40, the bolt 36 sinks inside the housing 30 against the force of the return spring in order to allow the door 4 to reach its closed position. The upright 40 is fixed, without any degree of freedom, on the frame of the door 4.

Each of the deadbolts 42 is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, each bolt 42 is received in a corresponding cavity provided in the jamb 40 to lock the door 4 in its closed position. In its retracted position, each bolt 42 is retracted inside the housing 30 and located outside the cavity provided in the jamb 40. Thus, when all the bolts 42 are in their retracted position, the door 4 is unlocked and can be freely moved from its closed position to its open position after pressing the handle 38. Here, the strip 8 comprises at least five bolts 42.

On the , four deadbolts 42 are shown in their extended position to make them more visible even if the door 4 is in its open position. For example, each deadbolt 42 is a cylindrical bar movable in translation between its extended and retracted positions. Unlike the deadbolt 36, the distal ends of the deadbolts 42 are not beveled.

The touch screen 44 and the cylinder 46 are accessible by a person located inside the home.

There also represents an orthogonal XYZ coordinate system.
The Z direction of this reference mark corresponds to the vertical. The X and Y directions are horizontal. The X direction is parallel to the vertical plane in which the door 4 mainly extends when it is in its closed position. The X direction is directed from the edge of the door along which the strip 8 is fixed, towards the hinges of this door. The Y direction is directed from the inside of the home to the outside of the home. Terms such as “front” and “rear” are defined with respect to the Y direction.

There schematically represents the interior architecture of the strip 8 as well as different elements of the system 2 connected to this strip 8.

The strip 8 comprises, mainly housed inside the housing 30, a bolt mechanism 50 and a system 52 for actuating the mechanism 50.

The mechanism 50 includes the bolts 42 as well as the linkage necessary to move them between their extended and retracted positions. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the mechanism 50 does not include the bolt 36.

The actuating system 52 moves the mechanism 50 from a protruding state to a retracted state and vice versa. In the protruding state, at least one bolt 42 is in its extended position. Here, in the protruding state, all the bolts 42 are in their extended position. In the retracted state, all the bolts 42 are in their retracted position. For this purpose, for example, the system 52 comprises a toothed wheel meshed with a rack of the bolt mechanism 50. When this toothed wheel rotates, in a first direction, this moves the mechanism 50 from its protruding state to its retracted state. When this same toothed wheel rotates in the opposite direction, this moves the mechanism 50 from the retracted state to its protruding state. In this embodiment, the system 52 does not allow the bolt 36 to be moved. The bolt 36 can only be moved using the handle 38.

To move the mechanism 50 between its protruding and retracted states,
system 52 comprises an electric motor 60 and the cylinder 46.

The cylinder 46 makes it possible in particular to move the mechanism 50 from its protruding state to its retracted state even in the event of unavailability of the electric motor 60. The motor 60 is said to be "unavailable" when it cannot be used to move the mechanism 50 from its protruding state to its retracted state. Such unavailability may result from a breakdown of the motor 60 or another element of the actuation system 52. This unavailability may also result, for example, from a cut in the power supply to the motor 60.

In this embodiment, the cylinder 46 is a mechanical cylinder devoid of any electronic component that requires power to operate. Here, the cylinder 46 is a mechanical cylinder in European format. In this embodiment, it comprises an inner half-cylinder and an outer half-cylinder accessible, respectively, from the inner and outer sides of the door 4. Thus, the cylinder 46 can be used both from the outer side of the door 4 and from its inner side. For this, the strip 8 comprises a housing passing right through the housing 30 in the Y direction and in which the inner half-cylinder of the cylinder 46 is inserted. This housing is located opposite a hole passing through the door 4 in the Y direction and in which the outer half-cylinder of the cylinder 46 is inserted.

The cylinder 46 comprises a rotor 62 rotatably mounted inside a fixed stator 64. The stator 64 is fixed, without any degree of freedom, to the door 4. The rotor 62 comprises a key channel 66 which opens on the inner side and on the outer side.
This channel 66 is intended to receive a key. The rotor 62 can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation only when an authorized key is inserted inside the channel 66 and then turned. An authorized key is a key authorized to move the mechanism 50 to its retracted state. Conversely, in the absence of a key inside the channel 66 or in the presence of an unauthorized key inside the channel 66, the rotor 62 is blocked in rotation and cannot rotate about its axis of rotation.

Typically, for this purpose, the cylinder 46 comprises a first set of pins movable in translation inside the stator 64 and, opposite, a second set of pins movable in translation inside the rotor 62 by the key inserted into the channel 66. The pins of the first set are also known under the term "counter-pins". In this case, an authorized key is a mechanical key having a blade on which indentations are made intended to move the pins of the rotor 62 into a position which allows rotation of this rotor 62. More precisely, when an authorized key is inserted inside the channel 66, the indentations of the blade of the key move the pins into a position where the interfaces between the pins of the first and second sets of pins are all located at the interface between the rotor 62 and the stator 64, which releases rotation of the rotor 62. The interface between the rotor 62 and the stator 64 is also known as the "break line". Conversely, in the absence of a key in the channel 66 or in the presence of an unauthorized key, the interfaces between the pins of the first and second sets of pins are not all located at the interface between the rotor 62 and the stator 64, which prohibits rotation of the rotor 62. Thus, the key is a mechanical support which contains access rights. The access rights correspond in this case to the indentations made on the blade of this key. The key is then typically devoid of electronic memory capable of storing access rights in a digital format.

The cylinder 46 also includes a key bit 68 driven in rotation by the rotor 62. It is then the rotation of this key bit 68 which activates the movement of the mechanism 50 towards its retracted state when an authorized key is turned inside the cylinder 46.

The motor 60 has a drive shaft 70. When the motor 60 is commanded to move the mechanism 50 to its retracted state,
it is the rotation of the shaft 70 which activates the movement of the mechanism 50.

The system 52 comprises an output shaft 72 and a mechanism 74 for mechanically coupling the bit 68 and the shaft 70 to this shaft 72 to drive it in rotation. The shaft 72 moves the mechanism 50 from its protruding state to its retracted state when it is rotated in one direction and from its retracted state to its protruding state when it is rotated in the opposite direction.

The coupling mechanism 74 transmits the rotational movement of the bit 68 to the shaft 72 when an authorized key is turned in the cylinder 46. Alternately, it transmits the rotational movement of the shaft 70 to the shaft 72 when the motor 60 drives this shaft 70 in rotation. For this, for example, the coupling mechanism 74 is identical to one of those described in the French patent application filed under number FR2203725 on 04/21/2022 by the company COGELEC.

To control the motor 60, the system 52 comprises a central unit 80. This central unit 80 is configured to implement the method of the . For this purpose, the central unit 80 comprises:

- a memoir 82,

- a programmable 84 microprocessor,

- a transmitter/receiver 86, and

- an information transmission bus 88 which connects the different components of the central unit 80 together.

The central unit 80 is connected to the touch screen 44.

The transmitter/receiver 86 is capable of establishing a wireless communication link with the terminal 6 via the network 28.

Memory 82 is a non-volatile memory containing the instructions to be executed by the microprocessor 84. Memory 82 contains all the instructions and data necessary to execute the various functions described in this text.

Here, the system 2 comprises an access control unit 110. This unit 110 is capable of establishing whether a person authorized to enter is present in front of the door 4 and, if so, of unlocking the door 4. For this purpose, the unit 110 comprises:

- a 112 access rights reader,

- a sensor 114 capable of detecting the presence of an authorized key inside the cylinder 46,

- an access control module 116, and

- a database 118 containing access rights authorized to unlock door 4.

The reader 112 is used to acquire the access rights of a person located on the outside of the door 4 and transmit them to the access control module 116. Here, the reader 112 is capable of reading the access rights contained on a mechanical medium that can be carried by hand by a human being. In this exemplary embodiment, this medium is a badge 120 comprising an electronic memory 122 in which access rights are recorded. For example, the badge 120 is a transponder badge that transmits the access rights contained in its memory 122 only when it is presented near the reader 112. For example, the reader 112 is located on the outside of the door 4.

The sensor 114 generates a specific signal when an authorized key is used to unlock the door 4 by turning it inside the cylinder 46. For example, for this, the sensor 114 detects the position of the counter-pins of the stator 64 of the cylinder 46 or, quite simply, detects a rotation of the rotor 62 inside the stator 64.

The module 116 establishes whether a person present in front of the door 4 is authorized to enter. For this, here, the module 116 establishes that an authorized person is present in front of the door 4 if the access rights read in the badge 120 correspond to authorized access rights pre-recorded in the base 118. The module 116 also establishes that a person authorized to enter is present in front of the door 4 if the sensor 114 detects the use of an authorized key.

If the access rights read in the badge 120 correspond to authorized access rights pre-recorded in the base 118, the module 116 controls the motor 60 to move the mechanism 50 into its retracted state. Otherwise, the mechanism 50 remains in the protruding state.

The strip 8 also includes an alarm device 130 capable of detecting an intrusion and, in response, triggering the signaling of an attempted break-in. The device 130 includes:

- a 132 sensor for opening/closing door 4,

- a 134 arming and disarming code reader,

- a 136 alarm module,

- a 138 buzzer, and

- a 140 speaker.

Here, the sensor 132 is used to detect that an unauthorized person has entered and thus to detect an intrusion. For this purpose, the sensor 132 is connected to the module 136.

The reader 134 makes it possible to acquire an arming code and, alternately, a disarming code. The reader 134 is connected to the module 136 to transmit the acquired code to it. In response, when the acquired code is an arming code, the module 136 arms the alarm device 130. Conversely, when the acquired code is a correct disarming code, the module 136 disarms the alarm device 130. A correct disarming code is a disarming code that corresponds to a disarming code pre-recorded in the memory 82. Here, the reader 134 is a human-machine interface that allows a user to enter the desired code. For example, in this embodiment, the reader 134 is a numeric or alphanumeric keypad displayed on the touch screen 44.

The buzzer 138 is housed in the strip 8 and connected to the central unit 80.

The speaker 140 is used to inform that a break-in attempt has occurred. For example, the speaker 140 is located inside the housing 30.

In this embodiment, modules 116 and 136 are implemented as software modules executed by microprocessor 84. Their instructions are stored in memory 82.

The central unit 80 is also connected to a videophone device 140 for establishing videophone communication with a person located on the outside of the door 4. The device 140 comprises a camera, a loudspeaker and a microphone. This device 140 is, for example, mounted on the outside of the door 4.

Other features of the central unit 80 are described later.

The operation of the access control system 2 will now be described with reference to the method of the .

During a configuration phase 150, the access rights authorized to unlock the door 4 are recorded in the database 118. A correct arming code and a correct disarming code of the alarm device 130 are also recorded in the memory 82.

Then, the method continues with a phase 152 of use of the system 2. This phase 152 is described in the particular case where, beforehand, the alarm device 130 has been armed by entering a correct arming code on the reader 134.

During phase 152, during a step 160, the reader 112 acquires the access rights contained in a badge presented near this reader. For example, the badge presented is badge 120.

In response, during a step 162, the module 116 compares the acquired access rights to the authorized access rights pre-recorded in the database 118.

If the acquired access rights correspond to the pre-recorded authorized access rights, during a step 164, the module 116 establishes that the person who presented the badge in front of the reader 112 is a person authorized to enter and generates information AA indicating that the person present in front of the door is authorized to enter.

During a step 166, this information AA is recorded in the memory 82 associated with the instant t _a at which it was generated.

In parallel, during a step 168, the module 116 controls the motor 60 and, in response, the motor 60 moves the mechanism 50 from its protruding state to its retracted state.

Once the mechanism 50 is in its retracted state, the person authorized to enter can move the door 4 to its open position and enter the interior of the home.

If the acquired access rights do not correspond to authorized access rights, the module 116 leaves the mechanism 50 in its protruding state. Access to the interior of the home is therefore prohibited.

Alternatively, during a step 170, the sensor 114 detects the insertion of an authorized key inside the key channel 66.

In response, during a step 172, the module 116 establishes that the person who inserted this key inside the cylinder 46 is a person authorized to enter and generates the information AA indicating that the person present in front of the door is authorized to enter.

During a step 174, this information AA is recorded in the memory 82 associated with the instant t _a at which it was generated.

In the case where an authorized key is used, the module 116 does not control the motor 60 to move the mechanism 50 from its protruding state to its retracted state. In this case, it is the rotation, during a step 176, of the authorized key inside the cylinder 46 which moves the mechanism 50 from its protruding state to its retracted state.

In the event that an unauthorized key is inserted into channel 66, sensor 114 does not indicate the presence of an authorized key so that mechanism 50 remains in its protruding state.

In parallel with the previous steps, during a step 180, the sensor 132 detects the opening of the door 4.

In response, at a step 182, the module 136 immediately triggers a timer that counts down a predetermined time interval ΔT. The duration of the interval ΔT is long enough to allow time to enter a disarming code on the keypad 134. For example, the duration of the interval ΔT is greater than or equal to 10 s or 30 s. The duration of the interval ΔT is also generally less than 5 min or 1 min.

The module 136 also records in the memory 82, the instant t ₁ at which this timer is triggered. The instant t ₁ therefore corresponds to the instant at which the opening of the door 4 was detected by the sensor 132.

In parallel, during a step 184, the module 136 controls the buzzer 138 so that it plays a sound which indicates to the person who has just entered that the alarm device 130 is armed.

If during this interval ΔT, during a step 186, the keypad 134 acquires a correct disarming code entered by a person present in front of this keypad, then the module 136 disarms the alarm device and stops the sound played by the buzzer 138. No alarm is triggered.

If during this interval ΔT, the sensor 138 detects the closing of the door 4, then, during a step 188, the module 136 establishes whether the opening of the door 4 which triggered the countdown of the interval ΔT, results from an unlocking of the door 4 by a person authorized to enter.

For this, during step 188, the module 136 determines a time t ₀ . The time t ₀ corresponds to the most recent time when the access control unit 110 established that a person authorized to enter is present in front of the door 4. Here, the module 136 takes the time t ₀ equal to the most recent time t _a recorded in the memory 82 during step 166 or 174. Then, the module 136 compares the difference t ₁ -t ₀ to a predetermined threshold S ₁ , where t ₁ is the time recorded during step 182. The threshold S ₁ is chosen to be large enough to allow time to open the door 4, to enter the home and then to close the door 4. For example, the threshold S ₁ is greater than 10 s or 30 s and, generally, less than 5 min or 1 min. For example, the threshold S ₁ is chosen equal to the duration of the interval ΔT. If the difference t ₁ -t ₀ is less than or equal to the threshold S ₁ , the module 136 establishes that the opening of the door 4 which triggered the countdown of the interval ΔT, results from an unlocking of the door 4 by a person authorized to enter. Conversely, if the difference t ₁ -t ₀ is greater than the threshold S ₁ , the module 136 establishes that the door 4 was not opened by an authorized person.

Then, only if the difference t ₁ -t ₀ is less than or equal to the threshold S ₁ , during a step 190, the module 136 disarms the alarm device 130 and stops the sound played by the buzzer 138. In this case, the disarming occurs even if no correct disarming code has been entered using the keypad 134. No alarm is triggered. Thus, the alarm module 130 is also disarmed when the following two conditions are simultaneously met:

- condition 1): the alarm module 130 has established, from the information AA generated by the access control unit 110, that the door 4 has been opened by a person authorized to enter, and

- condition 2): during the interval ΔT, the closing of door 4 is detected by sensor 132.

Finally, if at the end of the interval ΔT, no correct disarming code has been acquired and if conditions 1) and 2) have not been satisfied during the duration of this interval ΔT, during a step 194, the module 136 triggers the reporting of an attempted break-in.

In response to the reporting of an attempted break-in, during a step 196, the module 136 triggers one or more countermeasures. For example, these countermeasures are chosen from the following countermeasures:

- sounding an alarm using the 140 speaker,

- activation of a blocking device which prevents the lock from being unlocked using the cylinder,

- sending an alert message to terminal 6.

The blocking device used is, for example, that described in the French patent application filed under number FR2203726 on 04/21/2022 by the company COGELEC.

When the owner wishes to authorize a craftsman to enter his home, he gives him a badge, such as badge 120, without giving him the correct disarming code. Each time the craftsman wishes to enter, he unlocks door 4 using badge 120 and then closes door 4 to disarm alarm device 130. At the end of the work, the owner retrieves badge 120. If a burglar forces door 4 and breaks it open, this triggers the timer which counts down the interval ΔT. Even if the burglar then closes door 4 during interval ΔT, this does not disarm alarm device 130 because condition 1) is not met. The alarm is therefore triggered at the end of interval ΔT.

Chapter II: Variants:

Variants of the access control unit and the key :

In a simplified variant, the reader 112 is omitted and the motor 60 is also omitted. In this case, the door 4 can only be unlocked using the cylinder 46 and an authorized key.

Conversely, in another simplified embodiment, the sensor 114 is omitted and the cylinder 46 as well. In this case, the door 4 can only be unlocked using the reader 112.

The 112 access rights reader is not necessarily fixed to the door. It can also be fixed next to the door, for example, on an exterior wall located near the door.

Other embodiments of the key are possible. For example, the key can be implemented in the form of a smartphone or a card in the memory of which the access rights are recorded. In this case, it is the memory of the smartphone that constitutes the mechanical medium containing the access rights. When the key is a smartphone, typically, the reader acquires the access rights recorded in the memory of the smartphone via a wireless connection established in accordance with a short-range wireless communication standard such as a BlueTooth® connection. In this case, the access rights reader is a reader compliant with the BlueTooth® standard.

The key may also be in the form of an electronic key comprising a blade intended to be inserted into a key channel of an electronic cylinder fixed to the front door. Such an electronic key is a mechanical key comprising, in addition, an electronic memory in which the access rights are recorded. The access rights recorded in the memory of this key are then acquired, for example, by a reader housed inside the electronic cylinder. This reader is connected to the electronic key, generally, by means of a wired connection which is established when the blade of the key is inserted into the key channel. Typically, once the access control unit has determined that the access rights acquired by this reader are authorized to unlock the lock, it transmits an unlocking command to an electric actuator of the electronic cylinder. In response, the electric actuator moves to a position which authorizes the rotation of the cylinder rotor. The key blade is then used to turn the rotor and thus rotate a bit which itself moves the bolt(s) from their extended positions to their retracted positions. This electronic cylinder is for example used in place of the mechanical cylinder 46. A local access control module can also be housed inside the electronic cylinder, this local module then being connected to the central unit 80 by a wired connection. Such an electronic cylinder is for example disclosed in application EP3431684 from the company COGELEC.

In another variant, the key is a mechanical medium on which is printed a barcode or a QR code ("quick response code" in English ) containing access rights. The access control unit then includes a barcode or QR code reader to acquire these access rights.

Thus, as illustrated by the various examples previously described, the medium which contains the access rights is a mechanical medium which is not necessarily provided with an electronic memory containing the access rights.

In other embodiments, instead of using access rights contained on a mechanical medium, biometric characteristics of the users are used. In this case, the access control unit comprises a reader of a biometric characteristic that makes it possible to uniquely identify a human being. For example, this may be a fingerprint reader or a facial recognition system. In these embodiments, access to the home is revoked by deleting from the database of the access control unit the access rights associated with the biometric characteristic of the user.

The media reader containing the access rights or the biometric reader may also be located outside the housing 30 of the door strip. For example, the access rights reader or the biometric reader is fixed to an exterior wall of the home and connected to the door strip by a wired or wireless connection.

Alternatively, in step 166 or in step 174, instead of recording the information AA that the person present in front of the door is authorized to enter, the module 116 transmits it to the alarm module 136. In this case, in step 188, the time t ₀ at which it was established that the person is authorized to enter is taken equal to the time of reception of the information AA. This embodiment is particularly useful when the access control module 116 and the alarm module 136 do not share a common memory.

Variants of the alarm device :

The disarming code reader is not necessarily a keyboard. It can also be another human-machine interface such as a voice recognition module capable of acquiring the disarming code spoken by the user.

The disarming code reader is not necessarily equipped with a human-machine interface. Alternatively, the disarming code reader is a reader capable of reading the disarming code contained on a mechanical medium. When the reader of the access control unit is also a reader capable of acquiring the access rights contained on a mechanical medium, the mechanical medium that contains the disarming code is different and distinct from the mechanical medium that contains the access rights. Thus, possession of the medium that contains the authorized access rights is not sufficient to disarm the alarm device. Therefore, the access control system described in this text makes it possible to entrust the craftsman with a mechanical medium that authorizes him to enter the dwelling without entrusting him with a mechanical medium that contains the code that allows the alarm device to be disarmed. Many embodiments of a reader capable of acquiring the disarming code contained on a mechanical medium are possible. In particular, all mechanical media readers described in the case of the access control unit can also be used to form the mechanical media reader used in the alarm device. For example, the mechanical media reader of the alarm device can be a transponder reader. In this case, the transponder that contains the disarming code is different and distinct from the transponders that contain the access rights. Similarly, the disarming code reader can be a reader capable of reading the disarming code recorded in the memory of the user's smartphone. In the latter case, the reader of the access control unit is not also a reader capable of acquiring the access rights recorded in a smartphone so as to always have two different media for the access rights and the disarming code. The disarming code reader can also be a mechanical cylinder associated with a sensor such as the sensor 114 to acquire the disarming code. Thus, the medium containing the disarming code is not necessarily provided with an electronic memory.

The speaker 140 may also be located outside the housing 30 of the strip 8. For example, the speaker 140 is located outside the home.

In one variant, the alarm device is not integrated into the door strip. For example, the reader 134, the buzzer 138 and the alarm module 136 are located in a housing separate from that of the door strip. For example, this separate housing is fixed to an interior wall of the home. In this case, the access control unit 110 of the door strip communicates with the alarm module 136 via a wired connection or a wireless connection.

Other variants:

The number of bolts 42 may be less than five or greater than five. In a simplified variant, the mechanism 50 comprises a single bolt 42.

The door strip does not necessarily include the half-turn bolt 36 and the handle 38. For example, in this case, the bolt 36 and the handle 38 are directly fixed to the door and not housed in the lock. In a simplified variant, the bolt 36 and/or the handle 38 are omitted.

The door panel may comprise additional components. For example, using the device 140, the door panel is configured to establish a videophone connection between the person located on the outside and the owner's terminal 6.

The lock may take other forms than that of a door strip. For example, in another embodiment, the lock is not a multi-point lock so that on the inside, it does not form a strip that extends over the entire height of the door.

In a simplified variant, the videophone device 140 is omitted.

Terminal 6 can also be omitted.

Several of the variants described above can be combined in a single embodiment.

Chapter III: Advantages of the embodiments described:

The access control system described in this text uses a mechanical support containing the access rights or a reader of a biometric characteristic to unlock the door. This mechanical support can easily be taken back at the end of the work. The biometric characteristic cannot be transmitted to a third party and the access rights associated with this biometric characteristic can easily be revoked. Thus, as with known access control systems, owners can entrust a mechanical support to a craftsman or associate with the biometric characteristic of this craftsman access rights that authorize him to unlock the door. On the other hand, although the possibility of disarming the alarm device using a separate disarming code is retained, it is not necessary to communicate this disarming code to the craftsman. Indeed, throughout the duration of the work, the craftsman disarms the alarm device by closing the front door behind him before the end of the interval ΔT. Thus, in the case where the disarming code reader is a human-machine interface, such as a keypad, the owner does not have to disclose this disarming code to the craftsman. In the case where the disarming code reader is a reader capable of reading the disarming code contained in a mechanical medium, the owner does not have to give a copy of this mechanical medium to the craftsman. Thus, in the access control systems described herein, the owner has the option, if he so wishes, not to communicate the disarming code to the craftsman.

In the event that the reader of the access control unit acquires a biometric characteristic, at the end of the work, the owner revokes the access rights associated with the biometric characteristic of the craftsman. Therefore, it is not necessary to take back from the craftsman a medium containing access rights to prohibit him from accessing the accommodation.

When the alarm device reader is a reader capable of acquiring a disarming code contained on a medium, the access control system avoids having to give the craftsman a copy of this medium with the disarming code. Therefore, there is no risk that the craftsman could lose a copy of the medium containing the disarming code. This improves the security of the access control system.

When the alarm device reader is a human-machine interface capable of acquiring a disarming code entered by a user, it is not necessary to use media containing the disarming code. This simplifies the alarm device.

When the reader of the access control unit is a biometric reader, the use of media containing access rights can be avoided. This simplifies the access control system.

Allowing the user to disarm the alarm device by providing a disarming code, when the difference t ₁ -t ₀ is greater than the threshold S ₁ , makes it possible to avoid systematically triggering the alarm if the access control unit has determined that the person present in front of the door is authorized to enter and then this person opens the door only after a sufficiently long time so that the difference t ₁ -t ₀ is greater than the threshold S ₁ . For example, such a situation may occur if, after presenting his badge in front of the lock, the person starts talking to a neighbor so that he does not immediately open the front door.

Integrating the access control module and the alarm device into a single door strip that can be fixed to the inside of the entrance door simplifies the installation of the access control system. In this case, the installer does not have to connect and configure the access control unit to communicate with the alarm device.

Claims (9)

Access control system comprising:
- an electronic lock (8) comprising:
- a bolt mechanism (50) capable of moving from a projecting state in which it locks an entry door in a closed position, to a retracted state in which it allows the entry door to move to an open position, and
- an access control unit (110) capable of establishing that a person present in front of the entrance door is a person authorized to enter from:
- access rights contained on a medium presented by this person in front of this electronic lock, or
- a biometric characteristic of this person present in front of the electronic lock,
- an alarm device (130) comprising:
- a sensor (132) capable of detecting the opening and, alternately, the closing of the entrance door,
- a reader (134) capable of acquiring a disarming code for the alarm device, this reader being chosen from the group consisting of a human-machine interface allowing the person to enter the disarming code and a reader of a mechanical medium containing the disarming code and lacking access rights,
- a configured alarm module (136):
- to, if the disarming code acquired by the reader is a correct disarming code and has been acquired within a predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, disarm the alarm device, and
- to, if no correct disarming code has been acquired within the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the front door, automatically trigger the reporting of an attempted break-in,
characterized in that:
- the access control unit (110) is configured to generate information indicating that it has been established that the person present in front of the entrance door is a person authorized to enter, and
- the alarm module (130) is, in addition, configured to automatically disarm the alarm device, without a disarming code having been acquired by the reader, if the following two conditions are satisfied:
- condition 1): the alarm module has established, from the information generated by the access control unit, that the opening of the entrance door which triggered the countdown of the predetermined time interval, results from the movement of the bolt mechanism into its retracted state by a person authorized to enter, and
- condition 2): during the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, the closing of the entrance door is detected by the sensor. System according to claim 1, in which the reader of the alarm device is a reader capable of acquiring the disarming code contained on a mechanical medium. System according to claim 1, in which the reader of the alarm device is a human-machine interface (134) capable of acquiring a disarming code entered by the user. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the access control unit comprises:
- a biometric reader capable of acquiring the biometric characteristic of the person present in front of the door, and
- an access control module (116) configured to trigger the movement of the bolt mechanism (50) to its retracted state if the biometric characteristic acquired by the biometric reader is a biometric characteristic authorized to move this bolt mechanism to its retracted state. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm device comprises a buzzer (138) and the alarm module (136) is configured to, in response to detection of the door opening, immediately command that buzzer to play a sound which alerts the user that the alarm device is armed and that the predetermined time interval for acquiring a correct disarming code is counting down. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm module (136) is configured to:
- determine a time when the access control unit has established that a person authorized to enter is present in front of the entrance door from the information generated by the access control unit, then
- compare, with a predetermined threshold, the difference between the moment when the opening of the entrance door is detected and the moment when the access control unit has established that a person authorized to enter is present in front of the entrance door, then
- if the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, establish that the opening of the entrance door which triggered the countdown of the predetermined time interval, results from the movement of the bolt mechanism in its retracted state by a person authorized to enter. The system of claim 6, wherein, if the deviation is greater than the predetermined threshold, the alarm module (136) is configured to authorize disarming of the alarm device only in response to the acquisition, by the disarming code reader, of a correct disarming code within the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entry door. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic lock is an electronic door strip (8) capable of being fixed to an interior face of the entrance door, this electronic door strip being in the form of a single piece comprising all of the following components: the access control unit (110), the sensor (132), the reader (134) and the alarm module (136) and the connections between all of these components of the electronic door strip. Access control method comprising:
- moving (168; 176) the bolt mechanism of an electronic lock from a protruding state in which it locks an entrance door in a closed position, to a retracted state in which it allows the entrance door to be moved to an open position,
- the establishment (164; 172) that a person present in front of the entrance door is a person authorized to enter from:
- access rights contained on a medium presented by this person in front of the electronic lock, or
- a biometric characteristic of this person present in front of the electronic lock,
- detection (180) of the opening and, alternately, the closing of the entrance door,
- the acquisition (186), by a reader, of a disarming code for an alarm device, this reader being chosen from the group consisting of a human-machine interface allowing the person to enter the disarming code and a reader of a mechanical medium containing the disarming code and lacking access rights,
- disarming (186) the alarm device if the disarming code acquired by the reader is a correct disarming code and has been acquired within a predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, and
- triggering (194) the signaling of an attempted break-in if no correct disarming code has been acquired within the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door,
characterized in that the method comprises:
- generating (164; 172) information indicating that it has been established that a person present in front of the entrance door is a person authorized to enter, and
- disarming (190) the alarm device, without a disarming code having been acquired by the reader, if the following two conditions are satisfied:
- condition 1): it has been established, from the information generated, that the opening of the entrance door which triggered the countdown of the predetermined time interval, results from the movement of the bolt mechanism into its retracted state by a person authorized to enter, and
- condition 2): during the predetermined time interval counted from the detection of the opening of the entrance door, the closing of the entrance door is detected.