GB2576140A

GB2576140A - Smart access control device and authentication system

Info

Publication number: GB2576140A
Application number: GB1811941.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Solanke Oluwole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-22
Filing date: 2018-07-22
Publication date: 2020-02-12
Also published as: GB201811941D0

Abstract

A smart access control device 10 comprises a barcode or QR code reader 12 and a control panel. The control panel comprises a Wi-Fi module for data transmission between the device, a cloud based app on a smartphone or electronic handheld device, and a home/office assistant. Data transmission authenticates the code and the control panel controls access through the device upon successful authentication. The device opens without opening the door 32 or access control apparatus which it is encompassed within. This allows an item to be delivered or retrieved without compromising the security of the target premises or enclosure. The device may also include a weight measurement sensor for capturing the weight of an item to cross check for accuracy with the expected goods ordered.

Description

INVENTION TITLE:

Smart Access Control Device and Authentication System

FIELD OF INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a Smart Access Control Device and Authentication System

PROBLEMS:

'Missed delivery’ is a problem for the global logistics industry that affects productivity, user satisfaction and loss of revenue for many developed economies.

'Last mile’ deliveries are currently restricted to being: physically around to receive the delivery; select a local 'click & collect’ location; externally located drop boxes; leave with a neighbour or go to a local secure collection location to pick the items from secure lockers.

Presently, there is no solution to make a delivery directly into a premises with or without the physical presence of a person without gaining full access to the premises, potentially compromising the security of the premises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem(s) by providing a smart access control device and system that utilises a remotely controllable access hatch within the body of an access apparatus or door that allows safe delivery or withdrawal of items into or out of a premises or enclosure without gaining full access into the premises or enclosure.

BASIC DESCRIPTION OF HOW IT WORKS:

Built into an access apparatus or door, the Smart Access Control Device system will allow a user with a barcode or QR Code reader or a mobile telephone installed Smart Access Control Device app to authenticate themselves through a multi-device communication system between the user, the Smart Home Access Device and the Wi-Fi enabled 'home/premises assistant’.

After successful authentication, the Smart Access Control Device’s control panel will cause the device to open into a horizontal position to provide a hatch opening for insertion or withdrawal of item(s) into or from the target premises or enclosure without the user ever gaining full access into the target premises through the access apparatus or door’s secure access system.

After the successful placement or withdrawal of the item(s), the Smart Access Control Device will close and disable the use of the presented barcode or QR code for access authentication.

MOST IMPORTANT PREFERRED ASPECTS:

Preferably, the Smart Access Control Device has a weighing scale built in, so that in its resting horizontal open position, the item(s) can be placed on the device to capture the weight of the item(s) to cross check for accuracy with the expected goods ordered.

Preferably, the Smart Access Control Device has a scanner built in, so that the features of the item(s) packaging, being the subject of the access request, are recorded.

Preferably, the Smart Access Control Device has a camera built in, so that it can record and transmit the recordings made real time through the Wi-Fi module of the control panel to the cloud based Smart Access Control Device app so that all users have evidence of every occurrence of an access request and process into or out of the target premises or enclosure.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only and in no way limiting the scope of the invention in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1: Shows the front view of the Smart Access Control Device infused into a main access control apparatus or door in its vertical securely locked position.

FIG 2: Shows the representation of a barcode/QR code reader which forms part of the Smart Access Control Device, which represents a central feature of the access authentication and control system of the device.

FIG 2: Further shows the representation of a knob, which forms part of the Smart Access Control Device and works to switch on the barcode of QR code reader.

FIG 3: Shows a representation of the Smart Access Control Device in its horizontal open position after a successful authentication with a recognised user.

FIG 4: Shows the representation of the back view of the Smart Access Control Device infused into the main access control apparatus or door in its vertical securely locked position in the inside of a premises or enclosure.

FIG 5: Shows the representation of a barcode/QR reader on a smartphone mobile or electronic device, being part of the cloud based mobile app, which represents a central feature of the access authentication control system of the device.

FIG 6: Shows the representation of a Wi-Fi enabled home/office assistant, which in this embodiment, represents a feature of the access authentication control system of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an Smart Access Control Device 10, which has a barcode reader 12, containing a knob or button 14 with which to switch on the barcode reader and thus initiate an authentication process.

The barcode reader 12 knob 14 is preferably embodied on the front outer part of an access apparatus or door 32 and starts off the authentication process. The user preferably holding a mobile or electronic device 16, with the Smart Access Control device mobile app 18 installed, presses on the barcode reader 12 knob 14 to alert the Access Control Device 10 that the user wants to be authenticated.

The Barcode reader 12, preferably then generates a barcode or QR code 20, which must match the barcode 22 generated by the Smart Access Control Device mobile app 18 on the mobile or electronic device 16.

On reading the barcode presented on the mobile or electronic device 16 of the user, the barcode reader 12 will through the control panel 26 make use of the Wi-Fi system available on the target premises and communicate with the home/office assistant 24 to authenticate the presented barcode 22 for access. If barcode 20 and barcode 22 do not match, the Smart Access Control Device 10 shall terminate the process and deny access to the user.

If barcode 20 and barcode 22 do match, the home/office assistant 24, will use the Wi-Fi system available in the target premises to communicate with the barcode reader 12, through the control panel 26 permission to grant access to the user. The barcode reader 12 will then communicate preferably through an electronic means with the access control panel 26 to release the hinges 38 on the Smart Access Control Device 10 from its vertical closed position 10 to its open horizontal position 28, thereby allowing access into the interior of the target premises 30 through a hatch opening 40, without gaining full access using the access apparatus or door 32 secure access control system or knob 34. It is feasible that the Smart Access Control Device 10 may be unhinged by means of air, gas or electronic control systems.

Referring to the Smart Access Control Device 10 in its horizontal open position 28, the user is able to place any item(s) needing delivering into the target premises 30 onto the flat surface formed by the Access Control Device 10 being in its horizontal open position 28. The weight measurement sensor 36 will capture and record the weight of any items placed on the flat surface formed by the Smart Access Control Device 10 being in its horizontal open position 28. The weight measurement sensor 36 may be located within or on the surface of the flat surface formed by the Smart Access Control Device in its horizontal open position 28. The weight measurement sensor 36 will may make use of the Wi-Fi system available on the target premises and communicate with the home/office assistant 24 to authenticate the weight captured for the item(s) placed on the flat surfaced formed by the Smart Access Control Device 10 being in its horizontal open position 28.

In this embodiment, with the authentication of items complete, the user may be invited to place the item(s) intended for delivery into the target premises 30 into the interior of the premises. The Access Control Device 10 in its horizontal open position 28, may also be tilted to allow the item(s) placed on its flat surface formed by the Device being in its horizontal open position 28 to slide into the target premises 30.

The weight measurement sensor 36 on sensing the removal of the weight from the flat surface of the Smart Access Control Device 10 in its horizontal open position 28 will communicate preferably through the Wi-Fi module of the control panel 26 to initiate the close or lock sequence to move the Smart Access Control Device from its horizontal open position 28 to the closed position 10.

On sensing a return to the Smart Access Control Device closed position 10, the barcode reader 12 will communicate with the home or office assistant 24 using the available WiFi module of the control panel 26 within the target premises 30 the acceptance of the item(s) into the target premises 30, information which will be shared via the cloud based Smart Access Control Device app 18 to all devices with matching barcodes to complete a particular occurrence of access via the Smart Access Control Device 10.

[BIN] Added unusual details of the invention that has not been mentioned

The Smart Access Control Device may also be used to retrieve items from an enclosed space like a vending device or hatch.

Claims

1. 1. A Smart Access Control Device and system comprising a barcode or QR code reader and a control panel connected thereto, characterised in that such control panel comprises a Wi-Fi module for data transmission, which shall allow communication between the device, a barcode or QR code contained within a cloud based app on a smartphone or an electronic handheld device and a home/office assistant, to authenticate and control access through the device upon successful authentication, without opening the encompassing access control apparatus or door in a manner capable of compromising the security of the target premises or enclosure.

2. 2. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a control panel with a Wi-Fi module, electronic relays and mechanical controls to send signals and transmit data to a connected home/office assistant.

3. 3. The barcode or QR code of The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a Wi-Fi module which shall communicate via a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) to send signals and transmit data to a connected home/office assistant.

4. 4. The knob of the barcode or QR code reader of The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that is shall function to activate the barcode reader preparatory to authentication for access control.

5. 5. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, shall communicate via a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) to a connected home/office assistant to send updates to the cloud based Smart Access Control Device app on a user’s smartphone or other handheld electronic devices.

6. 6. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, shall communicate via a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) to a connected home/office assistant to receive updates from the cloud based Smart Access Control Device app on a user’s smartphone or other handheld electronic device.

7. 7. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, shall communicate via a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) to a connected home/office assistant to accept authentication request(s) if the presented barcode or qr code on the user’s smartphone or other electronic device app, matches with that expected by the home/office assistant.

8. 8. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, shall communicate via a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) to a connected home/office assistant to reject authentication request(s) if the presented barcode or qr code does not match with that expected by the home/office assistant.

9. 9. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, when it receives a positive authentication signal from the connected home/office assistant, it shall send an electronic signal through a relay to a control panel of claim 2, which will trigger a release sequence by way of an air, electronic or mechanical means to unhinge the Smart Access Control Device of claim 1 from the encompassing access apparatus, moving from a vertical closed position to a horizontal open position, creating a flat surface and an access hatch.

10.10. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, in the horizontal open position, the Smart Access Control Device shall communicate via the wireless local Area network (Wi-Fi) to the connected home/office assistant and the Smart Access Control Device app on the user’s smartphone or handheld electronic device to place the item(s) for delivery on the flat surface of claim 9, formed by the Smart Access Electronic Device being in its horizontal open position.

11.11. In this embodiment, the Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, when the item(s) for delivery are placed on the flat surface of claim 9, of the Smart Access Control device in its horizontal position, the digital scale element of the Smart Access Control Device shall trigger to capture the weight of the item(s) placed thereon.

12.12. The Digital scale element of claim 11, shall further be characterised by weight sensor(s), Wi-Fi module and/or electronic or battery power source(s).

13.13. In this embodiment, The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, it shall instantaneously communicate the captured weight of the item(s) placed on the device in its horizontal position of claim 9 and communicate through the wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) module of claim 2, to the connected home/office assistant to authenticate the captured weight against the expected weight for the item(s).

14.14. In this embodiment, the Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, it shall receive authentication of weight through the connected home/office assistant using the wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) module of the control panel of claim 2.

15.15. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, when it completes authentication of barcode or qr code and weight, it shall send an electronic signal through a relay to a control panel of claim 2, which will trigger the flat surface of claim 9 to tilt inwards the target premises or invite the user through the cloud based app to place the item(s) safely into the target premises.

16.16. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, when it detects through the weight sensor(s) of claim 12 the lessening of the weight on the flat surface of claim 9, the Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, shall send a message through the control panel of claim 2, to trigger a closing or locking sequence to bring the flat surface of claim 9, back into the vertical close position.

17.17. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, when it returns to its vertical closed or locked position, shall send a signal through the wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) module of the control panel of claim 2, to the connected home/office assistant confirming acceptance and entry of the item(s) into the target premises or enclosure.

18.18. The Smart Access Control Device of claim 1, characterised in that, it shall update

5 the cloud based Smart Access control app, through the Wi-Fi module of claim 2, communicating with a connected home/office assistant of the completion of the process for every sequence(s) of authentication and access into or out of the target premises or enclosure.