IES20070342A2 - An access control device - Google Patents

Abstract

An access control device for use in an access control system is described. The access control device is operable to receive a caller ID number from a mobile phone, and to convert that number into a format suitable for reading by the access control system, and subsequent authorisation. This allows for mobile phones to act as a token instead of a magnetic swipe card, RF key fob, etc. in an access control system. <Figure 3>

Description

Access control devices are well known features of modem security systems. With reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a known access control system is indicated generally at . The access control system 10 generally comprises at least one access scanner 12 coupled to a central control station 14 comprising either a suitably programmed general purpose computer or a dedicated security panel. The central control station 14 is also coupled with at least one locking means 16 which is operable to lock or unlock an access point 18 (in this case, a door).

In order for an individual to enter a premises through the access point 18, the individual must be in possession of a suitable access token 20. The access token 20 may be any device that can hold data and is operable to be read by the access scanner 12, e.g. an rfbased key fob, magnetic swipe card, infra-red fob, etc. The access token 20 normally contains information particular to that user, or a specific access password.

The user actuates the access scanner 12 with the access token 20 (e.g. the card is swiped, or the rf-based key fob passed near to the scanner). The access scanner 12 reads the information present on the access token 20, and transmits the relevant information to the central control station 14. The control station 14 is operable to compare the received information to the contents of a database (not shown), and can determine whether the user in question has the appropriate clearance to enter that particular access point 18. If the user has clearance, the control station 14 communicates to the locking means 16 to permit access to the user through access point 18.

Most standard access control systems communicate using either (a) “Clock/Data” or (b) Wiegand signalling methods. Referring now to Fig. 2, two example signals using the two methods are shown. Both systems operate using a pair of communication wires maintained at 5 volts (interpreted as logic “0”), with transitions to 0 volts (logic “1”). In the Clock/Data scheme (Fig. 2(a)), one line is used as the Data line, with the other operating a 070342 Clock signal. Whatever logic exists on the Data line is recorded when the Clock line is at logic 1.

With Wiegand signalling (Fig. 2(b)), the two lines are called “Datal” and “DataO”. The Datal line is used to carry the “1” bits, and the DataO line carries the “0” bits. When a bit is signalled on the line, the voltage on the appropriate line is pulsed to 0 volts. The simplicity of these signalling methods means that their use is widespread, with the majority of access scanners and control stations configured for these formats.

However, use of dedicated token for access means that there is additional cost associated with installing an access control system, as each user must receive their own token. Also, users can easily misplace their tokens. Thus, there is a need for an access control device that does not require the creation of specific tokens for each user, while at the same time being backwards compatible with existing systems.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these problems.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, there is provided an access control device suitable for interfacing with an access control system, the access control device comprising: a wireless communication receiver, operable to receive a signal indicating that a user of wireless communication device wishes to gain access to a premises controlled by said access control system, said signal including an identifier for said wireless communication device; a controller, operable to convert said identifier into a format suitable for reading by an access control system; and a communications interface; operable to transmit said converted identifier to said access control system.

Preferably, the wireless communication receiver is chosen from at least one of a wireless telephony network receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, a WiFi receiver, an Infra-Red receiver.

Preferably, the identifier is a caller ID associated with a mobile phone. 03 42 Preferably, said controller is operable to convert said identifier into one of a Wiegand or a Clock/Data format.

Description of the Invention Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art access control system; Fig. 2(a) shows a sample Clock/Data format signal for logic “10010”; Fig. 2(b) shows a sample Wiegand format signal for logic “01100”; Fig. 3 illustrates an access control system having an access control device according to a first embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 illustrates an access control system having an access control device according to a further embodiment of the invention Referring now to Fig. 3, an access control system 10 is shown having an access control device 22 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The access control device 22 is preferably a stand-alone device, but is shown in Fig. 3 as an attachment to an existing access scanner 12.

The access control device 22 comprises a wireless communication receiver, preferably a GSM receiver, that is operable to receive a signal from a mobile communications network. In this embodiment, the GSM receiver is associated with a particular telephone number. In order for an individual to access a premises through access point 18, the individual uses their personal mobile phone 24 to place a call over the telephone network to the number associated with the access control device 22. (This can be printed on the access control device if it is visible at the access point, or the number can be printed and displayed at any suitable location near the access point.) The GSM receiver of the access control device 22 receives a telephone signal from the telephone network indicating that a phone is attempting to place a call to that number. The access control device 22 is operable to extract the caller ID data from the call setup telephone signal - without necessarily answering the call. The caller ID data generally comprises a number coaesponding to the 0703 42 number of the phone that has placed the call, in this case the individual’s personal mobile phone 24.

The access control device 22 is then operable to convert the caller ID number received into a format suitable for transmitting over the associated access control network, e.g. Wiegand or Clock/Data format. The access control device 22 can either directly connect with the communication wires of the network, or can interface with the existing access control scanner 12. The converted caller ID is then transmitted to the central control station 14. As before, the control station 14 is operable to compare the received information to the contents of its database, and can determine whether the number of the mobile phone in question is included in the database, i.e. if the owner of the mobile phone has the appropriate clearance to enter that particular access point 18. If the owner has clearance, the control station 14 communicates to the locking means 16 to permit access to the individual through access point 18.

The advantage of this system is that is can be retro-fitted to existing access control systems, and allows for improved token-based access, as a person is less likely to forget and/or lose their mobile phone, as opposed to previous token types, e.g. magnetic cards, key fobs, etc.

While this embodiment describes how the particular caller ID of a mobile phone is used to determine if access clearance is to be granted, it will be understood that other variations of wireless communication may be employed. For example, if a device has Bluetooth capability, the unique Bluetooth ID maybe used in place of the caller ID. Similarly, infrared or WiFi devices may be used. In each case, the access control device 22 is provided with a suitable receiver, and is operable to receive the unique ID number of the wireless device, and convert the ID number into a format suitable for reading by a conventional access control network.

Turning now to Fig. 4, a further embodiment of the invention is shown. Here, a plurality of access control devices 26 are provided local to the central control station 14 and not necessarily local to the access point. Each access control device 26 is associated with a specific access point 18. Each access point 18 has a graphical indicator 28 located on the exterior of the access point 18 indicating the telephone number associated with the 070342 particular access control device 26 for that access point 18. As in the previous embodiment, the individual looking to gain access through said access control point 18 dials the number associated with the particular access control device 26.

The GSM receiver of the access control device 26 receives a telephone signal from the telephone network indicating that a phone is attempting to place a call to that number. The access control device 26 is operable to extract the caller ID data from the telephone signal. The access control device 26 is then operable to transmit the caller ID number to the central control station 14. As with the first embodiment, this may involve converting the caller ID number into a suitable format for receipt by the central control station 14, e.g. Wiegand, Clock/Data format.

The control station 14 is then operable to check the received caller ID number with a database of authorised numbers. If the caller ID number corresponds with the mobile phone number of an authorised individual, then the control station 14 is operable to send an actuation signal to the locking means 16 for the access point 18 in question, i.e. the access point 18 associated with the particular access control device 26 that was called by the individual.

In each of these embodiments, each access control device 22,26 is associated with a particular telephone number and a particular access point, and so the caller ID can be used to query whether the phone user is entitled to access at the access point 18 indicated by the phone number.

However, in variations of the invention a single access control device can be arranged to receive text messages from a user’s mobile phone, with the text message including the identity of the access point 18 for which access is required. Both the caller ID and the text of the message can be converted by the access control device as before into a suitable format for receipt by the central control station 14 so that the control station can determine if the phone user is entitled to access at the indicated access point.

In a further refinement of this embodiment, a user could be required to include a PIN as well as the identity of the access point in the text message for verification of the user by the central control station. 070342 In any case, the instructions for gaining access at any access point can be suitably displayed at or near the access point.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein but can be amended or 5 modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. An access control device suitable for interfacing with an access control system, the access control device comprising: a wireless communication receiver, operable to receive a signal indicating that a user of wireless communication device wishes to gain access to a premises controlled by said access control system, said signal including an identifier for said wireless communication device; a controller, operable to convert said identifier into a format suitable for reading by an access control system; and a communications interface; operable to transmit said converted identifier to said access control system.

2. The access control device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication receiver is chosen from at least one of a wireless telephony network receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, a WiFi receiver, an Infra-Red receiver.

3. The access control device of claim 1 wherein, the identifier is a caller ID associated with a mobile phone.

4. The access control device of claim 1, wherein said controller is operable to convert said identifier into one of a Wiegand or a Clock/Data format.

5. An access control device for interfacing with an access control system, substantially as described herein, with reference to Fig. 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.