Electronic Locking System with Wireless Update and Cascade Lock Control

Abstract

A wireless access control system comprising a central access control system connected through a wireless network to a remote access control system comprised of a plurality of localized remote access controllers (locking mechanisms). The plurality of remote access controllers will generally be used to lock parts of a facility, whether physical facilities, parts thereof or mobile components within the facilities, and will allow for a supervisory function to determine which users of the system are allowed to access which resources within a facility. Also disclosed herein is an interlinked cascade lock system coupled to a central access control system that is comprised of at least two levels of security.

1 . A wireless access control method for controlling access to a plurality of remote access controllers in a wireless access control system comprising a central access control system comprising a central server and a central wireless communicator coupled by a wireless network to a remote access control system comprising a plurality of remote access controllers, the method comprising:
 storing a localized access database at each remote access controller wherein said localized access database is indicative of authorized users;   receiving a credential at a remote access receiving device of a single remote access controller;   checking for a flag in the wireless access control system, the flag representing a removal of at least one flagged credential from the localized access database;   removing the flagged credential from the localized access database;   comparing the credential to the localized access database;   authorizing access at the remote access controller if the comparing step is indicative of an authorized user;   activating a remote wireless communicator in the remote access controller to initiate a wireless communication between the remote wireless communicator and the central wireless communicator over the wireless network when the comparing step is not indicative of an authorized user;   sending a signal to the central server;   comparing the signal to a central access database;   sending a signal from the central server to the remote access controller across the wireless network authorizing access at the remote access controller if the comparing the signal step is indicative of an authorized user; and   sending a signal from the central server to the remote access controller across the wireless network denying access at the remote access controller if the comparing the signal step is not indicative of an authorized user.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote access controller is comprised of:
 a remote wireless communicator;   an access request receiving device;   a remote processor;   a remote storage device;   a control circuit;   a locking mechanism; and   a local communications device.   
     
     
         3 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 activating a remote wireless communicator in the remote access controller to initiate a wireless communication between the remote wireless communicator and the central wireless communicator over the wireless network at periodic intervals for a routine database upgrade.   
     
     
         4 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 activating a remote wireless communicator in the remote access controller to initiate a wireless communication between the remote wireless communicator and the central wireless communicator over the wireless network when command input for an update is entered into the remote wireless communicator.   
     
     
         5 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 activating a remote wireless communicator in the remote access controller to initiate a wireless communication between the remote wireless communicator and the central wireless communicator over the wireless network when a wake up sensor is activated.   
     
     
         6 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , wherein when the wireless access control system is not transmitting or receiving information the wireless access control system is in a standby power conserving mode. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote access controllers provide for monitoring and verification of a variety of safety parameters. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is encrypted. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless access control method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is comprised of:
 a validation code that describes the localized database; and   an identifier of the credential.   
     
     
         10 . A wireless access control system for controlling access to a plurality of remote access controllers, the system comprising:
 a means for storing a localized access database at each remote access controller wherein the localized access database is indicative of authorized users;   a means for receiving a credential at a single remote access controller;   a means for comparing the credential to the localized access database;   a means for authorizing access at the remote access controller if comparing the credential to the localized access database is indicative of an authorized user;   a means for sending a first signal to a central access control system over a wireless network from the remote access controller when said comparing step is not indicative of an authorized user;   a means for comparing the first signal to a central access database;   a means for sending a second signal from the central access control system to the remote access controller across the wireless network authorizing access at the remote access controller if the comparing the first signal is indicative of an authorized user; and   a means for sending a second signal from the central access control system to the remote access controller across the wireless network denying access at the remote access controller if the comparing the first signal is not indicative of an authorized user.