Systems and methods for redundant access control systems based on mobile devices and removable wireless buttons

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing redundant access control systems with removable wireless buttons are disclosed. According to some embodiments of the invention, the systems and methods include a smart lock with a button that is enabled to communicate to a network device, a central access server, or an administrator device. When a user requests access to the lock, the removable wireless button communicates the request to the network device, administrator device, or central access server. The removable wireless button is configured to communicate directly to the central access server and the administrator device, or indirectly through a network device. The button may be detached from the cylinder and docked onto a recharge station. In some embodiments, the removable wireless button includes an inertial module motion sensor that determines whether a door is open or closed.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A lock for providing redundant access control comprising:
 a cylinder comprising a cam to engage a bolt;   a button for engaging the cam to unlock the bolt, the button comprising a plurality of redundant access channels for receiving authentication information, the redundant access channels comprising a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad, and a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device; and   a hardware processor configured to:   validate authentication information received from the passcode keypad, biometric scanner, or mobile device based on a set of rules determined by an administrator,   unlock the bolt when a user is authenticated through a first channel of the plurality of redundant access channels, and   when the user cannot open the lock through the first channel, allow access through a second channel of the plurality of redundant access channels.   
     
     
         21 . A system for providing redundant access channels comprising:
 the lock according to  claim 20 ;   a user mobile device configured to request access to the lock; and   an administrator device for controlling the user mobile device's access to the lock, the administrator device being configured to grant or deny the request for access in near real-time, wherein upon being granted access to the lock, the user mobile device is configured to receive authentication information comprising a token for opening the lock, and to provide the token to the lock;   wherein the lock comprises a storage medium for storing access information, and the lock is configured to transmit a response comprising the stored access information.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the response transmitted from the lock comprises an access record indicating whether the token was accepted by the lock and that the lock was opened, and wherein the step of transmitting the response comprises transmitting the response from the user mobile device to the administrator device in near real-time. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the administrator device is configured to grant access to the user mobile device based on a set of configurable rules. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the set of configurable rules comprises a user role that is associated with a set of permissions to one or more locks, the set of configurable rules restricting access to a user based on the user's location, time the lock is being accessed, and the user's role. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the set of configurable rules further comprise a triggering event, the mobile device automatically sending a request for access to the lock based upon the mobile device registering the triggering event. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the token is a dynamic passcode based on the IMEI of the user's mobile device, the network ID of the user mobile device, or both; and wherein the user mobile device is configured to automatically transmit the token to the wireless transceiver of the lock. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the user mobile device is configured to automatically receive the token and transmit the token based on a triggering event. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the triggering event is based on the user's distance to the lock, and wherein the triggering event is registered when the user's distance to the lock is within a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the triggering event is based on a user's gesture, and wherein the triggering event is registered when the user's gesture matches a predetermined gesture. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising an inter-connected hub of devices, configured to activate based upon obtaining access to the lock, wherein the inter-connected hub of devices comprises a thermostat, a lighting system, and a sound system. 
     
     
         31 . A lock comprising:
 a cylinder comprising a cam to engage a bolt;   a button for engaging the cam to unlock the bolt;   a hardware processor configured to validate authentication information and unlock the bolt; and   a rechargeable power source coupled to the hardware processor, wherein:   the rechargeable power source provides power to the hardware processor,   the button is a freely rotating button for unlocking the bolt and energizing the rechargeable power source, and   the rotational energy generated by the movement of the button is converted to electric energy and stored in the rechargeable power source.   
     
     
         32 . The lock of  claim 31  wherein:
 the button comprises a plurality of redundant access channels for receiving the authentication information from a user, the redundant access channels comprising a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad, and a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device; and 
 the hardware processor is configured to allow access through a second channel of the plurality of redundant access channels when the user cannot open the lock through the first channel. 
 
     
     
         33 . The lock of  claim 31 , further comprising a piezo element, wherein the rotational movement of the button is applied to the piezo element and generates piezoelectricity that is stored in the rechargeable power source. 
     
     
         34 . The lock of  claim 31 , further comprising an armature and electrical generator, wherein the rotational movement of the button is applied to the armature and electrical generator to generate electrostatic energy that is stored in the rechargeable power source. 
     
     
         35 . A lock comprising:
 a cylinder comprising a cam to engage a bolt;   a button for engaging the cam to unlock the bolt, the button comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate in near real-time with a mobile device, and with one of: 1) a network device, 2) a control access server, and 3) an administrator device; and   a hardware processor configured to:
 validate authentication information based on communications received from the mobile device, network device, central access server, or administrator device, and 
 unlock the bolt when a user is authenticated; 
   wherein the button is removable, and the button further comprises a recharge interface and a storage medium for storing access information, wherein the recharge interface is configured to be coupled to a power outlet or recharge station for recharging power to the button, and wherein the storage medium is configured to transmit the access information when the button is recharging.   
     
     
         36 . The lock of  claim 35 , further comprising a wireless modem configured to create a cellular broadband connection and communicate to the administrator device or central access server in near real-time. 
     
     
         37 . The lock of  claim 36 , wherein the lock is configured to receive an instruction from the central access server or the administrator device over the cellular broadband connection to block access to a user based on the user's biometric scan, passcode, or mobile device IMEI. 
     
     
         38 . The lock of  claim 35 , further comprising a wireless modem configured to create a short range wireless connection and communicate to the administrator device or central access server in near real-time. 
     
     
         39 . The lock of  claim 35 , wherein the button comprises an inertial module configured to determine a door status that indicates whether a door has been opened or closed, and communicate the door status to the administrator device or central access server in near real-time. 
     
     
         40 . The lock of  claim 35 , wherein the lock is configured to determine a bolt status that indicates whether the bolt is in a locked or unlocked position, and communicate the bolt status to the administrator device or central access server in near real-time. 
     
     
         41 . The lock of  claim 35 , wherein the button further comprises an I/O port configured to receive power from an external device, and deliver access information to the external device. 
     
     
         42 . The lock of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the button comprises a plurality of redundant access channels for receiving the authentication information from the user, the redundant access channels comprising a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad, and a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device; and   the hardware processor is configured to allow access through a second channel of the plurality of redundant access channels when the user cannot open the lock through the first channel.