WO1996030876A1

WO1996030876A1 - Improvements in or relating to security door locks

Info

Publication number: WO1996030876A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/000791
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheuk Fai Ho; Michael Ping Pui Chan; Kam Shing Kwok
Original assignee: Cheuk Fai Ho; Michael Ping Pui Chan; Kam Shing Kwok
Priority date: 1995-03-31
Filing date: 1996-04-01
Publication date: 1996-10-03
Also published as: AU5280096A; AU5280196A; MX9605944A; WO1996030875A1; BR9605950A

Abstract

A door controller (10) incorporates a processor (20) having an external memory (26) and responsive to a real time clock (24). The door controller (10) controls a mechanical door lock (12) of a door (40) controlling an entrance (19). A person requiring access through the entrance (19) inserts an IC card (16) carrying identification information into an IC card reader (15) incorporated within the controller. If the identification information is satisfactory and/or if a code input by the person by way of a keypad (11) is validated, the processor (20) will cause a door control (22) to open the door lock (12). Movement of the person through the entrance (19) and subsequent closing of the door (40) is monitored by an infrared detector (14).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SECURITY DOOR LOCKS

The present invention relates to the control or monitoring of a security door lock, and to a security door lock.

There is often a need to control an entrance door and it is known, for example, to provide security locks so that only those who know the code can open the door. However, there is no record of who has passed through the entrance door. Furthermore, if the person passing through the door does not shut it, or if an automatic system to shut the door fails, the entrance is insecure.

It is an object of the present invention to enable better control or monitoring of an entrance door.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a security door lock comprising actuator means for controlling the condition of the door lock, and a controller for controlling the operation of said actuator means, wherein said controller comprises processor means and a reading device for reading the data on IC cards, said reading device being in communication with said processor means.

The IC card, for example, may carry information identifying a person and/or other information about that person, for example the access that the person can have to the area controlled by the door lock. Thus, the controller of the electrical equipment can use information read from the IC card to determine whether or not to enable the door to be opened.

It is possible for the reading device to be arranged as a read only device enabled to read data carried on IC cards. In a preferred embodiment, the reading device is arranged not only to read data from IC cards, but also to write data thereto.

In an embodiment, the reading device has a single slot so that it can receive, and read and/or write, data to only one IC card at a time. Alternatively, the reading device may have a number of slots so that a number of IC cards can be inserted therein and read from, or written to, simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the reading device has a single slot. In this case, for example, an IC card of a staff member or a visitor may be received within the reading device and data read from, or written to the IC card.

Preferably, the controller further comprises a user interface, for example, a key pad.

Preferably, the door lock further comprises means to detect the condition of a door with which the door lock is associated. For example, the door lock may have at least one sensor or detector able to sense the passage of people through the door, or the location of the door, or the condition of the lock. If a person does not pass through the door within a predetermined time after it has been opened and/or the door is not sensed to be in its closed position a predetermined time after it has been opened, an alarm may be sounded.

The present invention also extends to a security door lock for fastening a door, said door lock comprising actuator means for controlling the condition of the door lock, a user interface, and sensor means to sense the condition of the door or the passage of persons therethrough, and further comprising alarm means responsive to said sensor means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling or monitoring the use of a security door lock, the door lock having actuator means for controlling the condition of the door lock, and a controller for controlling the actuator means, and the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said controller to enable operation of said actuator means, said identification data being stored on at least one IC card.

The invention also extends to a method of controlling the opening of an entrance door having a security door lock, the security door lock comprising processor means, memory means, and a user interface, and the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said processor means to enable the operation of said door lock, said identification data being stored on at least one IC card.

The identification data stored on the IC card preferably includes information as to the identity of a person. Thus, any person requiring to control or use the door lock is provided with an IC card which carries identification of that person. The IC card might also carry additional information, such as any restrictions on the activities of the person. Use of the door lock requires the insertion of at least one IC card and preferably the controller has processor means arranged to form a record of the operation of said actuator means and of the identity of the person. Such a record may be stored within the processor means or written to an IC card.

The invention also extends to a method of controlling an entrance door, comprising the steps of enabling opening of the door by operation of a security door lock, sensing the condition of the door or the passage of a person therethrough, and transmitting an alarm if the door is not closed or the person does not pass therethrough a predetermined time after the security door lock is opened.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, which reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a door control apparatus comprising a controller with a card reader/writer incorporated therein, and linked to an infra-red detector,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an entrance where a door control apparatus is installed, and

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the controller of the door control apparatus.

The door control apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a controller 10 having a number keypad 11. Incorporated within the controller 10 is a processor 20 ( Figure 3 ) for controlling the opening of a mechanical door lock 12 by way of a door control 22. The processor 20 is responsive to the operation of the keypad 11, and to a real time clock 24. A display 13 is provided for displaying the time and/or the number keyed in. An infra-red detector 14 is connected to the controller 10 by way of a cable 17 and the mechanical door lock 12 is connected to the controller 10 by way of a cable 18.

In normal manner, the processor 20 is provided with internal memory, and an external memory 26, for example, a 32K byte static RAM is also provided. In the embodiment illustrated, the processor 20 is connected directly to the external memory 26, the real time clock 24, and to the display 13, and is connected to other elements of the controller 10, such as the keypad 11, by way of an I/O interface 28. Of course, the communication between the processor 20 and each element can be chosen, as convenient, to be direct or by way of an interface and/or buffer.

As is shown in Figure 3, the elements in communication with the processor 20 by way of the I/O interface 28 also include a buzzer 30 which is associated with the door lock 12. An LED 32 on the housing of the controller 10 also communicates with the processor 20. Serial and parallel interfaces 34 are provided to enable the processor 20 to be connected to any required external devices. Serial and parallel connectors (not visible) of the interfaces 34 are provided on the base of the housing of the controller 10.

Electrical power may be provided to the controller 10 either from the mains or from a battery pack (not show ) . In either case, a battery back-up, as indicated at 36, is provided.

An I.C. card reader/writer 15 is incorporated within the controller 10. The reader/writer 15 is connected to the processor 20 by way of the I/O interface 28. The processor 20 is programmed not only to enable operation of the door lock 12, but also to receive instructions from the IC card reader/writer 15.

In known manner, and as is apparent in Figures 1 and 2, the controller 10 can actuate the door control 22 to open the door lock 12 and hence enable opening of a door 40 controlling an entrance 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the door control 22 is arranged to move a reciprocable plate 42 forming a part of the case in which the lock bolt (not visible) of the mechanical lock 12 is received. In this embodiment, the controller 10 is mounted proximate to the door 40. Of course, the controller 10 may additionally and/or alternatively, be remote from the door 40.

The apparatus described and illustrated may be used, for example, to control the movements of staff or visitors who require to enter premises by way of the entrance 19. In this case, each person requiring access is provided with an IC card 16 carrying data identifying that person. Furthermore, if required, the controller 10 may be arranged to allow access by way of the entrance 19 only during specified times and to deny access at all other times.

During the operational time in which access by way of the entrance 19 is allowed, any person wishing to open the door 40 must insert his IC card 16 into the controller 10. The controller 10 determines if the person identified is allowed access and if so, causes actuation of the door control 22. The fact that the lock is open can be indicated to the person by way of the buzzer 30 and/or by the LED 32. Thus, the person only needs to push the door 40 or turn a doorknob to gain access. Having achieved access, the person removes his IC card 16 from the controller 10. During this operation, the controller 10 stores to memory 26 the time, obtained from the clock 24, and the identity of the person, obtained from his IC card 16. If required, the person may be additionally required to enter a security code, by way of the keypad 11 to gain access. In this latter case the processor 20 of the controller 10 will check not only that the person has arrived at a proper time, and the identity of the person from his IC card, but also that the keyed in security code is appropriate for the person identified.

It may be required to confirm, for example, that once the door has been opened, the person actually passes therethrough. The infra-red detector 14 connected to the processor 20 of the controller 10 by way of the I/O interface 28 may be used to sense the movement of the person through the entrance 19. Additional sensors or detectors may be provided so that the movement of the person through the entrance 19 may be tracked more precisely. The information from the or each sensor or detector is fed to the processor 20 which is thus able to compare the sensed readings with expected readings and thereby determine if the person has passed through the entrance 19.

It can happen that the relocking of the door fails because the person passing through it does not close it, or because of a failure in an automatic door closing device. There are also circumstances in which the door may be retained open. In these circumstances, the infra-red detector 14 may be arranged to signal that there has been a lack of closure of the door 40. Additionally and/or alternatively, other detectors or sensors may be provided to confirm to the processor 20 whether or not the door is closed.

The controller 10 may be arranged to give an alarm, for example, by way of the LED 32, and/or the buzzer 30, or by other means, if the door 40 does not close and/or the person does not pass through the entrance.

There may be circumstances in which the person gaining access through the door is to be allowed into the area controlled by the door 40 for a limited time only. The controller 10 may be arranged to monitor the time at which the person enters the area and to provide a warning if the person does not leave on time. In this case, a person leaving the restricted area through the door 40 may be required to insert his IC card 16 into the controller 10 on leaving .

As explained, any alarm required may be given locally at the controller 10. However, the controller may also be arranged to send warning signals by way of a wireless transmitter (not illustrated). Such a warning transmitter, for example, may be connected to the processor 20 by way of the serial or parallel interface 34 and be arranged to make transmissions for receipt by radio receivers carried by security personnel.

As has been made clear above, details of persons entering through the door 40, and the time of their entrance, and the time of their exit if this is recorded, are stored by the processor 20 in its memory 26. Selected information may also be written to the persons' IC card 16. The information stored in the controller 10 may be down¬ loaded periodically, for example, to a computer for analysis. The information on a persons' IC card may be read, for example, when the IC card is used in other circumstances, for example, in an attendance time clock.

It will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the preferred embodiments as described and illustrated may be made within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A security door lock comprising actuator means for controlling the condition of the door lock, and a controller for controlling the operation of said actuator means, wherein said controller comprises processor means and a reading device for reading the data on IC cards, said reading device being in communication with said processor means.

2. A security door lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an IC card to be read by said reading device carries information identifying a person and/or other information about that person.

3. A security door lock as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the reading device is arranged not only to read data from IC cards, but also to write data thereto.

4. A security door lock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller further comprises a user interface.

5. A security door lock as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the user interface is a key pad.

6. A security door lock as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means to detect the condition of a door with which the door lock is associated.

7. A security door lock as claimed in Claim 6, further comprising at least one sensor or detector able to sense the passage of people through the door, or the location of the door, or the condition of the lock.

8. A security door lock for fastening a door, said door lock comprising actuator means for controlling the condition of the door lock, a user interface, and sensor means to sense the condition of the door or the passage of persons therethrough, and further comprising alarm means responsive to said sensor means.

9. A method of controlling or monitoring the use of a security door lock, the door lock having actuator means for controlling the condition of the door lock, and a controller for controlling the actuator means, and the method comprising the steps of providing identification data to said controller to enable operation of said actuator means, said identification data being stored on at least one IC card.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said controller comprises processor means, and the identification data stored on the IC card includes information as to the identity of a person, and wherein the processor means is arranged to form a record of the operation of said actuator means and of the identity of the person.

11. A method of controlling an entrance door, comprising the steps of enabling opening of the door by operation of a security door lock, sensing the condition of the door or the passage of a person therethrough, and transmitting an alarm if the door is not closed or the person does not pass therethrough a predetermined time after the security door lock is opened.

12. A security door lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of controlling or monitoring the use of a security door lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of controlling an entrance door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.