ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL AND SECURITY SYSTEM

SYSTEME ELECTRONIQUE DE CONTROLE D'ACCES ET DE SECURITE

English Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic access control and security
system against unauthorised opening of closed objects, in particular, control and
distribution cabinets for communication and data transfer. The object of the present
invention, namely, to provide an electronic access control and security system, by
means of which security against unauthorised opening is further improved and
continuously-updated information about the condition of the object to be protected
is secured, is achieved by having within a multi-stage hierarchy a central control unit
connected by at least one decentral communication multiplexer to at least one local
data processor. Each decentral communication multiplexer and each local data
processor are adapted to be semi-autonomous electronic units. A local data
processor is installed in the respective object to be protected. Between the object
to be protected and the central control unit a continuously-updated data exchange
using a dynamic protocol for the condition of the object and access attempts is
performed. The power supply for each local data processor takes place over the
same 2-wire connection used for communication.

French Abstract

L'invention est un système électronique de contrôle d'accès et de sécurité servant à protéger contre les ouvertures non autorisées certains objets fermés, en particulier les armoires de contrôle et de distribution utilisées dans les communications et les transferts de données. L'objet de la présente invention, qui est de fournir un système électronique de contrôle des accès et de sécurité améliorant la protection contre les ouvertures non autorisées et protégeant l'information qui est continuellement mise à jour sur la condition de l'objet à protéger, est réalisé en connectant une unité de contrôle centrale à hiérarchie multi-étage à au moins un processeur à données local par un multiplexeur de communication non central au moins. Chaque multiplexeur de communication non central et chaque processeur à données local est adapté pour fonctionner comme unité électronique semi-autonome. Un processeur à données local est installé dans chaque objet à protéger. Un échange de données continuellement mises à jour entre l'objet à protéger et l'unité de contrôle centrale est effectué au moyen d'un protocole dynamique pour la condition de l'objet et les tentatives d'accès. L'alimentation en énergie de chacun des processeurs à données local se fait via la connexion bifilaire utilisée pour les communications.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An electronic access control and security system against
unauthorised opening of closed objects, in particular control and distribution
cabinets for communication and data transfer, comprising:
a central data acquisition means;
a computer-aided central data evaluation means;
a remote data transmission means over a cable for the
communication and data transfer; and,
a communication device for identification control and access
authorization;
wherein, within a multi-stage hierarchy, a central control unit is connected by at
least one decentral communication multiplexer to at least one local data
processor, the at least one decentral communication multiplexer and the at leastone local data processor being adapted to be semi-autonomous electronic units,
the at least one local data processor being installed in the respective objects to
be protected, wherein between an object to be protected and the central control
unit there is a continuously-updated data exchange using a dynamic protocol
relating to the condition of the object and access attempts, and wherein power
is supplied for each local data processor over the same 2-wire connection as
is used for communication with that processor.
2. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 1, wherein various sensors in and/or at the object are provided for
monitoring the complete object condition, the information from each sensor
being processed independently from that of others in a local data processor and
being transmitted as a concrete message over a decentral communication
multiplexer to the central control unit.

3. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 1, wherein a respective local data processor is positioned at the innerside of an object door, and is provided with an electronic lock, and is connected
to a mechanical closing device.
4. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the power supply secures the electronic locking of
the object door and, in case of a power failure, access by an authorised person
is still secured.
5. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 3, wherein, for access control of the object, a proximity reader is
disposed as an identification system in a local data processor, said reader
checking an identification means provided outside the object.
6. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein an assigned identication number is used.
7. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein there is an access by an authorized person,which access is limited in time.
8. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein over a local data processor, sensors forremote control, temperature and/or humidity measurement or the like are
connected.
9. An electronic access control and security system according
to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein coupling to customised networks by
suitable interfacing is provided.

Description

2191153
ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL AND SECURITY SYSTEM
The invention relates to an electronic access control and security
system against unauthorised opening of closed objects, in particular control anddistribution cabinets for communication and data transfer.
Protection against unauthorised use of telecommunication paths
5 is becoming more and more important, in order to prevent monitoring of privateand commercial lines, to prevent telephone calls being made on somebody
else's account, and to make data manipulation and vandalism more difficult.
German Patent DE 43 02 835 C1 discloses a mechanical closing
device for the door of a housing, in particular, a cable junction box for
10 communication and data transfer, wherein a locking device with two actuation
stages for a locking bar is provided. After displacing the bar in the first
actuation stage, an opening is created. The authorised person can have access
through this opening to plug bushings or a magnetic card reader or the like, andcan connect to a communication device. By means of the communication
15 device the authorised person can make contact with a control centre, and effect
release of the second actuation stage. The exchange of information between
the centre and an authorised person at the cable junction box serves to provide
identification control.
This prior art closing device considerably improves security against
20 unauthorised use. However, continuously-updated control of the condition of the
complete cable junction box and the persons requesting access is not secured.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an electronic
access control and security system of the type referred to hereinbefore, by
means of which security against unauthorised opening is further improved, and
25 continuously-updated information about the condition of the object to be
protected is secured.
The invention is an electronic access control and security system
against unauthorised opening of closed objects, in particular control and
distribution cabinets for communication and data transfer. The system

21 971 53
comprises a central data acquisition means, a computer-aided central data
evaluation means, a remote data transmission means over a cable for the
communication and data transfer, and a communication device for identification
control and access authorization. Within a multi-stage hierarchy, a central
control unit is connected by at least one decentral communication multiplexer
to at least one local data processor. The at least one decentral communication
multiplexer and the at least one local data processor are adapted to be semi-
autonomous electronic units. The at least one local data processor is installed
in the respective objects to be protected. Between the object to be protected
and the central control unit there is a continuously-updated data exchange usinga dynamic protocol relating to the condition of the object and access attempts.
Power is supplied for each local data processor over the same 2-wire
connection used for communication with that processor.
Various sensors in and/or at the object may be provided for
monitoring the complete object condition. The information from each sensor is
processed independently from that of others in a local data processor, and is
transmitted as a message over a decentral communication multiplexer to the
central control unit. A local data processor may be positioned at the inner sideof an object door, and be provided with an electronic lock, and be connected to
a mechanical closing device. For access control of the object, a proximity
reader may be disposed as an identification system in a local data processor,
the reader checking an identification means provided outside the object. The
power supply may secure the electronic locking of the object door and, in case
of a power failure, access by an authorised person is still secured.
In the foregoing forms of the electronic access control and security
system, an assigned identification number may be used. There may be access
by an authorized person, which access is limited in time. Over a local data
processor, sensors for remote control, temperature and/or humidity
measurement or the like may be connected. Coupling may be provided to
customised networks by suitable interfacing.

2197~53
By distributing the computer capacity to three hierarchies, that
capacity is also installed in the object to be protected. An analysis of events in
and at the object can then be performed (decentral intelligence).
Whereas prior art security systems provide to a centre only a
general signalling of events, the invention signals where events happen as they
happen. The continuous monitoring and updating of the signals (data), in a
dialogue between the decentral communication multiplexers (DCM), the local
data processors (LDP) and the central communication unit (CCU) using a
dynamic protocol for the actual condition of the object, achieve a higher security
against unauthorised opening, an identification of opening attempts and also of
attempts to interrupt the lines, and of burglary attempts or the like. Each failure
is identified as such, and the system has a very high reliability. Not only the
door, but the complete object, is protected from burglary or sabotage.
Protection of a large assembly of installations with a large number
of keys is possible. Assignment of the keys can be limited in time for a certainsection of the assembly of installations, and place/time criteria can also be
combined. Each key number is unique world-wide. Modifications of
authorisations can only be performed at the central communication unit by an
authorisation terminal.
The electronic key can be selected in a pin or magnetic card form.
Access to an object is always secured for an authorised user, even
when there is a power failure. Power supply is provided for the electronic lock
by the DCM. The mechanical lock remains operable and can be opened by the
authorised user even in case of a power failure.
There is an automatic updating of the access criteria at all levels.
The central administration and control by the central communication unit
provides clear structuring, actualization, and effective handling possibilities.Next, the invention will be described in greater detail, based on an
embodiment of an electronic access control and security system shown in the
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an illustration of the system components; and,

2~ 97i 53
- Figure 2 is a diagrammatical representation of the assemblies and
components of the LDP on an inner door side of a cable junction box.
The electronic access control and security system according to the
representation of Figure 1 is installed for the protection of a multitude of cable
5 junction boxes 1 and is combined with a two-stage mechanical closing system
respectively present in each cable junction box 1, for example, according to
German Patent DE 43 02 835 C1 (not shown).
According to Figure 1, the system is composed of a central control
unit CCU connected to a decentral communication multiplexer DCM, and of a
10 multitude of local data processors LDP in cable junction boxes 1, each LDP
being connected by a 2-wire cable 2 and a main distribution box HVT to the
decentral communication multiplexer DCM.
Main distribution box HVT can, for example, be replaced by floor
distribution boxes in building networks, if a main distribution box is not needed.
In door 3 of respective cable junction box 1 is disposed, not visible
from outside, local data processor LDP as an electronic monitoring unit working
in conjunction with the two-stage mechanical closing unit. Local data processor
LDP serves for the status control of cable junction box 1, and monitors door 3
with regard to door position, locking bar position, locking bar blocking, and
20 monitoring of the complete cable junction box 1 with regard to sabotage
attempts. Local data processor LDP includes, according to Figure 2, an
identification reader 14 for the "electronic key". The electronic key can be
configured in the form of a magnetic card or of a pin structure. Local data
processor LDP includes a computer module 12 with a CPU and a storage
25 capacity. Local data processor LDP processes all signals coming from sensors,such as light sensor 15, open/closed sensor 16, to specific coded messages,
and it monitors all accesses/openings or opening attempts and sabotage actions
by a sabotage switch. The local data processor LDP communicates by a cable
4 (1-DW cable) with decentral communication multiplexer DCM.
The mechanical arrangement of the elements can vary, depending
on the object to be protected.

21 97~ 53
In case of a failure of the power supply of the local data
processors LDP, for instance by damage to the communication cable during
earthworks, the monitoring section of the local data processors LDP continues
to operate for several hours and to record and store status modifications of box1 during that time. After power is back, the data are automatically transmitted
to central control unit CCU.
Decentral communication multiplexer DCM secures the power
supply of local data processor LDP over cable 4 and also the data exchange by
coded protocols; it is the interface between local data processors LDP and
central control unit CCU (the central computer). It monitors all local data
processors LDP, including the case where a main distribution box HVT is
interposed between local data processors LDP and decentral communication
multiplexer DCM.
In Figure 1 is shown the monitoring section of a decentral
communication multiplexer DCM; however, a multitude of such monitoring
sections can be combined, so that several decentral communication multiplexers
DCM can be connected to a central control unit CCU.
Central control unit CCU handles the central communication of all
decentral communication multiplexers DCM and includes the network file, the
authorisation file (access authorisations as a numerically-sorted key list and an
updated list) for the electronic key and for statistical evaluations. An alarm
situation is recognisable, and action may be initiated, by central control unit
CCU. From central control unit CCU, information can be directed to selected
recelvers.
Access to a cable junction box 1, or the opening thereof, is allowed
by an authorised person opening the first lock by means of a mechanical key.
The person thereby makes accessible a (not shown) opening into which is
inserted a (not shown) coded electronic key or, as in another embodiment, to
which he presents a coded identification means for non-contact reading.

21 971 ~3
After identification, and thus authorisation for opening door 3 of
cable junction box 1, the second electronically-secured locking is released; thedoor can then be opened by the authorised person.
According to Figure 2, the electronic key is detected by the
5 proximity antenna 5, and the detected data are forwarded to computer module
12 of local data processor LDP for further evaluation. Computer module 12
checks whether the key is authorised for opening cable junction box 1. The
detected authorisation for opening is transmitted over modem 6 to decentral
communication multiplexer DCM. The signal is then conducted over computer
module 12 to booster 13, and holding solenoid 7 is de-activated. The
mechanical arrangement of the elements can vary, depending on the object to
be secured.
If the authorised person does not open door 3 of cable junction box
1 within a specified time, for example 30 seconds, holding solenoid 7 -- and
15 thus electronic locking of a lock 11 -- is re-activated.

Representative Drawing