System and Method for Integrating Key Access Control of Legacy Lockable Articles into a Control System and Associated Lock Boxes
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorJoseph E. Grella
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure sets forth a system for integrating key access control of a plurality of legacy lockable articles into a tool control system. The system can comprise a plurality of lock boxes each associated with a respective legacy lockable article. Each of the plurality of lock boxes can be configured to selectively lock and unlock access to a key operable to facilitate access to the respective legacy lockable article. The system can further comprise a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of lock boxes. The programmable logic controller can be operable to send control instructions to the plurality of lock boxes to lock or unlock access to the key.
Claims20
A system for integrating key access control of a plurality of legacy lockable articles into a tool control system, the system comprising:
- a plurality of lock boxes each associated with a respective legacy lockable article, each of the plurality of lock boxes configured to selectively lock and unlock access to a key operable to facilitate access to the respective legacy lockable article;
- a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of lock boxes, the programmable logic controller operable to send control instructions to the plurality of lock boxes to lock or unlock access to the key;
- a human machine interface communicatively coupled to the programmable logic controller, the human machine interface in communication with one or more processors and a memory, and operable to receive user instructions to lock or unlock the one or more lock boxes;
- and
- an internet of things server communicatively coupled to the programmable logic controller and the human machine interface, the internet of things server configured to receive an unlock or locked status for each of the one or more lockboxes from the programmable logic controller and to send unlock or lock commands to the programmable logic controller based on one or more predetermined conditions.
A tamper proof lock box associated with a legacy lockable article for facilitating integration of the legacy lockable article into a tool control system, the tamper proof lock box comprising:
- a lock box body comprising a mount to attach the lock box body to an external structure;
- a data port disposed on the lock box body, the data port communicatively coupled to a programmable logic controller;
- a key holder comprising a key interface for securing a key to the key holder, and a lock interface for facilitating locking of the key holder to the lock box body;
- an access opening configured to receive the key holder;
- and
- an actuatable lock disposed within the lock box body, and operable to interface with the lock interface of the key holder to lock the key holder to the lock box body.
A method for integrating key access control of a plurality of legacy lockable articles in a tool control system, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of lock boxes, each associated with a respective legacy lockable article, each of the plurality of lock boxes configured to selectively lock and unlock access to a key operable to facilitate access to the respective legacy lockable article;
- receiving a lock/unlock status from the plurality of lock boxes at a programmable logic controller communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of lock boxes;
- sending a lock/unlock status from the programmable logic controller to an internet of things server communicatively coupled with the programmable logic controller;
- receiving control instructions at a human machine interface communicatively coupled to the internet of things server to lock or unlock access to the key at a first lock box of the plurality of lock boxes and sending the control instructions to the internet of things server;
- validating the control instructions at the internet of things server and sending the control instructions to the programmable logic controller;
- and
- sending a lock or unlock command from the programmable logic controller based on the control instructions to the first lock box.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.