Regional lock-state control system with people locator capability
A lock-state control system comprises a control arrangement, mobile devices, and lock assemblies. The control arrangement includes a status module, a locator module, a control module, and at least one processor configured to execute the modules. The devices each include a device module and a processor configured to execute the modules. The assemblies are adapted to move between locked and unlocked states as commanded by the control module in response to an event. The status module is configured to send a notification to each one of the devices upon the event, thereby initiating the device module to scan for advertisements transmitted by a each respective one of the assemblies when placed in one of the locked and unlocked states.
1. A regional lock-state control system for operation within a region, the regional lock-state control system comprising:
a plurality of mobile device modules each operable to receive a wireless lock-state notification from a server; and
wherein each of the plurality of mobile device modules is operable to, responsive to the lock-state notification, determine proximity data that is used to perform proximity operations comprising:
determining distances from each of the plurality of mobile device modules to each of a plurality of lock assemblies; and
determining, for each of the plurality of mobile device modules, a closest one of the plurality of lock assemblies;
wherein each of the plurality of mobile device modules is operable to send a wireless status message comprising the proximity data of each of the plurality of mobile device modules.
2. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
each one of the plurality of lock assemblies is operable to transmit an advertisement that includes data on a lock-state; and
each of the plurality of mobile device modules is operable to, responsive to the lock-state notification, use the advertisement to determine the proximity data.
3. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 2 , wherein the wireless status message includes a signal strength of each advertisement transmitted by each of the plurality of lock assemblies.
4. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of mobile device modules are each configured to, responsive to the wireless lock-state notification, send a lock-state command to the plurality of lock assemblies;
each of the plurality of lock assemblies is configured to, responsive to the lock-state command, transmit an advertisement that includes data on a lock-state;
each of the plurality of mobile device modules is configured to, responsive to the lock-state notification, use the advertisement to determine the proximity data; and
the data on a lock state includes locked and unlocked states.
5. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 2 , wherein the regional lock-state control system is a regional lockdown control system, and the lock-state notification is a lockdown notification.
6. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 5 , wherein the plurality of mobile device modules are incorporated within a plurality of mobile devices.
7. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of mobile devices comprises an access card.
8. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 1 , wherein the region is a student campus.
9. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 1 , wherein the region is a building.
10. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 1 , wherein the server includes a cloud-based server.
11. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 10 , wherein the cloud-based server performs the proximity operations.
12. A method of operating a regional lockdown system comprising:
receiving at each of a plurality of mobile device modules a wireless lock-state notification from a server;
wherein each of the plurality of mobile device modules is operable to, responsive to the lock-state notification, determine proximity data that is used to perform proximity operations comprising:
determining distances from each of the plurality of mobile device modules to each of a plurality of lock assemblies; and
determining, for each of the plurality of mobile device modules, a closest one of the plurality of lock assemblies;
wherein each of the plurality of mobile device modules is operable to send a wireless status message comprising the proximity data of each of the plurality of mobile device.
13. The method set forth in claim 12 , wherein:
each one of the plurality of lock assemblies is operable to transmit an advertisement that includes data on a lock-state; and
each of the plurality of mobile device modules is operable to, responsive to the lock-state notification, use the advertisement to determine the proximity data.
14. The method set forth in claim 13 , wherein the wireless status message includes a signal strength of each advertisement transmitted by each of the plurality of lock assemblies.
15. The method set forth in claim 12 , wherein:
the plurality of mobile device modules are each configured to, responsive to the wireless lock-state notification, send a lock-state command to the plurality of lock assemblies;
each of the plurality of lock assemblies is configured to, responsive to the lock-state command, transmit an advertisement that includes data on a lock-state;
each of the plurality of mobile device modules is configured to, responsive to the lock-state notification, use the advertisement to determine the proximity data; and
the data on a lock state includes locked and unlocked states.
16. The method set forth in claim 12 , wherein the lockdown notification is repetitious for tracking movement of each of the plurality of mobile device modules.
17. The method set forth in claim 12 , wherein the server is cloud-based.
18. The method set forth in claim 12 , wherein:
the server is operable to send the proximity data to a command post; and
the command post is operable to use the proximity data to develop a response plan for responding to the lock-down event.
19. The regional lock-state control system set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
the server is operable to send the proximity data to a command post; and
the command post is operable to use the proximity data to develop a response plan for responding to the lock-down event.