Access control communication device, method, computer program and computer program product

1. An access control communication device comprising:

a short distance radio communication module;

a cellular radio communication module; and

a controller arranged to communicate access rights associated with a key device, using the cellular radio communication module, with an access control device over a cellular communication network, the controller being arranged to communicate the access rights by sending a request for access management data associated with a lock device, and receiving access management data associated with a lock device; and the controller further being arranged to transmit the access management data to the key device for transfer to the lock device, the controller being arranged to communicate the access rights and transmit the access management data upon the access control device being in communication with the key device using the short distance radio communication module.

2. The access control communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is arranged to perform any one or more of the following communications with the access control device upon the access control device being in contact with a key device using the short distance radio communication module:

receiving updated access rights for one or more lock devices, receiving updated access rights specifically for the key device, receiving an updated validity time for the key device, receiving an updated time for a clock of the key device, sending an audit trail for one or more lock devices, and sending an audit trail for the key device.

3. The access control communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is arranged to only perform communication with the access control device when a trigger condition has been determined to be true.

4. The access control communication device according to claim 3 , wherein the trigger condition is true when a timer of the access control communication device expires.

5. The access control communication device according to claim 3 , wherein the access control communication device further comprises a user interface, and the trigger condition is true when an update command is detected using the user interface.

6. The access control communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the access control communication device forms part of a mobile communication terminal.

7. The access control communication device according to claim 1 further comprising a code input device, wherein the controller is arranged to extend a validity time of a key device in communication with the access control communication device, when a correct code has been entered using the code input device.

8. A method performed in an access control communication device, the access control communication device comprising a short distance radio communication module; a cellular radio communication module; and a controller, the method comprising the steps of:

determining that a key device is in communication with the access control device using the short distance radio communication module and that the key device is in communication with a lock device for determining access to a physical space;

obtaining an identifier of the lock device from the key device;

communicating access rights associated with the key device using the cellular radio communication module, with the access control device over a cellular communication network, the communicating comprising the sub-steps of: sending a request for access management data associated with the lock device, and receiving access management data associated with the lock device; and

transmitting the access management data to the key device for transfer to the lock device.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of communicating comprises performing any one or more of the following communication tasks with the access control device: receiving updated access rights for one or more lock devices, receiving updated access rights specifically for the key device, receiving an updated validity time for the key device, receiving an updated time for a clock of the key device, sending an audit trail for one or more lock devices and sending an audit trail for the key device.

10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of:

determining whether a trigger condition is true;

and wherein the step of communicating with the access control device only occurs when the trigger condition has been determined to be true.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein in the step of determining whether a trigger condition is true, the trigger condition is true when a timer of the access control communication device expires.

12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the access control communication device further comprises a user interface, and in the step of determining whether a trigger condition is true, the trigger condition is true when an update command is detected from a user using the user interface.

13. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving, using a code input device, a code entered by a user; and

extending a validity time of the key device in communication with the access control communication device.

14. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the step of communicating with the access control device comprises acting as a gateway between the key device and the access control device.

15. A computer program comprising computer program code which, when run on an access control communication device, causes the access control communication device to:

determine that a key device is in communication with the access control device using a short distance radio communication module and that the key device ( 1 ) is in communication with a lock device for determining access to a physical space;

obtain an identifier of the lock device from the key device;

communicate access rights associated with the key device, using a cellular radio communication module, with the access control device over a cellular communication network, the communicating comprising the sub-steps of: sending a request for access management data associated with the lock device, and receiving access management data associated with the lock device; and

transmit the access management data to the key device for transfer to the lock device.

16. A computer program product comprising a computer program according to claim 15 and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.