Vending machines with field-programmable locks
First Claim
1. A vending machine comprising:
- a door openable to access contents of the vending machine;
an electronic lock for locking and unlocking the door of the vending machine, the electronic lock comprising a control circuit including a microcomputer, a non-volatile memory, a wireless communication interface for receiving wireless communications, and a learning mode activation device, the microcomputer being programmed to receive a learning mode activation signal from the learning mode activation device and, in response to the learning mode activation signal, receiving a first key code via the wireless communication interface, and storing the first key code in the non-volatile memory.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vending machine uses a field-programmable electronic lock that learns a key code from a corresponding electronic key. The electronic lock has a learning process activation device that is accessible only when the door of the vending machine is in the open position. Using the learning process activation device, a service person activates the electronic lock to perform a key code learning operation, in which the electronic lock receives a key code transmitted from an electronic key and stores the key code in a non-volatile memory for future access control of the vending machine. Data encryption is employed in the communications between the key and the lock to ensure the security of the communications. Customized access limitations and a list of lock IDs are programmed into the electronic key to restrict when and how it can be used to access the vending machines. Access history data of the vending machines are collected for audit purposes by uploading the data from the vending machines to an electronic key. A communication device installed in the vending machine for communicating with a home base computer allows the operation of the electronic lock to be remotely controlled for access control and auditing purposes.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A vending machine comprising:
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a door openable to access contents of the vending machine;
an electronic lock for locking and unlocking the door of the vending machine, the electronic lock comprising a control circuit including a microcomputer, a non-volatile memory, a wireless communication interface for receiving wireless communications, and a learning mode activation device, the microcomputer being programmed to receive a learning mode activation signal from the learning mode activation device and, in response to the learning mode activation signal, receiving a first key code via the wireless communication interface, and storing the first key code in the non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vending machine comprising:
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a door openable for accessing contents of the vending machine; and
an electronic lock for locking the door of the vending machine, the electronic lock comprising an electronic control circuit including a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, and a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving wireless communications, the microcomputer being programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process with an electronic key using encrypted communications through the wireless communication interface, wherein during the challenge-response process the microcomputer receives a key code transmitted from the electronic key, compares the received key code with a key code stored in the non-volatile memory of the electronic lock, and unlocks the door of the vending machine if the received key code matches the key code stored in the non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electronic key comprising:
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a clock;
a microcomputer;
an infrared communication interface for transmitting and receiving communications over an infrared band;
a non-volatile memory having stored therein a key code, a power-up counter, and a clock data back-up buffer; and
an activation device connected to the microcomputer and operable for generating an activation signal for triggering the microcomputer to initiate a key code transmission operation in which the infrared communication interface is used to transmit the key code stored in the non-volatile memory, wherein the microcomputer is programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process during a key transmission operation with an electronic lock on a vending machine using encrypted communications through the infrared communication interface. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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- 35. A combination of a vending machine with an electronic lock mounted therein and an electronic key for accessing the electronic lock, the electronic key having a wireless transmitter and being programmed to use the wireless transmitter to transmit a key code to the electronic lock on the vending machine, the wireless transmitter having a transmission pattern with a transmission angle and a transmission power range set such that an effective width of the transmission pattern at the transmission power range is substantially identical or less than a width of the vending machine.
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40. An electronic security system for vending machines, comprising:
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a home base computer;
an electronic lock accessible using an associated electronic key, a communication device for communication with the home base computer, and a lock controller in each of the vending machines, the electronic lock controlling access to a door of said each vending machine, the lock controller being connected to the electronic lock for controlling operation of the electronic lock in response to commands received from the home base computer through the communication device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification