Vending machines with field-programmable locks

• US 20040201449A1
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Denison, William D., Silvers, Bradley S., Brownfield, Lawrence C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,821,395 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.23
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00388 code verification carried out according to the challenge/response method
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/005 whereby the code is a random code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A vending machine uses a field-programmable electronic lock that learns a key code from a corresponding electronic key, a hand-held program unit, or an external computing device via wireless communications. In one mode, 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. In another mode, the electronic lock is programmed in the field without first opening the vending machine. A program command and access control data including a new access code are transmitted wirelessly from a hand-held program unit or the like. Alternatively, an external computing device is used to program the electronic lock via long-range wireless communications, and an electronic key is then used to open the electronic lock to physically access the vending machine.

Claims

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 lock circuit including a microcomputer, a non-volatile memory, and an access control transceiver for wireless communications with an electronic key, the microcomputer being programmed for receiving a program command through wireless transmission, in response to the program command receiving a new access code through wireless transmission, and storing the new access code in the non-volatile memory.

2. A vending machine as in claim 1, wherein the program command and the new access code are received wirelessly through the access control transceiver.

3. A vending machine as in claim 2, wherein the access control transceiver operates over an infrared band.

4. A vending machine as in claim 1, wherein the lock circuit further includes a communication transceiver for wireless communications separate from the access control transceiver, and wherein the program command and the new access code are received wirelessly through the communication transceiver.

5. A vending machine as in claim 1, wherein the microprocessor of the lock circuit is further programmed to transmit audit data through wireless transmission in response to the program command signal.

6. A method of programming an electronic lock in a vending machine, comprising:

sending, by a program unit via wireless transmission, a program command to the vending machine;

sending by the program unit via wireless transmission a new access code to the vending machine.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein the vending machine has an access control transmitter for wireless communications with an electronic key, and wherein the program unit sends the program command and the new access code for reception by the access control transmitter of the vending machine.

8. A method as in claim 6, wherein the vending machine has a communication transceiver separate from the access control transmitter, and wherein program unit sends the program command and the new access code for reception by the communication transmitter of the vending machine.

9. A method as in claim 6, further including receiving by the program unit audit data sent by the vending machine through wireless transmission.

10. 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 lock circuit including a microcomputer, a non-volatile memory, an access control transceiver for wireless interactions with an electronic key, and a communication transceiver separate from the access control transceiver, the microcomputer being programmed for receiving a wirelessly transmitted program command through the communication transceiver, in response to the program command receiving an access code through the communication transceiver, storing the access code in the non-volatile memory, subsequently receiving a wireless transmission of a keycode through the access control transceiver, comparing the keycode with access code in the non-volatile memory, and unlocking the door if the keycode matches the access code in the non-volatile memory.

11. A vending machine as in claim 10, wherein the communication transceiver operates over an RF band.

12. A vending machine as in claim 10, wherein the access control transceiver operates over an infrared band.

13. A vending machine as in claim 10, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to receive access control parameters through the communication transceiver in response to the program command.

14. A vending machine as in claim 10, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to transmit audit data through the communication transceiver in response to the program command.

15. A vending machine security system comprising:

a vending machine having a door openable to access contents of the vending machine and an electronic lock for locking and unlocking the door of the vending machine, the electronic lock comprising a lock circuit including a microcomputer, a non-volatile memory, an access control transceiver for wireless communications with an electronic key, and a communication transceiver separate from the access control transceiver;

an external computing device having a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the electronic lock of the vending machine through the communication transceiver of the lock circuit, the external computing device being programmed to transmit a program command and an access code for the lock circuit to the lock circuit; and

an electronic key for accessing the electronic lock of the vending machine, the electronic key containing a keycode matching the access code transmitted by the external computing device to the lock circuit;

the microcomputer being programmed for receiving the program command through the communication transceiver, in response to the program command signal receiving the access code through the communication transceiver and storing the access code in the non-volatile memory, subsequently receiving a wireless transmission of the keycode of the electronic key through the access control transceiver, comparing the keycode with the access code in the non-volatile memory, and unlocking the door if the keycode matches the access code in the non-volatile memory.

16. A vending machine security system as in claim 15, wherein the external computing device is programmed to receive operation data of the lock circuit transmitted by the lock circuit in response to the program command, and selecting the access code and access control parameters for the lock circuit for transmission to the lock circuit for programming thereof.

17. A vending machine security system as in claim 15, wherein the external computing device further includes a communication cradle for receiving the electronic key, and wherein the external computing device programs the keycode corresponding to the access code transmitted to the lock circuit into the electronic key when the electronic key is in the communication cradle.

18. A vending machine security system as in claim 15, wherein the external computing device further includes a communication cradle for receiving the electronic key, and wherein external computing device reads the keycode from the electronic key when the electronic key is in the communication cradle and derives from the keycode the access code for transmission to the lock circuit.

19. A vending machine security system as in claim 15, wherein the lock circuit of the vending machine is programmed to transmit audit data to the external computing device in response to the program command.

20. A vending machine security system as in claim 15, wherein the communication transceiver of the lock circuit operates over an RF range and the access control transceiver operates over an infrared range.

21. A method of operating an electronic lock of a vending machine, comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a program command to the electronic lock of the vending machine;

wirelessly transmitting an access code to the electronic lock of the vending machine;

providing an electronic key containing a keycode matching the access code transmitted to the electronic lock of the vending machine;

accessing the electronic lock of the vending machine with the electronic key.

22. A method as in claim 21, wherein the program command and access code are wirelessly transmitted to the electronic lock over an RF band.

23. A method as in claim 21, wherein the electronic lock and the electronic key communicate wirelessly over an infrared band.