ELECTRONICALLY ENABLING DEVICES REMOTELY

• US 20060071753A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Lamar
• Original Assignee: David Lamar
• Inventors: Lamar, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,298,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.600
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A device has (1) an electronic key that transmits a wireless coded signal and (2) at least one tool that can receive that signal. The coded signal is compared to a coded signal stored in said tool. If the coded signal matches the stored signal, a switch is closed for a predetermined amount of time. An on/off switch then enables the user of the tool to turn the tool on and off during the predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time, the switch is opened so that the tool can no longer be used. Opening the switch may be delayed if the tool is in use. The tool may also contain a unique identification code that can be read by various electronic means to identify the tool.

Claims

1. A device comprising

(I) an electronic key that transmits a wireless coded signal;

and

(II) at least one tool that comprises

(A) a first switch that enables the user of said tool to turn it on and off;

(B) a second switch in series with said first switch;

(C) a timer that opens said second switch after a predetermined amount of time; and

(D) a receiver that receives said wireless coded signal, compares it to a coded signal stored in said tool and, if the coded signal matches the stored signal, closes said second switch.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first switch turns on an electric motor.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first switch turns on a gasoline engine.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first switch activates an electronic circuit.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said tool includes a light source that indicates when said second switch is closed.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device comprises at least two separate tools.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the operation of said electronic key can be controlled over a network.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein said electronic key can communicate via network topologies.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein said timer opens said second switch after a predetermined amount of time only if first switch is off.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein said a signal from said electronic key resets said timer.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein said tool includes a unique identification code that is readable by an authorized identification reader.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein said tool includes a unique identification code that is readable by a wireless network.

13. A device according to claim 1 wherein said tool includes a unique identification code that is readable by a wired communication channel.

14. A device according to claim 1 wherein said tool includes a unique identification code that is readable by an optical communications channel such as infra-red communications commonly used on personal digital assistants used to communicate with non-physically attached accessories.

15. A device according to claim 1 wherein said identification reader is in an auxiliary device that can access the unique identification code via a network.

16. A device according to claim 1 wherein said second switch remains closed for said predetermined amount of time when power to said device is removed.

17. A device according to claim 1 wherein said electronic key can transmit a wireless coded signal to said tool that opens said second switch.

18. A method of operating a device according to claim 1 comprising

(A) closing said second switch by transmitting a wireless coded signal from said electronic key to said tool;

and

(B) closing said first switch.

19. A method of remotely locking and unlocking a tool from an electronic key comprising

(A) storing a coded signal in said tool;

(B) sending a wireless coded signal from said electronic key to said tool;

(C) comparing said sent coded signal to said stored coded signal;

(D) if said sent coded signal is identical to said stored coded signal, unlocking said tool for a predetermined period of time; and

(E) after said predetermined amount of time, locking said tool.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein step (E) is delayed if said tool is being used.

21. A method according to claim 19 wherein step (E) is delayed if said predetermined amount of time is extended by a second coded signal from said electronic key.

22. A device comprising an electronic key and a tool, where

(I) said electronic key comprises

(A) a transmitter for transmitting a wireless coded signal to said tool;

and

(B) a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from said tool; and

(II) said tool comprises

(A) a first switch that enables the user of said tool to turn it on and off;

(B) a second switch in series with said first switch;

(C) a receiver that receives said wireless coded signal, compares it to a stored signal and, if the coded signal matches the stored signal, closes said second switch;

(D) a timer that opens said second switch after a predetermined amount of time;

(E) a unique identification code; and

(F) an interrogating device that transmits an authorization command that instructs said tool to transmit said unique identification code.