Apparatus and Method for Controlling Access to Remotely Located Equipment

• US 20070090920A1
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems Incorporated (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems Incorporated (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Hathiram, Daraius, Canter, James
• Application Number:
  US11/277,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20070090920A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.65
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling access to remotely located equipment are disclosed. The method includes receiving a request at an access control module (ACM) from a host controller to provide a serial number associated with the ACM and communicating the serial number to the host controller. In response to communicating the serial number to the host controller, the ACM receives a calculated unique key from the host controller and compares the calculated unique key with a unique key stored in a microprocessor associated with the ACM. If the calculated unique key matches the stored unique key, the ACM generates an actuation signal and communicates the actuation signal to a fail-safe switch assembly in order to activate at least one component of an electronic locking structure.

Claims

1. An access control module (ACM) operable to prevent unauthorized activation of an electronic locking structure to gain access to remotely located equipment, comprising:

a first interface operable to receive an electronic signal from a host controller, the electronic signal including a computed unique key;

a microprocessor interfaced with the first switch; and

the microprocessor operable to;

store a serial number and a unique key associated with the ACM;

compare the computed unique key with the stored unique key; and

generate an actuation signal for the electronic locking structures if the computed unique key matches the stored unique key.

2. The access control module of claim 1, wherein the actuation signal comprises a predetermined alternating current (AC) waveform.

3. The access control module of claim 1 further comprising:

a fail-safe switch assembly interfaced with the microprocessor; and

the fail-safe switch assembly operable to close a second switch to activate portions of at least one component of the electronic locking structure in response to the actuation signal provided by the microprocessor.

4. The access control module of claim 3, further comprising:

a solenoid coupled to the second switch; and

the solenoid operable to open portions of the electronic locking structure when the solenoid has been energized.

5. The access control module of claim 4, further comprising a timer operable to deactivate the solenoid after the second switch has been closed for a selected time interval.

6. The access control module of claim 3, wherein the second switch comprises a MOSFET switch.

7. The access control module of claim 1, wherein the computed unique key and the stored unique key comprise hash codes.

8. The access control module of claim 1, wherein the first interface comprises an addressable switch.

9. A method for controlling access to remotely located equipment comprising:

receiving a request at an access control module (ACM) from a host controller to provide a serial number associated with the ACM;

communicating the serial number to the host controller;

in response to communicating the serial number to the host controller, receiving a calculated unique key from the host controller;

comparing the calculated unique key with a unique key stored in a microprocessor associated with the ACM;

generating an actuation signal if the calculated unique key matches the stored unique key; and

communicating the actuation signal to activate at least one component of an electronic locking structure.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the host controller computing the calculated unique key by:

selecting an algorithm based on at least a portion of the serial number; and

applying the selected algorithm to the serial number.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising computing the calculated unique key in part by the algorithm using a hash function associated with a manufacturer.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising using a predetermined alternating current (AC) waveform to provide at least a portion of the actuation signal.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising using a charge pump to close a switch to activate the at least one component.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising using at least one interface to provide overpower protection for the electronic locking structure.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising deactivating the at least one component of the electronic locking structure when a timer expires.

16. An access control module (ACM) operable to prevent unauthorized activation of an electronic locking structure which controls access to remotely located equipment, comprising:

a first interface operable to receive an electronic signal including a computed unique key;

a microprocessor operably coupled with the first interface; and

the microprocessor operable to;

store a serial number and unique key associated with the ACM;

the microprocessor further operable to compare the unique key with the stored unique key;

the microprocessor operable to generate an actuation signal for the electronic locking structure if the computed unique key matches the stored unique key;

a second interface operably coupled with the microprocessor; and

the second interface operable to prevent unauthorized activation of at least portions of the electronic locking structure.

17. The access control module of claim 16, wherein the first interface further comprises an addressable switch.

18. The access control module of claim 17 wherein the addressable switch further comprises a one-wire switch.

19. The access control module of claim 16 wherein the second interface comprises a fail-safe charge pump and a second switch.

20. The access control module of claim 19, further comprising:

a solenoid coupled to the second switch; and

the solenoid operable to open portions of the electronic locking structure when the solenoid has been energized.

21. The access control module of claim 16, wherein the computer unique key and the stored unique key comprise hash codes.