Vending machines with field-programmable electronic locks
First Claim
1. A method for distributing an access code into an electronic lock and accessing the electronic lock of a vending machine, the vending machine having a door openable for accessing contents of the vending machine and an electronic lock containing an encryption code, the method comprising the steps of:
- selecting an electronic key;
interfacing the electronic key to a computer having a software program for key management functionality, a database containing key management data; and
communicating, via a key reader, with the computer for interfacing the computer with the electronic key;
the software program having computer-executable instructions for performing a key programming operation comprising the steps of;
receiving identification of the electronic key, retrieving from the memory information of a user of the electronic key and at least one operation limit parameter for said user based on the key identification; and
sending at least one operation limit parameter through the key reader to the electronic key for writing into a memory of the electronic key;
placing the electronic lock in a learning mode;
transmitting a first access code in an encrypted form to the electronic lock while the electronic lock is in the learning mode;
decrypting, by the electronic lock, the received first access code using the encryption code; and
storing, by the electronic lock, the first access code in the lock memory.
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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 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. 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
61 Claims
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1. A method for distributing an access code into an electronic lock and accessing the electronic lock of a vending machine, the vending machine having a door openable for accessing contents of the vending machine and an electronic lock containing an encryption code, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting an electronic key;
interfacing the electronic key to a computer having a software program for key management functionality, a database containing key management data; and
communicating, via a key reader, with the computer for interfacing the computer with the electronic key;
the software program having computer-executable instructions for performing a key programming operation comprising the steps of;
receiving identification of the electronic key, retrieving from the memory information of a user of the electronic key and at least one operation limit parameter for said user based on the key identification; and
sending at least one operation limit parameter through the key reader to the electronic key for writing into a memory of the electronic key;
placing the electronic lock in a learning mode;
transmitting a first access code in an encrypted form to the electronic lock while the electronic lock is in the learning mode;
decrypting, by the electronic lock, the received first access code using the encryption code; and
storing, by the electronic lock, the first access code in the lock memory. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of creating an access control route for a plurality of vending machines, each lock containing a unique identification number in a memory of said lock, and containing a same encryption code, and accessible by at least one electronic key with said encryption code, and including the steps of selecting an electronic key containing said encryption code, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a plurality of vending machines;
loading said key memory with a plurality of electronic identification numbers of vending machines making up said route;
providing a route driver with said electronic key and said route driver visiting more than one vending machines; and
,wirelessly accessing a plurality of said vending machines on said route.
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4. A method of access control of a vending machine comprising the steps of:
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selecting an electronic key to access a vending machine door;
accessing the vending machine to provide access to the internal equipment of the vending machine including disabling an electronic lock from operation, performing a maintenance task with the vending machine controller to satisfy at least one condition of said controller, and said electronic lock re-enabling based on said controller condition being satisfied to resume operation.
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5. A method of creating an access control route for a plurality of vending machines each containing electronic locks each utilizing a same access code and encryption code, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing a plurality of vending machines into a learn mode of operation;
transmitting a same access code in an encrypted form to the electronic lock while the electronic lock is in learn mode;
decrypting, by the electronic lock, the received access code using the encryption code;
storing the access code in a memory of the electronic lock;
providing a plurality of employees each an electronic key containing said keycode; and
, accessing a plurality of vending machines on said route by a plurality of employees using a plurality of electronic keys containing said access code. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method of programming and distributing electronic keys for accessing vending machines containing electronic locks, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a key assigned to an employee;
a supervisor having appropriate data entering privileges entering work schedule information of said employee into a memory of the computer to establish at least one limit parameter of said employee'"'"'s key; and
,interfacing said key to a communication port of the computer to establish a programming operation; and
,programming a memory of said key with said at least one key limit parameter(s).
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8. A method of manufacturing a plurality of vending machines containing electronic locks, distributing said vending machines to soft drink bottlers and initializing the security of said vending machine locks, the method comprising the steps of:
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assembling the plurality of vending machines in a factory with an electronic lock containing a factory access code;
accessing the electronic lock with a first key containing said factory access code at the factory;
shipping the plurality of vending machines to a soft drink bottling facility;
accessing said vending machine locks with a second key containing said factory access code;
placing the electronic locks into a learn mode of operation; and
transferring a non-factory access code into a memories of said electronic locks. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of a vending route employee electronically and wirelessly accessing and auditing the access control attempts of a plurality of remotely located vending machines, said vending machines each containing an audit trail memory of key identification codes, datestamps and timestamps of when at least one access attempt occurred, the method comprising the steps of:
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visiting the plurality of vending machines at remote locations;
accessing said vending machines with an electronic key using an encryption code, said electronic key receives and stores in a memory of the key the contents of said audit trail memory from said vending machine lock;
said vending route employee returning to a central location and interfacing the key to a communication port of the computer to establish a download operation;
said key transferring said audit trail data from said key into a memory of a computer; and
,a supervisor with data observation privilege selecting a method of sorting said audit trail data, sorts said data, and reads said data from a display of the computer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of programming and distributing electronic keys that electronically and wirelessly access vending machines containing electronic locks, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an order for electronic keys from a vending machine bottler in a designated geographical territory;
selecting a city code representing said territory;
programming said key to said city code by transferring an electronic code representing said city code to a memory of the key;
sending said key to the vending operator in said territory;
placing an electronic lock into a learn mode of operation;
transferring said identification code representing said city code to the memory of said electronic lock; and
,placing the vending machine containing said electronic lock in the geographical territory represented by said city code. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;
encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a first value, said first value comprising a lock identification number;
encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;
communicating at least one of the first and second values with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine; and
,comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed. - View Dependent Claims (29, 33, 37, 43, 45, 49, 50, 54, 58)
- providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;
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26. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;
encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a first value;
encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;
communicating at least one of the first and second values with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine; and
,comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed. - View Dependent Claims (30, 34, 38, 41, 46, 51, 55, 60)
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27. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;
encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a first value, said first value comprising a lock identification number;
communicating the first value with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine;
encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;
communicating the second values with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine; and
,comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed. - View Dependent Claims (31, 35, 39, 44, 47, 52, 56, 59)
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28. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;
encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a first value;
communicating the first value with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine;
encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;
communicating the second value with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine;
comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed. - View Dependent Claims (32, 36, 40, 42, 48, 53, 57, 61)
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Specification