Electronic Key, Electronic Closure System and a Method for Allowing an Access Authorization

• US 20150145647A1
• Filed: 10/27/2014
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lock Your World Gmbh & Co. Kg
• Original Assignee: Lock Your World Gmbh & Co. Kg
• Inventors: Engel-Dahan, Manuela
• Granted Patent: US 9,799,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic key (32) having at least two contacts (324, 325, 326) for the transmission of data and/or energy to an electronic lock (16). In accordance with the invention, the housing (321) of the electronic key (32) comprises an input device (33) for the entry of an authorisation code (36). The invention also relates to an electronic closure system with an electronic key (32) and an electronic lock (16) as well as to a method for secure acquisition of an access authorization or for secure delivery of a key to at least one user (22) by means of an electronic lock (16) and at least one electronic key (32) carried by the user (22).

Claims

1. An electronic key having at least two contacts for the transmission of data and/or energy to an electronic lock, characterized by at least one input device for entering an authorisation code (36) which is provided on a housing of the electronic key.

2. An electronic key in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the input device and the contacts are arranged on different sides of the housing.

3. An electronic key in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the input device is arranged on a front face and the contacts on an opposite rear face of the housing.

4. An electronic key in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with at least one electrical voltage source.

5. An electronic key in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with at least one electrical voltage converter for increasing the voltage supplied by the voltage source, said voltage serving as an output voltage on at least one contact for the purposes of powering the electronic lock.

6. An electronic key in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with at least one magnet for centering purposes in cooperation with a corresponding mating magnet on the electronic lock

7. An electronic key in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the contacts are spring mounted in the housing.

8. An electronic closure system with an electronic key in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one electronic lock which is provided with at least two concentrically arranged mating contacts and a magnetic centering arrangement.

9. An electronic closure system in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the mating contacts are in the form of concentric circles which come into contact with the contacts of the electronic key at any relative angular position of the electronic key.

10. An electronic closure system in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the electronic lock is arranged on a closure cap of a tubular key safe, whereby the electronic key serves as a handle for actuating the closure cap when the key is in contact with the electronic lock.

11. An electronic closure system in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the electronic lock is connected upstream of a motor lock of a device that is to be secured and activates the supply of power thereto.

12. An electronic closure system in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that a control device is arranged between the electronic lock and the motor lock and the supply of power thereto is activated by the electronic key when the key is brought into contact with the electronic lock and the authorisation code entered by means of the input device has been verified.

13. A method for secure acquisition of an access authorization or for secure delivery of a key for at least one user by means of an electronic lock and at least one electronic key carried by the user in accordance with claim 1 and/or by means of a closure system in accordance with claim 8, comprising the following method steps:

transmittal of at least one item of information characteristic of the electronic lock and/or the user to a central data processing centre that is remote from the electronic lock by means of a communication device,

examination of the sent information by the central data processing centre,

transmittal of an authorisation code to the user by means of the communication device in the case of a positive examination of the information,

entry, by the user by means of the input device, of the authorisation code (36) into the carried electronic key,

unlocking of the electronic lock in cooperation with the electronic key.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the item of information characteristic of the lock is formed of a number combination or by a bar code.

15. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the item of information characteristic of the user is formed by a letter/number combination and/or a password.

16. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that, before the transmittal of an authorisation code to the user, the data processing centre examines the information characteristic of the lock and/or the user and in addition examines a time parameter for the place of use and/or the time of use that is linked to both items of information.

17. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that that electronic lock is arranged on a closure cap of a tubular key safe from which, after unlocking of the electronic lock, a physical key for entering at least one further area is removable.

18. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the electronic lock passes on a current for activating a motor lock that it received from an electrical voltage source for the electronic key to said motor lock.

19. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the electronic lock passes on a current for activating a control device that it received from an electrical voltage source of the electronic key to said control device.

20. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the electronic lock and/or the device released thereby sends an item of information to the central data processing centre upon the activation and/or the deactivation thereof.

21. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that a mobile telephone is used as a communication device for the transmittal of the at least one item of information characteristic of the electronic lock and/or the user and/or for the reception of the authorisation code.

22. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the communication device contains an application program by means of which the at least one item of information characteristic of the electronic lock and/or the user is detectable and/or by means of which the authorisation code is receivable and/or by means of which the authorisation code is transmissible to the electronic key.

23. A method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the communication device and the electronic key form a unit.