MOBILE KEY DEVICES SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNICATING WITH AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMABLE KEY

• US 20150332533A1
• Filed: 05/19/2015
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acsys Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Acsys Ip Holding, Inc.
• Inventors: MEGANCK, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,542,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0088 centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00674 with switch-buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00706 with conductive components, e.g. pins, wires, metallic strips
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for communicating information, altering access rights, and transferring power to and from an electronic programmable key are disclosed. A mobile key interface device is configured to couple to a contact pin of the electronic programmable key to establish a channel of communication. Using the channel of communication, the mobile key interface device may communicate information, alter access rights, and transfer power to and from the electronic programmable key. The mobile key interface device may also communicate with a mobile communication device. Using the mobile communication device'"'"'s network connection, the mobile key interface device may further establish a channel of communication from a control center to the electronic programmable key.

Claims

1. A mobile key interface device for communicating with an electronic programmable key, the mobile key interface device comprising:

a first distal end having an opening for receiving the electronic programmable key, the electronic programmable key having a microcontroller, a key body and a shaft, wherein a first contact pin is positioned on the key shaft;

a second distal end substantially opposite the first distal end wherein an elongated hollow interior portion extends from the first distal end towards the second distal end, the hollow interior being shaped so as to substantially encase the key body; and

a key port proximate to the second distal end, wherein the key port has a second contact pin located such that it is coupled to the first contact pin when the electronic programmable key is inserted into the mobile key interface device;

wherein upon coupling the first contact pin to the second contact pin, the mobile key interface device;

retrieves information from the electronic programmable key, alters access rights of the electronic programmable key, or transfers power to the electronic programmable key, and provides on-demand access to the electronic programmable key in near real-time.

2. The mobile key interface device of claim 1 further comprising a power source positioned proximate to the second distal end and coupled to the second contact pin, the power source being configured to supply power to the electronic programmable key.

3. The mobile key interface device of claim 1 further comprising a mobile communication device port proximate to the second distal end and coupled to the second contact pin, wherein the mobile communication device port transmits and receives information to a mobile communication device.

4. The mobile key interface device of claim 3, wherein the mobile communication device port is a wireless transceiver that transmits and receives information to and from the mobile communication device information wirelessly.

5. The mobile key interface device of claim 3 further comprising a microcontroller coupled to the second contact pin and the mobile communication device port, and is configured to control the retrieval of information from the electronic programmable key, the alteration of access rights of the electronic programmable key, or the transferal of power to the electronic programmable key.

6. A system for controlling access to a mechatronic lock, the system comprising:

the mobile key interface device of claim 3;

a control center; and

a mobile communication device having a network connection to communicate to the control center, and a wireless transceiver for communicating with the mobile key interface device,

wherein the mobile communication device is configured to communicate information to and from an electronic programmable key inserted into the mobile key interface device through the mobile communication device port of the mobile key interface component.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the mobile communication device is configured to request a passcode from the control center, and wherein the passcode enables an electronic programmable key to open a mechatronic lock.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile communication device is configured to display the passcode or communicate the passcode to the electronic programmable key through the mobile key interface device.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the mobile communication device is configured to receive modifications to access rights of an electronic programmable key from the control center, wherein the access rights restrict usage of the electronic programmable key by location, time, or mechatronic lock.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the mobile communication device is configured to:

retrieve access logs stored on the electronic programmable key through the mobile key interface device; and

transmit the access logs to the control center.

11. A method for establishing communication between a mobile key interface device and an electronic programmable key, the electronic programmable key having a key shaft with a first contact pin, and a microcontroller, the mobile key interface device comprising a first distal end having an opening for receiving the electronic programmable key, a second distal end substantially opposite the first distal end, an elongated hollow interior portion extending from the first distal end towards the second distal end, the hollow interior being shaped so as to substantially encase the key body, a key port for receiving the electronic programmable key and a power source, the key port positioned proximate to the second distal end, wherein the key port has a second contact pin located at a position such that it is coupled to the first contact pin when the electronic programmable key is inserted into the mobile key interface device, the method comprising:

in response to coupling the first contact pin to the second contact pin, initializing the electronic programmable key;

transmitting a polling signal from the electronic programmable key to the first contact pin;

querying the mobile key interface device at the second contact pin from the electronic programmable key for identification information;

authenticating the mobile key interface device based on the identification information; and

establishing a connection to the mobile key interface device to facilitate the exchange of communication and transfer of power to the electronic programmable key, based on the step of authentication, wherein the connection to the mobile key interface device provides on-demand access to the electronic programmable key in near real-time.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising submitting a request for a passcode at a mobile communication device, and receiving in response to the request a passcode at the mobile communication device, wherein the passcode enables the electronic programmable key to access a mechatronic lock.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising displaying the passcode on the mobile communication device.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising communicating the passcode to the electronic programmable key through the mobile key interface device.

15. The method of claims 12 further comprising validating the passcode at the electronic programmable key, the step of validating comprising:

generating a passcode at the electronic programmable key based on a clock of the electronic programmable key, and

determining whether the received passcode matches the passcode generated at the electronic programmable key.

16. The method of claims 12 further comprising the steps of:

validating the passcode at the electronic programmable key;

inserting the electronic programmable key into the mechatronic lock;

determining whether to establish communication with the mechatronic lock based on the step of validation;

retrieving identification information of the mechatronic lock;

determining whether the electronic programmable key is authorized to open the mechatronic lock based on the identification information of the mechatronic lock; and

instructing the mechatronic lock to engage a clutch mechanism to enable a deadbolt of the mechatronic lock to be rotated based on the step of determining whether the electronic programmable key is authorized to open the mechatronic lock.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of submitting a request for a passcode further comprises calculating a location of the mobile communication device, and determining whether the mobile communication device is in an authorized geographic area based on the calculation of the location of the mobile communication device.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

receiving access rights from a control center at a mobile communication device, wherein the access rights restrict access of the electronic programmable key based on location, time, and identification information of an mechatronic lock; and

communicating the access rights from the mobile communication device to the electronic programmable key through the mobile key interface device.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

communicating access logs from the electronic programmable key to a mobile communication device through the mobile key interface device; and

communicating the access logs from the mobile communication device to a control center.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of powering the electronic programmable key from the power source on the mobile key interface device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electronic programmable key and mobile key interface device alternate between communicating information over the first and second contact pin and transferring power from the mobile key interface device to the electronic programmable key.