Electronic security system

• US 5,701,828 A
• Filed: 06/28/1996
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Incorporated (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gagliano, Joseph, McGeorge, Gram, Benore, Randolph C., Gibson, Shawn, Grosswiller, Leo J., Neidlinger, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Dino, Suzanne
• Application Number:
  US08/672,470
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 70/277-282, 70/337-339, 70/395, 109/53, 109/56, 235/382, 235/491, 235/492, 361/171, 361/172, 340/542, 340/543, 340/825.31
• US Class Current: 109/56
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0088 centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key

Abstract

An electronic lock system for controlling access to a plurality of enclosures each having an openable and closeable panel. The system is comprised of a lock mechanism mounted to each of the panels. The lock mechanism has a lock member movable between a first position locking the panel and a second position unlocking the panel. Each of the lock mechanisms has a specific access code allowing movement of the lock member from the first position to the second position. An identification system is provided for identifying individuals authorized for access to one or more of the enclosures. A processing system stores information regarding access codes for each of the enclosures and individual identification information for identifying the enclosure to which an authorized individual is allowed access. A portable key device is used with the lock mechanisms on the panels; the key device having memory programmable by the processing system for storing an access code to a lock mechanism on one of the panels.

Claims

1. An electronic lock system for controlling access to a plurality of enclosures each having an openable and closeable panel, said system comprised of:

a lock mechanism mounted to each of said panels, said lock mechanism having a lock member movable between a first position locking said panel and a second position unlocking said panel, each of said lock mechanisms having a specific access code allowing movement of said lock member from said first position to said second position;

identification means for identifying individuals authorized for access to one or more of said enclosures;

processing means for storing information regarding access codes for each of said enclosures and individual identification information, and for identifying an enclosure that an authorized individual is allowed access to; and

a hand-held portable key device for use with said lock mechanisms on said panels, said key device being mountable onto said panels to remain in place thereon, said key device having memory means programmable by said processing means for storing an access code to a lock mechanism on one of said panels and means for erasing said access code from said memory means after a predetermined period of time.

2. An electronic lock system as described in claim 1 wherein said lock mechanism includes an electronic circuit controlling movement of said lock bolt, said electronic circuit including an electrically operable element for regulating movement of said lock bolt, programmable memory means for storing an access code, and comparator means for comparing said access code stored in the memory means of said key device.

3. An electronic lock system as described in claim 2 wherein said electronic circuit is energizable by an external power source caried in said key device.

4. An electronic lock system as described in claim 2 wherein said electrically operable element is a solenoid which is operable when energized to allow movement of said lock bolt.

5. An electronic lock system as described in claim 1 wherein said identification means is comprised of a magnetic card reader.

6. An electronic lock system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said enclosures includes an identification number and said portable key device is programmable by said processing means to store said identification number in memory, said key device further including display means for displaying said identification number.

7. An electronic safe deposit box system comprised of:

a plurality of safe deposit boxes each having a door panel with a pair of spaced-apart apertures formed therein, each of said door panels having an electronically controlled locking mechanism mounted thereto with a specific access code allowing unlocking of said locking mechanism, said locking mechanism including a mechanical tumbler extending through one of said apertures and an electrical connector extending through the other of said apertures;

identification means for receiving user identification information from a user of said safe deposit box system;

processing means utilizing said user identification information to identify a safe deposit box and a corresponding access code from a table of such information; and

a portable key device for use with said locking mechanism to unlock said locking mechanism, said key device including a mechanical connector dimensioned to mate with and operate said mechanical tumbler of said locking mechanism and an electrical connector dimensioned to attach to said electrical connector on said locking mechanism, said key device having temporary memory means programmable by said processing means for storing a safe deposit box number and a code access number.

8. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 7 wherein said lock mechanism includes a mechanical lock bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and an electronic circuit controlling movement of said lock bolt.

9. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 8 wherein said electronic circuit is energizable by said key device.

10. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 8 wherein said electronic circuit includes:

an electrically operable element for regulating movement of said lock bolt between said locked position and said unlocked position;

programmable memory means for storing at least one access code;

comparator means for comparing said access code stored in said programmable memory means with an access code stored in the memory means of said key device, and circuit means for energizing said electrically operable element to allow movement of said lock bolt from said locked position to said unlocked position.

11. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 10 wherein said electronic circuit further includes time limiting means for limiting the time said electrically operable element is energized.

12. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 7 wherein said identification means is a magnetic card reader.

13. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 7 wherein said identification means identifies a physical characteristic of said user.

14. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 7 wherein said portable key device includes an internal power source for energizing said lock mechanism.

15. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 7 wherein said portable key device includes display means for displaying the safe deposit box number programmed into said memory of said key device by said processing means.

16. An electronic lock system for controlling access to a plurality of enclosures each having an openable and closeable panel, said system comprised of:

a lock mechanism mounted to each of said panels, said lock mechanism having a mechanical lock member movable between a first position locking said panel and a second position unlocking said panel, each of said lock mechanisms having electronic circuit means including memory means for storing a specific access code and lock control means allowing movement of said lock member from said first position to said second position,

processing means for storing information regarding access codes for each enclosure lock mechanism, and

a small, hand-held portable key device for use with said lock mechanisms on said panels, said key device and including mechanical connection means for connection with said lock member and electronic connection means for connection with said electronic circuit means in said lock mechanism, and being mountable onto said panels by said mechanical and electronic connection means to remain in place thereon, said key device further including memory means programmable by said processing means for storing a single access code to a lock mechanism on one of said panels, an electrical power source for energizing said control means in said lock mechanism and means for erasing said access code after a predetermined period of time.

17. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 16 further comprising:

identification means for identifying individuals authorized to have access to one of said enclosures.

18. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 16 wherein said processing means includes means for storing information for identifying each of said enclosures;

and

said portable key device incudes display means for displaying information identifying an enclosure.

19. A method for controlling access to a plurality of enclosures each having an openable and closeable panel, comprising the steps of:

providing each of said panels with a lock mechanism having a mechanical lock member movable between a first position locking said panel and a second position unlocking said panel, each of said lock mechanisms having a electronic circuit with a specific electronic access code allowing movement of said lock member from said first to said second position;

storing said access code for each of said panels in a remote electronic processing means;

transferring the access code for a selected enclosure to be opened from said electronic processing means to a portable electronic transfer device having temporary memory of a short duration;

transporting said electronic transfer device to said selected enclosure;

mounting said transfer device onto a specific panel to remain in place thereon in electronic communication with said electronic circuit;

electronically communicating said electronic access code from said electronic transfer device to said lock mechanism allowing a short period of time for movement of said lock member from said first position to said second position; and

erasing said access code from said transfer device.

20. An electronic safe deposit box system comprised of:

a plurality of safe deposit boxes, each having a safe deposit box identification number and a lock mechanism, said lock mechanism including an electronic circuit with a specific electronic access code programmed therein, allowing unlocking of said lock mechanism;

self-contained processing means for storing information identifying each of said safe deposit boxes and the access code corresponding to each of said safe deposit boxes;

a self-contained portable electronic key having memory means programmable by said processing means for storing an access code, said electronic key being mountable onto each of said safe deposit boxes to remain in place thereon, said key including means to connect said memory means to said electronic circuit within said lock mechanism to communicate said access code with said electronic circuit and means for erasing said access code from said memory means after a predetermined period of time.

21. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 20 wherein said electronic key includes means for erasing said memory once said memory means has communicated said access code with said electronic circuit.

22. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 20 further comprising display means on said electronic key device for identifying the safe deposit identification number for an access code programmed into said memory.

23. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 20 wherein said lock mechanism includes a movable lock bolt and said electronic circuit includes an electromechanical actuator for controlling movement of said lock bolt.

24. An electronic safe deposit box system as described in claim 20 wherein said electronic key device includes an electrical power source connectable to said electronic circuit for providing power to said electronic circuit.