Electronic code locking mechanism, especially the deactivation of a motor drive interlock

• US 5,742,236 A
• Filed: 03/10/1995
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeo Borg Instruments GmbH and Co KG (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Borg Instruments GmbH and Co KG (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Cremers, Rolf, Ziegler, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON JR, WILLIAM HALL
• Application Number:
  US08/401,714
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 70/277, 70/278, 70/395, 70/408, 70/460, 180/287, 235/382, 235/382.5, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 340/426, 340/542, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 361/172, 380/46, 380/52
• US Class Current: 340/5.26
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00841 by a portable device
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00888 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/29 the pass containing active electronic elements, e.g. smartcards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8811 Key identification

Abstract

A code locking mechanism that transmits information between a key and a locking mechanism secured against interception misuse, but flexible with respect to original equipment, replacement parts, and emergency functions, is obtained if the key code is, in each case, cryptographically encoded through a hardware encoder. When the locking mechanism is first operated, a control element, inductively coupled to a locking mechanism read-write unit with a new key once and in a non-overwritable manner, transmits an indent number to the object memory. Object-specific identity data are also stored in the control element. With the latter, a key number from a key register of the control element is combined with the key code to read the latter together with a roll-in random code into the set of first still-neutral keys and into the object memory. Thus, a key is valid only if the object-specific identity data are taken into account in its key code. This is possible only through programing via a credit card-like control element which, as the only valid specimen, once has been allocated to the specific object in a fixed way after the locking mechanism is operated, or a component is replaced.

Claims

1. Electronic code locking mechanism with wireless information transmission between a read-write unit with an object memory, and a key with a transponder, whereby provision is made for a control element for the allocation of a code between the key and the locking mechanism comprising a key memory, and an object-specific identification data memory in the control element for first-time allocation to the locking mechanism.

2. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a key register, via the read-write unit, a key number is readable out from a supply in said key register of the control element in combination with the identification data and transmittable to the key memory as a key code.

3. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the read-write unit further comprises a cryptographic encoder for the transmission of information, said transmission takes place with a cryptographic coding preset by the read-write unit.

4. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the control element further comprises a control element transponder, the read-write unit communicates with the key transponder and said control element transponder when stored information is changed.

5. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the object memory further comprises a code for a new set-up, and an indent number individualizing the control element for only once overwriting said new set-up code.

6. Locking mechanism according to claim 1 further comprising a new control element, the read-write unit individualizing said new control element in order to render said new control element as a solely admissible control element when its externally preset object-specific data are identical to identity data stored in the object memory.

7. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the control element is a flexible card with object-specific identity data stored in the control element in a non-overwritable way.

8. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a roll-in random code, the key code transmission from the control element to the object memory and to the key memory being linked with said roll-in random code.

9. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the key memory further comprises a read-only memory, the locking mechanism having a memory, the individual key codes being transmittable to said locking mechanism memory from said key read-only memory via the read-write unit in the presence of the control element.