Programmable electronic lock
First Claim
1. An electronic lock, comprising:
- a microprocessor-based programmable unit adapted for connection to a locking mechanism; and
an input device configured to forward a first set of user-defined operating parameters to said programmable unit, wherein said first set of operating parameters define an openable interval of said locking mechanism, and wherein said programmable unit is further configured to shorten said openable interval during said openable interval upon receiving user-defined input upon the input device if a second set of said operating parameters indicates that shortening said openable interval is permitted, and wherein said first set of operating parameters remain constant even if said openable interval is shortened via said user-defined input.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable electronic lock is provided. The electronic lock described herein employs many programmable features which enable a user to tailor lock functions for appropriate levels of security and convenience. The features are enabled and tailored via a set of operating parameters stored in an operating parameters data base within the lock. A lockable device employing the present lock may achieve levels of security and flexibility greater than those achieved utilizing conventional locks. Several of the features included in the lock are a timelock early feature for securing the lock prior to a programmed locking time; an idle key life feature for deactivating idle keys from the lock; a variable PIN code requirement structure for convenience and security; and a deposit logging feature for deposit doors.
178 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An electronic lock, comprising:
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a microprocessor-based programmable unit adapted for connection to a locking mechanism; and an input device configured to forward a first set of user-defined operating parameters to said programmable unit, wherein said first set of operating parameters define an openable interval of said locking mechanism, and wherein said programmable unit is further configured to shorten said openable interval during said openable interval upon receiving user-defined input upon the input device if a second set of said operating parameters indicates that shortening said openable interval is permitted, and wherein said first set of operating parameters remain constant even if said openable interval is shortened via said user-defined input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electronic lock, comprising:
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a microprocessor-based programmable unit adapted for connection to a locking mechanism; and an input device configured to forward a set of user-defined operating parameters to said programmable unit, wherein said set of operating parameters define an openable interval of said locking mechanism, and wherein said input device is further configured to receive a key which, upon receipt of said key, allows selectable control of said programmable unit, and wherein said programmable unit, if said key is idle throughout a programmable time interval, is configured to deactivate said key whereby control of said programmable unit is denied upon receipt of said key by said input device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electronic lock, comprising:
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a microprocessor-based programmable unit adapted for connection to a locking mechanism; and an input device configured to forward a set of user-defined operating parameters to said programmable unit, wherein said set of operating parameters define an openable interval of said locking mechanism, and wherein one of said set of operating parameters selects one of at least two PIN code entry modes applicable to each key which is presented to said electronic lock for login, and wherein said input device is further configured to receive a key and to selectively request, responsive to which one of said at least two PIN code entry modes is selected, a PIN code associated with said key, and wherein said input device, upon receipt of said key and said PIN code, allows selectable control of said programmable unit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electronic lock, comprising:
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a housing having at least one inner chamber within said housing; and a storage device operatively coupled to an input device configured upon said housing, wherein said storage device is adapted for receiving information input upon said input device indicative of parcels placed into said at least one inner chamber; wherein said electronic lock is configured to disable said receiving of said information according to an operating parameter stored within said electronic lock. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. An electronic lock, comprising:
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a housing having at least one inner chamber within said housing; and a storage device operatively coupled to an input device configured upon said housing, wherein said storage device is adapted for receiving information input upon said input device indicative of parcels placed into said at least one inner chamber; wherein said electronic lock is configured to detect invalid information received with respect to said parcels.
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27. An electronic lock, comprising:
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an input device configured to receive user input including operating parameters; and a programmable unit functionally connected to a locking mechanism for (i) activating and deactivating said locking mechanism responsive to said input device and for (ii) reconfiguring said programmable unit according to said operating parameters, wherein said programmable unit is configured to enable activation and deactivation of said locking mechanism during an openable interval comprising a first specified time for enabling and a second specified time for disabling, and wherein said programmable unit is further configured to disable activation and deactivation of said locking mechanism at a third time prior to said second specified time and subsequent to said first specified time if one of said operating parameters indicates said disabling is permitted. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. An electronic lock, comprising:
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an input device configured to receive user input including operating parameters; and a programmable unit functionally connected to a locking mechanism for (i) activating and deactivating said locking mechanism responsive to said input device and for (ii) reconfiguring said programmable unit according to said operating parameters, wherein said programmable unit is configured to activate said locking mechanism and to deactivate said locking mechanism responsive to a key, and wherein said electronic lock is further configured to deactivate said key such that said electronic lock is not responsive to said key when said key is idle for a programmable period of time. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. An electronic lock, comprising:
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an input device configured to receive user input including operating parameters; and a programmable unit functionally connected to a locking mechanism for (i) activating and deactivating said locking mechanism responsive to said input device and for (ii) reconfiguring said programmable unit according to said operating parameters, wherein said programmable unit is configured to activate said locking mechanism and to deactivate said locking mechanism responsive to a key, and wherein said lock selectively requests a PIN code prior to responding to said key responsive to one of said operating parameters selecting one of at least two PIN code entry modes applicable to each key which is presented to said electronic lock for login. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification