Electronic lock system and use thereof

• US 5,974,367 A
• Filed: 06/04/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James S. Bianco
• Original Assignee: James S. Bianco
• Inventors: Bianco, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ASSOUAD, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US09/090,480
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 702/182, 702/187, 70/263, 70/284, 70/338, 70/433, 70/379 R, 70/379 A, 70/380, 70/278, 70/279, 70/283, 70/462, 340/505, 340/506, 340/531, 340/555, 340/825.31, 235/382, 235/130 R
• US Class Current: 340/5.21
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0058 with non-destructive disengagement E05B17/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0062 with destructive disengagement
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/08 operable by a plurality of keys
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/10 with master and pass keys for cylinder locks E05B27/0053
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/00 Locks giving indication of authorised or unauthorised unlocking with key identification means E05B35/001; alarm locks E05B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0623 axially, i.e. with an axially engaging blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0661 axially, i.e. with an axially engaging blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0673 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/042 the handle being at one side, the bolt at the other side or inside the wing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/32 Time-recording locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/625 Operation and control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/713 Dogging manual operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7452 Selective shutout type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7706 Operating connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7712 Rollbacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8865 Reversible structures

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, with a system employing an electronic lock and electronic key apparatus, a method, including: providing as the electronic key apparatus an electronic key selected from the group consisting of a master key, and audit key, and a service key; when the master key is selected as the electronic key apparatus; connecting the master key to the electronic lock; then, the electronic lock inquiring as to status of the master key to determine if the master key is a valid master key; and then, when valid, the master key causing a password to be written to a memory in the electronic lock; when the audit key is selected as the electronic key apparatus; connecting the audit key to the electronic lock; then, the audit key transmitting a password to the electronic lock; and then, provided the audit key has presented a valid password to the electronic lock, the electronic lock transmitting to the audit key first identification information; and, when the service key is selected as the electronic key apparatus; connecting the service key to the electronic lock; then, the service key transmitting to the electronic lock second identification information; and then, the electronic lock becoming unlocked.

Claims

1. With a system employing an electronic lock and electronic key means, a method, comprising:

(a) providing as said electronic key means an electronic key selected from the group consisting of a master key, an audit key, and a service key;

when said master key is selected as said electronic key means;

(b) connecting said master key to said electronic lock;

(c) then, said electronic lock inquiring as to status of said master key to determine if said master key is a valid master key; and

(d) then, when valid, said master key causing a password to be written to a memory in said electronic lock;

when said audit key is selected as said electronic key means;

(e) connecting said audit key to said electronic lock;

(f) then, said audit key transmitting a password to said electronic lock; and

(g) then, provided said audit key has presented a valid password to said electronic lock, said electronic lock transmitting to said audit key first identification information;

when said service key is selected as said electronic key means;

(h) connecting said service key to said electronic lock;

(i) then, said service key transmitting to said electronic lock second identification information; and

(j) then, said electronic lock becoming unlocked;

and said master key and said audit key being unable to unlock said electronic lock.

2. A method, as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

providing as said first identification information one or more items selected from the group consisting of who unlocked said electronic lock, when said electronic lock was unlocked, and for how long said electronic lock was unlocked.

3. A method, as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

providing as said second identification information one or more items selected from the group consisting of a key number, a date, a time, and a PIN of a user.

4. A method, as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

repeating step (f) until said lock recognizes a valid password, up to a predetermined number of repetitions of step (f).

5. A method, as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

following step (d), said electronic lock providing to said master key a time-stamped positive acknowledgment of receipt of said password.

6. A method of monitoring use of an electronic lock, comprising:

(a) storing in memory in said electronic lock information as to who opened said lock, when said lock was opened, and for how long said electronic lock was opened; and

(b) subsequently using an electronic audit key to transfer said information from said memory to said audit key;

and said audit key being unable to unlock said electronic lock.

7. With a system employing an electronic lock and electronic key means, a method, comprising:

(a) providing as said electronic key means an electronic master key;

(b) then, connecting said master key to said electronic lock;

(c) then, said electronic lock inquiring as to status of said master key to determine if said master key is a valid master key;

(d) then, when valid, said master key causing a password to be written to a memory in said electronic lock; and

(e) then, said electronic lock providing to said master key a time-stamped positive acknowledgment of receipt of said password.