Access control system for mobile platform using electronic key-embedded location verification data

• US 6,384,709 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: INTELLIKEY Corp.
• Original Assignee: INTELLIKEY Corp.
• Inventors: Finney, Carl, Wagner, William E., Disbrow, James E., Mellen, Michael, Roesch, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bangachon, William L
• Application Number:
  US09/776,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20010015691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.2, 340/5.5, 340/5.27, 340/5.21, 340/5.28, 340/5.7, 340/5.73, 340/5.72, 340/5.63, 340/825.49, 340/825.27, 340/825.37, 702/67, 702/781, 702/782, 342/457, 342/357.09, 342/357.08, 701/35, 701/213
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

An access control system prevents a mobile container from being compromised/opened during transit, through the use of a programmable electronic lock, which can be unlocked only by means of an enabled electronic key that has been programmed with geographical location data representative of the destination site of the container. When the mobile container arrives at its destination, the key is coupled with a comparator, which compares the geographic location information in the key with real time geographic location information from a geographic location detection unit associated with the mobile container. In response to a match, the comparator enables the key for a prescribed period of time. The key may then be inserted into the programmable electronic lock, which reads the key to determine whether it has been enabled. If the key is enabled, the lock can be unlocked, to provide access to the container.

Claims

1. A method for controlling access to a mobile platform, which is to travel from a starting location to a prescribed destination, where access to said mobile platform is to be provided, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) programming an initially disabled electronic key that is to travel with said mobile platform with first geographic location information representative of said prescribed destination of said mobile platform;

(b) providing a comparator which is coupled to receive second geographic location information representative of the geographic location of said mobile platform, and is capable of reading said first information that has been programmed into said electronic key;

(c) providing an electronic security device through which access to said mobile platform is controllably provided, said security device including an electronic lock, which can only be operated by an electronic key that has been enabled to operate said electronic lock, said electronic security device receiving no geographic location information for its operation, and being decoupled from any device that stores geographic location information, exclusive of an electronic key coupled thereto;

(d) transporting said mobile platform and said electronic key therewith to said prescribed destination;

(e) in association with said mobile platform arriving at said prescribed destination, coupling said electronic key, as programmed in step (a), with said comparator, so that said comparator may compare said first geographic location information stored in said programmed electronic key with said second geographic location information;

(f) in response to said second geographic location information effectively corresponding to said first geographic location information stored by said programmed electronic key, causing said comparator to enable said electronic key to operate said electronic lock of said electronic security device, but otherwise maintaining said programmed electronic key disabled;

(g) decoupling said electronic key from said comparator, and engaging said electronic key with said electronic lock of said security device; and

(h) in response to said electronic key having been enabled in step (f), causing said electronic key to open said electronic lock of said security device and afford access to said mobile platform, but otherwise maintaining said electronic lock of said security device in a locked condition, so as to prevent access to said mobile platform.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (f) comprises enabling said electronic key to operate said electronic lock of said security device for only a given period of time.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said mobile platform comprises a transportation vehicle containing a cargo storage container to which said electronic security device is affixed, and wherein, in step (b), said second geographic location information received by said comparator is sourced from a geographical position detection unit that is decoupled from said electronically operable security device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said geographical position detection unit is situated at a location exclusive of said cargo storage container.

5. A system for controlling access to a mobile platform, which is to travel from a starting location to a prescribed destination, said system comprising:

an electronic security device through which access to said mobile platform is controllably provided, said security device including an electronic lock, which can only be operated by an electronic key that has been enabled to operate said electronic lock, said electronic security device receiving no geographic location information for its operation, and being decoupled fromany device that stores geographic location information, exclusive of an electronic key coupled thereto;

a programming device which is operable to program an initially disabled electronic key with first geographic location information representative of said prescribed destination of said mobile platform;

an electronic key which is configured to be coupled with said programming device and programmed thereby with said first geographic location information, and transported with said mobile platform to said prescribed destination;

a comparator, which is engageable by said electronic key in association with said mobile platform arriving at said prescribed destination, and is operative to compare said first information that has been programmed into said electronic key with second geographic location information representative of the geographic location of said mobile platform and, in response to said second geographic location information effectively corresponding to said first geographic location information stored by said programmed electronic key, to enable said electronic key to operate said electronic lock of said electronic security device and thereby provide access to said mobile platform, but otherwise maintaining said programmed electronic key disabled so as to maintain said electronic lock of said security device in a locked condition, and as to prevent access to said mobile platform.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said comparator is operative to enable said electronic key to operate said electronic lock of said security device for only a given period of time.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein said mobile platform comprises a transportation vehicle containing a cargo storage container to which said electronic security device is affixed, and wherein said second geographic location information received by said comparator is sourced from a geographical position detection unit that is decoupled from said electronically operable security device.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said geographical position detection unit is situated at a location exclusive of said cargo storage container.

9. A method for controlling access to a container, which is transported from a first geographic location to a second geographic location, where access to said container is to be provided, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an electronic security device through which access to said container is controllably provided, said security device including an electronic lock, which can be operated only by an electronic key enabled to operate said electronic lock, said electronic security device receiving no geographic location information for its operation, and being decoupled from any device that stores geographic location information, exclusive of an electronic key coupled thereto;

(b) providing an initially disabled electronic key;

(c) programming said initially disabled electronic key with first geographic information representative of said second geographic location;

(d) transporting said container and said electronic key to said second location;

(e) in association with said container having been transported to said second location, comparing said first geographic location information stored in said electronic key as programmed in step (c) with second geographic location representative of the geographic location of said container;

(f) in response to said second geographic location information effectively corresponding to said first geographic location information stored by said programmed electronic key, enabling said electronic key to operate said electronic lock of said electronic security device, but otherwise maintaining said programmed electronic key disabled;

(g) coupling said electronic key with said electronic lock of said security device; and

(h) in response to said electronic key having been enabled in step (f), causing said electronic key to open said electronic lock of said security device and provide access to said container, but otherwise maintaining said electronic lock of said security device in a locked condition, so as to prevent access to said container.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein step (f) comprises enabling said electronic key to operate said electronic lock of said security device for only a given period of time.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said container is installed on a transportation vehicle and has said electronic security device affixed thereto, and wherein, in step (e), said second geographic is sourced from a geographical position detection unit that is decoupled from said electronically operable security device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said geographical position detection unit is situated at a location exclusive of said container.