Locking mechanism for use with one-time access code

• US 6,570,488 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smart Locking Technologies LLC (LF Capital Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Vistan Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kucharczyk, David, Brown, Suzy
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/917,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.2, 340/5.21, 340/5.22, 340/5.26, 340/5.28, 340/5.51, 340/5.52, 340/5.54, 340/5.7, 340/5.9, 340/539, 340/542, 340/543, 713/182-184, 705/64, 705/72, 705/75
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/215 the system having a variable access-code, e.g. varied as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

A request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received; and a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. The one-time use access code may be issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism in response to a request therefor, for example by a merchant or delivery service. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been used or has otherwise expired. The list of currently available access codes is preferably a subset of all access codes for the locking mechanism, which codes may be generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving at a computer system and via the Internet a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and

issuing from the computer system an authorized access code for the locking mechanism,

wherein the request includes the authorized access code to be issued.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein issuing comprises transmitting the authorized access code to the locking mechanism.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the transmitting occurs at least in part, over a wireless communication network.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism includes a keypad.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the request is received from at least one of:

a merchant, a delivery service, an owner of the locking mechanism, a user of the locking mechanism, or a homeowner.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the authorized access code is selected from a list of possible access codes for the locking mechanism.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating a computer-readable information source to reflect issuance of the authorized access code.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising updating the computer-readable information source to reflect use of the authorized access code.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the computer-readable information source comprises a database accessible by the computer system.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the authorized access code is produced using a pseudo-random number generator.

11. A computer-based service configured to dispense access codes for remotely located locking devices in response to requests therefor, which access codes are wirelessly transmitted to the locking devices.

12. The computer-based service of claim 11 wherein the access codes are dispensed from a server which is accessible via the Internet.

13. The computer-based service of claim 12 wherein the server is further accessible to retrieve records of one or more of:

access code disbursement, access code use and access code request.

14. The computer-based service of claim 11 wherein the locking devices are associated with storage devices accessible via keypad entry devices.

15. The computer-based service of claim 14 wherein the access codes are one-time use codes.

16. The computer-based service of claim 15 wherein the one-time use codes are generated using a pseudo-random number generator.

17. The computer-based service of claim 11 wherein the access codes are one-time use codes.

18. The computer-based service of claim 11 wherein the access codes expire after a predetermined time or event.

19. The computer-based service of claim 11 further comprising a notification service configured to provide messages indicating access to the locking devices.

20. The computer-based service of claim 19 wherein the messages comprises one or more of:

e-mail messages, pager messages or facsimile messages.

21. The computer-based service of claim 20 wherein records of access to the locking devices are maintained for access via the Internet.

22. A computer system configured to receive a request for an access code to a locking mechanism via the Internet and to issue an authorized access code in response thereto, wherein the request includes a desired access code for use as the authorized access code.

23. The computer system of claim 22 wherein the authorized access code is issued to the locking mechanism via a wireless communication network.

24. The computer system of claim 23 wherein the locking mechanism is associated with a storage device.

25. The computer system of claim 23 wherein the locking mechanism includes a keypad.

26. The computer system of claim 22 further configured to provide records of one or more of:

access code issuance or access code use.

27. The computer system of claim 22 wherein the authorized access code is a one-time use code.

28. The computer system of claim 27 wherein the one-time use code is produced by using a pseudo-random number generator.

29. The computer system of claim 22 being further configured to provide a notification message upon receipt of an indication that the locking mechanism has been accessed.

30. The computer system of claim 29 wherein the notification message comprises one or more of:

an e-mail message, a pager message or a facsimile message.

31. The computer system of claim 22 wherein the authorized access code is valid only for a single use or a predetermined time period, whichever occurs or expires, as applicable, earlier.

32. A method comprising:

receiving at a computer system and via the Internet a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and

issuing from the computer system an authorized access code for the locking mechanism by transmitting the authorized access code to the locking mechanism.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the transmitting occurs at least in part, over a wireless communication network.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the locking mechanism includes a keypad.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the request is received from at least one of:

a merchant, a delivery service, an owner of the locking mechanism, a user of the locking mechanism, or a homeowner.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein the authorized access code is selected from a list of possible access codes for the locking mechanism.

37. The method of claim 32 further comprising updating a computer-readable information source to reflect issuance of the authorized access code.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising updating the computer-readable information source to reflect use of the authorized access code.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the computer-readable information source comprises a database accessible by the computer system.

40. The method of claim 32 wherein the authorized access code is produced using a pseudo-random number generator.

41. A method comprising:

receiving at a computer system and via the Internet a request for an access code for a locking mechanism;

issuing from the computer system an authorized access code for the locking mechanism; and

updating a computer-readable information source to reflect issuance of the authorized access code.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising updating the computer-readable information source to reflect use of the authorized access code.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the computer-readable information source comprises a database accessible by the computer system.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein the authorized access code is produced using a pseudo-random number generator.

45. A method comprising:

receiving at a computer system and via the Internet a request for an access code for a locking mechanism;

issuing from the computer system an authorized access code for the locking mechanism; and

wherein the authorized access code is produced using a pseudo-random number generator.

46. A computer system configured to receive a request for an access code to a locking mechanism via the Internet and to issue an authorized access code in response thereto, wherein the authorized access code is issued to the locking mechanism via a wireless communication network.

47. The computer system of claim 46 wherein the locking mechanism is associated with a storage device.

48. The computer system of claim 46 wherein the locking mechanism includes a keypad.

49. The computer system of claim 46 further configured to provide records of one or more of:

access code issuance or access code use.

50. The computer system of claim 46 wherein the authorized access code is a one-time use code.

51. The computer system of claim 50 wherein the one-time use code is produced by using a pseudo-random number generator.

52. The computer system of claim 46 being further configured to provide a notification message upon receipt of an indication that the locking mechanism has been accessed.

53. The computer system of claim 52 wherein the notification message comprises one or more of:

an e-mail message, a pager message or a facsimile message.

54. The computer system of claim 46 wherein the authorized access code is valid only for a single use or a predetermined time period, whichever occurs or expires, as applicable, earlier.

55. A computer system configured to receive a request for an access code to a locking mechanism via the Internet and to issue an authorized access code in response thereto, wherein the authorized access code is a one-time use code.

56. The computer system of claim 55 further configured to provide records of one or more of:

access code issuance or access code use.

57. The computer system of claim 55 wherein the one-time use code is produced by using a pseudo-random number generator.

58. The computer system of claim 55 being further configured to provide a notification message upon receipt of an indication that the locking mechanism has been accessed.

59. The computer system of claim 58 wherein the notification message comprises one or more of:

an e-mail message, a pager message or a facsimile message.

60. The computer system of claim 55 wherein the authorized access code is valid only for a single use or a predetermined time period, whichever occurs or expires, as applicable, earlier.

61. A computer system configured to receive a request for an access code to a locking mechanism via the Internet and to issue an authorized access code in response thereto, and to provide a notification message upon receipt of an indication that the locking mechanism has been accessed.

62. The computer system of claim 61 wherein the notification message comprises one or more of:

an e-mail message, a pager message or a facsimile message.

63. The computer system of claim 61 wherein the authorized access code is valid only for a single use or a predetermined time period, whichever occurs or expires, as applicable, earlier.

64. A computer system configured to receive a request for an access code to a locking mechanism via the Internet and to issue an authorized access code in response thereto, wherein the authorized access code is valid only for a single use or a predetermined time period, whichever occurs or expires, as applicable, earlier.