Electronic information key system

• US 6,600,406 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1999
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iRevo, Inc. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: iRevo, Inc. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Ha, Jae Hong
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/424,457
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.2, 340/5.1, 340/5-1-, 340/5.6, 340/5.65, 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/5.72, 340/5.73
• 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 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

The inventive electronic information key system comprises at least one electronic information key and a locking device unlocked with the electronic information key. The electronic information key includes: an ID code storage having a plurality of memory areas, each storing different ID codes; a body, resin-treated, for installing the ID code storage; and a contact, mounted on the body and electrically connected to the ID code storage. The locking device includes: a key holder for electrically contacting the contact of the electronic information key; a registered ID code storage for storing values corresponding to the ID codes stored in any one of the plurality of memory areas of the ID code storage of the electronic information key; a controller for comparing the ID codes stored in an area of the ID code storage with the ID codes stored in the registered ID code storage to thereby verify whether the electronic information key is duly operating, when the contact electrically contacts the key holder.

Claims

1. An electronic information key system comprising at least one electronic information key and a locking device unlocked with the electronic information key,

wherein the electronic information key including:

an ID code storage having a plurality of memory areas, each storing different ID codes;

a body, resin-treated, for installing the ID code storage; and

a contact, mounted on the body and electrically connected to the ID code storage,

and wherein the locking device including;

a key holder for electrically contacting the contact of the electronic information key;

a registered ID code storage for storing values corresponding to the ID codes stored in any one of the plurality of memory areas of the ID code storage of the electronic information key; and

a controller for comparing the ID codes stored in an area of the ID code storage with the ID codes stored in the registered ID code storage to thereby verify whether the electronic information key is duly operating, when the contract electrically contacts the key holder, wherein the controller authenticates the ID codes read from the electronic information key, generates new ID codes by using the ID codes and a certain variable, and, subsequently, the new ID codes are stored as updated ID codes in the electronic information key and stored as the registered ID codes in the locking device, and wherein the variable is generated based on the time duration that the electronic information key contacts the locking device.

2. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the ID code storage of the electronic information key has ID code storing areas for storing at least two sets of ID codes.

3. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the ID codes include therein ID code data and verification data for use in a verification thereof.

4. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein ID code registration area of the registered ID code storage further includes an area for storing the place of the ID codes in the ID code storage of the electronic information key.

5. The electronic information key system of claim 4, wherein the authentication of the controller is performed such that the ID codes stored in the ID code storage of the electronic information key are compared with the registered ID codes stored in the registered ID code storage, and the area for storing the place of the ID codes are compared with an area for storing the place of the registered ID codes.

6. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the registered ID code storage further includes a registered ID number area for storing the number of the registered ID codes.

7. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic information key includes a master key for use in consolidated management of a large facility, wherein the ID code storage of the master key has an area for storing ID codes and an area for storing the authentication information for the master key.

8. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic information key is a key for accessing a safe and the locking device is a locking device of the safe.

9. The electronic information key system of claim 8, wherein the electronic information key includes a trace key for use in detecting the last user of the locking device, the ID codes stored in the ID code storage of the trace key having trace codes,

the controller of the locking device, as of the authentication of the electronic information key, stores each ID code data corresponding to each user every time the locking device is used and displays the number corresponding to the last user based on the ID code data.

10. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic information key is a key for accessing a car and the locking device is a locking device of the car for use in a use restriction.

11. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic information key is a key for accessing a door and the locking device is a locking device of the door for use in an entry restriction.

12. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic information key has a key for theft prevention key of an electronic appliance and the locking device is a locking device of the electronic appliance for use in a use restriction.

13. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic information key has a test key for use in manufacture, management and test of an electronic appliance, the locking device is usable until the completion of the manufacture, management and test.

14. The electronic information key system of claim 1, wherein the electronic information key is a key for accessing an information communication system and the locking device is a locking device of the information communication system for use in an information access restriction.

15. An electronic information key system comprising at least one electronic information key and a locking device unlocked with the electronic information key,

wherein the electronic information key includes:

an ID code storage having a plurality of memory areas, each storing different ID codes;

a body, resin-treated, for installing the ID code storage; and

a contact, mounted on the body and electrically connected to the ID code storage,

and wherein the locking device includes;

a key holder configured to electrically contact the contact of the electronic information key;

a registered ID code storage for storing values corresponding to the ID codes stored in any one of the plurality of memory areas of the ID code storage of the electronic information key; and

a controller for comparing the ID codes stored in an area of the ID code storage with the ID codes stored in the registered ID code storage to thereby verify whether the electronic information key is duly operating, when the contact electrically contacts the key holder,

wherein the electronic information key includes a trace key for use in detecting the last user of the locking device, the ID codes stored in the ID code storage of the trace key having trace codes, and the controller of the locking device, as of the authentication of the electronic information key, stores each ID code data corresponding to each user every time the locking device is used and displays the number corresponding to the last user based on the ID code data.

16. The electronic information key system of claim 15, wherein the ID code storage of the electronic information key has ID code storing areas for storing at least two ID codes.

17. The electronic information key system of claim 15, wherein the controller authenticates the ID codes read from the electronic information key, generates new ID codes by using the ID codes and a certain variable, and, subsequently, the new ID codes are stored as updated ID codes in the electronic information key and stored as the registered ID codes in the locking device, the updated ID codes being stored in another area than the ID codes have been stored, and wherein the variable is generated based on the time duration that the electronic information key contacts the locking device.

18. The electronic information key system of claim 15, wherein ID codes includes therein ID code data and verification data for use in a verification of the ID codes.

19. The electronic information key system of claim 15, wherein the registered ID code storage further includes a registered ID number area for storing the number of the registered ID codes.

20. The electronic information key system of claim 17, wherein ID code registration area of the registered ID code storage further includes an area for storing the place of the ID codes in the ID code storage of the electronic information key.

21. An electronic information key system comprising at least one electronic information key and a locking device unlocked with the electronic information key,

wherein the electronic information key includes:

a body;

an ID code storage in the body, the ID code storage having a plurality of memory areas, each storing different ID codes; and

a contact mounted on the body and electrically connected to the ID code storage, and

wherein the locking device includes;

a key holder configured to electrically contact the contact of the electronic information key to thereby enable data transfer between the electronic information key and the locking device;

a registered ID code storage for storing values corresponding to the ID codes stored in any one of the plurality of memory areas of the ID code storage of the electronic information key; and

a controller for comparing the ID codes stored in an area of the ID code storage with the ID codes stored in the registered ID code storage to thereby verify whether the electronic information key is duly operating, when the contact electrically contacts the key holder,

wherein the controller generates at least one new ID code based at least in part on a variable based on the time duration that the electronic information key contacts the locking device.