Secure, vehicle key, storage device and associated method

• US 6,737,961 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2002
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Flick, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US10/218,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20040032327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.35, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.32, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/426.35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles

Abstract

A secure, vehicle key, storage device is for a plurality of uniquely-coded vehicle keys. Each key includes a wireless transmitter. The storage device includes a housing for containing the uniquely-coded vehicle keys, and at least one access mechanism associated with the housing for selectively permitting access to at least one of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys. The device may also include a user identification input for permitting user input of the user identification. At least one wireless receiver determines the unique codes. A controller is provided for controlling the access mechanism based upon the user identification input, and for tracking the uniquely-coded vehicle keys in cooperation with the wireless receiver.

Claims

1. A secure, vehicle key, storage device for a plurality of uniquely-coded vehicle keys, each uniquely-coded vehicle key having associated therewith a unique code and comprising a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the unique code, the secure, vehicle key, storage device comprising:

a housing for containing the uniquely-coded vehicle keys;

at least one access mechanism associated with said housing for selectively permitting access to at least one of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys;

at least one wireless receiver associated with said housing for determining respective unique codes of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys contained within said housing;

a user identification input for permitting user input of a user identification; and

a controller for controlling said at least one access mechanism based upon said user identification input and for tracking the uniquely-coded vehicle keys in cooperation with said at least one wireless receiver.

2. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a plurality of key storage positions, each for holding a respective uniquely-coded vehicle key.

3. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 2 wherein said controller further tracks key storage positions and respective uniquely-coded vehicle keys associated therewith.

4. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 2 wherein said at least one wireless receiver comprises a respective wireless receiver associated with each key storage position.

5. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 2 wherein said at least one wireless receiver comprises a common wireless receiver associated with all of said key storage positions.

6. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 2 wherein each uniquely-coded vehicle key further comprises a wireless power receiver and power circuit connected thereto for causing the wireless transmitter to transmit the unique code based upon the wireless power receiver receiving a wireless powering signal;

and further comprising at least one powering transmitter for transmitting the wireless powering signal and thereby causing the wireless transmitter of an adjacent uniquely-coded vehicle key to transmit the unique code.

7. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 6 wherein said at least one powering transmitter comprises a respective powering transmitter associated with each key storage position.

8. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 6 wherein said at least one powering transmitter comprises a common powering transmitter associated with all of said key storage positions.

9. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one access mechanism comprises an inlet access door and an outlet access door connected to said housing;

and wherein said at least one wireless receiver comprises an inlet wireless receiver associated with said inlet access door.

10. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 9 wherein each uniquely-coded vehicle key further comprises a wireless power receiver and power circuit connected thereto for causing the wireless transmitter to transmit the unique code based upon the power wireless receiver receiving a wireless powering signal;

and further comprising an inlet powering transmitter associated with said inlet wireless receiver for transmitting the wireless powering signal and thereby causing the wireless transmitter of an adjacent uniquely-coded vehicle key to transmit the unique code.

11. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 10 wherein said at least one wireless receiver further comprises an outlet wireless receiver associated with said outlet access door.

12. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 11 further comprising an outlet powering transmitter associated with said outlet wireless receiver for transmitting the wireless powering signal and thereby causing the wireless transmitter of an adjacent uniquely-coded vehicle key to transmit the unique code.

13. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 1 wherein said controller is switchable to a learning mode for learning respective unique codes of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys.

14. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a computer and a display connected thereto.

15. A secure, vehicle key, storage device for a plurality of uniquely-coded vehicle keys, each uniquely-coded vehicle key having associated therewith a unique code and comprising a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the unique code, the secure, vehicle key, storage device comprising:

a housing comprising a plurality of key storage positions, each for holding a respective uniquely-coded vehicle key;

at least one access mechanism associated with said housing for selectively permitting access to at least one of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys;

at least one wireless receiver associated with said housing for determining respective unique codes of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys contained within said housing; and

a controller for controlling said at least one access mechanism and for tracking of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys relative to the key storage positions and in cooperation with said at least one wireless receiver.

16. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 15 further comprising a user identification input connected to said controller;

and wherein said controller controls said at least one access mechanism based upon said user identification input.

17. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 15 wherein said at least one wireless receiver comprises a respective wireless receiver associated with each key storage position.

18. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 15 wherein said at least one wireless receiver comprises a common wireless receiver associated with all of said key storage positions.

19. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 15 wherein each uniquely-coded vehicle key further comprises a wireless power receiver and power circuit connected thereto for causing the wireless transmitter to transmit the unique code based upon the wireless power receiver receiving a wireless powering signal;

and further comprising at least one powering transmitter for transmitting the wireless powering signal and thereby causing the wireless transmitter of an adjacent uniquely-coded vehicle key to transmit the unique code.

20. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 19 wherein said at least one powering transmitter comprises a respective powering transmitter associated with each key storage position.

21. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 19 wherein said at least one powering transmitter comprises a common powering transmitter associated with all of said key storage positions.

22. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 15 wherein said at least one access mechanism comprises an inlet access door and an outlet access door connected to said housing;

and wherein said at least one wireless receiver comprises an inlet wireless receiver associated with said inlet access door.

23. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 22 wherein each uniquely-coded vehicle key further comprises a wireless power receiver and power circuit connected thereto for causing the wireless transmitter to transmit the unique code based upon the wireless power receiver receiving a wireless powering signal;

and further comprising an inlet powering transmitter associated with said inlet wireless receiver for transmitting the wireless powering signal and thereby causing the wireless transmitter of an adjacent uniquely-coded vehicle key to transmit the unique code.

24. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 23 wherein said at least one wireless receiver further comprises an outlet wireless receiver associated with said outlet access door.

25. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 24 further comprising an outlet powering transmitter associated with said outlet wireless receiver for transmitting the wireless powering signal and thereby causing the wireless transmitter of an adjacent uniquely-coded vehicle key to transmit the unique code.

26. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 15 wherein said controller is switchable to a learning mode for learning respective unique codes of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys within said housing.

27. A secure, vehicle key, storage device according to claim 15 wherein said controller comprises a computer and a display connected thereto.

28. A method of securing a plurality of uniquely-coded vehicle keys, each key having associated therewith a unique code and comprising a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the unique code, the method comprising:

providing a housing for containing the plurality of uniquely-coded vehicle keys, the housing having at least one access mechanism associated therewith;

wirelessly determining respective unique codes of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys contained within the housing;

permitting user input of a user identification;

controlling the at least one access mechanism based upon the user identification; and

tracking the uniquely-coded vehicle keys.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein the housing comprises a plurality of key storage positions, each for holding a respective uniquely-coded vehicle key.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein tracking further comprises tracking key storage positions and respective uniquely-coded keys associated therewith.

31. A method according to claim 28 wherein wirelessly determining comprises determining using at least one wireless receiver.

32. A method according to claim 28 wherein each uniquely-coded vehicle key further comprises a wireless power receiver and power circuit connected thereto;

and wherein wirelessly determining further comprises transmitting the wireless powering signal to thereby cause the wireless transmitter of an adjacent uniquely-coded vehicle key to transmit the unique code.

33. A method according to claim 28 wherein the at least one access mechanism comprises an inlet access door and an outlet access door connected to the housing.

34. A method according to claim 28 further comprising learning respective unique codes of the uniquely-coded vehicle keys within the housing.