Vending machines with field-programmable locks

• US 6,900,720 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2002
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Denison, William D., Silvers, Bradley S., Brownfield, Lawrence C.
• Primary Examiner(s): JENKINS, KIMBERLY YVETTE
• Application Number:
  US10/329,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.9, 340 561- 564, 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 340/5.7, 340/10
• US Class Current: 340/5.9
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00388 code verification carried out according to the challenge/response method
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/005 whereby the code is a random code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• 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 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]

Abstract

A vending machine uses a field-programmable electronic lock that has a learning process activation device accessible only when the door of the vending machine is in the open position. Using the learning process activation device, a service person activates the electronic lock to perform a key code learning operation, in which the electronic lock receives a key code transmitted from an electronic key and stores the key code in a non-volatile memory for future access control of the vending machine. Data encryption is employed in the communications between the key and the lock to ensure the security of the communications. A communication device installed in the vending machine for communicating with a home base computer allows the operation of the electronic lock to be remotely controlled for access control and auditing purposes.

Claims

1. An electronic key comprising:

a clock;

a microcomputer;

an infrared communication interface for transmitting and receiving communications over an infrared band;

a non-volatile memory having stored therein a key code, a power-up counter, and a clock data back-up buffer; and

an activation device connected to the microcomputer and operable for generating an activation signal for triggering the microcomputer to initiate a key code transmission operation in which the infrared communication interface is used to transmit the key code stored in the non-volatile memory,

wherein the microcomputer is programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process during a key transmission operation with an electronic lock on a vending machine using encrypted communications through the infrared communication interface, and wherein the infrared communication interface includes an infrared transceiver having a transmission pattern with a transmission angle and a transmission power range set such that an effective width of the transmission pattern at the transmission power range is substantially identical or less than a width of the vending machine.

2. A combination of a vending machine with an electronic lock mounted therein and an electronic key for accessing the electronic lock, the electronic key having a wireless transmitter and being programmed to use the wireless transmitter to transmit a key code to the electronic lock on the vending machine, the wireless transmitter having a transmission pattern with a transmission angle and a transmission power range set such that an effective width of the transmission pattern at the transmission power range is substantially identical or less than a width of the vending machine.

3. A combination as in claim 2, wherein the transmitter is an infrared transmitter.

4. A combination as in claim 3, wherein the transmitter is also an infrared receiver.

5. A combination as in claim 3, wherein the vending machine has at least one item selection button, and the electronic lock has an infrared receiver disposed behind the item selection button for receiving infrared transmission from the transmitter of the electronic key.

6. A combination as in claim 5, wherein the infrared receiver of the electronic lock and the infrared transmitter of the electronic key are both transceivers, and wherein the electronic lock and electronic key are programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process in which the key code of the electronic key is transmitted to the electronic lock.