Methods for managing access to physical assets

• US 7,042,334 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Bellamy, Dirk L., Westfall, Scott D., Briskey, Teri Lynné, Beebe, Sean, Sinn, Dean, Mosgrove, Isaac J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): YANG, CLARA I
• Application Number:
  US10/356,383
• Publication Number:
  US 20050110609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.21, 340/5.73, 703/89
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0042 for hiring of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 Key-removal preventing

Abstract

A key management system for controlling access to vehicle keys includes a key set, a key container and an electronic access device. The key set includes vehicle keys to a particular vehicle and a key tag associated with the vehicle keys having an electronically readable identifier. The key container has a key set storage area secured by an electronic lock and a circuit that detects when the key set is stored in the key set storage area. The access device is carried by a user to access the key container, and has a memory that is updated with at least the identifier of the key tag when the key container is successfully accessed.

Claims

1. A method of securing access to a vehicle, comprising:

identifying a vehicle key for the vehicle with a unique electronic identifier and storing the identifier on a memory element at a first location;

associating the memory element with the vehicle key to form a key set;

placing the key set in a key container located on or proximal the vehicle at a second location remote from the first location;

securing the key set within the key container with an electronic lock;

allowing access to the key container and the key set by unlocking the electronic lock after electronic signals representing that access is authorized are received;

reading the memory element and storing the identifier in a key container memory; and

recording access event information on the memory element.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing power to the key container with a portable access device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an approximate time when access occurs in the key container memory.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing access includes linking a portable access device to the key container and demonstrating that a user of the access device is authorized.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising storing the identifier in a memory of the access device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising denying access if a user seeking access is identified on a lock out list stored in the key container memory.

7. A method of managing vehicle keys, comprising:

providing vehicle keys to a particular vehicle;

associating a key tag having a memory and an electronically readable identifier stored in the memory with the vehicle keys, thereby forming a key set;

providing a key container on or proximal the vehicle, the key container having a key set storage area securable by an electronic lock and a circuit that detects the key tag when the key set is stored in the key set storage area;

locking the key set within the storage area of the key container;

linking a portable electronic access device to the key container, the access device having a memory;

receiving an access request from the access device;

determining if access is authorized;

if access is authorized, unlocking the key container to provide access to the stored key set and updating the memory of the access device with at least the identifier of the key tag; and

recording access event information in the key tag memory.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein forming a key set includes physically connecting the key tag to the vehicle keys.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising supplying electrical power to the key container from the access device.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the key container has a memory and if access is authorized, the key container memory is updated to include at least the identifier of the key tag removed from the key container.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein determining if access is authorized includes determining if the access device is identified on a lock out list stored in a memory of the key container.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising programming the access device with access privileges in accordance with an assigned user.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing identifying information for the vehicle and the key tag of the key set in a database.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising uploading access information from the memory of the access device to update the database.