Storage locker having a remotely activated lockout feature

• US 7,880,585 B1
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartlock Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Smartlok LLC
• Inventors: Wollam, John, Aronson, Glen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khan; Omer S
• Application Number:
  US11/821,700
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.64, 340/5.73, 340/825.17, 705/16, 705/18, 705/28, 705/304, 705/307
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/02 Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means by means in the striker E05B63/248
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0021 for overhead or roll-up doors, e.g. garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/00 Safes or strong-rooms for valuables savings boxes A45C1/12; floatable safes B63C7/30; storage containers without attack or fire-retardant features B65D; bank buildings in general, e.g. modular construction or floor plan, E04H1/06; buildings resistant to earthquakes or war action E04H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/04 Closure fasteners locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• 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: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter can obtain and maintain rights to said storage unit by paying a first rental fee and subsequent periodic rental fee payments according to a schedule. In this method, the storage unit is secured by a lock that is, at least in part, controlled by the renter. A remotely controllable lockout assembly, however, is capable of over locking the storage unit so that the renter can no longer gain entry when the lockout assembly is activated. The method includes remotely controlling the lockout assembly to deny the renter access to the unit when the when said renter has failed to pay said periodic rental fee on schedule and a grace period has passed since said renter'"'"'s rights to said storage unit have elapsed.

Claims

1. A locking system for use with securable access to a rented storage unit comprising:

a computer including;

a first transceiver configured to send a first and a second coded radio frequency signal and to receive a third and a fourth coded radio frequency signal; and

a program for recording rental payments associated with the storage unit; and

a lock to secure access to the storage unit, the lock moves between a secured configuration and an open configuration, and operates in a first user controlled mode and a second computer controlled mode, the lock including;

a housing;

a first key interface for entering a user access code;

an arm that moves between a secured position and an open position;

an actuator that selectively engages the arm to limit movement;

a second transceiver for communicating with the computer;

memory for storing a lock access code;

a power supply; and

a logic unit operably connected to the actuator, the power supply, the memory and the transceiver,

wherein the lock operates in the first user controlled mode in response to receiving the first coded signal from the computer, the first mode of operation allowing a user to energize the actuator and move the arm to the open position; and

wherein the lock operates in the second computer controlled mode in response to the second coded signal from the computer, the lock in the second computer controlled mode preventing the user from energizing the actuator and moving the arm to the open position and the lock operates in the second mode following a grace period starting subsequent to a lapse in rental payments associated with the storage unit.

2. The locking system of claim 1 wherein the arm has a first end that is retained by the housing and a second end that moves between the secured position engaged by the lock housing and the actuator, and the open position with the second end disengaged from the actuator and housing.

3. The locking system of claim 1 wherein in the secured position the arm is extended and engages a portion of the storage unit access to secure the storage unit, and in the open position the arm is retracted and disengaged from the portion of the storage unit access.

4. The locking system of claim 1 wherein the key interface is a keypad for the user to enter the user access code.

5. The locking system of claim 1 where the key interface accepts a key inserted by the user.

6. The locking system of claim 1 wherein the key interface accepts the user access code and the actuator disengages from the arm, the access code embodied as one of a magnetic strip, a barcode or an RFID chip.

7. The locking system of claim 1 further comprising a peripheral fence around the storage unit including a gate and a second key interface, where access to the storage unit is limited by the gate and fence and entering the user access code at the second key interface opens the gate at least when the lock operates in the first user controlled mode.

8. The locking system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of locks and a unique lock access code for each of the plurality of locks wherein;

each of the plurality of locks has a unique identifying signal code and one lock of the plurality of locks responds to the first or second radio frequency signal from the remotely located, computer received at the second transceiver of the one lock when the first or second signal includes the unique identifying signal code for the one lock; and

each of the plurality of locks sends from the second transceiver the third radio frequency signal to the remotely located computer encoded with the unique identifying signal code and lock transaction data where the program records the encoded lock transaction data.

9. The locking system of claim 1 wherein the lock sends the fourth radio frequency signal from the second transceiver to the remotely located computer when the arm moves from the secured position to the open position and the user does not enter the user access code at the key interface to disengage the actuator from the arm.

10. A lock for securing access to a storage area, the lock operating in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation in response to a wireless signal from a remotely located computer running a program to record periodic payments by a user for access to the storage area and termination of a grace period initiated by a lapse in the periodic payments, the lock comprising:

a receiver to receive a radio frequency based command from the remote computer;

a locking element that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position;

a code detector to accept a first user code;

memory for holding a second user code;

a logic unit that validates the first user code to the second user code stored in memory; and

an actuator responsive in the first mode of operation to validation of the first user code by disengaging from the locking element, and in the second mode of operation the actuator does not respond to validation of the first user code;

wherein the lock operates in the second mode in response to the radio frequency based command sent from the remote computer after the termination of the grace period.

11. The lock of claim 10 further comprising a transmitter where the lock transmits a radio frequency based signal from the transmitter to the remote computer, the signal encoding one or more of:

user access events; and

access events which include movement of the locking element from the locked position to the unlocked position when the first user code has not been validated.

12. The lock of claim 10 wherein operation of the lock in the second mode includes the logic unit reprogramming the second user code stored in memory to a new code.

13. The lock of claim 10 wherein the lock is a padlock that secures access by attaching to a hasp.

14. The lock of claim 10 wherein the access is a rollup door or a hinged door and the lock is fixed to the door and not removable by the user.

15. A method for controlling access to a storage unit, wherein a renter maintains rights to the storage unit by remit of periodic rental payments, the method comprising:

recording the periodic rental payments in a computer located remotely from the storage unit;

providing a lock, controllable at least in part by the renter, for securing the storage unit;

providing an overlock assembly controllable by the remotely located computer configured to over lock the storage unit; and

overlocking the storage unit following a grace period initiated by the renter defaulting on the periodic rental payment.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the computer remotely controls the overlock assembly by transmitting a radio frequency signal with encoded commands from the computer to the overlock assembly.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the radio frequency signal is on one or more of the frequency bands of 2 GHz, 3.7 GHz and 5 GHz.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the remotely controllable lockout assembly and the lock are a single assembly.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the remotely controllable overlock assembly is separate from the lock.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising transmitting radio frequency signals from the overlock assembly to the computer, and the signal encodes data including one or more of renter controlled access events, user access code reprogramming events, and lock malfunctions.