Electronic security system for monitoring mechanical keys and other items

• US 8,643,487 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triteq Lock & Security LLC
• Original Assignee: Triteq Lock & Security LLC
• Inventors: Roatis, Calin V., Denison, William D., Myers, Gary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jiang, Yong Hang
• Application Number:
  US13/556,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20130021156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.6, 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.65, 340/5.66, 340/5.73, 340/540, 340/541
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/77 in smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2105 Dual mode as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10227 loading programming parameters or programs into the interrogator, e.g. for configuring the interrogator
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0088 centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• 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 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• 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

Abstract

A security system with a security container and an electronic lock circuit is used to securely store mechanical keys or other valuable items. Items to be protected are placed in a secured location in the security container. A detector of the security system detects whether the items are indeed in the secured location, such as by means of receiving signals from a transponder attached to the items. The security container is locked only if the items are detected to be in the secured location. Audit trail records for the locking and unlocking events of the security container may be transmitted to a device remote to the security container for analysis. A monitoring device with a location identification device, such as a GPS sensor, may be attached to items to be monitored for tracking locations and activities of the items.

Claims

1. An electronic security system, comprising:

a secured enclosure including a safe or a vending machine;

an electronic detection circuit for detecting authorized and unauthorized access events;

a closure having a storage area for containing an item to be protected, the closure being movable to an open position for accessing the item and a closed position in which the item contained in the closure is not accessible;

a first detector limited in distance and in direction configured to detect an item within substantially less than the storage area of the closure, the first detector detecting an identification value of the item as the item is being positioned and secured in a select area of the closure, and storing in a memory a first record comprising the identification value of the item being protected in the closure while the closure is in the closed position;

a second detector configured to detect authorized and unauthorized accessing of the closure and storing in a memory a second record, after the storing of the first record, the second record comprising an identification code associated with one of either the authorized or the unauthorized closure access event;

a data storage and communication device comprising an identification number and one of either the first or the second record, configured to perform, at least in part, a network communication operation between a plurality of communication devices comprising at least one of either the first record and the second record, and a signal produced in a first location to initiate transfer of one of either the first record or the second record between the data storage and communication device in the first location and a communication device or a database in a second location, wherein the transfer includes a value corresponding to a time or date associated with one of either the first record or second record to the database;

a processor located remote to the secured enclosure and employing an operating system for operating a plurality of tasks, wherein at least one task is a software program for record data management;

a database pointer comprising a database path identification; and

a database selected via the database path identification, said database comprising item identification values and access identification codes;

wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for performing, at least in part, a data transfer operation, said operation comprising the steps of;

selecting the database via the database path identification and communicating at least one of the first record and the second record with the database;

identifying a record stored in the database associated with an unauthorized access event; and

transmitting one of either an email or a text message containing the identification parameter of a lock or a closure or an item that was subject to the unauthorized access event to a device remote to the secured enclosure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a value corresponding to a time or date associated with both the first record and the second record is communicated.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing the storage of the database path identification into a database pointer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one of either the first record or the second record is limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing storage of a closure name into the database.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the data record storage task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the unauthorized access event record identification/sorting task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the data record viewing/management task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the data transfer operation of the first record is a periodically scheduled task.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein records communicated via the communication device are limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

11. An electronic security system, comprising:

a secured enclosure including a safe or a vending machine;

a lock;

an electronic lock control circuit for controlling operations of the lock and for identifying authorized and unauthorized lock access events;

a closure having a storage area for containing an item or items to be protected, the closure being movable to an open position for accessing the item and a closed position in which the item contained in the closure is not accessible;

a first detector limited in distance and in direction configured to detect an item within substantially less than the storage area of the closure, the first detector detects an identification value of the item as the item is being positioned and secured in a select area of the closure, and storing in a memory a first record comprising the identification value of the item being protected in the closure while the closure is in the closed position;

wherein the electronic lock control circuit is configured to actuate the lock to unlock the closure upon receiving an access signal;

a second detector configured to detect authorized and unauthorized accesses of the closure, and storing in a memory, a second record stored after the storing of the first record, the second record comprising an identification code associated with one of either the authorized or unauthorized closure access event;

a data storage and communication device comprising an identification number and one of either the first record or the second record, configured to perform, at least in part, a network communication operation between a plurality of communication devices comprising at least one of the first record and the second record, and a signal produced in a first location to initiate the transfer of one of either the first record or the second record between the data storage and communication device in the first location and a communication device or a database in a second location;

a processor located remote to the secured enclosure and employing an operation system for operating a plurality of tasks, wherein at least one task is a software program for record data management;

a database pointer comprising a database path identification; and

a database selected via the database path identification, said database comprising item identification values and access identification codes;

wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for performing, at least in part, a data transfer operation, said operation comprising the steps of;

selecting the database via the database path identification and communicating at least one of the first record and the second record with the database;

identifying a record stored in the database associated with an unauthorized access event; and

transmitting one of either an email or a text message containing the identification parameter of a lock or a closure or an item that was subject to the unauthorized access event to a device remote to the secured enclosure.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing the storage of the database path identification into a database pointer.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein one of either the first record or the second record is limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing storage of a closure name into the database.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the data record storage task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the unauthorized access event record identification/sorting task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the data record viewing/management task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the data transfer operation of the first record is a periodically scheduled task.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein records communicated via the communication device are limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

20. An electronic security system, comprising:

a secured enclosure including a safe or a vending machine;

an electronic detection system for detecting authorized and unauthorized access events;

a closure having a storage area for containing an item to be protected, the closure being movable to an open position for accessing the item and a closed position in which the item contained in the closure is not accessible;

a first detector limited in distance and in direction configured to detect an item within substantially less than the storage area of the closure, the first detector detecting an identification value of the item as the item is being positioned and secured in a select area of the closure, and storing in a memory a first record comprising the identification value of the item being protected in the closure while the closure is in the closed position;

a second detector configured to detect the authorized and unauthorized accessing of the closure and storing in a memory a second record, stored after the storing of the first record, the second record comprising an identification code associated with one of either the authorized or the unauthorized closure access event;

a data storage and communication device enabled and disabled for data storage operation, comprising an identification number and one of either the first record or the second record, configured to perform, at least in part, a network communication operation between a plurality of communication devices comprising at least one of the first record and the second record, and a signal produced in a first location to initiate the transfer of one of either the first record or the second record between the data storage and communication device in the first location and a communication device in a second location;

a processor located remote to the secured enclosure and employing an operating system for operating a plurality of tasks, wherein at least one task is a software program for record data management;

a database pointer comprising a database path identification; and

a database selected via the database path identification, said database comprising item identification values and access identification codes;

wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for performing, at least in part, a data transfer operation, said operation comprising the steps of;

selecting the database via the database path identification and communicating the first record or the second record with the database;

identifying a record stored in the database associated with an unauthorized access event;

transmitting one of either an email or a text message containing the identification parameter of a lock or a closure or an item that was subject to an unauthorized access event to a device remote to the secured enclosure; and

initiating communication of an enable signal from the communication device or database in the second location to the data storage and communication device in the first location.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing the storage of the database path identification into a database pointer.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein one of either the first record or the second record is limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein records communicated via the communication device are limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the data record storage task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the unauthorized access event record identification/sorting task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the data record viewing/management task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the data transfer operation of the first record is a periodically scheduled task.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing storage of a closure name into the database.

29. An electronic security system, comprising:

a secured enclosure including a safe or a vending machine;

an electronic detection system for detecting authorized and unauthorized access events;

a closure having a storage area for containing an item to be protected, the closure being movable to an open position for accessing the item and a closed position in which the item contained in the closure is not accessible;

a first detector limited in distance and in direction configured to detect an item within substantially less than the storage area of the closure, the first detector detects an identification value of the item as the item is being positioned and secured in a select area of the closure, and stores in a memory a first record comprising the identification value of the item being protected in the closure while the closure is in the closed position;

a second detector configured to detect the authorized and unauthorized accessing of the closure and storing in a memory a second record, stored after the storing of the first record, the second record comprising an identification code associated with either the authorized or the unauthorized closure access event;

a third detector for detecting one or more conditions involving one of either the closure of the item, and storing in a memory a third record, stored after the storing of the first record, the third record comprising a value or condition associated with one of either the closure of the item;

a data storage and communication device enabled and disabled for data storage operation, comprising an identification number and one of either the first record, the second record or the third record, configured to perform, at least in part, a network communication operation between a plurality of communication devices comprising at least one of the first record, the second record, and the third record, and a signal produced in a first location to initiate the transfer of one of either the first record or the second records between the data storage and communication device in the first location and a communication device in a second location;

a processor located remote to the secured enclosure and employing an operating system for operating a plurality of tasks, wherein at least one task is a software program for record data management;

a database pointer comprising a database path identification; and

a database selected via the database path identification, said database comprising item identification values and access identification codes;

wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for performing, at least in part, a data transfer operation, said operation comprising the steps of;

selecting the database via the database path identification and communicating at least one of the first record and the second record with the database;

identifying a record stored in the database associated with an unauthorized access event; and

transmitting one of either an email or a text message containing the identification parameter of a lock or a closure or an item that was subject to an unauthorized access event to a device remote to the secured enclosure.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing the storage of the database path identification into a database pointer.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein one of either the first record or the second record is limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing storage of a closure name into the database.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein the data record storage task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein the unauthorized access event record identification/sorting task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

35. The system of claim 29, wherein the data record viewing/management task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

36. The system of claim 29, wherein the data transfer operation of the first record is a periodically scheduled task.

37. The system of claim 29, wherein records communicated via the communication device are limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

38. An electronic security system, comprising:

a secured enclosure including a safe or a vending machine;

an electronic detection system for detecting authorized and unauthorized access events;

a closure having a storage area for containing an item to be protected and being in a first location, the closure being movable between an open position for accessing the item and a closed position in which the item contained in the closure is not accessible;

a first detector limited in distance and in direction configured to detect an item within substantially less than the storage area of the closure, the first detector detecting an identification value of the item as the item is being positioned and secured in a select area of the closure, and storing in a memory a first record comprising the identification value of the item being protected in the closure while the closure is in the closed position;

a second detector configured to detect the authorized and unauthorized accessing of the closure and storing in a memory, a second record stored after the storing of the first record, the second record comprising an identification code associated with one of either the authorized or the unauthorized closure access event;

a third record stored in the first location and comprising at least one identification number associated with the closure and one of either a customer name or location name;

a data storage and communication device enabled and disabled for data storage operation, comprising an identification number and one of either the first record, the second record or the third record, configured to perform, at least in part, a network communication operation between a plurality of communication devices comprising at least one of the first record, the second record, and the third record, and a signal produced in the first location to initiate the transfer of at least one of the first record and the second record between the data storage and communication device located in the first location and a communication device in a second location;

a processor located remote to the secured enclosure and employing an operating system for operating a plurality of tasks, wherein at least one task is a software program for record data management;

a database pointer comprising a database path identification; and

a database selected via the database path identification, said database comprising item identification values and access identification codes;

wherein the software program includes computer-executable instructions for performing, at least in part, a data transfer operation, said operation comprising the steps of;

selecting the database via the database path identification and communicating at least one of the first record and the second record with the database;

identifying a record stored in the database associated with an unauthorized access event; and

transmitting one of either an email or a text message containing the customer name or location of a closure or an item that was subject to an unauthorized access event to a device remote to the secured enclosure.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein a value corresponding to a time or date associated with the third record is communicated.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing the storage of the database path identification into a database pointer.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein one of either the first record or the second record is limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein an authorization code or password is compared to a stored code prior to allowing storage of a closure name into the database.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein the data record storage task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the unauthorized access event record identification/sorting task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

45. The system of claim 38, wherein the data record viewing/management task and the network communication task operate in an order based on priority.

46. The system of claim 38, wherein the data transfer operation of the first record is a periodically scheduled task.

47. The system of claim 38, wherein records communicated via the communication device are limited to data storage into the database selected via the database pointer.