Electronic lock and key assembly

• US 8,746,023 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heather M. Knox
• Original Assignee: Heather M. Knox
• Inventors: Trempala, Dohn J., Wolski, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): BOSWELL, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US13/706,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20130160505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 702/76, 702/77, 702/782, 702/783, 702/787, 702/791, 702/83, 702/831, 70367-369, 703/71, 703/79.A, 703/79.R, 703/80, 703/86, 703/89, 704/16, 704/17, 704/21, 340/5.7
• US Class Current: 70/278.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/002 Keys with mechanical characteristics, e.g. notches, perforations, opaque marks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00706 with conductive components, e.g. pins, wires, metallic strips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7136 Key initiated actuation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/765 Key only controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 Tampering prevention or attack defeating

Abstract

A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another.

Claims

1. An electronic locking apparatus comprising:

an electronic key comprising;

a key power coil comprising a plurality of first wire windings configured to be in communication with a power source; and

a key data coil comprising a plurality of second wire windings;

wherein the key power coil and the key data coil are positioned such that they do not substantially interfere with one another during simultaneous power communication by the key power coil and data communication by the key data coil.

2. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or both of the key power coil and the key data coil are at least partially enclosed in a metal casing, the metal casing comprising at least one opening configured to allow magnetic fields to pass through the metal casing.

3. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key data coil is substantially torus-shaped.

4. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 3, wherein the key power coil is substantially solenoid-shaped.

5. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the key power coil and the key data coil are substantially concentric.

6. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key power coil and the key data coil each comprises an inductor.

7. An electronic locking apparatus comprising:

an electronic lock comprising;

a lock power coil comprising a plurality of first wire windings; and

a lock data coil comprising a plurality of second wire windings, the second wire windings of the lock data coil being substantially perpendicular to the first wire windings of the lock power coil;

wherein the lock power coil and the lock data coil are configured such that they do not interfere with one another, such that the lock data coil is thereby enabled to inductively receive data simultaneously while the lock power coil inductively receives power.

8. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 7, wherein one or both of the lock power coil and the lock data coil are at least partially enclosed in a metal casing, the metal casing comprising at least one opening configured to allow magnetic fields to pass through the metal casing.

9. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lock data coil is substantially torus-shaped.

10. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lock power coil is substantially solenoid-shaped.

11. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lock power coil and the lock data coil are substantially concentric.

12. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lock power coil and the lock data coil each comprises an inductor.