Safe with controllable data transfer capability

• US 9,317,987 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2007
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sentry Safe, Inc. (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John D Brush & Company Incorporated (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cleveland, Terri P., Rhode, Torsten, Wildman, Kelvin H., Osiecki, Scott, McLean, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US12/161,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20090165682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,373 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.1, 340/693, 340/542, 109/23, 710/1, 710/62, 702/63, 702/782, 700/79, 370/342, 455/41.2, 364/184, 711/164, 361/683, 361/687, 361/724
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/625 Operation and control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key

Abstract

A safe including a safe controller coupled to a data transfer port is provided. The safe controller is configured to selectively enable device data to pass through the data transfer port when a valid code is received by the safe controller. A system for controlling data communications with an internal device in a safe is also provided. The system includes an external computing device configured to execute a series of instructions, and a safe. The safe includes a data transfer port coupled to the external computing device and the internal device. The safe also includes a safe controller coupled to the data transfer port, wherein the safe controller is configured to selectively enable communication between the external computing device and the internal device when a valid code is received by the safe controller.

Claims

1. A safe comprising:

an outer structure defining an access opening and an interior compartment;

a door pivotally coupled to the outer structure and configured for being moved between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the door is positioned in the access opening when in the closed position;

a data transfer port comprising an external side, an internal side and a communication port, wherein the external side is accessible from outside the safe, wherein the data transfer port is configured to be in communication with a data storage device positioned within the interior compartment of the safe, wherein the data transfer port is configured to receive a valid code and device data, and wherein the valid code and the device data are encoded together as coded data; and

a safe controller coupled to the internal side of the data transfer port, wherein the safe controller comprises an internal data port accessible from the interior compartment of the safe, and wherein the safe controller is configured to recognize the valid code among at least a portion of communication data received on the communication port,

wherein the safe controller is configured to decode the coded data to extract any device data from the coded data and selectively allow the decoded device data to pass through the data transfer port and the internal data port to the data storage device when the door is in the closed position and only after the valid code is received by the safe controller and decoded from the coded data.

2. A safe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an input device coupled to the safe controller, wherein the input device may be used to generate the valid code.

3. A safe in accordance with claim 2, wherein the input device is a local input device.

4. A safe in accordance with claim 2, wherein the input device is selected from the group consisting of a keypad, a biometric reader, an electronic key reader, a card reader, and a remote control sensor.

5. A safe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data transfer port and the communications port are combined into the same physical port.

6. A safe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the valid code and the device data are in separate data packets.

7. A safe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one lock mechanism that selectively couples the outer structure to the door,

wherein the safe controller is coupled to the lock mechanism, and wherein the safe controller, in response at least in part to a communication received on the data transfer port, is configured to selectively control the lock mechanism to a) lock the door to the outer structure when the door is in the closed position or b) unlock the door from the outer structure, to control access to the access opening.

8. A safe in accordance with claim 7, wherein the data transfer port comprises a cable connector passing through at least one of the outer structure and the door.

9. A safe in accordance with claim 7, wherein the data transfer port comprises an optical connector passing through at least one of the outer structure and the door.

10. A safe in accordance with claim 7, wherein the data transfer port comprises an antenna.

11. A safe in accordance with claim 10, wherein the antenna is located outside of the safe.

12. A safe in accordance with claim 10, wherein the antenna is located inside the outer structure and a portion of the data transfer port is accessible inside of the safe.

13. A safe in accordance with claim 10, wherein the antenna is located inside the door and a portion of the data transfer port is accessible inside of the safe.

14. A safe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the safe comprises a fire-resistant safe.

15. A safe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the safe is selected from the group consisting of a non-fire-resistant safe, a crush safe, a water resistant safe, a gun safe, a chest, and a file cabinet safe.

16. A safe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a local output coupled to the safe controller.

17. A safe in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

the outer structure includes an outer wall and an inner wall defining a first space therebetween;

the door includes an outer wall and an inner wall defining a second space therebetween; and

a fire-resistant insulating material is positioned within the first and second spaces.

18. A safe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a gasket disposed on one of the outer structure and the door such that an interior space defined by the door and the outer structure is substantially sealed to resist water entry between the outer structure and the door when the door is in the closed position.

19. A safe, comprising:

an outer structure defining an access opening and an interior compartment;

a door pivotally coupled to the outer structure and configured for being moved between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the door is positioned in the access opening when in the closed position;

a data transfer port comprising an external side, an internal side and a communication port, wherein the external side is accessible from outside the safe, wherein the data transfer port is configured to be in communication with a data storage device positioned within the interior compartment of the safe, wherein the data transfer port is configured to receive a valid code and device data, and wherein the valid code and the device data are in separate data packets;

a safe controller coupled to the internal side of the data transfer port, wherein the safe controller comprises an internal data port accessible from the interior compartment of the safe, and wherein the safe controller is configured to recognize the valid code among at least a portion of communication data received on the communication port,

wherein the safe controller is configured to allow at least one device data packet to pass from the external side via the internal side of the data transfer port through to the internal data port following the receipt of at least one valid code packet when the door is in the closed position and only after the least one valid code packet is received by the safe controller.

20. A safe in accordance with claim 19, further comprising an input device coupled to the safe controller, wherein the input device may be used to generate the valid code.

21. A safe in accordance with claim 20, wherein the input device is a local input device.

22. A safe in accordance with claim 20, wherein the input device is selected from the group consisting of a keypad, a biometric reader, an electronic key reader, a card reader, and a remote control sensor.

23. A safe in accordance with claim 19, wherein the data transfer port and the communications port are combined into the same physical port.

24. A safe in accordance with claim 19, further comprising:

at least one lock mechanism that selectively couples the outer structure to the door,

wherein the safe controller is coupled to the lock mechanism, and wherein the safe controller, in response at least in part to a communication received on the data transfer port, is configured to selectively control the lock mechanism to a) lock the door to the outer structure when the door is in the closed position or b) unlock the door from the outer structure, to control access to the access opening.

25. A safe in accordance with claim 24, wherein the data transfer port comprises a cable connector passing through at least one of the outer structure and the door.

26. A safe in accordance with claim 24, wherein the data transfer port comprises an optical connector passing through at least one of the outer structure and the door.

27. A safe in accordance with claim 24, wherein the data transfer port comprises an antenna.

28. A safe in accordance with claim 27, wherein the antenna is located outside of the safe.

29. A safe in accordance with claim 27, wherein the antenna is located inside the outer structure and a portion of the data transfer port is accessible inside of the safe.

30. A safe in accordance with claim 27, wherein the antenna is located inside the door and a portion of the data transfer port is accessible inside of the safe.

31. A safe in accordance with claim 19, wherein the safe comprises a fire-resistant safe.

32. A safe in accordance with claim 19, wherein the safe is selected from the group consisting of a non-fire-resistant safe, a crush safe, a water resistant safe, a gun safe, a chest, and a file cabinet safe.

33. A safe in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a local output coupled to the safe controller.

34. A safe in accordance with claim 19, wherein:

the outer structure includes an outer wall and an inner wall defining a first space therebetween;

the door includes an outer wall and an inner wall defining a second space therebetween; and

a fire-resistant insulating material is positioned within the first and second spaces.

35. A safe in accordance with claim 19, further comprising:

a gasket disposed on one of the outer structure and the door such that an interior space defined by the door and the outer structure is substantially sealed to resist water entry between the outer structure and the door when the door is in the closed position.