Electronic combination lock utilizing a one time use combination

• US RE37,011 E1
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mas-Hamilton Group (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Mas-Hamilton Group (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Inventors: Dawson, Gerald L., Thompson, Daniel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buczinski, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US08/906,535
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 380/23, 380/24, 380/25, 235/382, 340/825.31, 702/78
• US Class Current: 713/182
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00015 the pass having a variable code, e.g. varied by the controlling system G07C9/00103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00666 with dials
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/06 Coin boxes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A combination lock is described where the combination that is used to open the lock is generated on a separate computer system using information that is contained in the lock and a series of steps that combine selected items of the information contained in the lock and alter the results of the results of the combination of the information items. The lock incorporates a computer processor-which performs the identical steps to generate an authorized combination after a combination is entered into the lock. When the two combinations match, the lock is enabled for opening. At least some of the information items used in the generation of the combinations change with each successful opening of the lock, rendering the combination generated by the computer system useable for only a single opening of the lock.

Claims

1. An electronic combination lock comprising:

an input dial for inputting numbers of a combination into said lock;

a display for displaying numbers;

an electronic control means for receiving said numbers of said combinations combination and for comparing said numbers with numbers of an authorized combination;

said electronic control means including;

an encryptinga combination generatorgenerating means responsive to an entered combination for encrypting predetermined data and for generating a combination derived from said predetermined data;

a comparator for comparing said entered combination with said generated combination and, responsive to a compare equal, to generate a signal permitting said lock to open, ;

said encrypting and generating means responsive to a last accepted combination, a parameter unique to said lock, a master combination, at least two values, at least one of said at least two values comprising a variable value, wherein said variable value is changed in a predictable manner upon each opening of said lock to form a result and a manipulation of said result, to generate said authorized combination;

2. The lock of claim 1 wherein said electronic control means comprises storage means for storing said entered combination upon said entered combination equalling said generated authorized combination.

3. The lock of claim 1 wherein said electronic control means further includes a counter, contents of said counter being incremented upon each comparing being equal of to said entered combination and said generated combination, said counter contents being said variable value.

4. The lock of claim 1 wherein said electronic control means further includes means for generating a new master combination responsive to said authorized combination meeting a predetermined criteria.

5. The lock of claim 4 wherein said criteria is that a sum of predesignated digits of said authorized combination equals a predetermined value.

6. A method of providing an electronic combination lock with a single use authorized combination for opening said lock comprising the steps of:

receiving a new combination into said lock;

responsive to said receiving said new combination, generating an authorized combination based upon previously used authorized combination, a value unique to said lock, a randomly alterable master combination, at least two values, at lest one of said at least two values comprising a variable value unique to said lock and a mathematical combining of predesignated digits of said entered combination ;

comparing said generated, authorized combination with said entered combination, ; and

responsive to said a compare equal condition therebetween, replacing said previously used authorized combination with said generated authorized combination, and providing an electrical authorization signal to condition said lock to be opened.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

testing said authorized combination for equality to at least one condition;

responsive to said condition being equalled, altering said randomly alterable master combination to create an altered master combination, ; and

replacing said randomly alterable master combination with said altered master combination.

8. The method of claim 6 additionally including steps of incrementing said variable value by a fixed increment upon successful comparison of said new combination and said authorized combination.

10. An electronic combination lock comprising:

an input for entering numbers of a combination into said lock;

an electronic control for receiving said numbers of said combination and for comparing said numbers with numbers of an authorized combination;

said electronic control including;

an encryptinga combination generator responsive to an entered combination for encrypting predetermined data and for generating a combination derived from said predetermined data;

a comparator for comparing said entered combination with said generated combination and, responsive to a compare equal condition to generate a signal, permitting said lock to open, ;

said encrypting and generating means responsive to a last accepted combination, a parameter unique to said lock, a master combination, and a variable value, wherein said variable value is changed in a predictable manner upon each opening of said lock to form an interim value a result and a manipulation of said interim value, result to generate said authorized combination.

9. The method of claim 7 additionally including steps of incrementing said variable value by a fixed increment upon successful comparison of said new combination and said authorized combination.

10. A computer system for generating a combination for operation of a lock comprising:

a memory for storing one fixed numerical value unique to a designated lock and at least three variable numerical values;

a computer processor;

a control program for controlling said processor to perform a predetermined sequence of operations involving a predetermined fixed numerical value and at least two variable numerical values;

said sequence of operations including at least a first operation of combining one variable numerical value and one fixed numerical value, producing a first result;

a mathematical combining of a second variable value with said first result producing a second result, a rearranging of digits of said second variable numerical value, a mathematical combining of said second result and said rearranged value, producing a third result, adding two digits of said third result to two predesignated digits of said third result, producing a fourth result, and providing said result for the opening of a lock.

11. The computer system of claim 10 wherein said control program defines said first operation of combing as exclusive ORing.

12. The computer system of claim 10 wherein said control program defines said first operation of combining as a mathematical combining.

13. The computer system of claim 10 wherein said two operations of mathematical combining are each addition or subtraction with the two operations being different.

14. An electronic combination lock having a computer for controlling operation of said lock, said computer comprising;

A bolt, a bolt withdrawal mechanism including an actuator responsive to said computer for enabling withdrawal of said bolt;

said computer further comprising;

a memory for storing one fixed numerical value unique to a designated lock and at least three variable numerical values;

a computer processor;

a control program for controlling said processor to perform a predetermined sequence of operations involving a predetermined fixed numerical value and at least two variable numerical values;

said sequence of operations including at least a first operation of combining one variable numerical value and one fixed numerical value, producing a first result;

a mathematical combining of a second variable value with said first result producing a second result, a rearranging of digits of said second variable numerical value, a mathematical combining of said second result and said rearranged value, producing a third result, adding two digits of said third result to two predesignated digits of said third result, producing a fourth result;

said computer processor responsive to said control program to compare said fourth result to a combination generated on a computer system performing identical operations in an identical sequence, using identical fixed and variable values;

said computer responsive to a finding of equality of said fourth result and said combination to signal said actuator to enable said bolt withdrawal.

15. A method of providing an electronic combination lock with a single use authorized combination for opening said lock comprising the steps of:

11. The lock of claim 15 wherein said electronic control comprises storage means for storing said entered combination upon said entered combination equalling said generated authorized combination.

12. The lock of claim 15 wherein said electronic control further includes a counter, contents of said counter incremented upon each comparing equal of said entered combination and said generated combination, said counter contents being said variable value.

13. The lock of claim 15 wherein said electronic control further includes a combination generator for generating a new master combination responsive to said authorized combination meeting a predetermined criteria.

16. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

17. The method of claim 20 additionally including a step of incrementing said variable value by a fixed increment upon successful comparison of said new combination and said authorized combination.

18. The method of claim 21 additionally including a step of incrementing said variable value by a fixed increment upon successful comparison of said new combination and said authorized combination.

14. The lock of claim 18 wherein said criteria is that a sum of predesignated digits of said authorized combination equals a predetermined value.