Device for securing access to a content located inside an enclosure

• US 20040051624A1
• Filed: 05/27/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Systemes
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Systemes
• Inventors: Mandy, Damien, Cuenot, Serge
• Application Number:
  US10/432,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20040051624A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/29 the pass containing active electronic elements, e.g. smartcards

Abstract

The enclosure (V) comprises a communication interface (ICV) with outside, means for processing (IDV, OCV) and means for transferring (OMV) the content and/or data concerning said content (C). The processing means (IDV, OCV) establish an authenticating function with homologous authenticating means (IDK) of a key (K) provided with at least an access right, via the communication interface (ICV) of the enclosure and an homologous communication interface (ICK) of the key (K). In case of positive authentication and positive verification of access right, the processing means of the enclosure (IDV, OCV) command the locking/unlocking means (SDV) to open the door (P). When the door is opened, the processing means of the enclosure (IDV, OCV) transfer the content and/or the content-related data derived from the transfer means of the enclosure (OMV) to the key of the enclosure, via the communication interface (ICV) of the enclosure and the homologous communication interface (ICK) of the key (K).

Claims

1. Device for securing access to a content (C) located inside an enclosure (V), where the said enclosure is of the type comprising a casing (E) that is capable of preventing access to the said content, a door (P) that is capable of preventing access to the inside of the said casing (E) and means (SDV) to unlock door (P), characterised in that the enclosure also comprises a communication interface (ICV) with the outside of the enclosure, processing means (IDV, OCV) and transfer means (OMV) to transfer the content (C) or content data, which processing means (IDV, OCV) are designed to establish an authentication function with homologous authentication means (IDK) of key (K) offering at least one access right via the communication interface (ICV) of the enclosure and homologous communication interface (ICK) of key (K). If the access right is authenticated and verified positively, the enclosure processing means (IDV, OCV) are able to control the locking/unlocking means (SDV) to open the door (P) and if the door is opened, the processing means (IDV, OCV) of the enclosure are designed to transfer the content and/or data relating to the said content from the transfer means (OMV) of the enclosure to the key of the enclosure, via the communication interface (ICV) of the enclosure and homologous communication interface (ICK) of key K.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the processing means of the enclosure (IDV, OCV) are designed to transfer the content and or data relating to the said content from the transfer means (OMV) of the enclosure to the homologous storage means (OMK) of the key.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the authentication function is active.

4. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the communication interface (ICV) of the enclosure is of the type belonging to the group formed by contactless, contact or combined technology.

5. Device according to any claim from 1 to 4, characterised in that information is exchanged between the communication interface of the enclosure and the communication interface of the key till the door is locked, where the exchange is capable of providing information about the use of the key with the enclosure and/or enabling/disabling the access right of the key and/or the authentication means of the key depending on the use of the key with the enclosure.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that if the collection process is not normal, the processing means of the enclosure are capable of disabling the access right and/or the authentication means of the key.

7. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that after verifying the access right and before opening the door, the processing means of the enclosure (IDV, OCV) are capable of disabling the access rights of the key, whereas if the door is closed normally, the processing means (IDV, OCV) of the enclosure are capable of enabling the access rights of the key.

8. Key designed to cooperate with a device for securing access to a content (C) located inside an enclosure (V) of the type including a casing (E) capable of preventing access to the said content, door (P) capable of preventing access to the inside of the said casing (E), processing means (IDV) and means (SDV) for locking/unlocking door (P), characterised in that the key (K) offers at least one access right and has a communication interface (ICK) designed to communicate with the homologous communication interface (ICV) of the enclosure, processing means (IDK) and storage means (OMK), where the said processing means (IDK) of the key are designed to establish an authentication function with the homologous authentication means (IDV) of the processing means of the enclosure, via the communication interface (ICK) of key (K) and the homologous communication interface (ICV) of enclosure (V). If the access right verification and authentication are positive, the locking/unlocking means are designed to open the door (P);

if the door of the enclosure is opened, processing means (IDK) of the key are designed to transfer the content and/or data relating to the content from the transfer means of the enclosure (OMV) to the storage means of the key via the communication interface (ICV) of the enclosure and the homologous communication interface (ICK) of key (K).

9. Key according to claim 8, characterised in that information is exchanged between the communication interface of the enclosure and the communication interface of the key during all or part of the collection till the door is locked, where the exchange is capable of providing information about the use of the key with the enclosure and/or enabling/disabling the access right of the key and/or the authentication means of the key depending on the use of the key with the enclosure.

10. Key according to claim 9, characterised in that if the collection process is not normal, the access right and/or the authentication means of the key can be disabled.

11. Key according to claim 10, characterised in that after authenticating the key and verifying the access right and before unlocking the door, the processing means of the enclosure (IDV, OCV) are capable of disabling the access right of the key, whereas if door (P) is locked normally, the processing means (IDV, OCV) of the enclosure are designed to enable the access rights of the key.

12. Key according to claim 9, characterised in that the authentication function is active.

13. Key according to any claim from 9 to 12, characterised in that the communication interface (ICK) of the key is of the type belonging to the group formed by contactless, contact and combined technology.

14. Key according to any claim from 9 to 13, characterised in that it has the format of a smart card or an equivalent format.