Electronic access control device

• US 20050212656A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O.S. Security LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Denison, William D., Silvers, Bradley S., Brownfield, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 8,587,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.730
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/00 Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7006 Predetermined time interval controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7113 Projected and retracted electrically

Abstract

An electronic access control device is disclosed comprising two microprocessors. The first microprocessor receives a wirelessly transmitted that is compared to a stored access code. If those two codes match, the first microprocessor transmits a special communication code to the second microprocessor. The second microprocessor opens the lock if the transmitted communication code matches a stored communication code.

Claims

1. A method directed to an access control device for a vending machine cabinet, the access control device having a processor and a non-volatile memory for storing an access code, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting to a communication port for accessing the non-volatile memory;

sending a read signal through the communication port to trigger the control device to transmit the access code stored in the non-volatile memory;

encrypting the access code;

receiving a transmission of the encrypted access code through the communication port in response to the read signal; and

,

providing the access control device for accessing the vending machine cabinet by unlocking an outer door to the cabinet via a wireless signal.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing power to the access control device from a power supply mounted within the vending machine cabinet.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the access code is substantially permanently stored in the non-volatile memory.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting the encrypted access code.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of decrypting the encrypted access code external to the access control device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting the access code from the access control device.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of encrypting the access code before transmitting the access code from the access control device.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a data transmission path from the processor to another processor.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a data transmission path from the processor to another processor operatively connected to a driver circuit.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a data transmission path from the processor to another processor operatively connected to a driver circuit for operating a lock to the vending machine cabinet.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting a serial number from the access control device.

12. A method directed to an electronic access control device for mounting to a vending machine cabinet, the access control device having a processor-based control circuit including a processor and a non-volatile memory for storing an access code for controlling operation of the access control device, the method comprising:

installing the non-volatile memory in the processor-based control circuit;

sending a write signal through the communication port to the processor-based control circuit to indicate an access code is to be written into the non-volatile memory;

sending an encrypted access code to the access control device; and

writing an access code to the non-volatile memory through the communication port for unlocking an outer door of the vending machine cabinet via a wireless signal.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing power to the access control device from a power supply mounted within the vending machine cabinet.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of substantially permanently storing the access code in the non-volatile memory.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting the encrypted access code.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of decrypting the encrypted access code.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing a data transmission path from the processor to another processor.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing a data transmission path from the processor to another processor operatively connected to a driver circuit.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing a data transmission path from the processor to another processor operatively connected to a driver circuit for operating a lock to the vending machine cabinet.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of transmitting a serial number for the access control device.

21. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of transmitting an encryption code for the access control device.

22. An electronic access control device for a vending machine cabinet comprising:

a processor-based control circuit comprising a processor and a non-volatile memory;

a communication port connected to the processor-based control circuit; and

,

the processor programmed to;

receive a write signal through the communication port;

receive an encrypted access code through the communication port in response to the write signal; and

, write the received access code into the non-volatile memory for unlocking an outer door of the vending machine cabinet via a wireless signal.

23. The electronic access control device of claim 22, wherein the control circuit receives power from a power supply mounted within the vending machine cabinet.

24. The electronic access control device of claim 22, wherein the processor is further programmed to decrypt the encrypted access code.

25. The electronic access control device of claim 22, wherein the processor is further programmed to receive a serial number for said electronic access control device and write the serial number into the non-volatile memory.

26. The electronic access control device of claim 22, further comprising a data transmission path from the processor to another processor operatively connected to a driver circuit.

27. The electronic access control device of claim 22, further comprising a data transmission path from the processor to another processor operatively connected to a driver circuit for operating a lock to the vending machine.

28. The electronic access control device of claim 22, wherein the access code is an encryption code.

29. The electronic access control device of claim 22, wherein the write signal is a switch actuator.

30. The electronic access control device of claim 22, wherein the access control device is unlocked.

31. The electronic access control device of claim 22, further comprising a data transmission path from the processor to a circuit operatively connected to a driver circuit for operating a lock to the vending machine.

32. An electronic access control device for a vending machine cabinet comprising:

a processor-based control circuit comprising a processor and a non-volatile memory containing an access code for unlocking an outer door to the vending machine cabinet; and

a communication port connected to the processor-based control circuit,

the processor programmed to receive a read signal through the communication port, and in response to the read signal transmit the access code in the non-volatile memory out through the communication port, wherein said access code is encrypted.

33. The electronic access control device of claim 32, wherein the control circuit receives power from a power supply mounted within the vending machine cabinet.

34. The electronic access control device of claim 32, wherein the access code is decrypted after leaving the electronic access control device.

35. The electronic access control device of claim 34, wherein the access code is a permanent access code.

36. The electronic access control device of claim 34, further comprising a data transmission path from the processor to a circuit operatively connected to a driver circuit.

37. An electronic access control device for a vending machine cabinet comprising:

first and second controllers separated from each other and shielded from external access, the second controller comprising a memory for storing a communication code;

the first controller receiving an encrypted access signal from a key or keypad, and comparing an input access code within the encrypted access signal to a stored access code to determine if the input access code is valid;

the first controller sending the communication code to the second controller if the input access code is valid, wherein the second controller provides a signal to energize a circuit to unlock an outer door to the vending machine cabinet; and

,

wherein the encrypted access signal is transmitted via a wireless signal from outside the vending machine and conveyed to inside the vending machine.

38. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the second controller receives power from a power supply mounted within the vending machine cabinet.

39. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the encrypted access signal is transmitted wirelessly from the key.

40. The electronic access control device of claim 39, the encrypted access signal comprising a key identification code.

41. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the encrypted access signal is transmitted via infrared from the key.

42. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the encrypted access signal is transmitted via radio-frequency from the key.

43. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the encrypted access signal is transmitted directionally from the key.

44. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein first controller decrypts the encrypted access signal to obtain the input access code.

45. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the input access code is different from the communication code.

46. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the stored access code is different from the communication code.

47. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the first controller is operatively coupled to a transceiver that transmits and receives wireless signals.

48. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the first controller is operatively coupled to a transceiver that transmits and receives infrared signals.

49. The electronic access control device of claim 48 wherein the transceiver is disposed behind an infrared transparent panel on the vending machine cabinet.

50. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein the stored access code is stored within a non-volatile memory that has multiple key codes stored therein.

51. The electronic access control device of claim 37 wherein access event data is transmitted regarding access attempts directed to the electronic access control device if the input access code matches the stored access code.

52. The electronic access control device of claim 37 further comprising a communication device, located at a remote location, that transmits control commands for execution by the first controller or second controller.

53. The electronic access control device of claim 52 wherein the first controller forwards data to a control computer via the communication device.

54. The electronic access control device of claim 52, the data forwarded comprising access event data regarding attempts directed to unlocking the vending machine cabinet.

55. The electronic access control device of claim 37, further comprising a state indication device operable by the first controller or the second controller to indicate operation status of the electronic access control device.

56. The electronic access control device of claim 37, wherein the second controller receives a request and, in response thereto, transmits the communication code to the first controller.

57. The electronic access control device of claim 37, the key comprising a non-volatile memory comprising at least one operational limit register for storing an operation limit of the key.

58. The electronic access control device of claim 37, wherein the first controller transmits an encrypted signal to the key or keypad.

59. The electronic access control device of claim 58, the encrypted signal comprising a lock identification code.

60. The electronic access control device of claim 37, wherein the first controller receives a second encrypted access signal from the key or the keypad.

61. The electronic access control device of claim 37, wherein the stored access code is transmitted wirelessly from the key.

62. The electronic access control device of claim 37, wherein the stored access code is received and stored in a non-volatile memory during a learn mode of operation.

63. The electronic access control device of claim 62, wherein the outer door is unlocked before entering into the learn mode.

64. The electronic access control device of claim 62, wherein the learn mode is initiated by a manual input operation.

65. The electronic access control device of claim 62, wherein the stored access code is encrypted when transmitted to the electronic access control device.

66. The electronic access control device of claim 65, wherein the stored access code is decrypted before the stored access code is loaded into memory.

67. The electronic access control device of claim 63, wherein a verification signal is transmitted after receiving the stored access code.