Vending machines with field-programmable electronic locks

• US 20070096866A1
• Filed: 10/19/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bradley Silvers, Lawrence Brownfield, William Denison
• Original Assignee: Bradley Silvers, Lawrence Brownfield, William Denison
• Inventors: Denison, William, Silvers, Bradley, Brownfield, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US11/583,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20070096866A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.23
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00388 code verification carried out according to the challenge/response method
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/005 whereby the code is a random code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]

Abstract

A vending machine uses a field-programmable electronic lock that learns a key code from a corresponding electronic key. The electronic lock has a learning process activation device that is accessible when the door of the vending machine is in the open position. Using the learning process activation device, a service person activates the electronic lock to perform a key code learning operation, in which the electronic lock receives a key code transmitted from an electronic key and stores the key code in a non-volatile memory for future access control of the vending machine. Data encryption is employed in the communications between the key and the lock to ensure the security of the communications. A communication device installed in the vending machine for communicating with a home base computer allows the operation of the electronic lock to be remotely controlled for access control and auditing purposes.

Claims

1. A method for distributing an access code into an electronic lock and accessing the electronic lock of a vending machine, the vending machine having a door openable for accessing contents of the vending machine and an electronic lock containing an encryption code, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting an electronic key;

interfacing the electronic key to a computer having a software program for key management functionality, a database containing key management data; and

communicating, via a key reader, with the computer for interfacing the computer with the electronic key;

the software program having computer-executable instructions for performing a key programming operation comprising the steps of;

receiving identification of the electronic key,

retrieving from the memory information of a user of the electronic key and at least one operation limit parameter for said user based on the key identification; and

sending at least one operation limit parameter through the key reader to the electronic key for writing into a memory of the electronic key;

placing the electronic lock in a learning mode;

transmitting a first access code in an encrypted form to the electronic lock while the electronic lock is in the learning mode;

decrypting, by the electronic lock, the received first access code using the encryption code; and

storing, by the electronic lock, the first access code in the lock memory.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of the electronic key transmitting to the electronic lock a second key code, and unlocking the door to provide access to the vending machine if the second key code matches the first access code stored in the lock memory.

3. A method of creating an access control route for a plurality of vending machines, each lock containing a unique identification number in a memory of said lock, and containing a same encryption code, and accessible by at least one electronic key with said encryption code, and including the steps of selecting an electronic key containing said encryption code, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a plurality of vending machines;

loading said key memory with a plurality of electronic identification numbers of vending machines making up said route;

providing a route driver with said electronic key and said route driver visiting more than one vending machines; and

,

wirelessly accessing a plurality of said vending machines on said route.

4. A method of access control of a vending machine comprising the steps of:

selecting an electronic key to access a vending machine door;

accessing the vending machine to provide access to the internal equipment of the vending machine including disabling an electronic lock from operation, performing a maintenance task with the vending machine controller to satisfy at least one condition of said controller, and said electronic lock re-enabling based on said controller condition being satisfied to resume operation.

5. A method of creating an access control route for a plurality of vending machines each containing electronic locks each utilizing a same access code and encryption code, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a plurality of vending machines into a learn mode of operation;

transmitting a same access code in an encrypted form to the electronic lock while the electronic lock is in learn mode;

decrypting, by the electronic lock, the received access code using the encryption code;

storing the access code in a memory of the electronic lock;

providing a plurality of employees each an electronic key containing said keycode; and

, accessing a plurality of vending machines on said route by a plurality of employees using a plurality of electronic keys containing said access code.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the plurality of vending machines are accessed wirelessly.

7. A method of programming and distributing electronic keys for accessing vending machines containing electronic locks, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a key assigned to an employee;

a supervisor having appropriate data entering privileges entering work schedule information of said employee into a memory of the computer to establish at least one limit parameter of said employee'"'"'s key; and

,

interfacing said key to a communication port of the computer to establish a programming operation; and

,

programming a memory of said key with said at least one key limit parameter(s).

8. A method of manufacturing a plurality of vending machines containing electronic locks, distributing said vending machines to soft drink bottlers and initializing the security of said vending machine locks, the method comprising the steps of:

assembling the plurality of vending machines in a factory with an electronic lock containing a factory access code;

accessing the electronic lock with a first key containing said factory access code at the factory;

shipping the plurality of vending machines to a soft drink bottling facility;

accessing said vending machine locks with a second key containing said factory access code;

placing the electronic locks into a learn mode of operation; and

transferring a non-factory access code into a memories of said electronic locks.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the vending machine locks are accessed wirelessly.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of using the key to wirelessly access the lock by an encrypted communication method.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the non-factory access code is transferred to the lock by an encrypted communication method.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein both the lock and the key contain the same encryption code.

13. A method of a vending route employee electronically and wirelessly accessing and auditing the access control attempts of a plurality of remotely located vending machines, said vending machines each containing an audit trail memory of key identification codes, datestamps and timestamps of when at least one access attempt occurred, the method comprising the steps of:

visiting the plurality of vending machines at remote locations;

accessing said vending machines with an electronic key using an encryption code, said electronic key receives and stores in a memory of the key the contents of said audit trail memory from said vending machine lock;

said vending route employee returning to a central location and interfacing the key to a communication port of the computer to establish a download operation;

said key transferring said audit trail data from said key into a memory of a computer; and

,

a supervisor with data observation privilege selecting a method of sorting said audit trail data, sorts said data, and reads said data from a display of the computer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the vending machines are accessed wirelessly.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the key wirelessly accesses the lock by an encrypted communication method.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein both the lock and the key contain the same encryption code.

17. A method of programming and distributing electronic keys that electronically and wirelessly access vending machines containing electronic locks, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an order for electronic keys from a vending machine bottler in a designated geographical territory;

selecting a city code representing said territory;

programming said key to said city code by transferring an electronic code representing said city code to a memory of the key;

sending said key to the vending operator in said territory;

placing an electronic lock into a learn mode of operation;

transferring said identification code representing said city code to the memory of said electronic lock; and

,

placing the vending machine containing said electronic lock in the geographical territory represented by said city code.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of marking the electronic key with the city code.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein an electronic key containing said city code wirelessly accesses said electronic lock.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the electronic key wirelessly accesses the lock by an encrypted communication method.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein both the lock and the key contain the same encryption code.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the electronic keys contain operation limit parameters.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the electronic key collects data in the audit trail memory of the electronic lock.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of maintaining the operation limits of the electronic key with a computer.

25. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;

encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a first value, said first value comprising a lock identification number;

encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;

communicating at least one of the first and second values with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine; and

,

comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the memory of the key contains at least one operation limit parameter.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the at least one operation limit parameter in the key includes:

number of days, days of the week, hours of the day, number of accesses, at least one vendor identification number.

37. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of modifying the operation limits at a docking station controlled by a computer.

43. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of the key restricting transmission of the second value if a limit parameter is exceeded.

45. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of the electronic lock memory containing at least one identification code of an electronic key that attempted to access the lock.

49. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of the electronic lock memory containing at least one identification code of an electronic key that attempted to access the lock.

50. The method of claim 25 further comprising the steps of transmitting said memory of at least one key identification code in the electronic lock to the key and storing the key identification code in the memory of the key.

54. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of the electronic key containing a memory consisting of a plurality of key identification codes of electronic keys that attempted to access at least one vending machine.

58. The method of claim 25 wherein the second value contains a key identification number.

26. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;

encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a first value;

encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;

communicating at least one of the first and second values with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine; and

,

comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein the memory of the key contains at least one operation limit parameter.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein the at least one operation limit parameter in the key includes:

number of days, days of the week, hours of the day, number of accesses, at least one vendor identification number.

38. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of modifying the operation limits at a docking station controlled by a computer.

41. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of the key restricting transmission of the first value if a limit parameter is exceeded.

46. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of the electronic lock memory containing at least one identification code of an electronic key that attempted to access the lock.

51. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of transmitting said memory of at least one key identification code in the electronic lock to the key and storing the key identification code in the memory of the key.

55. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of the electronic key containing a memory consisting of a plurality of key identification codes of electronic keys that attempted to access at least one vending machine.

60. The method of claim 26 wherein the first value contains a key identification number.

27. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;

encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a first value, said first value comprising a lock identification number;

communicating the first value with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine;

encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;

communicating the second values with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine; and

,

comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the memory of the key contains at least one operation limit parameter.

35. The method of claim 31 wherein the at least one operation limit parameter in the key includes:

number of days, days of the week, hours of the day, number of accesses, at least one vendor identification number.

39. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of modifying the operation limits at a docking station controlled by a computer.

44. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of the key restricting transmission of the second value if a limit parameter is exceeded.

47. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of the electronic lock memory containing at least one identification code of an electronic key that attempted to access the lock.

52. The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of transmitting said memory of at least one key identification code in the electronic lock to the key and storing the key identification code in the memory of the key.

56. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of the electronic key containing a memory consisting of a plurality of key identification codes of electronic keys that attempted to access at least one vending machine.

59. The method of claim 27 wherein the second value contains a key identification number.

28. A method for unlocking a lock in a vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a lock shielded from external access for unlocking the outer door of the vending machine having an encryption code and an key having an encryption code;

encrypting information with the key using the encryption code to generate a first value;

communicating the first value with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine;

encrypting information with the lock using the encryption code to generate a second value, said second value comprising a lock identification number;

communicating the second value with wireless communication conveyed through the door of the vending machine;

comparing a received lock identification number with a lock identification number stored in a memory to determine if the lock should be accessed.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein the memory of the key contains at least one operation limit parameter.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein the at least one operation limit parameter in the key includes:

number of days, days of the week, hours of the day, number of accesses, at least one vendor identification number.

40. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of modifying the operation limits at a docking station controlled by a computer.

42. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of the key restricting transmission of the first value if a limit parameter is exceeded.

48. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of the electronic lock memory containing at least one identification code of an electronic key that attempted to access the lock.

53. The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of transmitting said memory of at least one key identification code in the electronic lock to the key and storing the key identification code in the memory of the key.

57. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of the electronic key containing a memory consisting of a plurality of key identification codes of electronic keys that attempted to access at least one vending machine.

61. The method of claim 28 wherein the first value contains a key identification number.