Vending machines with field-programmable electronic locks
First Claim
1. An access control system for a plurality of vending machines wherein each vending machine has a door openable for accessing contents of each vending machine and an electronic lock for unlocking the door of each vending machine, the access control system comprising:
- at least one electronic key comprising;
a microcomputer;
a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving communications over a wireless band;
a non-volatile memory having stored therein at least one operation limit parameter, and computer executable instructions for performing an encryption operation based on an encryption code; and
an activation device connected to the microcomputer and operable for generating an activation signal for triggering the microcomputer to initiate an access code transmission operation in which the microprocessor performs the encryption operation to encrypt a value including an access code, and the wireless communication interface is used to transmit the encrypted value, wherein the microcomputer is programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process during a key transmission operation with an electronic lock on a vending machine using encrypted communications through the wireless communication interface; and
at least one key management system for management of electronic keys used to access electronic locks of vending machines, comprising;
a computer having a software program for key management functionality;
a memory containing key management data; and
a key reader communicating with the computer for interfacing the computer with an electronic key;
the software program having computer-executable instructions for performing an key programming operation with the steps of;
retrieving from the memory information of a user of the key and at least one operation limit parameters for said key;
sending the at least one operation limit parameter through the key reader to the key for writing into a memory of the key; and
each electronic lock comprising an electronic control circuit including a microprocessor, a memory and a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving wireless communications, the microcomputer being programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process with an electronic key using encrypted communications through the wireless communication interface, wherein during the challenge-response process the microcomputer receives an encrypted value including an access code transmitted from the electronic key, decrypts the received value and compares the received access code with a code stored in the memory of the electronic lock, and unlocks the door of the vending machine if the received access code matches code stored in the memory.
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Accused Products
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.
100 Citations
42 Claims
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1. An access control system for a plurality of vending machines wherein each vending machine has a door openable for accessing contents of each vending machine and an electronic lock for unlocking the door of each vending machine, the access control system comprising:
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at least one electronic key comprising;
a microcomputer;
a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving communications over a wireless band;
a non-volatile memory having stored therein at least one operation limit parameter, and computer executable instructions for performing an encryption operation based on an encryption code; and
an activation device connected to the microcomputer and operable for generating an activation signal for triggering the microcomputer to initiate an access code transmission operation in which the microprocessor performs the encryption operation to encrypt a value including an access code, and the wireless communication interface is used to transmit the encrypted value, wherein the microcomputer is programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process during a key transmission operation with an electronic lock on a vending machine using encrypted communications through the wireless communication interface; and
at least one key management system for management of electronic keys used to access electronic locks of vending machines, comprising;
a computer having a software program for key management functionality;
a memory containing key management data; and
a key reader communicating with the computer for interfacing the computer with an electronic key;
the software program having computer-executable instructions for performing an key programming operation with the steps of;
retrieving from the memory information of a user of the key and at least one operation limit parameters for said key;
sending the at least one operation limit parameter through the key reader to the key for writing into a memory of the key; and
each electronic lock comprising an electronic control circuit including a microprocessor, a memory and a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving wireless communications, the microcomputer being programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process with an electronic key using encrypted communications through the wireless communication interface, wherein during the challenge-response process the microcomputer receives an encrypted value including an access code transmitted from the electronic key, decrypts the received value and compares the received access code with a code stored in the memory of the electronic lock, and unlocks the door of the vending machine if the received access code matches code stored in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vending machine comprising:
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a door openable to access contents of the vending machine;
an electronic lock for unlocking the door of each vending machine; and
an electronic key comprising;
a microcomputer;
a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving communications over a wireless band;
a non-volatile memory having stored therein an access code, and computer executable instructions for performing an encryption operation based on an encryption code; and
an activation device connected to the microcomputer and operable for generating an activation signal for triggering the microcomputer to initiate an access code transmission operation in which the microprocessor performs the encryption operation to encrypt the access code stored in the non-volatile memory, and the wireless communication interface is used to transmit the encrypted access code;
wherein the microcomputer is programmed to perform a bi-directional challenge-response process during a key transmission operation with an electronic lock on a vending machine using encrypted communications through the wireless communication interface; and
,an electronic lock for unlocking the door of the vending machine, the electronic lock comprising a control circuit including a microcomputer, a non-volatile memory, a wireless communication interface for receiving wireless-communications, and a learning mode activation device, the microcomputer being programmed to perform steps of receiving a learning mode activation signal from the learning mode activation device and, in response to the learning mode activation signal, receiving a first access code in an encrypted form via the wireless communication interface, and store the first access code in the non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification