ELECTRONIC LOCK AND KEY ASSEMBLY

• US 20140283568A1
• Filed: 06/04/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heather M. Knox
• Original Assignee: Heather M. Knox
• Inventors: Trempala, Dohn J., Wolski, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 9,424,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/344
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/002 Keys with mechanical characteristics, e.g. notches, perforations, opaque marks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00706 with conductive components, e.g. pins, wires, metallic strips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7136 Key initiated actuation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/765 Key only controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 Tampering prevention or attack defeating

Abstract

A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An electronic key comprising:

a power source;

a processor in communication with the power source;

a data transmission device comprising an annular structure, the data transmission device configured to communicate data from the processor to a data receiving device in a lock when the data transmission device is in electromagnetic communication with the data receiving device during engaging of the key with the lock, despite the data transmission device not being in electrical contact with the data receiving device during said engaging of the key with the lock; and

a first power coil having an axis positioned within an opening defined by the annular structure of the data transmission device, the first power coil configured to transfer power from the power source to a second power coil in the lock responsive to the key engaging with the lock.

3. The electronic key of claim 2, wherein the data transmission device comprises an inductor.

4. The electronic key of claim 3, wherein the data transmission device comprises a toroidal shape.

5. The electronic key of claim 2, wherein the annular structure of the data transmission device is concentrically aligned with the first power coil.

6. The electronic key of claim 2, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

7. The electronic key of claim 2, further comprising an input device configured to receive a code from a user.

8. The electronic key of claim 7, wherein the data communicated from the processor is responsive to the code received from the user.

9. An electronic lock comprising:

a data receiving device comprising an annular structure, the data receiving device configured to receive data from a data transmission device in a key when the data receiving device is in electromagnetic communication with the data transmission device during engaging of the key with the lock, despite the data receiving device not being in electrical contact with the data transmission device during said engaging of the key with the lock; and

a first power coil having an axis positioned within an opening defined by the annular structure of the data receiving device, the first power coil configured to receive power from a second power coil in the key responsive to the key engaging with the lock.

10. The electronic lock of claim 9, wherein the data receiving device comprises an inductor.

11. The electronic lock of claim 9, wherein the data receiving device comprises a toroidal shape.

12. The electronic lock of claim 9, wherein the annular structure of the data receiving device is concentrically aligned with the first power coil.

13. An electronic key comprising:

a power source;

a data transmission device comprising an annular structure, the data transmission device configured to electromagnetically communicate data to a lock when the data transmission device is in electromagnetic communication with the lock; and

a power coil having an axis positioned within an opening defined by the annular structure of the data transmission device, the power coil configured to electromagnetically transfer power from the power source to the lock.

14. The electronic key of claim 13, wherein the data transmission device comprises an inductor.

15. The electronic key of claim 14, wherein the data transmission device comprises a toroidal shape.

16. The electronic key of claim 13, wherein the annular structure of the data transmission device is concentrically aligned with the power coil.

17. The electronic key of claim 13, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

18. The electronic key of claim 13, further comprising an input device configured to receive a code from a user.

19. The electronic key of claim 13, further comprising a processor configured to access second data from the lock, the second data identifying one or more identification numbers of one or more second keys used to access the lock.