Personal digital assistant key for an electronic lock

• US 6,937,140 B1
• Filed: 06/28/1999
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GE Interlogix Incorporated (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Outslay, John Steven, Larson, Wayne F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/312,919
• Time in Patent Office: 2,255 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/5.65, 340/5.51, 340/5.54, 340/5.32, 340/5.31, 340/5.23, 340/5.73, 235/382, 341/176, 341/23, 708/109, 708/135
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/32 Time-recording locks
• 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 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/215 the system having a variable access-code, e.g. varied as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration

Abstract

A mechanical interface (84) for a PDA (80) allows the PDA to be positioned in an operative relationship relative to an electronic lock or electronic lockbox (82). The mechanical interface allows the PDA to be used as a key (80) to actuate the lock, by transmitting signals from the PDA to the lock. The PDA retains its normal functionality as a general purpose computer, and the interface can also form part of a link between the PDA and a remote computer (88) and/or database (92).

Claims

1. In a key for an electronic lock, the lock having a physical interface with which the key is designed to mechanically interact, an improvement wherein the key is a general purpose personal digital assistant device that has been modified to provide a physical interface for interacting with the physical interface of the lock and has a display capable of displaying at least characters and of displaying a soft key operable by a user, said device being adapted to provide unlocking signals to the lock, wherein the functionality of an electronic key is provided with that of a personal digital assistant.

2. A key for use with an electronic lock having a mechanical interface shaped to receive at least a portion of the key, the key comprising:

a general purpose personal digital assistant (PDA) programmed to selectively transmit electrical signals to unlock the lock, the PDA having a display capable of displaying at least characters and of displaying a soft key operable by a user; and

a mechanical interface attached to and electrically coupled to the personal digital assistant, the mechanical interface receiving the electrical unlocking signals from the PDA and conveying the electrical signals to the lock when the key is engaged with the lock.

3. The key of claim 2, wherein the PDA has a circuit terminating in an external electrical connection through which the electrical signals from the PDA are transmitted, and the mechanical interface has a conductor with a first end connected to the external electrical connection and a second end connectible to the lock, and wherein when the key is coupled to the lock with the second end connected to the lock, the electrical signals from the PDA can be selectively transmitted from the PDA to the lock through the external electrical connection and the conductor.

4. A secure entry system for securing an area and allowing the area to be selectively accessed by authorized individuals, comprising:

an electronic lock positioned to secure the area if locked and to allow access to the area if unlocked, the lock having a lock physical interface;

an electronic key operable to selectively transmit unlocking signals from the key to the lock by direct electrical contact to cause the lock to change from locked state to an unlocked state, the electronic key having additional functionality as a general purpose personal digital assistant that includes a display capable of displaying at least characters and of displaying a soft key operable by a user; and

a key physical interface physically and electrically coupled to the electronic key, the key physical interface being shaped to cooperate with the lock physical interface, wherein the key physical interface transmits electrical signals between the coupled key and the lock when the key physical interface and coupled key are positioned in a cooperative relationship with the lock physical interface and the key is operated.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the display is capable of displaying a text message regarding interaction between the electronic key and electronic lock.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the display is capable of displaying a text message providing instructions to a user seeking to access the electronic lock.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the display is capable of displaying a text message providing an indication that the PDA has received a communication.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the display is capable of displaying an array of soft keys individually operable to enter numerals.

9. A method of providing authorized access to an area secured by a secure entry system, the secure entry system having an electronic lock positioned to secure the area, an electronic key operable to unlock the lock and having additional functionality as a personal digital assistant, the key having an attached mechanical interface shaped to couple with the electronic lock and a display capable of displaying a soft key operable by a user, the method comprising:

coupling the mechanical interface to the electronic lock such that the electronic key is in direct electrical contact with the electronic lock via the mechanical interface;

operating the soft key of the key display to begin an unlocking sequence in which a text message is displayed on the key; and

receiving user input entered via the key.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising verifying that access is authorized based on the received user input.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising decoupling the key and mechanical interface from the electronic lock and using the key as a personal digital assistant.