Vending machines with field-programmable locks

• US 7,821,395 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Denison, William D., Silvers, Bradley S., Brownfield, Lawrence C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Vernal U
• Application Number:
  US10/838,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,366 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.9, 340/568.2, 340/825.57, 340/5.1, 340/542, 340/5.61, 340/5.23, 340/522, 364/479
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• 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 2009/00849 programming by learning
• 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 5/26 Interlocks, e.g. for locking the doors of compartments other than that to be used
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A vending machine uses a field-programmable electronic lock that learns a key code from a corresponding electronic key, a hand-held program unit, or an external computing device via wireless communications. In one mode, the electronic lock has a learning process activation device that is accessible only when the door of the vending machine is in the open position. In another mode, the electronic lock is programmed in the field without first opening the vending machine. A program command and access control data including a new access code are transmitted wirelessly from a hand-held program unit or the like. Alternatively, an external computing device is used to program the electronic lock via long-range wireless communications, and an electronic key is then used to open the electronic lock to physically access the vending machine.

Claims

1. An access control system for an enclosure wherein the enclosure has a door openable for accessing the contents of the enclosure, an electronic lock for unlocking the door of the enclosure, and a programming device configured for programming said electronic lock, wherein:

the programming device includes a first access code, whereby the programming device encrypts and transfers a first and second non-identical encrypted messages to the lock, at least one of the non-identical encryption messages containing the first access code;

the lock including a non-volatile memory wherein the lock receives the first non-identical encrypted message during a programming mode of operation, transfers a third encrypted message comprising a lock identification number to the electronic key after receiving the first encrypted message from the electronic key, receives the second non-identical encrypted message from the electronic key after transferring the third encrypted message to the electronic key, said second encrypted message formulated via data contained in the third encrypted message, obtains the first access code, and stores the first access code in the non-volatile memory to form a first stored code.

2. The access control system of claim 1 wherein the lock receives a fourth encrypted message transferred from an electronic key, obtains a second access code, compares the second access code with the first stored code, and allow access to the restricted area of the enclosure if the second access code equals the first stored code.

3. The access control system of claim 2 wherein the lock receives a fifth encrypted message transferred by the electronic key.

4. The access control system of claim 1 wherein the first and second encrypted messages are transferred from the programming device to the lock via wireless transmission.

5. The access control system of claim 2 wherein the fourth encrypted message is transferred from the electronic key to the lock via wireless transmission.

6. The access control system of claim 2 wherein a third code stored in the lock is encrypted by the lock and transferred from the lock to the programming device as a fifth encrypted message.

7. The access control system of claim 6 whereby the third code is a lock identification number stored in the lock memory.

8. The access control system of claim 1 whereby the programming device transfers an identification number to the lock.

9. The access control system of claim 2 whereby the key transfers a key identification number to the lock.

10. The access control system of claim 2 whereby the time and/or date of the access event is transmitted from the key to the lock.

11. The access control system of claim 2 whereby the lock stores the key identification number and the time and/or date stamp of the access event in the memory of the lock to form an access event record.

12. The access control system of claim 11 whereby the lock transfers at least one access event attempt record stored in the lock memory to the key, whereby the key further comprises a memory and stores an access event attempt record in the memory.

13. The access control system of claim 1 further comprising an enabler operatively connected to the lock to trigger the lock to enter the code program operation when the enclosure door is open.

14. The access control system of claim 1 whereby the lock programmer comprises a limit parameter for determining if the lock programmer shall be rendered disabled in programming the locks.

15. The access control system of claim 2 whereby the key comprises a limit parameter for determining if the key shall be rendered disabled in accessing the locks.

16. The access control system of claim 1 whereby a second access code is transferred to the lock via an encrypted message and stored in the lock memory as a second stored code.

17. The access control system of claim 1 whereby the lock utilizes a first decryption algorithm to decrypt the first encrypted message and utilizes a second decryption algorithm to decrypt the second encrypted message.

18. A method of programming an electronic lock memory installed in a secured enclosure, comprising:

receiving, by the electronic lock while the enclosure door is open, a signal activated by an enabler operatively connected to the lock to trigger the lock to enter into a code program operation;

receiving, by the electronic lock, a first encrypted message comprising a first code transmitted by a device external to the electronic lock;

receiving, by the electronic lock, the first encrypted message and obtaining the first code;

storing by the electronic lock, the obtained first code into the electronic lock memory.

19. The method of claim 18 further including the step of transferring, by an electronic key to the electronic lock, a second encrypted message comprising a second code, and unlocking, by the electronic lock, a door of the enclosure if the second code received from a the electronic key matches the first code stored in the lock memory.

20. The method of claim 18 further including the step of the lock encrypting a second code and transferring the second code from the lock to a device external to the lock as a second encrypted message.

21. The method of claim 19 further including the step of the lock encrypting a third code and transferring the third code from the lock to the key as a third encrypted message.

22. The method of claim 20 whereby the second code is a lock identification number.

23. The method of claim 21 whereby the third code is a lock identification number.

24. The method of claim 19 further including the step of the key transferring a key identification number and the time and/or date to the lock to for storing in a memory to forming one of a plurality of access event records.

25. The method of claim 19 further including the step of the lock transferring at least one access event attempt record stored in the lock memory to the key, and further including the step of the key storing an access event attempt record in a memory.

26. The method of claim 19 whereby the electronic key includes a limit parameter for determining if the key shall be rendered disabled in accessing the lock.

27. The method of claim 18 whereby the lock receives a second encrypted message during the code program operation, said second encrypted message being non-identical to the first encrypted message.

28. An access control system for an enclosure wherein the enclosure has a door openable for accessing the contents of the enclosure, an electronic lock for unlocking the floor of the enclosure, and a portable electronic key configured for accessing said electronic lock by transferring a first access code to the electronic lock via a an first encrypted message, and a programming device wherein the programming device includes a second access code, whereby the programming device encrypts and transfers a second encrypted message to the lock containing the second access code;

the lock including a non-volatile memory, wherein the lock receives the second encrypted message during a programming mode of operation, obtains the second code, stores the second code in the non-non-volatile memory to form a stored code, and encrypt and transfer a third encrypted message to the programming device, the third encrypted message being non-identical to the second encrypted message;

wherein the lock receives and decrypts the first encrypted message, obtains the first code, compare the first code with the stored code, and allow access to the restricted area of the enclosure if the code equals the stored code;

the electronic lock further including a circuit operatively coupled to the mechanism controlled by a mechanical key configured to receive an electronic signal to access the lock when the mechanism is accessed by the mechanical key.

29. The access control system of claim 28 whereby the lock is programmed to be accessed exclusively by the electronic key.

30. The access control system of claim 28 whereby the lock is programmed to be accessed exclusively by the mechanical key.

31. The access control system of claim 28 whereby an access attempt record is stored in the lock memory.

32. The access control system of claim 28 whereby the lock transfers at least one access attempt record in the lock memory to the electronic key.

33. The access control system of claim 28 wherein a second code stored in the lock is encrypted by the lock and transferred from the lock to the electronic key as a second encrypted message;

the programming device includes a first access code, whereby the programming device encrypts and transfers a first encrypted message to the lock containing the first access code;

the lock including a non-volatile memory wherein the lock receive the first encrypted messages during a programming mode of operation, obtains the first access code, stores the first access code in the non-volatile memory to form a first stored code, and encrypts and transfers a second encrypted message to the programming device, said second encrypted message transferred to the programming device for concluding the programming operation.

34. An access control system for an enclosure wherein the enclosure has a door openable for accessing the contents of the enclosure, an electronic lock for unlocking the door or the enclosure, and a programming device configured for programming said electronic lock, wherein:

the programming device includes a first access code, whereby the programming device encrypts and transfers a first encrypted message to the lock containing the first access code;

the lock including a non-volatile memory wherein the lock receives the first encrypted messages during a programming mode of operation, obtains the first access code, stores the first access code in the non-volatile memory to form a first stored code, and encrypts and transfers a second encrypted message to the programming device, said second encrypted message being transferred to the programming device for concluding the programming operation.

35. The access control system of claim 34 whereby the second encrypted message comprises a lock identification number stored in the lock memory.

36. The access control system of claim 34 whereby the programming device transfers an identification number to the lock.

37. The access control system of claim 34 wherein the lock receives a third encrypted message transferred from an electronic key, obtains a second access code, compares the second access code with the first stored code, and allow access to the restricted area of the enclosure if the second access code equals the first stored code.

38. The access control system of claim 37 whereby the time and/or date of the access event is transmitted from the key to the lock.

39. The access control system of claim 37 whereby the lock stores the key identification number and the time and/or date stamp of the access event in the memory of the lock to form an access event record.

40. The access control system of claim 34 further comprising an enabler operatively connected to the lock to trigger the lock to enter the code program operation when the enclosure door is open.

41. The access control system of claim 34 whereby the lock programmer comprises a limit parameter for determining if the lock programmer shall be rendered disabled in programming the locks.

42. The access control system of claim 37 whereby the key comprises a limit parameter for determining if the key shall be rendered disabled in accessing the locks.

43. The access control system of claim 37 whereby the second access code is transferred to the lock via an encrypted message and stored in the lock memory as a second stored code.