US5705991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Access control device featuring key ordering or key simultaneity
Assignee: SUPRA GROUP Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1998-01-06
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A secure entry system makes use of radio transmissions to communicate with locks, keys, and related components throughout the system. The radio transmissions can be made using a paging system, a cellular telephone system, or any other RF carrier. Some embodiments employ a cellular telephone in lieu of an electronic key. Others integrate a paging receiver within an electronic key to provide a unit with dual functionality. The system is illustrated with reference to exemplary applications in the industrial site security, real estate lockbox, and transportation fields.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Kniffin
- 👤 Ron McCauley
- 👤 Ralph H. Wells, III
- 👤 John W. Sherman
- 👤 Wayne F. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/02; H04M11/022; G; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/08; G07C5/0841; G07C5/085; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00309; G07C9/00571; G07C9/00817; G07C9/00857; G07C9/00896; G07C9/20; G07C9/215; G07C9/27; G07C9/28; E; E05; E05B; E05B19/00; E05B19/0005; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00769; G07C2009/00793; G07C2009/00825; G07C2009/00865; G07C2209/00; G07C2209/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009; Y10T70/5031; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7446
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
In a method of operating a secure entry system, the system including an electronic lock and a plurality of electronic keys, the method including using each of the keys individually at different times to effect a plurality of openings of said lock, an improvement comprising establishing an order (KEY{1}, KEY{2}, . . . KEY{N}) by which the keys are to access the electronic lock, and denying lock access to any key KEY{J}, where 1<J≦N, that is presented to the lock without each of keys KEY{1} through KEY{J-1} having been first presented thereto in said established order.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a method of operating a secure entry system, the system including an electronic lock and a plurality of electronic keys, the method including using each of the keys individually at different times to effect a plurality of openings of said lock, an improvement comprising establishing an order (KEY{1}, KEY{2}, . . . KEY{N}) by which the keys are to access the electronic lock, and denying lock access to any key KEY{J}, where 1<J≦N, that is presented to the lock without each of keys KEY{1} through KEY{J-1} having been first presented thereto in said established order.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 in which the system includes a central station, and in which the method includes establishing said order in a list maintained at the central station, and relaying said list to the lock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 in which said relaying step includes relaying by radio.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 which includes revising said established order after certain of the keys have already accessed the lock, to permit others keys to access the lock in an order different than an order originally established.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of restricting access to a delivery truck according to claim 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of restricting access to a facility according to claim 1, wherein said established order requires that a managerial employee access the lock before non-managerial employees can access the lock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a method of operating a locking system, the method including using a plurality of keys collectively to effect a single operation of a lock, each key comprising a self-contained device for coupling to the lock an improvement comprising defining, by data stored in an electronic memory associated with said locking system, a time window, and opening the lock only if said plurality of keys are presented thereto within the period of time defined by said time window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a method of operating a locking system, the method including using a plurality of keys collectively to effect a single operation of a lock, each key comprising a self-contained device for coupling to the lock an improvement comprising defining, by data stored in an electronic memory associated with said locking system, a time window, and opening the lock only if said plurality of keys are presented thereto within the period of time defined by said time window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 in which the data is stored in a remote database maintained at a central station, the remote database associating said data with said locking system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 in which the locking system includes a central station, and data relating to operation of the locking system is relayed between the lock and the central station by radio.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 in which said relayed data includes data relating to said time window.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 in which said relayed data includes data identifying keys presented to the lock.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-05 | 2001-07-07 | 2002-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-05 | 2005-07-07 | 2006-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-05 | 2009-07-07 | 2010-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |