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US4916443A
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Method and apparatus for compiling data relating to operation of an electronic lock system
Assignee: SUPRA GROUP Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-27
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Granted: 1990-04-10
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Expires: 2008-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A key is provided with a memory in which, without user intervention, it collects data relating to lock operations each time the key interacts with a lock. This data is subsequently downloaded from the key to a computer. In some embodiments, the keys collect data relating not just to their own transactions, but also poll lock memories for the locks' prior transactions as well. By this arrangement, a patchwork collection of redundant data can be developed in the computer, improving data integrity and reducing data latency.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip D. Barrett
- 👤 Gerald R. Daum
- 👤 Wayne F. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00571; G07C1/00; G07C1/32; G07C9/00309; G07C9/00817; G07C9/00857; G07C9/00896; G07C9/20; G07C9/21; G07C9/215; G07C9/27; E; E05; E05B; E05B19/00; E05B19/0005; E05B47/00; E05B2047/0048; E05B2047/005; E05B2047/0053; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00769; G07C2009/00825; G07C2009/00865; G07C2209/00; G07C2209/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009; Y10T70/5031; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7006; Y10T70/7028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An electronic lock system comprising: an electronic lock; an electronic key; lock memory means in the lock for storing data relating to prior interactions of the lock with keys; key memory means in the key operable without user intervention each time the key interacts with a lock, for obtaining data from the lock relating to at least one prior interaction of the lock with a key; a database; and means for downloading data from the key memory means to the database.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electronic lock system comprising: an electronic lock; an electronic key; lock memory means in the lock for storing data relating to prior interactions of the lock with keys; key memory means in the key operable without user intervention each time the key interacts with a lock, for obtaining data from the lock relating to at least one prior interaction of the lock with a key; a database; and means for downloading data from the key memory means to the database.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electronic lock system of claim 1 which further comprises means for limiting utility of the key if the data stored therein is not periodically downloaded to the database.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic lock system of claim 1 in which the key memory means additionally includes means for storing data relating to the current key/lock interaction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic lock system of claim 1 in which the key memory means includes means for obtaining data relating to some but not all prior interactions of the lock with a key.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of compiling data relating to operation of an electronic locking system that includes locks and keys, comprising the steps: collecting data in the locks relating to system operation; transferring without user intervention a portion of a lock's collected data to a key coupled thereto each time a key is coupled to the lock, said portion including data relating to at least one prior operation of the lock with a key; and periodically transferring said data from the key to a central database.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of compiling data relating to operation of an electronic locking system that includes locks and keys, comprising the steps: collecting data in the locks relating to system operation; transferring without user intervention a portion of a lock's collected data to a key coupled thereto each time a key is coupled to the lock, said portion including data relating to at least one prior operation of the lock with a key; and periodically transferring said data from the key to a central database.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 which further comprises the step of processing the data compiled in the database to remove duplicate data therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 which further comprises the step of limiting utility of the key if data is not transferred from the key to the database periodically.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of compiling data operation of an electronic locking system having a lock and a plurality of keys in which the lock has a memory for accumulating transactional data, comprising the steps: transferring a first dataset comprising transactional data about n preceding lock transactions from a lock to a first key, where n is greater than zero; transferring a second dataset comprising transactional data about n preceding lock transactions from said lock to a next, second key coupled thereto, said second data set having data about one transaction not included in the first dataset and said first dataset having data about one transaction not included in the second dataset; and transferring said first and second datasets to a database.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of compiling data operation of an electronic locking system having a lock and a plurality of keys in which the lock has a memory for accumulating transactional data, comprising the steps: transferring a first dataset comprising transactional data about n preceding lock transactions from a lock to a first key, where n is greater than zero; transferring a second dataset comprising transactional data about n preceding lock transactions from said lock to a next, second key coupled thereto, said second data set having data about one transaction not included in the first dataset and said first dataset having data about one transaction not included in the second dataset; and transferring said first and second datasets to a database.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 which further comprises the step of removing duplicate data from the database.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a method of operating an electronic real estate lockbox system that includes an electronic key and an electronic lockbox, the electronic key having a memory, an improvement comprising the steps: each time the key is involved in a first lockbox transaction, storing data in the key memory relating to said first transaction without user intervention; each time the key is involved in a second lockbox transaction, storing additional data in the key memory relating to said second transaction without user intervention; and subsequently downloading the data relating to said first and second lockbox transactions to a computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a method of operating an electronic real estate lockbox system that includes an electronic key and an electronic lockbox, the electronic key having a memory, an improvement comprising the steps: each time the key is involved in a first lockbox transaction, storing data in the key memory relating to said first transaction without user intervention; each time the key is involved in a second lockbox transaction, storing additional data in the key memory relating to said second transaction without user intervention; and subsequently downloading the data relating to said first and second lockbox transactions to a computer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of relaying lock/key transactional data from the memory of at least one electronic lock to a remote database, said lock being operable with electronic keys that have memories for receiving data from the lock memory, the method comprising the steps: each time the lock is operated with a key, transferring data related to N prior lock/key transactions from the lock memory to the key memory, where N is greater than 1; and transferring said data from the key memory to a database; wherein data related to each lock/key interaction can potentially be relayed from the lock to the database by N different keys, thereby increasing reliability and reducing data latency.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of relaying lock/key transactional data from the memory of at least one electronic lock to a remote database, said lock being operable with electronic keys that have memories for receiving data from the lock memory, the method comprising the steps: each time the lock is operated with a key, transferring data related to N prior lock/key transactions from the lock memory to the key memory, where N is greater than 1; and transferring said data from the key memory to a database; wherein data related to each lock/key interaction can potentially be relayed from the lock to the database by N different keys, thereby increasing reliability and reducing data latency.
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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) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |