US4926665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remotely programmable key and programming means therefor
Assignee: Security Services PLC
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Filing: 1988-03-11
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Granted: 1990-05-22
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Expires: 2008-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A key holding system comprises one or more locks responsive to key codes stored by a programmable key to enable the selective operation of that lock. The key is programmed by a key programmer carried by the key holder or installed in a vehicle. A database of key codes related to individual locks is maintained at a remote station and the code required by the key to operate a particular lock is communicated, subject to any required validation, e.g., as to the identity of the key holder, to the key programmer. Various methods of increasing security of the system are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Stapley
- 👤 Geoffrey Tate
- 👤 Derek Hardisty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:40
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C1/00; G07C1/20; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00896; G07C9/20; G07C9/215; G07C9/22; G07C9/29; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7062; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7729
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
For use with a lock having means to detect a predetermined key code stored on a key and means for responding to said detection to operate the lock, the combination of: (a) at least one such key for storing data comprising one of a plurality of key codes; (b) mobile key programming means comprising means for receiving from a remote station a transmitted signal indicating said key code to be stored by the key and for causing the key to store that key code wherein said mobile key programming means is adapted to be taken to a location in the vicinity of the lock, to receive said signal and to cause the key to store the key code at said location; and wherein (c) each key and storage of said data on each key is such as to require the key code indicated by the transmitted signal to be stored in the key be use of the mobile key programming means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
For use with a lock having means to detect a predetermined key code stored on a key and means for responding to said detection to operate the lock, the combination of: (a) at least one such key for storing data comprising one of a plurality of key codes; (b) mobile key programming means comprising means for receiving from a remote station a transmitted signal indicating said key code to be stored by the key and for causing the key to store that key code wherein said mobile key programming means is adapted to be taken to a location in the vicinity of the lock, to receive said signal and to cause the key to store the key code at said location; and wherein (c) each key and storage of said data on each key is such as to require the key code indicated by the transmitted signal to be stored in the key be use of the mobile key programming means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key code is indicative of any identity of a keyholder permitted to use the key code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key code includes code indicative of a period during which the key code is valid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key code includes code indicative of a number of times the key may be used to operate the lock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key code includes code indicative of the fact that the key code should be erased by a lock on the next occasion of use of the key to open the lock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination according to claim 1, further comprising at least one lock having means for reading data stored on the key, and means for determining whether or not the lock should operate dependent on data read from the key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination according to claim 6, wherein the determining means is responsive to data stored on the key and indicating the code required to operate the lock and to data stored on the key indicating circumstances of authorization of the key to open the lock.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 7, wherein, the circumstances of authorization include a time of day.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination according to claim 7, wherein circumstances of authorization include a number of times the key is to be permitted to operate the lock.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination according to claim 6, wherein the at least one lock has means for erasing or invalidating the key code stored on the key once the key has been used a predetermined number of times.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination according to claim 10, wherein the lock is responsive to data stored in the key to alter or erase the key code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the lock and the programming means has means for storing data on the key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the data stored on the key includes an indication of a person by whom the programming means was operated or an authorization code relating to that person.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination according to claim 1, and further comprising a remote station having means for storing key codes related to individual locks and means to transmit a selected one of the keycodes to the key programming means via a communication link.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination according to claim 14, wherein the remote station comprises means operative in response to a signal from the key programming means to transmit thereto a required key code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination according to claim 15, wherein the remote station comprises means operative to require validation of the identity of the key holder to be transmitted thereto before providing a key code for the key.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key programming means comprises means for displaying to an operator messages from the remote station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key programming means comprises means for inputting messages from an operator and for transmitting them to a remote station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key programming means is installed in a vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination according to claim 1, wherein the key programming means is in a personally portable form.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of operating a key holding service for at least one lock for detecting a key code stored on a key and for responding to said detection, comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining at a location remote from each lock a database in which is stored a key code required to operate the or each lock; (b) transmitting via a data link an indication of that code or one of other codes to a mobile key programming means in the vicinity of the lock; and (c) at the programming means, storing in the key a single key code required to operate the lock.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of operating a key holding service for at least one lock for detecting a key code stored on a key and for responding to said detection, comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining at a location remote from each lock a database in which is stored a key code required to operate the or each lock; (b) transmitting via a data link an indication of that code or one of other codes to a mobile key programming means in the vicinity of the lock; and (c) at the programming means, storing in the key a single key code required to operate 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) | 1993-05-21 | 1993-11-20 | 1994-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-21 | 1997-11-20 | 1998-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-21 | 2001-11-20 | 2002-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |