US5170431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic bolt lock with enhanced security features
Assignee: MAS-HAMILTON GROUP A CORP OF
•
Filing: 1991-09-20
•
Granted: 1992-12-08
•
Expires: 2011-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A high security bolt lock is described having the ability to reencrypt the combination code for the lock each time a key is used and thus partially defeat the use of an unauthorized key. The lock may be operated by a temporary one time use key. The key for the lock carries a data storage means and battery to provide a date/time stamp and key identification for any key used. The key and lock may be coded to only allow access in a particular time block, or only in conjunction with an other key. The access to the lock may be controlled such that two keys must be used in a prescribed order to gain access through the lock.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald L. Dawson
- 👤 Daniel L. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:47
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00309; G07C9/00817; G07C9/00857; H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/14; H04L9/32; H04L9/3226; G07C2009/0042; G07C2009/00428; G07C2009/00468; G07C2009/00634; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00761; G07C2209/00; G07C2209/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An electronic bolt lock comprising: a bolt; electronic controls; internal, self contained electrical power generating means for electrically powering said electronic controls; a key cylinder; a key insertable into said key cylinder and comprising a data storage means for storing at least a code for accessing and opening said lock; means connectable to said key cylinder to withdraw said bolt; said electronic control means further comprising means for creating a new access code and encrypting said code upon each successful operation of said lock; means for storing a unique identifier for said key in said key; means for storing a unique identifier for said lock in said lock; said means for creating and encrypting further comprising means for encrypting said key identifier as a step in said encrypting; means for storing said new access code in encrypted form in both said lock and said key for use in accessing said lock on the next operation of said lock by said key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An electronic bolt lock comprising: a bolt; electronic controls; internal, self contained electrical power generating means for electrically powering said electronic controls; a key cylinder; a key insertable into said key cylinder and comprising a data storage means for storing at least a code for accessing and opening said lock; means connectable to said key cylinder to withdraw said bolt; said electronic control means further comprising means for creating a new access code and encrypting said code upon each successful operation of said lock; means for storing a unique identifier for said key in said key; means for storing a unique identifier for said lock in said lock; said means for creating and encrypting further comprising means for encrypting said key identifier as a step in said encrypting; means for storing said new access code in encrypted form in both said lock and said key for use in accessing said lock on the next operation of said lock by said key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 1 wherein said electronic controls further comprise means for determining the validity of a plurality of keys and access codes carried thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 2 wherein said means for determining further comprises means for determining the order of validation of said plurality of said keys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 1 wherein said electronic means comprises means for determining the presence of a one time use key, and means for validating said one time use key a single time and for invalidating all future use of said one time use key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 1 wherein said electronic controls further comprises means for acquiring and storing data representing the identity of said keys inserted into said lock to attempt to operate said lock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 5 wherein said means for acquiring and storing further comprises means for acquiring and storing data representing the time and date of the insertion of said keys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 1 wherein said means for creating said new access code and encrypting said access code, performs at least two encryption steps using at least a separate and distinct number for each encryption step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 1 wherein said key comprises a battery and means, responsive to electrical energy form said batter for maintaining a record of the date and time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 8 wherein said lock comprises means for reading said record from said key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 9 wherein said bolt lock comprises means for recording at least the date and time of use of said key, in said lock.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 10 where in said key further comprises data stored in said data storage means corresponding to groups of locks which said key may activate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 11 wherein said lock comprises electronic controls comprising storage memory, and said storage memory contains data identifying said lock as a member of a group of locks, and said electronic controls further comprises means for comparing said data stored in said data storage means of said key with said data indentifying said lock, and permiting operation of said lock only when said data stored compares favorably to said data identifying said lock.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 8 wherein said electronic controls further comprise analog to digital conversion means for converting the voltage of said battery to a digital signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 13 wherein said electronic controls further comprises means for enabling said lock to open in response to rotation of said key within said lock, and means means for comparing said digital signal to a value of predetermined magnatude and means for signaling a battery low condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 14 wherein said means for signaling a battery low condition comprises means for delaying operation of said means for enabling until a predetermined condition has occurred.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electronic bolt lock of claim 15 wherein said predetermined condition comprises a rotation of said key.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lock of claim 1 wherein said means for encrypting said key identifier comprises an algorithm utilizing said unique identifier of said lock in which said key is used.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3821704A
Cited
USRE29259E
Cited
US4213118A
Cited
US4207555A
Cited
US4509093A
Cited
US4736419A
Cited
US4786900A
Cited
US4914732A
Cited
US4988987A
Cited
US4837822A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |