Patent US6300873B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6300873B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Locking mechanism for use with one-time access code
Assignee: Smart Locking Technologies LLC
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Filing: 2000-04-21
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Granted: 2001-10-09
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Expires: 2020-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received; and a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. The one-time use access code may be issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism in response to a request therefor, for example by a merchant or delivery service. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been used or has otherwise expired. The list of currently available access codes is preferably a subset of all access codes for the locking mechanism, which codes may be generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.
Inventors
- 👤 David Kucharczyk
- 👤 Suzy Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:26
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/14; A47G29/141; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/21; G07C9/215; G07C9/30; G07C9/38; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A method comprising: receiving at a server and via the Intemet a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and issuing from the server a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism, wherein the one-time use access code is issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
A method comprising: receiving at a server and via the Intemet a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and issuing from the server a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism, wherein the one-time use access code is issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the one-time use access code is issued in response to a request received from a merchant or delivery service.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been issued or used.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has expired.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the list of currently available access codes is a subset of access codes for the locking mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the access codes for the locking mechanism are generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the one-time use access code expires after a predetermined time period if not earlier used to access the locking mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising opening the locking mechanism using the one-time access code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-based service configured to dispense one-time use access codes for remotely located locking devices in response to requests therefor wherein transaction fees are assessed for each access code dispensed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-based service configured to dispense one-time use access codes for remotely located locking devices in response to requests therefor wherein transaction fees are assessed for each access code dispensed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The service of claim 9 wherein the access codes are dispensed from a server accessible through at least one of the Internet, a wireless network or the public switched telephone network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The service of claim 9 wherein each access code so dispensed expires upon the earlier occurrence of (i) its use to access an associated one of the storage devices, or (ii) a predetermined time period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A locking mechanism, comprising: an actuator configured to unlock in response to entry of an authorized access code; and an access code entry unit configured to accept a one-time use access code issued by a remote server, wherein the one-time use access code comprises a package tracking number.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A locking mechanism, comprising: an actuator configured to unlock in response to entry of an authorized access code; and an access code entry unit configured to accept a one-time use access code issued by a remote server, wherein the one-time use access code comprises a package tracking number.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the one-time use access code comprises a number generated by a cryptographically strong random number generator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the one-time use access code is transmitted to the locking mechanism from the server.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the one-time use access code is stored in a memory associated with the locking mechanism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The locking mechanism of claim 12 further comprising an interface unit configured to communicate with the server.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The locking mechanism of claim 16 wherein the interface unit is configured to communicate with the server through a second interface unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the actuator includes a microcontroller coupled to receive inputs from the access code entry unit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
33 words
A method, comprising: receiving, via the Internet at a computer-based unit, a code to be used as an access code for a locking device; and transmitting the access code to the locking device.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
33 words
A method, comprising: receiving, via the Internet at a computer-based unit, a code to be used as an access code for a locking device; and transmitting the access code to the locking device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the transmitting is done via the Internet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the code comprises a package tracking number.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the code is provided by a delivery service or merchant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the code is provided by an owner of the locking device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the access code expires after it is used.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
75 words
A method, comprising: receiving at a computer-based unit a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and issuing from the computer-based unit, and according to a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism that is a subset of access codes for the locking mechanism, a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism, wherein the access codes for the locking mechanism are generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
75 words
A method, comprising: receiving at a computer-based unit a request for an access code for a locking mechanism; and issuing from the computer-based unit, and according to a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism that is a subset of access codes for the locking mechanism, a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism, wherein the access codes for the locking mechanism are generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the one-time use access code is issued in response to a request received from a merchant or delivery service.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been issued or used.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has expired.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the one-time use access code expires after a predetermined time period if not earlier used to access the locking mechanism.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising opening the locking mechanism using the one-time access code.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
39 words
A method, comprising: receiving at a computer-based unit, a code to be used as an access code for a locking device; and transmitting the access code to the locking device, wherein the access code comprises a package tracking number.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
39 words
A method, comprising: receiving at a computer-based unit, a code to be used as an access code for a locking device; and transmitting the access code to the locking device, wherein the access code comprises a package tracking number.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the transmitting is done via the Internet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the code is provided by a delivery service or merchant.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the code is provided by an owner of the locking device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the access code expires after it is used.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
A locking mechanism, comprising: an actuator configured to unlock in response to entry of an authorized access code; and an access code entry unit configured to accept a one-time use access-code issued by a remote server, wherein the one-time use access code comprises a number generated by a cryptographically strong random number generator.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
A locking mechanism, comprising: an actuator configured to unlock in response to entry of an authorized access code; and an access code entry unit configured to accept a one-time use access-code issued by a remote server, wherein the one-time use access code comprises a number generated by a cryptographically strong random number generator.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein the one-time use access code is transmitted to the locking mechanism from the server.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein the one-time use access code is stored in a memory associated with the locking mechanism.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The locking mechanism of claim 36 further comprising an interface unit configured to communicate with the server.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein the interface unit is configured to communicate with the server through a second interface unit.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The locking mechanism of claim 36 wherein actuator includes a microcontroller coupled to receive inputs from the access code entry unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |