Patent US7152802B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7152802B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storing and accessing keys
Assignee: Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch
•
Filing: 2004-06-08
•
Granted: 2006-12-26
•
Expires: 2024-06-08
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a key access fob, key access devices, a key access system, key access methods. A fob may comprise a receiver, a transmitter, and a light pipe running from a bottom end of the fob to a top end of the fob. A docking unit may comprise a plurality of receivers configured to receive a fob. Each receiver may include three openings. The docking unit may also comprise a plurality of receiving units, one receiving unit for each of the receivers, each receiving unit including a transmitter, a receiver, and a light emitting diode (LED). A key access system may include one or more docking units in one or more drawers in one or more cabinets, the cabinets coupled to a computing device running an application program. The application program in conjunction with other devices may execute key access methods.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis Kell
- 👤 Timothy Gill
- 👤 Steven Probert
- 👤 Arthur Mariduena
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:35
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00896; G07C2009/00936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A fob to hold a key and to be used in a key access system, the fob comprising: a housing having a top end and a bottom end; a receiver to receive information, said receiver mounted in said housing; a transmitter to send a unique identifier said transmitter mounted in said housing; and a light pipe running from the bottom end of the housing to the top end of the housing to receive light at the bottom end of the housing and to emit light at the top end of the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fob to hold a key and to be used in a key access system, the fob comprising: a housing having a top end and a bottom end; a receiver to receive information, said receiver mounted in said housing; a transmitter to send a unique identifier said transmitter mounted in said housing; and a light pipe running from the bottom end of the housing to the top end of the housing to receive light at the bottom end of the housing and to emit light at the top end of the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fob of claim 1 wherein: the transmitter comprises an infrared transmitter; the receiver comprises an infrared receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fob of claim 1 further comprising: a security loop through which one or more keys may be attached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fob of claim 3 wherein the security loop is metal and the external portions of the fob are plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fob of claim 4 further comprising: a closed circuit formed by said security loop; and a processor to write to a storage device when the circuit is broken.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fob of claim 1 further comprising: a lens at the top end of the fob appurtenant to the light pipe through which light from the light pipe is dispersed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fob of claim 1 further comprising: a magnet located internal to the fob and located at a lower portion of the fob.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fob of claim 1 further comprising: a protrusion to align the fob within a receiver, the protrusion located at a lower portion of the fob.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fob of claim 8 further comprising: a magnet located internal to the fob and within the protrusion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
A fob to hold a key and to be used in a key access systems, the fob comprising: a housing; an infrared transceiver to receive information and to send a unique identifier, said transceiver mounted in said housing; a light pipe running from a bottom end of the housing to a top end of the housing to receive light and to emit light at the top end of the housing; a protrusion on said housing to align the fob within a receiver, the protrusion located at a lower portion of the housing; a magnet located internal to the housing; and a security loop extending from said housing through which one or more keys may be attached.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
A fob to hold a key and to be used in a key access systems, the fob comprising: a housing; an infrared transceiver to receive information and to send a unique identifier, said transceiver mounted in said housing; a light pipe running from a bottom end of the housing to a top end of the housing to receive light and to emit light at the top end of the housing; a protrusion on said housing to align the fob within a receiver, the protrusion located at a lower portion of the housing; a magnet located internal to the housing; and a security loop extending from said housing through which one or more keys may be attached.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fob of claim 10 wherein the security loop is metal and the external portions of the fob are plastic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fob of claim 11 further comprising: a closed circuit formed by said security loop; and a processor to write to a storage device when the circuit is broken.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fob to hold a key and to be used in a key access system, the fob comprising: a housing; an infrared receiver to receive information, said receiver mounted in said housing; an infrared transmitter to send a unique identifier, said transmitter mounted in said housing; a light pipe running from a bottom end of the housing to a top end of the housing to receive light and to emit light at the top end of the housing; a protrusion on said housing to align the housing within a receiver, the protrusion located at a lower portion of the housing; a magnet located internal to the housing and within the protrusion; and a security loop on said housing through which one or more keys may be attached.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fob to hold a key and to be used in a key access system, the fob comprising: a housing; an infrared receiver to receive information, said receiver mounted in said housing; an infrared transmitter to send a unique identifier, said transmitter mounted in said housing; a light pipe running from a bottom end of the housing to a top end of the housing to receive light and to emit light at the top end of the housing; a protrusion on said housing to align the housing within a receiver, the protrusion located at a lower portion of the housing; a magnet located internal to the housing and within the protrusion; and a security loop on said housing through which one or more keys may be attached.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
A docking unit comprising: a plurality of elongated receivers, each receiver having a first end and a second end and configured to receive a fob, each receiver having an opening at the first end and including an alignment groove, each receiver further including at the second end a receiver opening, a transmitter opening, and a light opening; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, one receiving unit positioned below each receiver on said board, each receiving unit including a transmitter, a receiver, a light source, and a first processor; a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
117 words
A docking unit comprising: a plurality of elongated receivers, each receiver having a first end and a second end and configured to receive a fob, each receiver having an opening at the first end and including an alignment groove, each receiver further including at the second end a receiver opening, a transmitter opening, and a light opening; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, one receiving unit positioned below each receiver on said board, each receiving unit including a transmitter, a receiver, a light source, and a first processor; a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The docking unit of claim 14 wherein the transmitter comprises an infrared transmitter; and the receiver comprises an infrared receiver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The docking unit of claim 14 wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The docking unit of claim 14 wherein the controller is coupled for communication with a computing device through a cabinet controller.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The docking unit of claim 14 wherein the computing device comprises a personal computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The docking unit of claim 14 further comprising: a magnetic sensor included in each of receivers, the magnetic sensors located adjacent to the alignment grooves and coupled to the first processors, the magnetic sensor to signal when the receiver is populated with a fob.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
147 words
A docking unit comprising: a plurality of receivers, each receiver having a first end and a second end and configured to receive a fob at said first end, each receiver including at the second end a receiver opening, a transmitter opening, a light opening, said receiver further including an alignment groove, and a magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor located adjacent to the alignment groove and coupled to a first processor, the magnetic sensor to signal when a fob is in the receiver; and a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, a receiving unit positioned on the board below each receiver, each receiving unit including an infrared transmitter, an infrared receiver, a light emitting diode (LED), and the first processor a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
147 words
A docking unit comprising: a plurality of receivers, each receiver having a first end and a second end and configured to receive a fob at said first end, each receiver including at the second end a receiver opening, a transmitter opening, a light opening, said receiver further including an alignment groove, and a magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor located adjacent to the alignment groove and coupled to a first processor, the magnetic sensor to signal when a fob is in the receiver; and a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, a receiving unit positioned on the board below each receiver, each receiving unit including an infrared transmitter, an infrared receiver, a light emitting diode (LED), and the first processor a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
142 words
A docking unit comprising: a plurality of receivers, having a first end and a second end and configured to receive a fob at said first end, each receiver including at the second end a transceiver opening, a light opening, said receiver further including an alignment groove, and a magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor located adjacent to the alignment groove and coupled to a first processor, the magnetic sensor to signal when a fob is in the receiver; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, wherein a receiving unit is positioned on said board below a receiver, said receiving units each including an infrared transceiver, a light emitting diode (LED), and the first processor; and a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
142 words
A docking unit comprising: a plurality of receivers, having a first end and a second end and configured to receive a fob at said first end, each receiver including at the second end a transceiver opening, a light opening, said receiver further including an alignment groove, and a magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor located adjacent to the alignment groove and coupled to a first processor, the magnetic sensor to signal when a fob is in the receiver; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, wherein a receiving unit is positioned on said board below a receiver, said receiving units each including an infrared transceiver, a light emitting diode (LED), and the first processor; and a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
110 words
A drawer to store a plurality of keys comprising: one or more docking units, each docking unit comprising a plurality of receivers having a first end and a second end and configured to receive one of a plurality of fobs at said first end, each fob having one or more keys attached thereto; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, each receiving units configured to be positioned on said board below a receiver, each receiving unit including a transmitter, a receiver, a light source, and a processor; and a controller coupled with each of the receiving units.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
110 words
A drawer to store a plurality of keys comprising: one or more docking units, each docking unit comprising a plurality of receivers having a first end and a second end and configured to receive one of a plurality of fobs at said first end, each fob having one or more keys attached thereto; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, each receiving units configured to be positioned on said board below a receiver, each receiving unit including a transmitter, a receiver, a light source, and a processor; and a controller coupled with each of the receiving units.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drawer of claim 22 wherein: the transmitter comprises an infrared; and the receiver comprises an infrared receiver.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The drawer of claim 22 wherein the tight source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The drawer of claim 22 further comprising a cabinet controller coupled with each of the controllers of the docking units, the cabinet controller to communicate with a computing device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The drawer of claim 25 wherein the comporting device comprises a personal computer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The drawer of claim 22 wherein each receiver comprises a magnetic sensor located adjacent to an alignment groove included in each receiver, the magnetic sensor to signal when the receiver is populated with one of the fobs.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
144 words
A system comprising: a computing device to run an application program; a cabinet coupled to the computing device, the cabinet including at least one drawer, the drawer including at least one docking unit, the docking unit comprising: a plurality of receivers having a first end and a second end and each receiver configured to receive at the first end a fob, each receiver including an alignment groove, and at the second end, a receiver opening, a transmitter opening, and a light; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, wherein a receiving unit is positioned on said board below a receiver, each receiving unit including a transmitter, a receiver, a light source, and a first processor; and a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
144 words
A system comprising: a computing device to run an application program; a cabinet coupled to the computing device, the cabinet including at least one drawer, the drawer including at least one docking unit, the docking unit comprising: a plurality of receivers having a first end and a second end and each receiver configured to receive at the first end a fob, each receiver including an alignment groove, and at the second end, a receiver opening, a transmitter opening, and a light; a board positioned below the second end of the plurality of receivers, said board including a plurality of receiving units, wherein a receiving unit is positioned on said board below a receiver, each receiving unit including a transmitter, a receiver, a light source, and a first processor; and a controller coupled to each of the receiving units, the controller including a second processor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the transmitter comprises an infrared transmitter; and the receiver comprises an infrared receiver.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode(LED).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the cabinet further comprises a cabinet controller such that the controller is coupled for communication with the computing device through the cabinet controller.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the computing device comprises a personal computer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 28 wherein each of the receivers includes a magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor located adjacent to the alignment grooves and coupled to the first processor, the magnetic sensor to signal when the receiver is populated with a fob.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 28 further comprising: an access unit coupled to the computing device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 34 wherein the access unit is one or more selected from the group of a biometric device, a card reader, and a fob access unit.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
187 words
A method comprising: receiving a notification that a fob is in a receiver in a docking unit in a drawer in a cabinet, the notification triggered by a signal from a magnetic sensor included with the receiver requesting a unique identifier from the fob via infrared communications with the fob forwarding the unique identifier and a receiver location to an application program running on a computing device; requesting information about an item associated with a key attached to the fob, the requesting achieved via a user interface on the computing device; receiving item description information from the user; storing the unique identifier, the receiver location and the item description information in a database; receiving a request to access the key; determining the receiver location of the fob to which the key is attached by accessing the database; instructing the cabinet to open the drawer in which the key is located; instructing the receiver to illuminate its light emitting diode (LED) to illuminate the fob to which the key is attached; and transmitting light generated from below the fob through the fob utilizing a light pipe disposed therein.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
187 words
A method comprising: receiving a notification that a fob is in a receiver in a docking unit in a drawer in a cabinet, the notification triggered by a signal from a magnetic sensor included with the receiver requesting a unique identifier from the fob via infrared communications with the fob forwarding the unique identifier and a receiver location to an application program running on a computing device; requesting information about an item associated with a key attached to the fob, the requesting achieved via a user interface on the computing device; receiving item description information from the user; storing the unique identifier, the receiver location and the item description information in a database; receiving a request to access the key; determining the receiver location of the fob to which the key is attached by accessing the database; instructing the cabinet to open the drawer in which the key is located; instructing the receiver to illuminate its light emitting diode (LED) to illuminate the fob to which the key is attached; and transmitting light generated from below the fob through the fob utilizing a light pipe disposed therein.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising: receiving a notification that the receiver is vacant triggered by a signal from the magnetic sensor; and updating the database reflecting that the fob and the key are checked out.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the item is one or more of an automobile, a motorcycle, a boat, and a recreational vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5614885A
Cited
US5388439A
Cited
US6236333B1
Cited
US6016676A
Cited
US6434510B1
Cited
WO2003063517A2
Cited
US20050215286A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-12-25 | 2010-06-26 | 2010-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-12-25 | 2014-06-26 | 2014-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-12-25 | 2018-06-26 | 2018-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |