 |
Claims  |
|
|
What is claimed is:
1. A method of operating an electronic security device having multiple
memory levels, comprising the stpes of:
(a) storing a lock combination information code in each of the multiple
memory levels;
(b) applying a key operation select information code and a key combination
information code to the security device:
(c) selecting one of the memory levels having stored therein a lock
combination information code;
(d) comparing combination inforamation from the selected lock combination
information code with combination information dependent upon the key
conbination information code and generating a first opening compare signal
if said combination information from the selected lock combination
information code corresponds to said combination information dependent
upon the key combination information code;
(e) opening the security device if the first opening compare signal is
generated;
(f) selecting, based upon the key operation select information code, from a
set of predefined operations for transforming combination information to a
plurality of alternative new combination information codes:
(g) applying the operation selection to information from the key
conbination information code to generate a new, computed combination
information code if, in response to said comparing of said comparing step,
the first opening compare signal is not generated;
(h) comparing the new, computed combination information code with
information from the selected lock combination information code and
generating a second opening compare signal if the computed combination
information code corresponds to said information from the lock combination
information code; and
(i) opening the security device if the second opening compare signal is
generated.
2. The electronic security device operating method of claim 1 comprising
the additional step of:
storing combination information dependent upon the key combination
information code in the selected memory level in place of the selected
lock combination inforamtion code if the second opening compare signal is
generated.
3. The electronic security device operating method of claim 1 wherein:
(j) said key combination information code includes first and second code
fields;
(k) in said comparing step (d), combination information dependent upon said
first code field is compared with the selected lock combination
information code.
(l) in said applying step (g), said operation selection is applied to said
second code field to generate the new, computed combination information
code; and
(m) in said comparing step (h), the new, computed combination information
code is compared with the lock combination information code.
4. The electronic security device operating method of claim 3 comprising
the additional step of:
storing combination information dependent upon the first field of the key
combination information code in the selected memory level in place of the
selected lock combination information code if the second opening compare
signal is generated.
5. A method of operating an electronic security device having a memory in
which is stored a lock combination information code, comprising the steps
of:
(a) applying a key operation select information code and a key combination
information code to the security device;
(b) comparing combination information from the lock combination information
code with combination information dependent upon the key combination
information code and generating a first opening compare signal if said
combination information from the lock combination information code
corresponds to said combination information dependent upon the key
combination information code;
(c) opening the secutity device if the first opening compare signal is
generated;
(d) selecting, based upon the key operation select information code, from a
set of predefined operations for transforming combination to a plurality
of alternative new combination information codes;
(e) applying the operation selection to information from the key
combination information code to generate a new, computed combination
information code if, in response to said comparing of said comparing step,
the first opening compare signal is not generated;
(f) comparing the new, computed combination information code with
information from the lock combination information code and generating a
second opening compare signal if the computed combination information code
corresponds to said information from the lock combination information
code; and
(g) opening the security device if the second opening compare signal is
generated.
6. The electronic security device operating method of claim 5 comprising
the additional step of:
storing combination information dependent upon the key combination
information code in the security device memory in place of the lock
combination information code if the second opening compare signal is
generated.
7. The electronic security device operating method of claim 5 wherein:
(h) said key combination information code includes first and second code
fields:
(i) in said comparing step (b), combination information dependent upon said
first code field is compared with the lock combination information code;
(j) in said applying step (e), said operation selection is applied to said
second code field to generate the new, computed combination information
code; and
(k) in said comparing step (f), the new, computed combination information
code is compared with the lock combination information code.
8. The electronic security device operating method of claim 7 comprising
the additional step of:
storing combination information dependent upon the first field of the key
combination information code in the security device memory in place of the
lock combination information code if the second opening compare signal is
generated.
9. A method of operating an electronic security device having a memory in
which is stored a lock combination information code and a lock
identification information code, comprising the steps of:
(a) applying a key operation select information code, a key combination
information code and a key identification information code to the security
device;
(b) comparing the lock identification information code with information
dependent upon the key identification information code and generating an
identification compare signal if the lock identification information code
corresponds to the information dependent upon the key identification
information code;
(c) comparing combination information from the lock combination information
code with combination information dependent upon the key combination
information code if the identification compare signal is generated and
generating a first opening compare signal if said combination information
from the lock combination information code corresponds to said combination
information dependent upon the key combination information code;
(d) opening the security device if the first opening compare signal is
generated;
(e) selecting, based upon the key operation select information code, form a
set of predefined operations for transforming combination information to a
plurality of alternative new combination information codes;
(f) applying the operation selection to information from the key
combination information code to generate a new, computed combination
information code if the identification compare signal is generated and the
first opening compare signal is not generated;
(g) comparing the new, computed combination information code with
information from the lock combination information code and generating a
second opening compare signal if the computed combination information code
corresponds to said information from the lock combination information
code; and
(h) opening the security device if the second opening compare signal is
generated.
10. A method of operating an electronic security device having multiple
memory levels, comprising the steps of:
(a) storing a lock combination information code and a lock identification
information code in each of the multiple memory levels;
(b) applying a key operation select information code, a key combination
information code and a key identification information code to the security
device;
(c) selecting one of the memory levels having stored therein a lock
combination information code and a lock identification information code;
(d) comparing the selected lock identification information code with
information dependent upon the key identification information code and
generating an identification compare signal if the selected lock
identification information code corresponds to the information dependent
upon the key identification information code;
(e) comparing combination information from the selected lock combination
information code with combination information dependent upon the key
combination information code if the identification compare signal is
generated and generating a first opening compare signal if said
combination information from the selected lock combination information
code corresponds to said combination information dependent upon the key
combination information code:
(f) operning the security device if the first opening compare signal is
generated;
(g) selecting, based upon the key select information code, from a set of
predefined operations for transforming combination information to a
plurlaity of alternative new combination information codes;
(h) applying the operation selection to information from the key
combination information code to generate a new, computed combination
information code if the identification compare signal is generated and the
first opening compare signal is not generated;
(i) comparing the new, computed combination information code with
information from the selected lock combination information code and
generating a second opening compare signal if the computed combination
information code corresponds to said information from the lock combination
information code; and
(j) opening the security device if the second opening compare signal is
generated. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods of operating a security system and more
particularly to a method for opening and changing the combination of
specific security devices in the security system.
Numerous electronic security lock systems have been developed wherein
specific locks are operable in response to a key coded with combination
information. Such coded keys are inserted into a lock which reads and
compares that information with prestored combination information in the
lock. If correspondence exists, then the lock opens.
However, quite typically, in order to change the lock combination
information, the individual lock combinations in each door must be reset
manually by changing switches or electrical connections before a new coded
key will operate the lock.
Several different approaches have been tried. For example, in one type of
electronic lock system, a central console is electrically connected to
each of the individual door locks. The central control unit is then used
to remotely set and change the combination information for the individual
locks as well as to sense a combination code on a key inserted into the
lock. However, such systems are vulnerable to system failure since a
failure of the central console will cause all of the locks to become
inoperable. Furthermore, such systems require that each individual lock be
electrically wired to the central control unit resulting in greatly
increased expense particularly when retrofitting older buildings.
In another type of electronic lock system, combination information of the
lock can be changed or otherwise replaced by information on the coded key
inserted into the lock. For example, in Hinman et al., U.S. Pat. No.
3,860,911, a coded key actuated automatic code changing system is
described whereby each lock unit includes a key decoder with a
functionally assigned pair of registers containing prestored combination
codes. The first register of the pair stores a current combination code.
The other register of the pair stores a next or change combination code.
When a key coded with both the current and the change combination codes is
inserted, the current combination code carried by the key is compared with
the data stored in each register. If a comparison is made with the first
register or the second register an appropriate access enable signal is
provided. In addition, if a comparison is made with the second register
the change combination code in the second register is transferred to the
first register thus becoming the current combination code; and a new next
combination code, also on the key, generated in and provided for the key
in a control console, is inserted in the second register. A somewhat
similar code changing system is disclosed in Zucker et al., U.S. Pat. No.
3,800,284, in which combination codes are generated in the locks in
correspondence with codes generated in the central station.
Still another code changing system is disclosed in Sabsay, U.S. Pat. No.
3,821,704 (reissued as U.S. Pat. No. Re. 29,259), wherein the key includes
an unlock combination code and an authorization code and each lock has
stored therein a combination code. If the key unlock combination
corresponds to the combination code in the lock, then the lock opens.
However, if the key unlock combination does not correspond to the
combination code stored in the lock, the authorization code from the key
is compared with the combination code from the lock. If correspondence
occurs then the key unlock combination code is transferred to the lock and
stored in place of the previously stored combination code.
Yet another combination changing system is disclosed in Genest et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 4,213,118, wherein each code combination stored in a lock has a
first and second field and each key card contains a code combination
having a first and second field. When the key is inserted into the lock
the two fields of the stored combination code and the combination code
from the key are compared and the lock opens if correspondence exists. If
correspondence does not exist then the second field of the stored
combination code and the first field of the key combination code are
compared. If there is correspondence at this stage an appropriate signal
is generated to store the two fields of the key combination code in the
lock memory in place of the two fields of the stored combination code
thereby updating the combination of the lock.
In Aston, U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,914, a new combination code is generated in a
lock using information from the key and from the lock. A combination code
on the key is compared to the lock combination code. If there is a match,
the lock opens. If there is not a match, the new combination code is
generated by inverting selected bits of the lock combination code,
according to information on the key. If there is a match, the new
combination code replaces the lock combination code and the lock opens.
Genest et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,021 (reissued as U.S. Pat. No. Re
29,846), exemplifies, along with other of the above patents, the use of
differing keys (e.g., guest, maintenance and master) to address different
parts of the lock memory. Ulch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,690, and
Lundgren, U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,133 are also of some limited, peripheral
interest.
The present invention employs key information for use in making an
operation selection, from a number of available alternative selections,
which is then carried out in a security device in order to determine
whether combination information in the device should be changed and the
device should be opened. This feature and other significant features
provide important increments of additional security.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method of operating an electronic security device having multiple memory
levels includes the steps of storing a lock combination information code
in each of the multiple memory levels, applying a key operation select
information code and a key combination information code to the security
device, and selecting one of the memory levels having stored therein a
lock combination information code. Combination information from the
selected lock combination information code is compared with combination
information from the key combination information code, and a first opening
compare signal is generated when such combination information from the
selected lock combination information code corresponds to such combination
information from the key combination information code. The security device
is opened if the first opening compare signal is generated. If, in
response to such comparing, the first opening compare signal is not
generated, an operation selection is made from a set of predefined
operations, based upon the key operation select information code, and this
operation selection is applied to combination information from the
combination code information to generate a computed combination
information code. This computed combination information code is then
compared with information from the combination code information, and a
second opening compare signal is generated if there is correspondence. The
security device is opened if the second opening compare signal is
generated.
The operation selection may include one or more arithmetic operations
and/or logical operations and/or other operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A complete understanding of the present invention and of the above and
other advantages thereof may be gained from a consideration of the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a security system in connection
with which the method of the present invention may be used.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a functional block diagram of a security device
interconnected to operate in accordance with the method of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of data coded on the key and read into the
security device of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a simplified flow chart illustrative of the method in accordance
with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is a method for changing the lock combination of one
or more locks for securing limited access areas such as the rooms in a
hotel. In general, each limited access area will have a lock which is
operable in response to a coded key electronically read by the lock. Data
from the coded key is compared with data stored in the lock and a decision
is made as to whether the lock should be opened or not. Electronic lock
systems of the general type which are particularly adaptable to the use of
the method of the present invention include the systems disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,926,021 (reissued as U.S. Pat. No. Re. 29,846), U.S. Pat. No.
4,213,118 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,710.
Systems in connection with which the method of the present invention will
be useful may be represented as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, such
systems include a central console 10 which generates and stores all of the
combination information codes, identification information codes, function
information codes and operation select information codes required for each
of a plurality of locks 12. Each lock 12 stores an identification
information code and a combination information code for each of a
plurality of memory levels in the lock. The central console transfers the
required data for a selected lock to a coded key 14 such as a key card or
other electronic storage device which is given into the possession of the
individual or individuals authorized to have access to a limited access
area secured by one of the locks 12. The coded keys 14 may be encoded in
any of a number of different ways either by the central console 10 or by
some external coding mechanism which cooperates with the central console
10 so that the data stored on a coded key 14 for a particular lock 12 will
correspond to the data stored in the central console 10 for that
particular lock 12.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the operational elements and interconnections
required to enable the electronic lock to operate in accordance with the
method of the invention is illustrated. Each such lock 12 includes a key
reader 20, and a lock bolt assembly 24 which is operable to mechanically
move a bolt to allow accessing to an area secured by the lock bolt
assembly 24. Although the electronic processor 22 will preferably be a
special purpose processing unit having the necessary memory and processing
logic, as has generally become a conventional approach in electronic lock
systems, various functional blocks have been illustrated in FIGS. 2A and
2B to facilitate explanation of the method in accordance with the
invention.
Each lock 12 is provided with one or more memory levels, each for storing
an identification information code and a combination information code.
Each memory level represents a different level of access for that
particular lock. For example, the level 0 identification information code
and combination information code may be common to all locks in a hotel so
that data on a coded key which corresponds to the identification
information code and combination information code data stored in the level
0 memories will open any lock in the hotel. Similarly, the identification
information code and the combination information code stored in the next
level may be common to a group of rooms so that a key card with data
corresponding to the data in a second level of memory will open any of the
rooms in that group. Still another level of memory in the lock may contain
an identification information code and a combination information code
which is unique to that lock. A key card with corresponding identification
information code and combination information code data will therefore open
only one lock in the hotel.
Of course, each lock may have any number of memory levels where each memory
level contains data which if matched by the data from a coded key will
enable the lock to open.
Turning again to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the operation of the method in accordance
with the invention may be described as follows: Initially, an
identification information code and a combination information code is
stored in each of the memory levels of the processor 22 with corresponding
data being stored in the central console. For example, a level 0
identification information code is stored in a memory 50 and a level 0
combination information code is stored in a memory 52, a level 1
identification information code is stored in a memory 54 and a level 1
combination information code is stored in a memory 56 and so forth with
the level N identification information code stored in a memory 58 and the
level N combination information code stored in a memory 60.
When a coded key 14 is inserted into the lock, a key reader 20 reads the
data from the coded key 14 and transfers that data to a suitable holding
register 62. The particular key reader and the coded key may be an
optical, magnetic, electronic or mechanical system without departing from
the spirit of the invention. Such card reading systems are well known and
will therefore not be further described herein.
Control logic and timing 64 is coupled to the holding register 62 and to
various of the other operational elements in the functional diagram of
FIG. 2. Although single leads are illustrated from such control logic and
timing 64 to various operational elements and from various operational
elements to the control logic and timing, it will be appreciated that each
line may represent several leads to carry signals providing the operation
as described herein.
The control logic and timing 64, through its coupling to the holding
register 62 or key reader 20 senses when the key reader has completed
reading the coded key 14 and transferring the data to the holding reqister
62. The control logic and timing 64 then receives the function information
code data from the holding register and based upon that function
information code, selects the particular memory level from which the lock
identification information code and the lock combination information code
will be obtained for comparison with the key identification information
code and a test field of the key combination information code stored in
the holding register 62. For example, if the function code has a value of
one, then the control logic and timing 64 may be set (in effect,
programmed) to select or otherwise address the level 0 identification and
combination information codes. On the other hand, if the function
information code has a value of two, then the control logic and timing 64
may be set to select or otherwise address the level 1 identification and
combination information codes. Other values of the function information
code will similarly cause the control logic and timing 64 to address other
memory levels for comparison with the key identification and key
combination information codes in the holding register 62.
After a particular memory level has been selected the control logic and
timing 64 enables the lock identification information code from that
memory level to be transferred to an identification code comparator 66
where it is compared with the key identification information code from the
holding register 62. If the selected lock identification information code
corresponds to the key identification information code an ID compare
signal is generated and sensed by the control logic and timing 64. If an
ID compare signal (which could, e.g., involve a change in level, e.g., a
pulse, along the electrical connection or other indication) is not
received by the control logic and timing 64 the control logic and timing
64 will power down the lock 12 for a period of time.
On the other hand, if there is correspondence between the selected lock
identification, information code and the key identification information
code the control logic and timing 64 will transfer the lock combination
information code from the same selected memory level to a test combination
code comparator 68 where it is compared with the test field of the key
combination information code from the holding register 62. If the selected
lock combination information code corresponds to the test field of the key
combination information code then a first opening compare signal (which
could, e.g., again involve a change in level, e.g., a pulse, along the
electrical connection or other such indication) will be generated by the
test combination code comparator and sensed by the control logic and
timing 64 whereupon an open lock signal (which could well, e.g., be the
same type of indication just noted for the opening compare signal) will be
transferred to the lock bolt assembly 24 enabling the lock bolt assembly
24 to open. If the first opening compare signal is not generated the
control logic and timing will generate a signal which enables the
operation select information code to address one of a number of storage
locations in an operation selection memory 70, such code, of course,
determining the location addressed. Such storage locations contain
operation information codes for various operation alternatives which may
be performed on the operand field of the key combination information code.
An operator logic and memory 72 is set (in effect, programmed) to provide
the differing alternatives which may be selected by the different
operation information codes stored in the operation select memory 70
storage locations. Each selection might be one or any number of
arithmetic, logical or other operations. For example, one selection might
be the addition of the operand field of the key combination information
code to a stored number, its subtraction from a stored number or its
division or multiplication by a stored number (with a possible truncation
of overflow bits in some cases). Another selection might be the rotation
(circular) of the operand field bits a set number of positions to the left
or right. A third selection might be the inversion of certain of the
operand field bits. Another selection might incorporate two or all three
of these in a selected order or a number of the first group in a selected
order, etc. As may be appreciated, the availability of alternatives,
selected in accordance with an operation select information code provided
on the coded key 14 produces a substantial measure of added security for
the system.
The control logic and timing 64 thus generates signals which enable the
operation selection in accordance with the operation information code from
the operation selection memory 70, the transfer of the operand field of
the key combination information code, on which the selection is to be
performed, from the holding register 62 to the operator logic and memory
72 and the performance of the operation selection. The resulting computed
combination information code is then transferred to a computed combination
code comparator 74 where it is compared with the selected lock combination
information code (from the selected memory level). If the computed
combination information code corresponds to the selected lock combination
information code a second opening compare signal (which could, e.g.,
again, involve a change in level, e.g., a pulse, along the electrical
connection or other such indication) is sent to the control logic and
timing 64 which then causes the test field of the key combination
information code to be transferred to the selected memory level from the
holding register 62, and replaces the selected lock combination
information code with the test field of the key combination information
code. In addition, the control logic and timing 64 enables the lock bolt
assembly 24 to open.
By way of specific illustration, if the function information code read from
the coded key 14 is a one, then the control logic and timing 64 enables
the lock identification information code from the level 0 memory 50 to be
transferred to the identification code comparator 66. The control logic
and timing 64 also enables the key identification information code from
the holding register 62 to be transferred to the identification code
comparator 66. If the two identification information codes are found to
correspond, the control logic and timing 64 enables the lock combination
information code from the level 0 memory 52 to be transferred to the test
combination code comparator 68 and further enables the test fie1d of the
key combination information code from the holding register 62 to be
transferred to the combination code comparator 68.
If the test field of the key combination information code and the selected
lock combination information code correspond then the control logic and
timing sends a signal to the lock bolt assembly 24 enabling the lock bolt
assembly 24 to open. If correspondence does not exist then the control
logic and timing 64 enables the selection of an operation information code
from the operation selection memory 70 by the operation select information
code, the operation selection in the operator logic and memory 72 in
accordance with the operation information code, and the transfer of the
operand field of the key combination information code to the operator
logic and memory. The operation selection, made from a pre-defined set of
alternative selections, is then applied to the operand field to generate a
computed combination information code. The computed combination
information code is then compared with the selected lock combination
information code in the computed combination code comparator 74 as
previously described. If correspondence occurs then the test field of the
key combination information code is stored in the level 0 combination code
memory and the lock bolt is opened. This storing of the test field, of
course, changes the lock combination information code for that memory
level to such test field.
It will be appreciated, of course, that the operand field of the key
combination information code must be computed by the central console prior
to being stored on the coded key 14 to assure that a correspondence will
occur when the computed combination information code is compared with the
lock combination information code to be selected in the lock by the key.
Such computation by the console, of course, must be based on the operation
selection which will be caused by the key operation select information
code which the console also provides.
By way of illustration, when it is desired to generate a new combination
information code for a particular level in a particular lock, the central
console, typically, first generates in a random way, a test field portion
for a key combination information code.
The console will then provide an operation selection from those available
in the lock (information on which is stored in the console) and generate
an operation select information code for the key, which will carry out
this selection. The console then applies to the existing lock combination
information code to be selected (which is also stored in the central
console) what might be conveniently termed the "reverse" or "inverse" of
the operation selection which is to be carried out in the lock. The result
will be the operand field of the key combination information code. The
operation select information code and the two fields of the key
combination information code are then stored on the key (with the other
information codes). The coded key may then be inserted in the key reader
and the data transferred to the holding register 62 as previously
described. The operator logic and memory 72 in the lock, at the
appropriate time, will then apply the operation selection to the operand
field and provide a computed combination information code which will
correspond to the selected lock combination information code.
By way of specific illustration, if the operation selection to be performed
by the operator logic and memory 72 is an addition of a certain number to
the operand field of the key combination information code, then the
operation performed by the central console to generate the operand field
will be a subtraction of that number from the lock combination information
code to be selected. Similarly, by way of further illustration, if the
operation selection to be performed in the lock is a shift (in circular
fashion) of the bits of the operand field two bits to the right, then the
operation performed by the central console to generate the operand field
will be a shift (in circular fashion) of the bits of the lock combination
information code two bits to the left.
Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart of the above-described method is
illustrated. Specifically, the lock is turned on upon the insertion of a
coded key into the lock's reader (block 80). Thereafter, the function
information code, identification information code, two-field combination
information code and operation select information code are read from the
coded key and stored in the holding register as illustrated in block 82.
The particular memory level is then selected based upon the function
information code in block 84. The lock processor then compares the
identification information code from the selected memory level of the lock
with the identification information code from the coded key. If
correspondence does not exist, then the lock power is turned off for a set
period of time. If correspondence does exist, then the processor compares
the lock combination information code from the selected memory level of
the lock with the test field of the key combination information code from
the coded key (block 88). If correspondence exists, then the lock opens.
However, if correspondence does not exist, then additional steps are
undertaken to determine whether the lock is to open and the combination
information code in the selected memory level of the lock is to be
changed. Accordingly, in block 90, an operation selection is made in the
| | |
