Abstract:
A portable entry system and method is provided. The portable entry system includes an electromechanical lock used for securing a safe door to a safe housing. The system also includes a portable entry device that allows the electromechanical lock to be operated between open and closed positions. The portable entry device is removable from the electromechanical lock such that it may be programmed and recharged at a location remote from the electromechanical lock. An authorized user enters an authorized user security code that activates the portable entry device. Without an activated device, the electromechanical lock cannot be operated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a portable entry mechanism for use on a device such as a safe. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic portable entry mechanism that is removable from a safe or vault when not in use.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Electronic locks have become a popular alternative to mechanical locks due to their versatility and security. For example, electronic locks allow a user to set their own combinations. With the increase in passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and other codes that people need to remember, a lock combination that is set by the user allows the user to select combinations that are easy to remember.  
         [0005]     Exemplary electronic locks are shown and described in Gartner, U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,519, and Gartner, U.S. Pat. No. 6,760,964, both incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Electronic locks typically employ an electromagnetic device, such as a solenoid, operably connected to a circuit board. The circuit board, upon receiving a predetermined input representing the access code, sends an electrical signal to the electromagnetic device, thereby energizing the device to an “open” state and allowing the safe to be opened. These electronics are typically powered by a battery, which is either hidden in the safe door or in the keypad housing. The Gartner &#39;519 patent discloses a keypad that includes a battery that can be replaced without opening the safe, and also provides a secure connection to internal circuitry to thwart tampering efforts and accidental breakage during assembly. The Gartner &#39;964 patent discloses a swing bolt lock that is operably connected to a plunger-type solenoid. The plunger engages a locking plate. When the lock is in the locked condition, the locking plate engages the locking bolt to prevent the swing bolt from pivoting. When a user enters the correct combination, the plunger disengages the locking plate so that the locking plate slides out of engagement with the locking bolt. A handle connected by a shaft through the outside of the safe drives the boltworks. Movement of the boltworks acts on the swing bolt and pivots it to the unlocked position. Because the locking plate is out of engagement with the locking bolt, it does not prevent the swing bolt from pivoting thus allowing the user to access the safe.  
         [0006]     Although the Gartner &#39;519 and &#39;964 patents address many of the previous shortcomings of electronic locks, it would be desirable to provide a lock that is operable with a portable entry device that contains the power supply for operating the electromechanical safe lock and that can be stored at a location remote from the lock. Further, a portable entry device that is operable only by authorized users via entry of an authorized user code and that contains a separate lock security code that mates with a code stored in a lock within a safe would also be desirable. If the portable entry device was misplaced or became lost and an unauthorized user found the portable entry device, the unauthorized user would not be able to use the device because the unauthorized user would not have the authorized user code to activate the device.  
         [0007]     For example, automatic teller machines (“ATMs”) are typically located in public places and contain large amounts of cash. Even without an access code, an unauthorized user would have an opportunity to manipulate the keypad on the safe and open the safe. Consequently, such safes are typically hidden behind a locked cabinet, giving an additional degree of security. However, if the lock were constructed and arranged such that the keypad and power supply were removable when not in use, further security would be provided. A portable entry device including external keypad and internal power supply could be further protected in an offsite location, such as in another safe or simply carried by the authorized user. Thus, a security company tasked with emptying money from a vault could securely maintain the necessary entry device in a separate safe and check the entry device out to authorized security personnel for the limited time necessary to access the vault. Not only would the entry device avoid tampering efforts, if it were somehow lost or stolen, it would be useless without the authorized user&#39;s security code.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention relates to a portable entry device that operates an electromechanical lock inside, for example, a safe. The portable entry device is carried by the user and/or stored at a remote site when the user does not need to operate the lock in order to access the safe. This arrangement provides an added degree of security to the contents of the safe being protected by the lock.  
         [0009]     The portable entry system in accordance with the present invention includes a hand-held, portable entry device, an electromechanical lock positioned within a safe, and a receiving receptacle positioned on the outside of a safe for receiving the portable entry device. An optional docking station is also provided. The electromechanical lock is typically positioned on the backside of a safe door and includes a circuit board and at least one electromagnetic device that is moveable or otherwise influenced by the circuit board. The portable entry device includes a pre-programmed lock security code or codes and an authorized user code or codes, a power supply therewithin, such as a battery, and a user-activated interface such as a keypad, fingerprint identification system, retina scan, voice-recognition device, electronic signature pad, or the like. Alternatively, a global positioning system may be used. If a GPS is installed in the portable entry device, the device cannot be activated unless the coordinates of the portable entry device with installed GPS match the coordinates of safe&#39;s location. The portable entry device is constructed and arranged to communicate with a circuit board within the electromechanical lock when placed in operating relationship thereto. Upon input, receipt and verification of the correct authorization code from the user into the user interface, the device is activated and communicates the pre-programmed lock security code to the microprocessor contained within the electromechanical lock positioned within the safe. If the microprocessor recognizes and matches the security code, it sends a signal to the circuit board, which in turns sends a command to the electromagnetic device. When the electromagnetic device receives the command, a plunger on the solenoid disengages the locking bolt, which locks the safe boltworks. A handle connected by a shaft through the outside of the safe is operably connected to the safe&#39;s boltworks. A user operating the safe&#39;s handle turns the handle. Movement of the handle causes the boltworks to act on the locking bolt which retracts or otherwise moves to the unlocked position thereby allowing the authorized user to open the safe. The power supply contained within the portable entry device provides the necessary electricity to not only the circuit board and user interface, but also to the electromagnetic device, which may be a solenoid or a motor. If a motor is used, the motor actuates the locking bolt to withdraw or otherwise retract from an engaged position, which locks the boltworks to an unengaged position, which allows the boltworks to move and open the safe. The present invention may be used with a variety of locking bolts such as a slide bolt, a dead bolt, a swing bolt and other locking bolts known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0010]     One aspect of the present invention provides a lock system including a portable entry device that activates an electromechanical lock inside a safe. The electromechanical lock includes a locking bolt moveable between an open position and a closed position. The locking bolt blocks the safe&#39;s boltworks. The electromagnetic device includes an engaged state and a disengaged state, and prevents the locking bolt from being moveable to the open position when the electromagnetic device is in the engaged state. In the disengaged state, the electromagnetic device allows the locking bolt to move to the open position. A solenoid-operated plunger, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,519, is one example of such an electromagnetic device.  
         [0011]     The electromechanical lock further includes a circuit board electronically connected to the electromagnetic device. The circuit board has computer memory attached thereto that is capable of storing one or more pre-programmed codes. A processor is also attached to the circuit board and in communication with the computer memory. The processor is capable of comparing a received code to at least one of the plurality of codes stored in the computer memory and sending a signal that causes the electromagnetic device to change between the engaged and disengaged states.  
         [0012]     The electromechanical lock also includes at least one communication channel that allows communication between the portable entry device and the circuit board. Upon verifying that a code is received from an authorized user using the portable entry device, the circuit board sends a signal that causes the electromagnetic device to change between the engaged and disengaged states. An example of a communication channel is a conductor connecting the circuit board to an electrical contact on an external surface of the electromechanical lock. Another example of a communication channel is a radio frequency receiver or transceiver operably connected to the circuit board that controls the electromagnetic device.  
         [0013]     Additionally, the electromechanical lock includes at least one power channel capable of transferring power from the portable entry device to the electromagnetic device.  
         [0014]     The portable entry device has a housing with a user interface operably attached to the housing. The user interface may be a variety of devices, including but not limited to a keypad, a fingerprint, voice or retina recognition device, a global positioning system, or an electronic signature recognition pad. Each of these user interfaces has unique attributes that make it advantageous in different applications.  
         [0015]     The portable entry device further includes a power supply contained within the housing and capable of supplying enough power to the electromechanical lock to power the circuit board and the electromagnetic device. The power is delivered to the circuit board through the power channel.  
         [0016]     The physical relationship between the electromechanical lock and the portable entry device can be embodied in various configurations. A durable configuration includes a handheld device that is relatively rectangular in shape, an entire end of which constitutes a male coupling. A receiving receptacle positioned on the outside portion of the safe door defines a female coupling sized to receive the handheld device. When the male coupling end of the portable entry device is placed in the female coupling, electrical contacts on both components abut, establishing electrical communication therebetween.  
         [0017]     Alternatively, the handheld device could comprise a male USB or serial connector or the like. A corresponding female port would then be found on the receiving receptacle. The receptacle then communicates via cable with the electromechanical lock. Another alternative provides a portable entry device that establishes data flow communication and power transfer with the electromechanical lock without physical contact between the two components and without the need for a receptacle. Isolation transformers are usable to transfer power without physical contact, while there are many forms of wireless data communication useable to relay code data between the portable entry device and the electromechanical lock. Another alternative provides a portable entry device that is in power and data flow communication directly with the electromechanical lock without the need for a receptacle.  
         [0018]     Another aspect of the invention provides an optional docking station that is connectable to a computer. The docking station is constructed and arranged to receive the portable entry device and includes a charger operably connected to the power supply of the portable entry device when the portable entry device is received by the docking station. The charger is capable of charging or recharging the power supply in the handheld device.  
         [0019]     The docking station also includes a data link capable of operably connecting the processor of the portable entry device to a computer when the portable entry device is in the docking station and the docking station is connected to a computer. The data link allows data flow communication between the computer and the processor of the portable entry device.  
         [0020]     In an alternative embodiment, the portable entry device may be designed to operate without the need for a docking station. The portable entry device may be directly connectable to a computer capable of charging or recharging the power supply in the device.  
         [0021]     Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of opening a safe. The method includes providing a safe having a door containing a receptacle for a portable entry device, boltworks that lock the safe&#39;s door, and an electromagnetic device contained within a safe, the electromagnetic device in communication with a lock that prevents the boltworks from being moved into a retracted position.  
         [0022]     A portable entry device containing a pre-programmed user security code and a pre-programmed lock security code is provided. A user places the portable entry device in mating relationship with a receiving receptacle located on a safe door and enters a PIN, fingerprint identification, retinal scan, etc. If the user security code is correct, the portable entry device activates and sends a signal to a microprocessor located within the electromechanical lock. The microprocessor then determines whether the lock security code matches the code stored within the microprocessor. If the codes match, a signal is transmitted from the microprocessor to the electromagnetic device activating it and causing it to disengage the locking bolt allowing the authorized user to turn the safe handle and access the safe. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable entry device of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a docking station of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the portable entry device of the present invention placed in the docking station;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electromechanical lock of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a safe door with a handle in an open position, the safe door including the portable entry device and electromechanical lock of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , it can be seen that the present invention includes a portable entry device  20 ; a docking station  80 ; an electromechanical lock  50  located within, for example, a safe; and a portable entry device receiving receptacle  64  located on, for example, the door of a safe  70 . The portable entry device  20 , shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a housing  22  that houses a microprocessor or microchip  24 , computer memory  26  operably connected to the microchip  24 , and a power supply  28  operably connected to the microchip  24 . The internal components  24 ,  26  and  28  are shown schematically in phantom lines. The power supply  28  is preferably a rechargeable battery. One skilled in the art will realize that the computer memory  26  could be integrated with the microchip  24 . Optimally, microchip  24  and computer memory  26  are components of a circuit board  30 .  
         [0029]     The portable entry device  20  also includes, on an outer surface, a user interface  32 . The user interface  32  is operably connected to the circuit board  30  such that data flow inputted into the user interface  32  can flow to the microchip  24 . The user interface  32  is embodied in  FIG. 1  as a keypad. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, user interface  32  may be a fingerprint recognition or retinal scan device or other biometric devices. Also on an external surface  35  of portable entry device  20  is a plurality of contacts  33 ,  34 . The contacts  33 ,  34  allow the portable entry device  20  to communicate in mating relationship with contacts  56 ,  57  of receptacle  64  (which in turn communicate with electromechanical lock  50 ) and contacts  85 ,  86  of docking station  80  (which in turn communicate with an external power source and a computer storing data).  
         [0030]     Contacts  33  are in data flow communication with the microchip  24 . Contacts  34  are electrically connected to the power supply  28  and usable to supply power to the electro-magnetic device  54  of lock  50  when connected thereto. Contacts  34  also receive power from the docking station  80  when connected thereto during a recharging operation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the number of contacts for power and data communication can vary and may include one contact each or a plurality of contacts. The contacts  33 ,  34  shown for data flow communication and power supply are exemplary only and as those skilled in the art will appreciate may be reversed, may be on the front, back, sides or on opposites sides of the portable entry device in any usable configuration.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown optional docking station  80  of the present invention. Docking station  80  includes a body  82  defining a receiving dock  84  sized to receive at least a portion of the portable entry device  20 . The dock  84  includes data communication and power contacts  85 ,  86 , respectively. The docking station  80  further includes a data link  88  capable of connecting the docking station  80  to a computer. The data link  88  may terminate with a universal serial bus (USB) connector, fire wire connector, or any connector usable to connect an external device to a computer. The computer may store useful information that is uploaded to the portable entry device when the portable entry device is docked in the docking station  80 . For example, useful data such as the authorized users for the portable entry device, the events that transpired during, for instance, a cash-carrier route such as time of lock openings and the personnel associated with the openings may be uploaded.  
         [0032]     The docking station  80  has a charging function and a data communications function. The charging function is used to recharge the power supply  28  of the portable entry device  20  when the portable entry device  20  is placed in the dock  84 . When placed in the receiving dock  84 , the contacts  34  of the portable entry device  20  are electrically connected to the contacts  86  of the docking station  80 . At least one of contacts  86  supplies charging power to the power supply  28  of the portable entry device  20 . Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of contacts can be varied without sacrificing functionality. Power cable  89  connects to an external power supply to maintain docking station  80  fully charged.  
         [0033]     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the charging function can be accomplished by a charger  92  within the docking station  80 , or may be supplied by a charger contained within the computer leaving the docking station to serve only as a connector between the power supplied by the computer and the power supply  28 . If the charger  92  is contained within the docking station  80  it may receive electricity from the computer or an external source.  
         [0034]     The data communications function establishes data flow between a external computer and microchip  24  of portable entry device  20  via data link  88 . The data flow is preferably two-way flow allowing the computer to input new codes into the portable entry device  20  as well as receive data from the microchip  24  for purposes of record keeping.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  depicts the portable entry device of the present invention docked in docking station  80  with power contacts  34  in communication with contact  86  and data communication contacts  33  in data flow communication with communication contacts  85 .  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the second and third components of the present invention, an electromechanical lock  50  and a portable entry device receiving receptacle  64 . The electromechanical lock  50  includes a locking bolt  52 , which retracts or otherwise moves between an open position and a closed position by operation of an electromagnetic element  54 , discussed in detail below. The electromechanical lock  50  could be any mechanical lock mechanism such as the swing bolt lock disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,519 to Gartner. Alternatively, the lock mechanism may be a slide bolt, a dead bolt and other locking bolts known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0037]     Electromechanical lock  50  includes an electromagnetic device  54 , shown diagrammatically in phantom lines as an exemplary solenoid-operated plunger, which has an engaged state and a disengaged state. The electromagnetic element  54  may be a solenoid, which is a linear electromagnetic device. A motor or other rotary electromagnetic device may also be employed. A plunger  53  on the solenoid engages locking bolt  52 . When the locking bolt  52  is in its locked position, it engages boltworks  55  and prevents boltworks from moving. The electromagnetic lock  50  is operably attached to the safe&#39;s boltworks  55 , such that the boltworks  51  are prevented from being movable between an open position and a closed position when the electromagnetic lock  50  is in an engaged state. In the disengaged state, the electromagnetic lock  50  allows a user to rotate handle  72  on safe  70  into an open position, as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0038]     Receiving receptacle  64  includes a plurality of contacts  56 ,  57  that are positioned to electrically interact with the contacts  34 ,  35  of the portable entry device  20 , respectively. It can be seen in  FIG. 4 , that the receiving receptacle  64  is configured to mate with the portable entry device  20  of  FIG. 1 . Receptacle  64  that is sized to receive housing  22  of the portable entry device  20 . Thus, receptacle  64  constitutes a female coupling and the end  36  proximate the contacts  33 ,  34  of the portable entry device  20  constitutes a male coupling.  
         [0039]     Contacts  56 ,  57  are electrically connected to a microchip  58 . The microchip or processor  58  is a component of a circuit board  59  that is either contained within the electromechanical lock  50  or contained within the safe that the lock  50  is securing. Also on the circuit board is computer memory  61 , accessible by the microchip  58 . The circuit board  59  is electrically connected to at least one of the contacts  57  to form a communications channel  60  therebetween. Furthermore, the circuit board  59  is electrically connected to at least one of the contacts  56  to form a power channel therebetween. The power channel  62  further connects the circuit board  59  to the electromagnetic device  54 .  
         [0040]     In operation, the portable entry device  20  is stored in docking station  80  where data is uploaded into computer memory  26  of microprocessor  24 . The stored data may include information such as any number of authorized user codes, any number of security codes that correspond to safes located along a carrier&#39;s route, the events that transpired during a cash-carrier route such as time of safe openings and the personnel associated with the openings. Upon arriving at a safe&#39;s location, the user would typically first place the portable entry device  20  in the receiving receptacle  64  located on safe door  70 . Contacts  33  and  34  are placed in communication with contacts  57  and  56 , respectively and power communication and data communication is established. The user then enters his authorized user security code (or scans his retina or applies his fingerprint) into the user interface  32  of the portable entry device  20 . If the user security code, retina or fingerprint matches the pre-programmed information stored within the portable entry device  20 , the portable entry device is activated. Data communications channel  60  in operating communication with contact  33  relays the pre-programmed lock security code that is stored within the portable entry device  20  to microprocessor  58 . Upon receiving the code, microprocessor  58  compares the received lock security code to the lock security code stored in memory  61 . If the codes match, microprocessor  58  sends a signal to the electromagnetic device  54 . Use of the power channel  62  may be obviated or combined with the communications channel  60  in the event that the voltage required to operate the electromagnetic device  54  is sufficiently small to be drawn from the communications channel. Upon receiving a signal from the microprocessor  58 , solenoid  54  causes plunger  53  to retract thereby disengaging locking bolt  52 . In an alternative embodiment, a motor (not shown) causes a locking bolt to slide, retract or otherwise move thereby disengaging the locking bolt. The user receives an audible signal indicating that the safe may be opened. The user operates handle  72 , turning it to the unlocked position. Because the locking bolt  52  is disengaged, handle  72  causes the boltworks to act on the locking bolt and locking bolt retracts, pivots, slides or otherwise moves permitting boltworks  51  to freely move into the open position as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0041]     It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the claims to determine the scope of the present invention.