Abstract:
A lock system includes a locker device and a USB key. The locker device includes a first USB connector, a password input unit and a control unit. The USB key includes a second USB connector for connection to the first USB connector, a memory unit, and a decrypting unit. The memory unit is configured for storing a password. The decrypting unit includes a password identification unit configured for determining whether a password inputted into the password input unit matches the password stored in the memory unit and producing a decrypting instruction if the inputted password matches the stored password. The locker device is configured for transmitting the inputted password to the USB key. The USB key is configured for transmitting the decrypted instruction to the locker device through the connected first and second USB connectors to enable the control unit to unlock the locker device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to electronic lock systems and is particularly directed to an electronic password lock system with a USB key and a method for using the same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Lock systems are widely used in safes and real estate industry. A related lock system includes a locked box and a physical key. The lock box has a keyhole with a predetermined shape. The key has a shape corresponding to the keyhole. The lock box is unlocked by inserting and turning the key. However, the key can be copied very easily, thereby rendering the safes or the real estate at risk of being stolen. 
         [0005]    Another one is an electronic password lock system. The electronic password lock system includes a lock box with a keypad or a dial formed thereon. The users can unlock the lock box by inputting a preset password by using the keypad or the dial. In this type of lock system, the physical key is not necessary. However, the lock system may be unsafe if the password is accidently known by others. 
         [0006]    What is needed, therefore, is an electronic password lock system and a method for using the same, to overcome the above mentioned limitations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an electronic password lock system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment including a locker device and a USB key. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method of operation of the lock system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is another flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method of monitoring the operation of the locker device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Embodiments will be described in detail below and with reference to the drawings. 
         [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic password lock system  100  according to an exemplary embodiment includes a locker device  110 , a USB key  120 , a network database  130  and a computer  140 . The locker device  110  and the computer  140  are in connection with the network database  130  via the internet or via a local area network. 
         [0013]    The locker device  110  includes a female USB socket  111 , an password input unit  112 , an input status instruction unit  1122 , a control unit  113  and an information output unit  114 . The locker device  110  includes a unique serial number which is generally provided by the manufacturer or the administrator of the locker device  110 . 
         [0014]    In this embodiment, the password input unit  112  is a keypad for allowing a user to input a password. In an alternative embodiment, the password input unit  112  can also be a touch screen with an image of a keypad displayed thereon. 
         [0015]    In this embodiment, the input status instruction unit  1122  is a buzzer. The input status instruction unit  1122  invites the input of a password into the password input unit  112  from the operator of the lock system  100 . When the input status instruction unit  1122  produces a short beep, the password can be input by typing into the password input unit  112 . When the input status instruction unit  1122  produces a series of short beeps, it means that an incorrect password has been inputted. When the password is input incorrectly for three times, the input status instruction unit  1122  may produce a long continuous beep. The input status instruction unit  1122  can be multi-color LED lamps and LCD display modules and the like. 
         [0016]    The control unit  113  receives instructions transmitted from the USB key  120 , and unlocks the locker device  110 . The information output unit  114  transmits the lock status information of present unlocking of the locker device  130 , such as the unlocking timing, the access information etc., to the network database  130 . The access information means that the locker device  130  is unlocked or not at present. 
         [0017]    The USB key  120  includes a male USB plug  121 , a memory unit  122 , a decrypting unit  123 , and a decrypting status instruction unit  124 . The USB key  120  includes a unique serial number corresponding to the serial number of the locker device  110 . In an alternative embodiment, the USB key  120  can include a plurality of serial numbers corresponding to a plurality of locker devices  110 . One serial number of the USB key  120  corresponds to only one serial number of the locker device  110 . 
         [0018]    The male USB plug  121  is matched with the female USB socket  111 . The male USB plug  121  includes two data pins  1211 , a power pin  1212 , an earthing pin  1213 , and a complementary data pin  1214 . The complementary data pin  1214  is connected to the decrypting unit  123  for transmitting the serial number of the locker device  110  and the password inputted by using the password input unit  112  to the decrypting unit  123 , and transmitting the decrypted information of the decrypting unit  123  to the locker device  110 . The data pins  1211  transmit other information except for the information transmitted by the complementary data pin  1214 , such as the information in the memory unit  122 . The power pin  1212  is connected to a power supply for providing power to the USB key  120 . The earthing pin  1213  is connected to ground. 
         [0019]    The memory unit  122  stores the serial number of the USB key  120  and the password for decrypting the locker device  110 . When the USB key  120  corresponds to a plurality of locker devices  110 , the memory unit  122  can store a plurality of serial numbers and passwords corresponding to the plurality of locker devices  10 . 
         [0020]    The decrypting unit  123  includes a serial number identification unit  1231  and a password identification unit  1233 . The serial number identification unit  1231  determines whether the memory unit  122  is storing a serial number of the USB key  120  corresponding to the serial number of the locker device  110 . The password identification unit  1233  determines whether the password inputted with the password input unit  112  matches the password stored in the memory unit  122 . When the passwords match, the password identification unit  1233  produces an decrypting instruction, and transmits the decrypting instruction is transmitted to the control unit  113 . 
         [0021]    The decrypting status instruction unit  124  is connected to the decrypting unit  123 , and gives a warning as to the decrypting status of the decrypting unit  123 . In this embodiment, the decrypting status instruction unit  124  is a double-color LED lamp capable of emitting red and green colors. The decrypting status instruction unit  124  shows the status of the decrypting unit  123  in the various manners described as follows: (1) when the male USB plug  121  is inserted into and electrically connected to the female USB socket  111 , and the serial number identification unit  1231  determines that the serial number stored in the memory unit  122  corresponds to that of the locker device  110 , the decrypting status instruction unit  124  emits a red color and flashes; (2) if the serial-number identification unit  1231  determines that the serial number stored in the memory unit  122  does not correspond to that of the locker device  110 , the decrypting status instruction unit  124  emits a constant red color; and (3) when the password inputted with the input unit  12  is correct, the decrypting unit  123  is activated and generates decrypted information for decrypting the locker device  110 , and the decrypting status instruction unit  124  emits a flashing green color. Thus, the decrypting status instruction unit  124  can give warning as to whether the USB key  120  corresponds to the locker device  110  and whether the decrypting unit  123  has been activated. 
         [0022]    The computer  140  includes a female USB socket  141  matching the male USB plug  121 . The computer  140  is connected to the network database  130  via the internet or via a local area network. 
         [0023]    The network database  130  includes a memory module  131 , a password input module  132  and an identification module  133 . The memory module  131  stores a plurality of serial numbers of one USB key  120  or of a plurality of USB keys  120  and the historical access information of the locker device  110 , such as any timelocking of the locker device  110 , the present lock status information and other information. The password input module  132  acts as an interface for accessing the network database  130 . The user can input a password through the password input module  132 , and then access the network database  130 . The identification module  133  determines whether the serial number of the USB key  120  electrically connected to the computer  140  is stored in the memory module  131  and whether the password inputted with the password input module  132  is correct. 
         [0024]    Referring also to  FIG. 2 , a method for unlocking the locker device  110  is provided as follows. 
         [0025]    Step  201 : the male USB plug  121  of the USB key  120  is inserted into the female USB socket  111  of the locker device  110 , thereby electrically connecting the USB key  120  to the locker device  110 . 
         [0026]    Step  202 : the serial number identification unit  1231  accesses the memory unit  122  to determine whether the memory unit  122  is storing the serial number corresponding to that of the locker device  110 . 
         [0027]    If the serial numbers in the memory unit  122  do not include the serial number corresponding to that of the locker device  110 , the decrypting status instruction unit  124  emits a constant red color. It means that an incorrect USB key  120  is used, and another USB key  120  needs to be used. 
         [0028]    If the serial numbers in the memory unit  122  includes the serial number corresponding to that of the locker device  110 , the decrypting status instruction unit  124  emits red flashing color. Also, the input status instruction unit  1122  produces a short beep to remind the user to input the password. 
         [0029]    Step  203 : the password is input through the password input unit  112 , and the inputted password is transmitted to the password identification unit  1233  via the complementary data pin  1214  of the male USB plug  121 . 
         [0030]    Step  204 : the password identification unit  1233  accesses the memory unit  122  to determine whether the inputted password corresponds to the password stored in the memory unit  122 . 
         [0031]    If the inputted password does not match, the input status instruction unit  1122  produces a series of short beeps to remind the user to input the correct password the second time round. If the inputted password is correct, the decrypting status instruction unit  124  emits green light and flashes, and the next step follows. 
         [0032]    Step  205 : the password identification unit  1233  generates a decrypting instruction, and the decrypting instruction is transmitted to the control unit  113  via the complementary data pin  1214  of the male USB plug  121 . Then, the control unit  113  unlocks the locker device  110  based on the decrypting instruction. 
         [0033]    Step  206 : the status of the locker device  110  is transmitted to the memory module  131  of the network database  130  via the information output unit  114 . The information as to status includes the unlocking timing of the locker device  110 , the present status of the locker device  110 , and other information. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a method of monitoring the locker device  110  is provided. The method includes the steps as follows. 
         [0035]    Step  301 : the male USB plug  121  is inserted into the female USB socket  141  to electrically connect the USB key  120  to the computer  140 . 
         [0036]    Step  302 : the identification module  133  automatically detects whether the serial number stored in the memory unit  122  is stored in the memory module  131  of the database  130 . 
         [0037]    If the serial number stored in the memory unit  122  is not stored in the memory module  131  of the database  130 , access to the database  130  will be denied. 
         [0038]    If the serial number stored in the memory unit  122  is stored in the memory module  131  of the database  130 , the next step follows. 
         [0039]    Step  303 : a password is inputted through the password input module  132 . 
         [0040]    Step  304 : the identification module  133  determines whether the inputted password is correct. If the inputted password is incorrect, access to the network database  130  will be denied. If the inputted password is correct, the next step follows. 
         [0041]    Step  305 : the database  130  can be accessed. In the network database  130 , the historical access information of the locker device  110  can be read, such as the timelock settings, the present lock status information, and other information. 
         [0042]    In the lock system  100  of this embodiment, not only is the USB key  120  corresponding to the locker device  110  necessary, but the password is also needed. This makes the lock system  100  more secure. In addition, the USB key  120  can include more than one serial number stored in the memory unit  122 , thereby corresponding to more than one locker device  110 . Therefore, more than one locker device  110  can be unlocked with just one USB key  120 . In this situation, the passwords corresponding to different locker devices  110  can be different. Moreover, with the network database  130 , the locker devices  110  can be monitored. This is especially convenient for a large storehouse accommodating a plurality of safes or containers, each of which includes a 
         [0043]    Page  10  of  16  locker device  110 . 
         [0044]    While certain embodiments have been described and exemplified above, various other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described and exemplified but is capable of considerable variation and modification without departure from the scope of the appended claims.