Abstract:
In one preferred embodiment, an electronic key, including: a housing; unlocking apparatus extending from the housing, insertable in an electronic lock to unlock the electronic lock; and optical indicia reading apparatus disposed in the housing to read optical indicia. In another preferred embodiment, a lock system, including: at least two electronic cylinder locks; and a single electronic controller to which the at least two electronic cylinder locks are operatively attached, the electronic controller being adapted to monitor usage of the at least two electronic cylinder locks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/574,276, filed Dec. 18, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,177, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/510,486, filed Aug. 2, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,083, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/395,417, filed Feb. 27, 1995 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/985,840, filed Dec. 3, 1992, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/921,418, filed Jul. 27, 1992, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/780,155, filed Oct. 21, 1991, abandoned, the disclosures of which applications are incorporated by reference hereinto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to lock systems generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel, simplified, electronic lock system which is especially useful in monitoring use of the lock and eliminating unauthorized access to a locked device. 
     2. Background Art 
     Vendor enclosures (e.g., public telephones, vending machines, gaming machines, etc.) are generally divided into several compartments (e.g., a service compartment, a coin or money compartment, etc.) each with a separate lock. Access to each compartment is limited. For example, a service technician would not be allowed access to the coin area without special permission. In such situations, there are typically two keys provided, one for the money compartment and the other for the service area, for example. It is desirable to have a convenient method for auditing when the compartments have been accessed, what keys have been used, and in what sequence. 
     It is frequently necessary, in systems that employ locks, to collect location specific information in the field form media such as barcode labels affixed to the field device. Most collection system utilize a portable data collection device equipped with both an electronic key and a separate barcode wand. This arrangement results in the worker carrying a portable unit with two input devices connected to it, often making the unit difficult to carry and inefficient to use. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide electronic key apparatus and method for multiple locked compartments that afford easy auditing of access to the compartments. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide electronic key apparatus and method for collection systems that eliminates the need for having two input devices connected to a portable control unit. 
     Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in one preferred embodiment, an electronic key, comprising: a housing; unlocking means extending from said housing, insertable in an electronic lock to unlock said electronic lock; and optical indicia reading means disposed in said housing to read optical indicia. In another preferred embodiment, a lock system, comprising: at least two electronic cylinder locks; and a single electronic controller to which said at least two electronic cylinder locks are operatively attached, said electronic controller being adapted to monitor usage of said at least two electronic cylinder locks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, submitted for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view, partially cut-away, of an electronic lock constructed according to the the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view showing the latching mechanism of the electronic lock. 
     FIGS. 3A-3D are fragmentary rear elevational views showing the detection of unlocking of the lock. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a component of the electronic lock. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B comprise a block logic diagram showing operation of the lock. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of an electronic lock constructed useful in practicing the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary isometric view of the lock of FIG. 6 assembled and installed. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the lock of FIG.  6 . 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are fragmentary top plan views, in cross-section, showing elements of the lock of FIG. 6 in locked and unlock positions, respectively. 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B are fragmentary front elevational views, in cross-section, showing elements of the lock of FIG. 6 in locked and unlock positions, respectively. 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing of a key constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention about to be inserted in a lock cylinder. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of FIG. 11 being used to read a barcode label. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a portion of a lock system constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference should now be made to the drawing figures, on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen also on other views. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic lock useful in practicing the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 , mounted, for example, to an existing cabinet door  12 . 
     Lock  10  includes a face cover  20  having an integral rearwardly extending hub  22  which hub fits into a complementarily shaped double-D opening  24  defined in cabinet door  12  to prevent the rotation of the face cover and hub relative to the cabinet door. A cylindrical drive hub  30  is inserted into and rotates within member  22 . Drive hub  30  has defined in the front portion thereof an opening (not shown) to accept therein a key or wrench (not shown) which may be the oval wrench described in the above-referenced application Ser. No. 08/395,417. Two drive pins  36  and  38  inserted into holes  40  and  42  defined in the rear face of drive hub  30  attach the drive hub to, in order, a first insulator  48 , a communication plate  50 , a second insulator  52 , and a lock hub  54 . Lock hub  54  is attached to a lock bar  60  by means of a screw  62 , the lock bar engaging a surface, such as surface  64 , for example, to prevent cabinet door  12  from being opened. 
     Lock  10  further includes a printed circuit board  70  having electronic circuitry, including a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory, mounted thereon and two contact wires  72  and  74  extending therefrom. An unlock solenoid  80  includes a lock plate  82  at the end thereof which engages a step  84  formed on lock hub  54  when lock  10  is in its locked position. A spring  86  biases lock plate  82  into the locked position when unlock solenoid  80  is unenergized. 
     All the components of lock  10 , except for lock bar  60 , are disposed in a housing  90  attached to the rear surface of cabinet door  12  and having a rear cover plate  92 , the components being secured together and attached to the rear surface of the cabinet door by means of two screws  94  and  96  extending through rear cover plate  92  holes  100  and  102  defined through the front of the housing and into the cabinet door. A spacer  106  extends between rear cover plate  92  and the front of housing  90 . 
     With reference also to FIG. 2, the action of unlock solenoid  80  is illustrated. Lock plate  82  is shown, in solid lines, engaging step  84  on lock hub  54  to prevent the rotation thereof. When unlock solenoid  80  is energized, lock plate  82  is withdrawn from engagement with step  84 , as shown in broken lines, and lock hub  54  is free to rotate counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow, thus disengaging lock bar  60  (FIG. 1) from surface  64  so that cabinet door  12  may be opened. 
     When lock  10  is subsequently locked by rotating lock hub  54  and the other rotating members clockwise, the lock hub is stopped at its home position by means of engagement of stop plate  82  with step  84 . 
     Lock  10  is arranged so that the same components may be employed for either 90-degree or 180-degree rotation of the rotating lock members. If 90-degree rotation is desired, lock bar  60  is used in the position shown, with a stop pin  120  extending forwardly of the lock bar and engaging an arcuate channel  122  defined in the rear surface of rear cover plate  92 . As lock bar  60  is rotated counterclockwise during unlocking of lock  10 , stop pin  120  will enter and move within channel  122 . When stop pin  120  engages the upper limit of channel  122 , further counterclockwise rotation of the lock bar and the other rotating components of lock  10  past 90 degrees will be prevented. If, on the other hand, 180-degree rotation is desired, lock bar  60  is removed from lock hub  54 , reversed, and reattached to the lock hub, with stop pin  120  facing rearwardly, thus permitting full rotation of the rotating members of lock  10  to the 180-degree position. The 180-degree position is determined by a rotation stop pin  110 , fixed in a opening  112  defined in rear cover plate  92 , engaging a channel  114  defined lock hub  54 , as is more clearly shown on FIG.  4 . As will be understood from FIG. 4, counterclockwise rotation of lock hub  54  will terminate when rotation stop pin  110  engages wall  116  of channel  114 . The selection of degree of rotation does not have to be made until lock  10  is being installed in the field. 
     Lock  10  is quite compact and can be easily retrofitted to installations where mechanical key locks were previously installed. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 1, two contact wires  72  and  74  are disposed so as to contact communication plate  50  for communication through a conductive post  130  on the communication plate, which conductive post electrically engages a contact pin on the key (not shown), as is described in the above-referenced application Ser. No. 08/395,417, for communication between the circuitry on board  70  and the key, as is also described in that application. The use of two contact wires  72  and  74  is used in the present invention to determine when lock  10  is in an unlocked position. FIG. 3A illustrates the position of communication plate  50  when lock  10  is in the locked position. Here, contact wires  72  and  74  complete and electrical path between board  70  and communication plate  50 . When unlocking begins and the rotating components of lock  10  have been rotated about 30 degrees counterclockwise, as is shown on FIG. 3B, the electrical path is broken, since contact wire  74  no longer contacts communication plate  50 , thus indicating an unlocked, or unlocking, condition. FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate that no communication signal is received on contact wire  74  in either the 90-degree or 180 -degree unlock positions. At all times, the communication signal is transmitted on contact wire  72 . 
     Reference should now be made to FIGS. 5A and 5B for an understanding of a method of monitoring use of lock  10 . 
     Three keys are provided: a master key, an audit key, and a service key. 
     The master key is used to write a password too the memory of lock  10  or to change a previously written password. At step  200 , the master key is inserted in lock  10 , power is applied to the lock at step  202 , the lock responds with a request for key status at step  204  and, at step  206 , information is exchanged and an unlock command given by the key to the lock, all similar to the description in detail in application Ser. No. 08/395,417. 
     At step  208 , lock  10  determines if the key is a valid master key. If yes, the new password is written to the non-volatile memory in lock  10 , at step  210 , and, at step  212 , time-stamped positive acknowledgment is transmitted to the key. 
     If step  208  determines that the key is not a valid master key, that is, it is an audit key, a service key, or an unauthorized key, step  214  determines if the password given by the key is valid. If the password is not valid, step  216  records the number of password attempts in the memory of lock  10  and step  218  determines if the number of attempts has exceeded five. If the number of attempts has exceeded  5 , step  220  terminates lock responses. If the number of attempts has not exceeded five, then the procedure returns to step  204 . Permitting five attempts at access filters out errors due to noise, incorrect inputting of the user&#39;s PIN, and like events. 
     If step  214  determines that the password is valid, step  230  clears from memory the number of prior attempts with this key. Step  232  then determines if data is requested. If data is requested, that signifies that this key is an audit key and step  234  records the fact in memory. Then the data in memory as to who unlocked lock  10 , when the lock was unlocked, and for how long the lock was unlocked is transmitted to the key at step  236  and step  238  transmits a transaction completion status. 
     If step  232  determines that data is not requested, that signifies that the key is a service key and step  250  records in memory the key number, the date, the time, and the PIN of the user. Step  252  transmits a ready to unlock signal, solenoid  80  (FIG. 1) is activated at step  254 , and an unlock timer is started at step  256 . Step  258  continuously senses whether there is an unlocked condition and if it is not and step  260  determines that the unlock timer has not yet reached timeout, step  258  continues to look for unlock. If timeout is reached before unlock, the unlocking procedure is aborted and step  262  requires that the unlocking procedure restart. 
     When step  258  senses that lock  10  is unlocked (FIG.  3 B), the transaction is noted in memory at step  270  and an unlocked timer is started at  272 . Step  274  continuously detects if lock  10  is locked and, if not, the unlocked timer is periodically decremented at step  276 . If unlocked timer timeout is not found at step  278 , the unlocked timer continues to be decremented until timeout. Then, memory is updated at step  270  and the procedure reiterated until lock  10  is locked. This particular procedure is employed to minimize the amount of memory used. A clock signal may be received from the key f or use by the unlock and unlocked timers. When step  274  determines that lock  10  is locked, step  280  advises the microprocessor to expect loss of power. 
     When the electronic lock is applied to vending machines, for example, it is desirable that the locking/unlocking portion of the lock have a housing which is a ¾-inch diameter DD cylinder lock barrel, the de facto standard in the vending machine industry. This is accomplished by separating the control portion of the lock from the mechanical/electromechanical elements of the lock and reconfiguring the latter elements, as is described in detail below. Consequently, the latter elements can be inserted directly into an existing ¾-inch diameter, 1.9-inch long, DD cylinder lock barrel, with only minor modifications to the cylinder lock barrel. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the electronic lock described immediately above, also useful in practicing the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  300 . Lock  300  has elements similar in function to a number of those of lock  10  (FIG. 1) and includes a housing  302  which may be the barrel of a conventional ¾-inch diameter, 1.9-inch long, DD cylinder lock. Elements of lock  300  which are inserted into housing  302  through the proximal end thereof are, in order: a tamper ring  304 , a retainer  306 , a front shaft  308 , a front insulator  310 , a communication commutator  312 , a middle insulator  314 , a solenoid commutator  316 , a rear insulator  318  having a channel  319  defined therein into which channel the solenoid commutator fits, a solenoid housing  320 , a solenoid  322 , a solenoid return spring  324 , a solenoid washer  326 , a solenoid plunger assembly having a rearwardly facing bar  330  disposed orthogonally to the major axis of housing  302 , and a rear shaft  332  having defined therein a slot  334  disposed orthogonally to the major axis of housing  302  and dimensioned to accept therein bar  330 . 
     Screws  340  secure solenoid  322  to solenoid housing  320  and pins  342  extending rearwardly from from shaft  308  secure elements  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 , and  318  to solenoid housing  320  for common rotation of elements  304 - 328 . All elements  308 - 328 , generally indicated by the reference numeral  340 , fit within retainer  306 , with the rear face of the front shaft engaging the front face of rear shaft  332 , but with bar  332  extending from the rear of retainer  306  as is described in detail below. An assembly pin  350  is insertable through housing  302  into retainer  306  to secure the retainer against rotation within the housing. 
     A key or wrench (not shown) is insertable through tamper ring  304 , into retainer  306 , and into a recess in front shaft  308 . In this embodiment, if unlocking of lock  300  is not authorized, the key or wrench will simply rotate elements  308 - 328 , without the breaking of any element(s) within the lock. A set screw  352 , a detent spring  354 , and a detent ball  356  are inserted into a threaded opening  358  defined through the wall of housing  302  such that the detent ball releasably engages a recess  360  defined in the outer periphery of front shaft  308  to provide a palpable “home” position for rotating elements  340  of lock  300 . 
     Rear shaft  332  has a threaded DD portion  370  extending rearwardly thereof, which DD portion extends through a suitably dimensioned opening  371  in the rear wall of housing  302  for attachment of a lock bar  372  to the DD portion by means of a nut  374  and a lock washer  376 . A rotating washer  378  disposed on DD portion  370  has flanges  390  and  392  extending from the periphery thereof, which flanges engage a stop  394  to terminate locking and unlocking rotation as lock  300  is locked or unlocked. Rotating washer  378  is reversible so that either 90-degree or 180-degree rotation of rotating elements  340  may be selected. A vertical slot  396  is defined in the rear wall of housing  302  extending across opening  371 . 
     A printed circuit board  400  is attached to a flat side of housing  302  by means of a screw  402  or other suitable attachment means, with wipers  404 ,  406 , and  408  extending through an opening (not shown) defined through the wall of housing  302 . Wiper  404  slidingly engages communication commutator  312 , wiper  406  slidingly engages solenoid commutator  316 , and wiper  408  is a ground lead which slidingly engages solenoid housing  320 . Leads  420  connect printed circuit board  400  through connector  422  to a controller  424 , which controller is located remotely from housing  302 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates housing  302  mounted in a panel  430  by means of a nut  432 . Panel  430  may be assumed to be part of a vending machine or a similar device. It can be seen that the electromechanical elements of lock  300  consume no more volume than a conventional key-operated cylinder lock and, were it not for printed circuit board  400  and leads  420 , the lock shown on FIG. 7 would appear to be a conventional key-operated cylinder lock. 
     In use, and with reference also to FIG. 8, the end of a key or wrench, generally indicated by the reference numeral  440 , is inserted into front shaft  308  and a contact  442  in the key engages communication commutator  312 . Communication protocol similar to that shown on FIGS. 5A and 5B is now followed and, if unlocking is authorized, step  254  (FIG. 5B) causes solenoid  322  to be energized which causes bar  330  extending from the rear end of retainer  306  to engage both slot  334  in rear shaft  332  and vertically aligned cutouts  398  (only the upper cutout visible on FIG. 6) defined in the rear face of solenoid housing  320 . Then, any rotation of the key or wrench will rotate lock bar  372  (FIG. 6) from a locked position to an unlocked position. 
     FIGS. 9A,  9 B,  10 A, and  10 B illustrate in more detail the operation of lock  300 . The elements shown on these figures have been separated slightly from their normal relative positions for greater clarity. 
     FIG. 9A shows lock  300  in locked position. In the locked position, with solenoid  322  (FIG. 6) de-energized, solenoid spring  324  (FIG. 6) has driven bar  330  (FIGS. 9A and 10A) rearwardly, so that the bar engages both slot  334  in rear shaft  332  and channel  396  in the inside face of the rear wall of housing  302 , thus preventing lock bar  372  from being rotated. On the other hand, rotating elements  340  (FIG. 9A) are free to rotate, as described above, without breaking any internal components of lock  300 . 
     When solenoid  322  (FIG. 6) is energized, bar  330  is drawn forewardly, as shown on FIG. 9B, so that the bar engages slot  334  in rear shaft  332  and cutouts  398  in the rear face of solenoid housing  320 . Now, rotation of rotating elements  340  by means of a key or wrench (not shown) inserted in front shaft  308  (FIG. 10B) and turned will permit rotation of lock bar  372  (FIG. 6) to an unlocked position. 
     As will be understood from FIG. 6, once rotating elements  340  have been rotated about 20 degrees, wiper  406  will lose contact with solenoid commutator  316  which causes the de-energization of solenoid  322  and solenoid spring  324  will attempt to drive bar  330  rearwardly in housing  306 . Such is prevented, however, as will be understood with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A shows bar engaging channel  396 , as is seen also on FIG.  9 A. When, however, bar  330  is withdrawn from channel  396  (FIG. 9A) and rotated (FIG.  10 B), it can no longer engage slot  396  and de-energization of solenoid  322  will simply only permit the end face of the bar to slide around the inner surface of the end wall of housing  306 . The opposite ends of bar  330  and channel  396  are asymmetrical with respect to the central axis of housing  306 , so that the bar cannot re-engage the channel if the bar is rotated 180 degrees. 
     De-energization of solenoid  322 , as described above, conserves power while lock  300  is in the unlocked position and the absence of current flow to the solenoid provides an indication to controller  424  that the lock is in an unlocked position. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates an electronic key constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral  500 . Electronic key  500  includes a body  502  having a cable  504  extending from a first end thereof, the cable being attached, for example, to a portable control unit (not shown). Key  500  also includes an unlocking portion  506  extending from the side of the key and insertable in a lock cylinder  508  which may be part of the lock mechanism described above with reference to FIGS. 6-8, although the lock cylinder may, instead, be part of another type of lock mechanism. Disposed at a second end of key  500  is the optical sensing portion  520  of a barcode reading head (not shown) disposed in the key. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates electronic key  500  being used to read a barcode  530  disposed on a container  532 , which may be assumed to be the cash box of a public telephone, for example, by moving optical sensing portion  520  across the barcode. Barcode  530  is read in the conventional manner and electrical signals representative of the information in the barcode are transmitted to the portable unit (not shown) for later use. 
     This arrangement eliminates the necessity of having two input devices connected to the portable unit and is easy to carry and efficient to use. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a system for a lock mechanism constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral  550 . System  550  includes two electronic cylinder locks  552  and  554  attached, respectively, by cables  556  and  558  to a controller  560 . Elements  552 ,  554 , and  560  may be part of an electronic lock system similar to that described above with reference to FIG.  6 . 
     According to the present invention one of electronic cylinder locks  552  and  554  is installed in a service compartment, while the other of the locks is installed in a money compartment, for example. Each of electronic cylinder locks  552  and  554  is associated with a unique identification number stored within the controller  560 . When an electronic key, such as key  500  (FIG.  11 ), for example, is inserted in an electronic cylinder lock, controller  560  will, after the necessary security/identification measures are taken, report the identification number associated with the cylinder. Since controller  560  is common to both electronic cylinder locks  552  and  554 , it is possible to maintain an audit trail of which keys have been used to access the compartments, at what times, and in what sequence. 
     If a collector has successfully opened the coin compartment and needs to gain access to the service areas, it is possible for controller  560  to allow access to the service area by the same electronic key within a predetermined length of time. After that length of time, controller  560  would not allow access to the service compartment. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.