Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/959,339, filed Oct. 5, 2004, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/896,595, filed Jun. 29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,806,807, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/215,218 filed Jun. 30, 2000, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a locking system for securing articles in lockable storage containers and is more particularly is directed to an electronic locking system that uses one or more microprocessors for identifying authorized users of the system, and for granting access to the one or more storage containers associated with each authorized user. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Mechanical lockers are used in both concessional and non-concessional venues. In concessional venues, such as airports, bus and train stations, malls, theme parks and ski resorts, users must often pay to use the lockers. In non-concessional venues, such as schools and fitness centers, users are typically not required to pay to use the lockers. There are a number of problems associated with mechanical locking systems that require a user to pay to use the system. These problems include the fact that each locker may only accept a limited number of coins, and those coins are the only acceptable method of payment. As a result, a third party must collect the coins from the system and the vendor/owner cannot always account for the correct amount of cash. Another problem with mechanical lockers is that keys must be used to operate them. These keys are commonly lost or stolen, thereby creating maintenance and security problems. 
     There are a number of companies that currently supply products and services in the electronic locker industry. MORS Industries built the first electronic locker system in the 1970&#39;s for use in the French railway system. In the early 1990&#39;s, MORS Industries experienced problems and sold the electronic locker division to a Dutch company operating under the name Logibag SA. Logibag SA has had some success in both the United States and Europe, placing approximately 35,000 lockers worldwide. Although Logibag SA has a large number of lockers in place, its electronic lockers use out-dated technology, and each locker has a relatively high selling price of approximately $1,000-$1,200 per locker. 
     Another electronic locker system, called Loksafe, was originally designed by RAANND Systems of Scotland UK. Initially, Loksafe was a direct competitor of Logibag SA and together Loksafe and Logibag dominated the global market for over a decade. Because it proved to be a more reliable and better-engineered product, Loksafe won a number of major state railway contracts over Logibag. Although there are currently about 12,000 Loksafe lockers installed worldwide, Loksafe uses 1980&#39;s DOS-based programming and therefore has a limited ability to accept upgrades. Like Logibag, Loksafe has a high per unit cost and requires special maintenance and support. The average selling price of each Loksafe locker is approximately $900-$1,200. 
     KW Muller, one of the original coin-operated locker manufacturers, recently introduced an electronic locker system in an attempt to maintain a market share being taken by competitors Logibag and Loksafe. Although KW Muller uses PC based technology, its system has proven to be unreliable and difficult to use. KW Muller has a price of approximately $2,000-$2,500 per locker. 
     Another entrant in the electronic locker market is Eurolocker. The Eurolocker system has an unreliable electronic system. As a result, Eurolocker has enjoyed only limited success. The Eurolocker was revamped and relaunched by its new owner (Smarte Carte), and has achieved success in a number shopping malls and theme parks in the United States. This success is due almost entirely to the fact that Eurolocker&#39;s electronic units are not sold to third parties, but instead are placed on concession through Eurolocker&#39;s parent organization, Smarte Carte. In fact, there have been many negative responses to the quality of Eurolocker, and the system is unlikely to be used in any major terminals or similar locations. The estimated cost for each Eurolocker opening in the United States is approximately $2,00-$3,000 per locker. 
     Another competitor, American Locker Security Systems, is a global leader in the non-electronic locker industry. This United States-based company has dominated the market in the United States and in many overseas countries with its Statesman system. American Locker Security Systems realized that the locker market was moving to electronics and originally tried to modify its document storage system, Compulok, to meet this demand. However, this attempt failed. American Locker Security Systems then obtained the United States dealership for Loksafe, but achieved only marginal success due to the high price of the Loksafe units in the United States. Since then, American Locker Security Systems has attempted to develop its own electronic system, but has been unsuccessful. 
     Thus, there is a tremendous need for an electronic locker system that is reliable, easy to use and cost effective for operators and users alike. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, an electronic locking system includes a plurality of lockable storage enclosures, and a controller, such as a microprocessor-based controller, in communication with the plurality of lockable storage enclosures for controlling locking and unlocking of the storage enclosures. The electronic locking system may also include a biometric sensor in communication with the controller for sensing one or more identifying characteristics for multiple users. The controller is adapted to store the one or more identifying characteristics for each user in a memory device. For each user, the controller creates a link between the stored identifying characteristics for the user and one of the lockable storage enclosures. In certain preferred embodiments, the biometric sensor preferably measures the electrical capacitance of ridges and valleys comprising the fingerprint of a user. The electrical capacitance of the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint is then used to generate a unique biometric key that may be associated with the user. The unique key associated with each user is then stored in the memory device. The system may also use other forms of authentication such as an eye scan, magnetic cards, smart cards, PIN codes, bar codes and chips embedded in the human body. 
     In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method of assigning biometric markers to a plurality of lockable storage enclosures includes providing a controller, such as a microprocessor-based controller, in communication with a plurality of lockable storage enclosures, the controller being associated with a memory device for storing information. The method includes sensing one or more biometric markers for one or more users, storing the sensed one or more biometric markers for each of the users in the memory device and linking the sensed one or more biometric markers for each of the users with one of the storage enclosures. 
     Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, in certain preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to an electronic system that enables individuals to open and close locks, such as electronic locks on storage lockers or doors, using fingerprints or other authenticating data. In an electronic locker system, an individual&#39;s fingerprints are associated with one of the lockers in the system and can only be opened at a later time with the correct fingerprints. Thus, the system ensures that the depositor of an item in a locker is also the recipient. Instead of relying on the pattern of a fingerprint, the present invention utilizes a technology that records the capacitance of the ridges and valleys of an individual&#39;s fingertip. These measurements are as unique as the fingerprint itself and change when a person dies, or if their finger has been cut off. Thus, the present invention is an improvement over systems that utilize keys, magnetic cards or PIN codes that can be passed between the depositor and the receiver. 
     As a result, users of the present invention may not be required to use a key insertible into a lock, as is required with prior art systems. Depositors may still have to deposit a coin or other form of money; however, depositors may lay claim to a locker&#39;s contents by merely placing their fingertip on a sensor. The sensor notes the pattern of the individual&#39;s fingerprint and records it in a memory device or storage medium that notes the date and time. This information may be stored in a central electronic archive. The system will not unlock the locker until it once again “sees” that fingerprint. When the depositor returns to the locker to collect his or her belongings, they apply their finger to the sensor for scanning and the door will only open if the fingerprint stored in the memory device matches the sensed fingerprint. As noted above, the present invention does not look at the fingerprint pattern as is done in prior art systems, but instead measures the electrical capacitance of the ridges and valleys that make up the pattern of an individual&#39;s fingertip. This allows the system to identify whether the person laying claim to the articles stored in a locker really is the person who put the articles there in the first place. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it enables a user to identify the location of his or her stored articles when the user has forgotten his or her locker number. In accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, users will be able to walk up to a terminal and apply a fingertip. A central computer, which will have recorded the details of all recent users, will note the details of the fingertip, compare the fingertip with its records and then tell the user which locker is theirs. This feature will avoid the time-wasting and demeaning process of trying to open hundreds of lockers in order to identify the right one. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention utilizes an intelligent locking device, referred to by the assignee as a SmartLok, having a credit card sized printed circuit board. The intelligent locking device may be substituted wherever keys, barrels and non-intelligent electronic locks have traditionally been used. Unlike other electromechanical or electronic locks, the intelligent locking device of the present invention utilizes a printed circuit board that incorporates a powerful on-board microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmable so that it may be modified to satisfy an operator&#39;s particular locking and opening requirements. For example, an operator of a locking system in an airport or train station may have different operating requirements than an operator in a school environment (e.g. the airport operator may want to change money while the school operator may want the system to be free). In certain embodiments, the locking system includes a plurality of intelligent locking devices, the printed circuit board of each intelligent locking device being able to communicate with the printed circuit boards of the other intelligent locking devices and with a central controller, referred to by the assignee as a Customer Service Station (CSS), such as a Microsoft Windows NT supervisory systems. It is contemplated that the present invention may be distributed over a wide geographic area and may be managed locally or remotely. Industry standard communications are supported ranging from UTP interconnect for local infrastructure to high-speed modem and Internet protocols for remote access. 
     The printed circuit board of each intelligent locking device is preferably a credit card size printed circuit board containing the software necessary to offer the world&#39;s first true self-intelligent lock controller. Contained within the printed circuit board of each intelligent locking device is a multi-function processor chip, having both RAM and Flash memory as well as processing power. The chip is programmed to operate a number of onboard devices concerned with the control and monitoring of a motor driven lock mechanism. Specifically, each intelligent locking device preferably includes a solid state motor driver chip, a voltage regulator chip, two sets of gear drive status sensors and a pair of two color LED indicator lamps. The printed circuit board of each intelligent locking device may be programmed to communicate via an onboard network chip down a standard UTP network, back to a controller, such as a personal computer PC based operating on a Windows Operating Platform. Operational data may be downloaded to the printed circuit board of the intelligent locking device which will allow it to operate with the chosen environment independently of all other intelligent locking devices on the same network and independently of the controller. During initial setup, the intelligent locking device is given instructions from the central controller. After initial setup, the intelligent locking device runs independently. The intelligent locking device then communicates with the central controller for additional information and/or authorization as required. The PCB-based intelligent locking device is capable of independent security and monitors the mechanical lock assemblies associated therewith. An unauthorized change of status will cause the printed circuit board of the intelligent locking device to broadcast an alarm state to the controller for further action. Meanwhile, the intelligent locking device will take preventive preset action to protect its one or more secured enclosures. 
     In other preferred embodiments, the present invention includes an intelligent locking device for selectively locking and unlocking one or more enclosed areas including a housing having a microprocessor for operating the intelligent locking device, at least one bolt slidably mounted to the housing and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a mechanical driving mechanism in contact with the slidable bolt for moving the bolt between the retracted and extended positions, the driving mechanism being in communication with the microprocessor for receiving signals for retracting and extending the bolt. 
     The system may use a Distributed Lock Protocol (SDLP), which is a proprietary protocol designed to operate a Controller Area Network (CAN) merging to 2.0a and 2.0b environment. The protocol is used to communicate locking and programmatic control states and acts between intelligent locking device processes and intelligent locker Customer Service Station (CSS) software processes. The state and act model is embedded within the intelligent locker controller software and CSS CAN DLL routines. The protocol is implemented by these same routines. 
     SDLP is preferably a message-based protocol with fixed field definitions conforming to the CAN 2.0a specification. The protocol relies on the persistence and model of CAN to provide a reliable transport. The protocol embraces many functions, including setting controller specific parameters, controller state checking functions and an acknowledgment model for operational locking functions. 
     Controllers and CSS systems are unique arbitration IDS within messages to identify targets for messages. Collisions are detected and a retry model is used to resolve the collision traffic. A message ID is used to indicate the act that needs to be affected. A data component is used to carry controller specific parameters to a controller, such that the controller software may use them to reprogram behaviors in real time. At arbitration ID of zero, a general broadcast is generated that is heard by all active components. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, up to 2,047 active components or more may cooperate using SDLP. Moreover, up to 64 CSS systems or more and up to 1,983 controllers or more may be active in any one configuration. 
     These and other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an intelligent locker system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a Customer Service Station used with the intelligent locker system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the intelligent locker system of  FIG. 1  including a pair of doors that open in opposite directions. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front fragmentary view of the intelligent locker system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a top cross-sectional view of an intelligent locking device, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows the intelligent locking device of  FIG. 5  with a first set of locking bolts in an open position and a second set of locking bolts in a closed position. 
         FIG. 7  shows a front view of the intelligent locking device of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of a local area network wherein a plurality of intelligent locking devices are in communication with a central controller. 
         FIG. 9  shows a fragmentary view of the intelligent locker system of  FIG. 1  with a door in an open position. 
         FIG. 10  shows the intelligent locker system of  FIG. 9  after the door has been closed, but with the locking bolt still in an open position. 
         FIG. 11  shows the intelligent locker system of  FIG. 10  with the bolt in the closed position for locking the door in the closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an intelligent locker system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. The intelligent locker system  20  includes a cabinet  22  having a plurality of locker openings  24 . Each opening  24  is covered by a door  26  hingedly connected to the cabinet. The intelligent locker system also includes a central controller, commonly referred to by the assignee as a Customer Service Station (CSS)  28 . In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the intelligent locker system includes two vertically-extending columns of locker openings, each column having a series of vertically aligned openings. In the particular embodiment shown, the locker system has a first column of four locker openings, and a second column of three locker openings and one Customer Service Station. The capacity of the locker system may be increased by adding another locker cabinet  22  to the left or right of that shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, additional locker cabinets  22  may be added to the system for increasing overall capacity. 
       FIG. 2  shows a front view of the Customer Service Station  28  shown in  FIG. 1 . The Customer Service Station  28  includes a video monitor  30 , a speaker  32 , and a series of keypads  34  for inputting information into the Customer Service Station  28 . The Customer Service Station  28  also includes an opening  36  for receiving money, such as coins or dollar bills. The opening  36  may also be adapted to receive magnetic cards, credit cards, smart cards or any other mode of making payment to the system. The Customer Service Station  28  also preferably includes a biometric scanning device  38  used to scan one or more biometric characteristics of a user. In the particular preferred embodiments shown in  FIG. 2 , the biometric scanner  38  is used to scan the fingerprint of a user. In other embodiments, the scanner  38  may record other physical characteristics of a user, such as a user&#39;s iris. The system may also identify the user by using a PIN code, a smart card, a magnetic card, a bar code or an embedded chip. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of the intelligent locker system shown in  FIG. 1 . At each level of the locker cabinet  22 , a set of doors  40 A and  40 B are hingedly attached to cabinet  22 . The doors desirably open away from one another, and preferably selectively cover the cabinet openings  24 A and  24 B. A central wall  42  extends between each locker opening so as to define distinct locker areas  44 A and  44 B. Each locker area is defined by central wall  42 , a portion of rear wall  46  and a sidewall  48 . 
     As mentioned above, the pair of hingedly connected doors  40 A and  40 B are designed to open away from one another. First door  40 A is hingedly connected to cabinet  22  by hinge  50 A. Similarly, second door  40 B is hingedly connected to cabinet  22  by hinge  50 B. Each door  40 A,  40 B also may include a resilient or spring element that normally maintains the door in a slightly open position. Thus, a potential user of the intelligent locker system can visually discern whether a particular locker opening is available for use. 
     A depressible button  52 A,  52 B is located adjacent each locker opening  24 A,  24 B. As will be explained in more detail below, when button  52  is depressed, the Customer Service Station  28  is alerted that a user is holding one of the locker doors  40  in a closed position. 
     The intelligent locker system also includes an intelligent locking device  54  having a printed circuit board  56  with a microprocessor secured therein. The intelligent locking device  54  includes two sets of retractable bolts. The first set of retractable bolts unlocks and locks the door  40 A closable over the first locker area  44 A and the second set of retractable bolts unlocks and locks the door  40 B closable over the second locker area  44 B. 
       FIG. 4  shows a fragmentary front view of the intelligent locker system of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 4  shows one level of the locker cabinet  22  including first locker opening  24 A and second locker opening  24 B. Adjacent central wall  42 , each locker opening has a flange  58 A,  58 B for supporting depressible buttons  52 A and  52 B. The intelligent locker system includes intelligent locking device  54  secured inside central wall  42 . The intelligent locking device includes a light emitting element  60  that is preferably exposed at the front surface of the locker cabinet  22 . In certain preferred embodiments, the light emitting element  60  is a two-color LED that informs users of the intelligent locker system whether a locker is unlocked, locked, or in the process of being unlocked or locked. In one particular preferred embodiment, when locker space  24  is available for use, the light emitting element  60  emits green light. However, when a user places articles within the space  24  and closes the door (not shown), the light emitting element  60  will emit a red light that flashes on and off. The red light will continue to flash until the user has deposited money into the Customer Service Station  28  and entered the required authenticating information (e.g., biometric, PIN code) into the system. Once the user has entered the necessary information at the Customer Service Station  28 , the intelligent locking device  54  will lock the door and the light emitting element  60  will emit a solid red light, indicating that the door covering the locker space  24  is locked. The LED  60  will continue to emit a solid red light until the authorized user interacts with the Customer Service Station  28  to unlock the door. At that time, the light emitting element  60  will emit green light. 
       FIG. 5  shows a top, cross-sectional view of an intelligent locking device  54 , in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. The intelligent locking device includes a smart card  56  with a microprocessor that controls operation of the device. The smart card  56  has at least one communication line  62  attached thereto for sending and receiving information related to opening and closing locker doors. The smart card  56  preferably has a program stored therein for operating the intelligent locking device. The intelligent locking device includes a first set of retractable bolts  64 , including forward bolt  64 A and rear bolt  64 B, and a second set of retractable bolts  66 , including forward bolt  66 A and rear bolt  66 B. A front wall  68  of the intelligent locking device  54  includes the light emitting element  60 . As mentioned above, light emitting element  60  is capable of emitting various colors of light, such as green, amber and red for indicating the locked/unlocked status of the locker. The light emitting element may provide a solid stream of light or may blink on and off. The intelligent locking device  54  also preferably includes a first motor and associated driver  70 A for opening and closing the first set of retractable bolts  64 , and a second motor  70 B and associated driver for opening and closing the second set of retractable bolts  66 . The light emitting element  60 , and the first and second motor  70 A and  70 B are preferably in communication with smart card  56 . 
     The first and second sets of bolts  64 ,  66  are preferably independent from one another. In other words, one set of bolts may be in the retracted or unlocked position while the other set of bolts may be in the extended or locked position. Moreover, both sets of bolts may simultaneously be in the unlocked position or the locked position. In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the first set of bolts  64  are retracted in the unlocked position, while the second set of bolts  66  are in the extended, locked position. The unlocked/locked status of the bolts  64 ,  66 , is at all times relayed to smart card  56  which in turn relays the information to the Customer Service Station (not shown) via communication line  62 . As a result, the Customer Service Station is able to monitor the status of each locker opening. This information may be compiled by the Customer Service Station and transmitted to a central location via a wide variety of communication channels, such as telephone lines. As a result, the operation of a plurality of intelligent locker systems at a plurality of different locations may be monitored at one central location. 
       FIG. 7  shows a front view of intelligent locking device  54 , including a first light emitting element  60 A linked with the position of the first set of retractable bolts  64  and a second light emitting element  60 B linked with the position of the second set of retractable bolts  66 . Thus, the first LED  60 A shows the lock/unlock status of the first set of bolts  64  while the second LED  60 B shows the lock/unlock status of the second set of bolts  66 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a local area network (LAN)  72  used to interconnect the plurality of intelligent locking devices  54  with the central controller or Customer Service Station  28 . The intelligent locking devices  54  may be connected in series with one another and with the Customer Service Station  28  via a first network line  72 . The intelligent locking devices  54  may also be connected in parallel with the Customer Service Station  28  via communication lines  72 ′. In other preferred embodiments, fiber optic cables may replace the communications lines  72 ,  72 ′. In still other embodiments, the intelligent locking devices  54  may communicate with the Customer Service Station  28  via radio waves. 
     Using the local area network shown in  FIG. 8 , the Customer Service Station  28  for each intelligent locker system is able to monitor the status of each intelligent locking device  54 . The particular status for each intelligent locking device  54  is preferably compiled by the printed circuit board  56  disposed therein. This information is then periodically sent via communication lines  72  to the Customer Service Station  28 . The Customer Service Station  28  preferably stores this information in a memory device (not shown). The information may be sent to a central location that compiles information from many different locations. The information may be transmitted via an uplink  84 . The transmitted information may include the amount of money collected, the percentage of lockers in use, and whether any of the lockers require maintenance. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-11 , in operation a user will approach a particular locker opening  24 B in order to store one or more articles in locker space  44 B. As mentioned above, in its normal position, door  40 B is preferably slightly ajar. Door  40 B includes one or more openings or recesses  74  adapted to receive one of the retractable bolts  64 ,  66  when the retractable bolts are extended. 
     The intelligent locking device  54  shown in  FIG. 9  is a simplified view of the system does not show the printed circuit board and the motor and driving mechanism for opening and closing retractable bolt  66 . Adjacent locker opening  24 B, depressible button  52 B is held by flange  76 . Depressible button  52  is movable between an extended position and a depressed position. When door  40 B is closed, inner surface  78  of door  40 B abuts against depressible button  52 B so as to depress the button. Upon being depressed, a signal is sent to the printed circuit board of the intelligent locking device  54 , thereby informing the printed circuit board that the door  40 B of locker opening  24   b  has been closed. 
       FIG. 10  shows a fragmentary view of the locker immediately after door  40 B has been, closed and button  52  has been depressed, but before retractable bolt  66  has move into the extended position for locking the door  40 B. When door  40 B is initially closed, inner surface  78  of door  40 B depresses button  52 B, thereby sending a signal to the printed circuit board of the intelligent locking device  54 , the signal indicating that door  40 B has been closed. After a predetermined period of time, such as approximately 2-10 seconds, the printed circuit board will send a signal to the motor  70 B to move the bolt  66  into the extended, locking position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , as motor  70 B moves bolt  66  into the extended, locking position, bolt  66  slides into recess  74  formed in the edge of door  40 B. Once the bolt  66  extends completely into the locked position, light emitting element  60  emits a solid red light, thereby providing a visual indicator that door  40 B has been locked. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-11 , in other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a user of the intelligent locker system  20  will approach cabinet  22 . The user will observe whether one of the locker openings  24  is available for use. The user will then open the door  40  of the locker opening  24  and place articles for storage within the locker area  44 . A user may also confirm that a locker is open and available for use by referring to one of the light emitting elements of the intelligent locking device  54 . If the light emitting element is a particular color, such as green, the color provides a visual indication that the locker is available. Each locker opening  24  preferably has its own light emitting element  60  assigned thereto. In other preferred embodiments, each locker has two or more light emitting elements  60 . 
     After the user places the articles within the locker opening  24 , the user will close the door  40  so as to depress depressible button  52 . Upon being depressed, a signal will be sent to the printed circuit board  56  of the intelligent locking device  54  that the locker door  40  is being held in a closed position. After approximately 2-10 seconds, the printed circuit board  56  will send a signal to motor  70  to move retractable bolts  64  into the extended, locking position. As the retractable bolts move into the locking position, the bolts will slide into the recess  74  formed at the edge of door  40 . At the same time, light emitting element  60  will change from emitting a solid green light to a flashing amber or red light. The printed circuit board  56  will then send a communication to the Customer Service Station  28  that the particular door has been closed. 
     The user will then proceed to the Customer Service Station  28  shown in  FIG. 2 . The Customer Service Station will ask the user which language the user prefers. The user will then touch the video screen  30  or enter information into the system using keys  34 . During the initial transaction, the Customer Service Station may ask the user how long he or she desires to use the locker space. The Customer Service Station will then calculate how much the user owes. This amount may be deposited in the form of coins or bills through slot  36 . Slot  36  may also be adapted to receive credit cards, magnetic cards, smart cards or any other form of payment. The user will then submit biometric data or other authenticating data to the system. In one particular preferred embodiment, the user places a fingerprint over the biometric sensor  38 . The sensor  38  will then scan the fingertip pattern and record it within a memory device. Once the initial transaction is complete, the extendable bolt of the intelligent locking device will remain in the locked position and the light emitting element  60  will transform from emitting a blinking red light to a solid red color. 
     Later, when the user desires to remove the stored articles from the locker, the user will approach the Customer Service Station  28 . The user will place his or her fingerprint over the biometric scanner  38  so that the scanner may obtain a copy of the user&#39;s fingerprint. In highly preferred embodiments, the fingerprint data includes information related to the electrical capacitance of the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint. The scanned fingerprint will then be compared with the fingerprint stored in the memory of the Customer Service Station. The processor of the Customer Service Station will associate the retrieved fingerprint with a particular locker number for that fingerprint. Once a link or association has been made between the retrieved fingerprint and the locker associated therewith, the bolts of the intelligent locking device for that particular locker will retract, thereby unlocking the locker door  40 . At that time, the light emitting element  60  will change from emitting a solid red light to a solid green light. Once the bolt(s) retract, the locker door  40  will return to its normally partially ajar orientation. The user may than proceed to the locker opening to remove the articles stored in the locker. 
     Although the above described embodiment utilizes a biometric scanner to obtain fingerprints, it is contemplated that other forms of identification may be used for opening and closing the lockers. For example, the biometric sensor  38  may scan another characteristic of a user&#39;s body, such as scanning a user&#39;s eye or other distinguishing feature of the body. The Customer Service Station may also utilize PIN codes, magnetic cards, embedded chips or other means for authenticating users. 
     Shown below are tables that detail message type and exchanges that form the implementation of the protocol. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Broadcast 
               
             
          
           
               
                 ArbID 
                 Message ID 
                 Data 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0 
                 SET_ID (15) 
                 New 
                 Controller will use as 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Controller 
                 Arbitration ID after 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ID 
                 receipt of message. 
               
               
                 0 
                 WAKE_UP (14) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Programmatic 
               
             
          
           
               
                 ArbID 
                 Message ID 
                 Data 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 HARD_RESET (6) 
                 — 
                   
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 SOFT_RESET (8) 
                 — 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 ENABLE (7) 
                 State* 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 SET-STATE (10) 
                 State* 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 DISABLE (11) 
                 — 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 SET_PARK_OPEN 
                 Ticks 
                 Set motor parking time 
               
               
                   
                 (15) 
                   
                 in 1/50 sec 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 SET_PARK_CLOSE 
                 Ticks 
                 Set motor parking time 
               
               
                   
                 (16) 
                   
                 in 1/50 sec 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 SET_DOOR_TICKS 
                 Ticks 
                 Set switch sensitivity 
               
               
                   
                 (18) 
                   
                 in 1/50 sec 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Locker States 
               
               
                 (0) LOCKER_OPEN_AVAILABLE 
               
               
                 (1) LOCKER_CLOSED 
               
               
                 (2) LOCKER_SETUP 
               
               
                 (3) LOCKER_SETUP_REQ_ID 
               
               
                 (4) LOCKER_LOCKED 
               
               
                 (5) LOCKER_OPEN_FAIL 
               
               
                 (6) LOCKER_CLOSE_FAIL 
               
               
                 (7) LOCKER_RESET 
               
               
                 (8) LOCKER_GET_STATE 
               
               
                 (9) LOCKER_REQ_STATE 
               
               
                 (11) LOCKER_WAITFOR_SET 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Locking 
               
             
          
           
               
                 ArbID 
                 Message ID 
                 Data 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 64-2046 
                 CONFIRM_LOCK (2) 
                 — 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 OPEN (5) 
                 — 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Operational 
               
             
          
           
               
                 ArbID 
                 Message ID 
                 Data 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 CLOSED (1) 
                 — 
                 Door has been closed 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 and locks driven. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 CLOSED_FAIL (2) 
                 — 
                 Failure to complete a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 lock drive after door 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 closed. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 OPEN-FAIL (3) 
                 — 
                 Failure to complete a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 lock drive after open 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 message rcvd. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 REQ-STATE (4) 
                 — 
                 Sent after wake-up rcvd 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 if Controller has ID. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 LOCKER_OPENED 
                 — 
                 Sent after successful 
               
               
                   
                 (10) 
                   
                 open. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 LOCKER_LOCKED 
                 — 
                 Sent as confirmed 
               
               
                   
                 (11) 
                   
                 receipt of CONFIRM_LOCK 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 msg. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Security 
               
             
          
           
               
                 ArbID 
                 Message ID 
                 Data 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 TAMPER_DOOR (5) 
                 — 
                 Door switch is open and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 should be closed. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 TAMPER_LOCK (7) 
                 — 
                 Lock open when should 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 be closed. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Acknowledgement 
               
             
          
           
               
                 ArbID 
                 Message ID 
                 Data 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 CLOSED_FAIL (2) 
                 — 
                 Failure to complete a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 lock drive after door 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 closed. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 OPEN_FAIL (3) 
                 — 
                 Failure to complete a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 lock drive after open 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 message rcvd. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 LOCKER_OPENED(10) 
                 — 
                 Sent after successful 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 open. 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 LOCKER_LOCKED 
                 — 
                 Sent as confirmed 
               
               
                   
                 (11) 
                   
                 receipt of CONFIRM_LOCK 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 msg. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Diagnostic 
               
             
          
           
               
                 ArbID 
                 Message ID 
                 Data 
                 Comment 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 PING (17) 
                 — 
                 Check if controller 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 exists 
               
               
                 64-2046 
                 PONG (8) 
                 State* 
                 Response to PING msg. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Locker States 
               
               
                 (0) LOCKER_OPEN_AVAILABLE 
               
               
                 (1) LOCKER_CLOSED 
               
               
                 (2) LOCKER_SETUP 
               
               
                 (3) LOCKER_SETUP_REQ_ID 
               
               
                 (4) LOCKER_LOCKED 
               
               
                 (5) LOCKER_OPEN_FAIL 
               
               
                 (6) LOCKER_CLOSE_FAIL 
               
               
                 (7) LOCKER_RESET 
               
               
                 (8) LOCKER_GET_STATE 
               
               
                 (9) LOCKER_REQ_STATE 
               
               
                 (11) LOCKER_WAITFOR_SET 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and application of the present invention. For example, the system can be used for any type of enclosable space, such as a room or closet. The system may also be used in any type of environment where enclosed spaces must be locked and unlocked, such as offices, hotel rooms, storage facilities, post office boxes and the like. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Category: g