| Electronic key system and method -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Electronic key system and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070188302Title: Electronic key system and method Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic key system including an electrical/electronic key-like device and an electrical/electronic key receptacle capable of receiving a contactless type, contact type, or both types of key-like devices. The present invention further provides an electronic key system including an electrical/electronic key-like device and an intelligent electrical/electronic key receptacle wherein the system is capable of performing a transaction between the key-like device and the key receptacle after the key-like device is inserted into the key receptacle and moved to a predetermined position. (end of abstract)
Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Gerry Waring, Bill Stifle, David Mattis USPTO Applicaton #: 20070188302 - Class: 340005660 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070188302. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] None. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an electronic information system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic key system comprising an electrical/electronic key-like device and a key receptacle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Electronic key systems have been used in many applications and have proven to be a source for portable data solutions. For example, electronic key systems have been used in data logging applications wherein a portable electrical/electronic key-like device stores user and/or other information for transport of data to/from a remote station; in access control applications where a portable key-like device stores information to be verified by an access control program or system; in cashless vending or cash token applications wherein a portable electrical/electronic key-like device stores a value (e.g. cash value or number of credits, etc.) that is decremented after vending a product or being served, and can be recharged with additional value; and in security applications wherein a portable electrical/electronic key-like device stores personal identification information that is valid only when the electrical/electronic key-like device is being used by the owner or authorized personnel of the electrical/electronic key-like device. [0004] Prior electronic key systems include an electrical/electronic key-like device and an electrical key receptacle as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,679, entitled "RECEPTACLE DEVICE", issued on Jun. 21, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,915, entitled "RECEPTACLE DESIGN FOR USE WITH ELECTRONIC KEY-LIKE DEVICE", issued on Apr. 21, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,456, entitled "ELECTRONIC TAG RECEPTACLE AND READER", issued on Jun. 11, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,088, entitled "RECEPTACLE DESIGN FOR USE WITH ELECTRONIC KEY-LIKE DEVICE", issued on Oct. 28, 1986; U.S. Design Patent No. Des. 345,686, entitled "ELECTRICAL INFORMATION KEY", issued on Apr. 5, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,573, entitled "PORTABLE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DEVICES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE", issued on Mar. 25, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,076, entitled "ORIENTATION GUIDE ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTRONIC KEY AND RECEPTACLE COMBINATION", issued on Oct. 22, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,993, entitled "ELECTRONIC KEY", issued on Mar. 13, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,703, entitled "APPARATUS FOR ENCODING ELECTRICAL IDENTIFICATION DEVICES BY MEANS OF SELECTIVELY FUSIBLE LINKS", issued on Dec. 17, 1991; U.S. Design Patent No. Des. 291,897, entitled "IDENTIFICATION TAG", issued on Sep. 15, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,125, entitled "MICROELECTRONIC MEMORY KEY WITH RECEPTACLE AND SYSTEMS THEREFOR", issued on Apr. 20, 1982; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,569, entitled "MICROELECTRONIC MEMORY KEY WITH RECEPTACLE AND SYSTEMS THEREFOR", issued on Oct. 27, 1981; all of which are assigned to Datakey Electronics, Inc., the assignee of the present application, and all of which are incorporated herein by reference. [0005] The above referenced electronic key systems disclose electrical/electronic key-like devices and receptacles. In general, an outside circuit or electrical operation system is activated by use of a portable key-like device which is inserted into a receptacle or the like, to make electrical contact or connection with the outside circuit or the electrical operation system. Such electrical contact or connection is generally made by rotating a key-like device after the device is fully inserted into a receptacle, whereby a plurality of spring contact pins of the receptacle mate with contacts of the key-like device. Electrical pathways or wires/traces in the receptacle electrically connect the spring contact pins to an interface of the receptacle. The interface carries electrical signals from the key-like device to the outside circuit or electrical operation system. [0006] It has been noted that the contacts of the key-like device and the receptacle are subject to wear and tear not only because of the mechanical contact, but also because the contacts of a key-like device are exposed to an outside environment without protection. Therefore, it is desirable to have a contactless electronic key system. [0007] Further, it is desirable to have a receptacle that is capable of receiving contactless or both contact and contactless key-like devices. Also, it is desirable to have an intelligent receptacle which is capable of performing a transaction between the key-like device and the receptacle, for example, providing embedded functional applications using a key-like device and providing an interface between the key-like device and an outside operation system. [0008] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved electronic key system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] To solve the above and the other problems, in one embodiment, the present invention provides an electronic key system comprising a key-like device and an intelligent receptacle. In some embodiments, the key may be a contactless key; and in other embodiments, the key may be a contact key. For a contactless key-like device, the contacts are within or covered by a housing or enclosure which eliminates the problem of exposure of contacts to an outside environment. The intelligent receptacle of the present invention is capable of receiving both contact and contactless key-like devices. Also, in some embodiments, the intelligent receptacle of the present invention includes a circuit for embedded functional applications and an interface between the key-like device and an external operation system. [0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic key system comprises an electrical/electronic key-like device; and a key receptacle for receiving the electrical/electronic key-like device. The key receptacle includes a housing having an opening configured and arranged to receive the electrical/electronic key-like device, the opening having an inside end and an outside end; a circuit mounted in the housing, the circuit having at least one electrical trace and at least one embedded application operable with the electrical/electronic key-like device; and in the case of contactless, a transceiver antenna member disposed proximate the inside end of the opening or a suitable position along the opening. [0011] In one embodiment, the electrical/electronic key-like device is a contactless electrical/electronic key-like device. The contactless electrical/electronic key-like device comprises a generally key-like enclosure having a distal end and a proximal end; a circuit disposed in and supported by the enclosure; and a magnetic coupling member disposed in the enclosure proximate the distal end of the enclosure or a suitable position inside the enclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosure is molded plastic, but other materials and suitable forming methods may be used as well. In some embodiments, the circuit and the magnetic coupling member are contained substantially or completely within the enclosure, i.e. are not exposed to an outside environment. [0012] In one embodiment, when the key-like device is inserted into the opening, the magnetic field of the magnetic coupling member is disposed substantially orthogonal to the magnetic field of the transceiver antenna member. There is no coupling between the magnetic field, and there is no transaction between the key-like device and the key receptacle. When the key-like device is fully inserted into the receptacle and turned to a predetermined position at which the magnetic field of the magnetic coupling member and the magnetic field of the transceiver antenna member are substantially aligned with each other, the magnetic field of the magnetic coupling member is coupled to the magnetic field of the transceiver antenna member so as to enable a transaction between the circuit of the key-like device and the circuit of the key receptacle. [0013] In some embodiments, when the key-like device is turned into a predetermined position, such as the predetermined position mentioned in the immediately proceeding paragraph, a feedback, such as a tactile, audible, or visual feedback, is generated. The key-like device is configured in a shape, such as a cylindrical shape, such that it prevents devices which do not physically "fit" from being inserted and turned into the predetermined position. [0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical/electronic key-like device includes a key-like enclosure having a distal end and a proximal end and at least one groove disposed on each side of the enclosure between the distal end and the proximal end; a circuit disposed in and supported by the enclosure; and at least one electrical contact electrically connected to the circuit via at least one trace, the at least one electrical contact being disposed in the corresponding groove and exposed to the outside environment. [0015] In another embodiment, the key receptacle further includes a plurality of contact pins. The contact pins make contact with the electrical contacts of the key-like device when the key-like device is fully inserted into the opening of the key receptacle and turned to a predetermined position. [0016] The present invention further provides a method of operating an electronic key system. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing an electrical/electronic key-like device, the electrical/electronic key-like device storing information and having a first circuit; inserting the electrical/electronic key-like device into a key receptacle, the key receptacle having a second circuit; moving the electrical/electronic key-like device into a predetermined position with respect to the key receptacle to enable a transaction between the first circuit of the electrical/electronic key-like device and the second circuit of the key receptacle. [0017] In one embodiment, the transaction is a data logging operation to read/write data between the key-like device and the key receptacle for transport of data to/from a remote station. [0018] In another embodiment, the transaction is an access control operation to verify data stored in the key-like device and provide access to an external operation system that the key receptacle is interfaced with. [0019] In yet another embodiment, the transaction is a vending operation whereby the data stored in the key-like device is an amount of value (e.g. cash value or number of credits, etc.) and is decremented after each vending operation. [0020] In yet an additional embodiment, the transaction is a cash token recharging operation whereby the data stored in the key-like device is increased by an amount of value. Continue reading... Full patent description for Electronic key system and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Electronic key system and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Electronic key system and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Security system, in particular in a motor vehicle Next Patent Application: Method, apparatus and system for controlling access to a storage unit Industry Class: Communications: electrical ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Electronic key system and method patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.44612 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error |
||
