AU668325B2 - Personal access arrangement - Google Patents

Description

91 S F Ref: 265522DI

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFIClON FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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66 S 6 6*6*46 a 6 666646 a 66 *6 S *6 Name and Address of Applicant., Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service,.

Invention Title: Onmnikey Pty Ltd 7 Carcoola Road St. Ives Now South Wales 2075

AUSTRALIA

Peter Sinclair Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Personal Access Arrangement The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845/3

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PERSONAL ACCESS ARRANGEMENT The present invention relates generally to systems for secure instigation of desired events and has particular application in security access systems. In particular, the arrangement of the present invention permits substantial convenience and ease of use.

A multitude of arrangements are known which provide persons access to secure locations and the like. The most common example is the ubiquitous key used for gaining access through a doorway. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the key is generally able to be copied quite easily and an 1o uncontrolled distribution of copied keys can often result in unauthorised persons obtaining access to certain locations, Also, in order to make use of the key, the key must be carried, usually attached to a key ring retained in the pocket or attached to a belt of the user. In order to utilise the key it is necessary for the user to withdraw the key from the pocket and then replace same after use.

15 Where a person is required to have access to a number of secure locations perhaps distributed over a large area or within a single complex, it is therefore often necessary for that person to carry with them numerous keys that provide for access to those various locations, The number of keys carried by a person can represent a substantial inconvenience and similarly increase the opportunity for copies to be made thereby reducing the security of the system, In order to overcome these disadvantages, over recent years, numerous electronic arrangements have been provided whereby access is enabled through the use of combinations, magnetic swipe cards and the like, Whilst the use of alphanumeric combinations permits convenience, in that there is no need to carry some form of access 2s device, combhiations are often forgotten by users as well as representing a security hazard if the combination is recorded, by writing for example, In order to overcome these problems, combinations are altered regularly. This also contributes to persons forgetting the current combination.

Magnetic swipe cards and the like are quite useful in that various door so controllers can be programmed to accept a variety of swipe cards to the extent that a security arrangement with multiple access doors can be programmed to allow certain persons access to certain locations, However, such an arrangement still suffers the disadvantage indicated above in relation to keys in that, in order to utilise the magnetic swipe card it must be withdrawn from a pocket and physically swiped through a reading device, The time taken to grasp the card, swipe and then return it to its storage locatioia again represents a substantial inconvenience.

Furthermore, magnetic swipe card systems are generally used in industrial environments because their costs and arrangement is not conducive to domestic use, iNk.Ubooli013 1AD d It is an object of the present invention to substantially overc r meliorate the above mentioned difficulties through provisi rsonal access arrangement which is convenient to use e provided at a cost suitable for domestic markets y rtt ecure access to a level required in industrial environments.

6 In accordance with one aspect of the present irtvention there is disclosed apparatus comprising: a substantially annular band means configured to enable said apparatus to be worn or otherwise affixed at or near the periphery of an ann of a user of said apparatus; a personal coded device attached to said band means and including contact means by which at least a single code can be read from said device by a reading arrangement, with which said contact means is configured to contact.

A number of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: 16 Fig. 1 is an illustration of a prior art secure access arrangement; Fig, 2 is a perspective view of an access bracelet of a first embodiment of the present invention; ig, 3 is a perspective, partially cut away view of an access arrangement of the preferred embodiment; Fig, 4 is a schematic cross sectional representation of the arrangement of Fig, 3; Fig, 5 is a perspective view of an access watch of another embodiment; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment which incorporates an access ring having a "smart" chip device.

as Referring to Fig, 1, a key ring assembly I is shown which permits personalised access in one of two ways. The assembly includes a standard key 2 which provides access to one or more key type locks in the conventional manner. The key 2 is connected by key ring 3 to a tab 4 upon which a personal access disc 5 is secured, typically using glue, such as "SUPER GLUE" or epoxy resin, or some other permanent fastening arrangement. The personal access disc 5 takes the form of the casing of a lithium-type watch battery and includes a central circular terminal 6 and ;a casing terminal 7 surrounding the central terminal 6 and insulated therefrom, An example of the personal access discs is a "PS-1490-R3 battery key" manufactured by Dallas Semiconductors Inc. of Texas, USA. The personal access 5 incorporates a unique encoded number formed in a semiconductor substrate which can be electronicay, read via the terminals 6 and 7. In this manner, the personal access disc 5 can be inserted into an appropriately configured reader device configured to read the number encoded within the disc 5. If the number read matches an authorised number within the reader tib001o00tt 1AO s P-r device, the reader device instigates an authorisation signal, which typically is used to open or unlock a doorway, or similar arrangement, Such an arlangement Fig, 1 therefore indicates a configuration similar to the magnetic qwipe ca/,ds described above in that it provides electronic access to one or a number of locations when those locations are suitably programmed with the appropriate number of the personal access disc However, the arrangement of Fig. 1 still includes the disadvantage of the other prior art devices mentioned above in that, through being attached to the key ring 3 it must be withdrawn from the pocket (typically) of the user, inserted into the reading device, and then returned to the pocket after use, Again this can represent a substantial inconvenience where a person is moving through a number of secure access locations, or is perhaps carrying objects which make the use of a key type arrangement difficult.

Turning now to Fig, 2, a first arrangement in accordance with the present invention is shown in the form of an access bracelet 10 incorporating a bracelet band 11 S s and a mounting support 12, In this embodiment, a personal access disc 13, corresponding to the disc 5 of Fig, 1 is secured to the mounting support 12, Accordingly, the bracelet 10 is able to be worn around the wrist of the user and therefore is placed at a convenient location for multiple use, or use when objects are being held. In this arrangement, the user need only raise their hand and insert the disc 13 into the reader to enable operation of a door or the like, The disc 13 is mounted on the support 12 so as to sufficiently distance itself from the band 11 such that the central terminal 14 and casitg terminal 15 of the disc 13 are able to adequately enter a receptacle within the reader device.

*i ~Turning now to Figs, 3 and 4, an access arrangement 20 is shown which 25 permits access through a door 20 by means of an electric door lock release 22 mounted in a wall 29 surrounding the door frame, In this embodiment, the hand 23 of the user is shown which includes an access ring 24 configured with a personal access disc 25 having a central terminal 26 and casing terminal 27, Mounted on the wall 29 adjacent the door 21 is a receptacle housing 28 which includes a receptacle 30 configured to receive the personal access disc 25 such that the central contact 26 connects with a complementary contact 32 arranged within the receptacle 30, and the casing terminal 27 contacts with a peripheral, substantially annular contact(s) 31 arranged around the periphery of the receptacle 30. The contacts 3a 31 and 32 are separated by an insulating material 33 and have connections 34 and respectively which interconnect with an access controller 36 arranged on the inside of the wail 29, generally adjacent the door 21, INAboalOO0ai3 lAD The access controller 36 includes an interrogator 37 which is configured to read a unique number stored within the disc 25 and compare that number with any authorised numbers stored therein. If a match occurs, the interrogator 37 enables a valid output which, via a connection 38 enables the electric door lock release 22 to s release the door 21 thereby permitting the user access therethrough, The access controller 36 includes a power supply input 40 as well as a number of register keys 39 which can be operated to enable recordal of new authorised numbers, In order to validate a new number, the register keys 39 are depressed in an appropriate manner such that when a unique number is read from a disc 25 inserted into the receptacle 30, that number is stored within the interrogator 37 for subsequent use in permitting access. The register keys 39 can incorporate alphanumeric keys having a combination which permits reading and storing of the number within the disc 25 or alternatively a traditional key which places the interrogator 37 into an appropriate reading and storing mode.

1s Where appropriate, a "non-valid" output can be used to indicate that the attempted access has been unsuccessful. In some instances, this can connect to an alarm system.

An example of the receptacle housing 28 and access controller 36 is a reader device manufactured and sold by Dallas Semiconductor Inc. under their part number to DS-9092.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further embodiment in which an access watch 50 is shown having a watch strap 51, and a clasp 52 to which a personal access disc 53 is connected, S. Whilst the foregoing embodiments make use of the known personal access disc manufactured by Dallas Semiconductors Inc., other personal access arrangements can 2z be utilised. Fig, 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an access ring 60 which includes a support 61 upon which a personal coded device 62 is affixed. The device 62 can in this embodiment include a polygonal shape 63 whereby it can be inserted into an appropriately configured receptacle complementing the function of the receptacle 28 in Figs. 3 and 4 to permit reading of a semiconductor storage device configured therein.

3o In this manner, that device 62 incorporates a number of contact locations 64 thereby making the personal coded device 62 emulate a semiconductor device included in known "smart card" devices, In this manner, the personal coded device 62 can represent a conveniently portable memory store able to be used for a variety of purposes such as providing a ess as in the previous embodiments, but also acting in a as manner similar to known credit cards and the like and therefore useful in automatic teller machines and/or electronics funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) devices.

Typically, there can be eight contact locatiotn. 64. Furthe, data stored within the S semiconductor device can be updated by the reading arwngement.

TM.ito -6- It will be apparent from the foregoing that the arrangement of a personal coded device upon an item of jewellery, or attached otherwise configured upon or near the hand of a user permits that device to be used readily and conveniently whilst not requiring any other storage location for the device, This also prevents the problem of the device becoming lost as in the case of keys inserted into a pocket or stored in some other manner. Because the device is always within eyesight of the user, the chances of the device being lost are substantially reduced, A further advantage of such a coded device or disc is that, because they are arranged within a metal casing, equivalent to a lithium battery, that arrangement is waterproof and generally resistant to rough use.

The foregoing describes only a number of embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, e** 6 *9* *oo 9*4 ta3:IAD

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Claims (10)

1. Apparatus comprising- a substantially annular band means configured to enable said apparatus to be worn or otherwise affixed at or near the periphery of an arm of a user of said apparatus; a personal coded device attached to said band means and including contact means by which at least a single code can be read from said device by a reading arrangement, with which said contact means is configured to contact.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said band means comprises a 1o ring worn upon a finger of the user.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said band means comprises a bracelet worn about a wrist of the user,

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said band means comprises a watch worn about a wrist of the user. 15 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said reading arrangement acts to validate said code against codes stored therein, and upon an appropriate validation, said reading arrangement enables an operation desired by said user,

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said reading arrangement comprises part of a security access system and said operation comprises permitting said user access to a location,

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said reading arrangement forms part of a monetary system apparatus configured to selectively permit said user to perform a monetary transaction. 25 8, Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said reading arrangement forms part of an automatic teller machine,

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said reading arrangement forms part of an electronic funds transfer point of sale device, Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said personal coded device comprises a plurality of electrical contacts that permit interconnection between a semi-conductor device arranged within said personal coded device such that data 'tored within said semi-conductor device can be read and/or updated by said reading arrangement,

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said personal coded device 3s comprises N electrical contacts (2 N 8) and a semiconductor storage device. 12, Personal access apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. iN.\tlootOOBl01IAO, .r -8-

13. Personal access apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 5 of the drawings.

14. Personal access apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Fig, 6 of the drawings. DATED this Eighth Day of November 1994 Omnikey Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON i* i*t O* iCitO [N.ihiooo0It I -L I I I I 1 I Personal Access Arrangement ABSTRACT A system for secure instigation of desired events, and particularly for security access systems is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a substantially annular band (11) configured to enable said apparatus to be worn or otherwise affixed at or near the periphery of an arm of a user of said apparatus; a personal coded device (13) attached to said band (11) and including contact means (14) by which at least a single code can be read from said device by a reading arrangement with which said contact means (14) is configured to contact. io (Figure 3) e te &9 oI. e°O iee