EP0246903A1 - A method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device - Google Patents

A method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0246903A1
EP0246903A1 EP87304541A EP87304541A EP0246903A1 EP 0246903 A1 EP0246903 A1 EP 0246903A1 EP 87304541 A EP87304541 A EP 87304541A EP 87304541 A EP87304541 A EP 87304541A EP 0246903 A1 EP0246903 A1 EP 0246903A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clearing
code
card
locking device
door
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP87304541A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0246903B1 (en
Inventor
Toshihiko Yamasita
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UNISAFE Ltd
Original Assignee
UNISAFE Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by UNISAFE Ltd filed Critical UNISAFE Ltd
Priority to AT87304541T priority Critical patent/ATE74993T1/en
Publication of EP0246903A1 publication Critical patent/EP0246903A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0246903B1 publication Critical patent/EP0246903B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00658—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by passive electrical keys
    • G07C9/00722—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by passive electrical keys with magnetic components, e.g. magnets, magnetic strips, metallic inserts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method for clearing unlocking key codes from an electronic locking device.
  • Such electronic locking devices installed in guest rooms of hotels require alteration of the unlocking key code of a room whenever a guest changes. If such clearing of key codes could be effected by anyone at any time, the electronic locking devices would become useless.
  • the electronic locking device it is, therefore, necessary to arrange the electronic locking device so that the unlocking codes are cleared only when certain conditions are met.
  • a card hereinafter called a clearing card
  • the term "clearing of key codes” is to be construed as enabling the memory under specified conditions by cancelling the flag of the memory storing key codes.
  • the present invention was made in view of the aforementioned circumstance, and it is an objective of the invention to make the clearing of unlocking key codes easier while retaining security of normal operation.
  • a method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device in which the unlocking circuit is arranged to be actuated when the code of a magnetic card read by the card reader agrees with an unlocking key code set in the memory set in the memory, the method comprising using a first clearing card which will function only when the door associated with the locking device is open and a second clearing card which will function only when the door is closed, setting the codes of the first and second clearing cards in specified separate addresses in the memory in the code setting mode for setting the codes of the clearing cards in the processing unit (CPU) of the electronic locking device, determining whether the door is open or closed in the normal operation mode of the CPU, and clearing the unlocking key codes only when the code read by the card reader is identical to the code of the first clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is open, or when the code read by the card reader is identical to the code of the second clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is closed.
  • CPU processing unit
  • the method for clearing unlocking key codes in this preferred embodiment is used in, for instance, an electronic locking device for hotels, such as a personal safe for guests as used in a hotel room, and the configuration of such an electronic locking device is shown in Figure 1.
  • the device includes a card reader 1 for reading the code from a card having a code encoded on a magnetic strip on the card. Most credit and charge cards have such a strip and are well known.
  • a first auxiliary memory 2 is provided for storing the code read by the card reader 1.
  • the device has a second auxiliary memory 3 and a main memory 4 for storing the unlocking codes.
  • a display 5 will indicate if the contents of the first auxiliary memory 2 have been stored in the main memory 4.
  • a microprocessor (CPU) 6 is provided for processing signals and controlling an unlocking circuit 7 for executing unlocking according to the unlocking signal given by the CPU 6.
  • a multiposition switch 8 is available for manual selection of the operation mode of the CPU 6 according to the following positions:
  • the "0" position is the normal operation mode of the electronic locking device in which the locking device will be opened when the code of a magnetic card read by the card reader 1 agrees with a code set in the main memory 4, and setting of guest key codes is also made in this switch position.
  • the position from “1" to “F” are for setting keys to be kept by hotel employees of the respective positions.
  • Setting of codes for the employees keys can be effected by setting the multiposition switch 8 in the respective positions allocated to the respective keys, and inserting each key, a magnetic card, in the card reader 1 at least twice till, for example, the display 5 is lit up by the operation of the CPU 6 as shown by the flowchart in Figure 2.
  • the keys of "1" to “C” can unlock the locking devices at their respective levels by first setting their codes as shown above, setting the multiposition switch 8 in the "0" position, and inserting the key card into the card reader.
  • the first, second and third clearing keys to be set in the switch positions D, E and F respectively enable the main memory to store a code or codes of a guest key or keys or clear the storage areas of the main memory 4 for setting a code or codes of a guest key or keys in the normal operation mode (switch position: "0") of the electronic locking device when the door is open (when the inner lever on the door is operated), when the door is closed, and when the door is either open or closed, respectively.
  • the CPU 6 When a key card set in one of these switch positions is inserted into the card reader 1 in the normal operation mode of the electronic locking device, according to, for example, the operation procedure of the flowchart of Figure 3, the CPU 6 will clear the guest key code or codes in the main memory 4, and the code of a magnetic card to be inserted in the card reader 1 in this mode will be stored in the main memory 4 as an unlocking code (unlocking key code) of the guest key.
  • the CPU 6 Once a guest key or keys is set in the aforementioned manner, the CPU 6 will not allow setting codes of any magnetic cards as unlocking codes unless one of the clearing key card is inserted into the card reader 1 according to the position (open or closed) of the door.
  • the electronic locking device so that after setting a guest key code or codes as shown above, if the door is not opened at least once within the specified time span, the code of the first card to be inserted into the card reader 1 after the elapse of the time span is set as an unlocking key code.
  • this invention makes the use of the electronic locking device easier while retaining its safety.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device in which the unlocking circuit is arranged to be actuated when the code of a magnetic card read by the card reader (1) agrees with an unlocking key code set in the memory (4), the method comprising using a first clearing card which will function only when the door associated with the locking device is open and a second clearing card which will function only when the door is closed, setting the codes of the first and second clearing cards in specified separate addresses in the memory in the code setting mode for setting the codes of the clearing cards in the processing unit (CPU) of the electronic locking device, determining whether the door is open or closed in the normal operation mode of the CPU, and clearing the unlocking key codes only when the code read by the card reader (1) is identical to the code of the first clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is open, or when the code read by the card reader (1) is identical to the code of the second clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is closed.

Description

  • This invention relates to a method for clearing unlocking key codes from an electronic locking device.
  • In comparison with mechanical locking devices, electronic locking devices, in which the unlocking circuit is arranged to be actuated when the code of a magnetic card read by the card reader agrees with an unlocking key code set in the memory, have large merits in security and are widely used in facilities where a large number of locking devices are required such as hotels.
  • Such electronic locking devices installed in guest rooms of hotels require alteration of the unlocking key code of a room whenever a guest changes. If such clearing of key codes could be effected by anyone at any time, the electronic locking devices would become useless.
  • It is, therefore, necessary to arrange the electronic locking device so that the unlocking codes are cleared only when certain conditions are met. To be more specific, when a card (hereinafter called a clearing card) storing a certain code is inserted into the card reader of the electronic locking device. In the context of this invention, the term "clearing of key codes" is to be construed as enabling the memory under specified conditions by cancelling the flag of the memory storing key codes.
  • The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned circumstance, and it is an objective of the invention to make the clearing of unlocking key codes easier while retaining security of normal operation.
  • According to the invention there is provided a method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device in which the unlocking circuit is arranged to be actuated when the code of a magnetic card read by the card reader agrees with an unlocking key code set in the memory set in the memory, the method comprising using a first clearing card which will function only when the door associated with the locking device is open and a second clearing card which will function only when the door is closed, setting the codes of the first and second clearing cards in specified separate addresses in the memory in the code setting mode for setting the codes of the clearing cards in the processing unit (CPU) of the electronic locking device, determining whether the door is open or closed in the normal operation mode of the CPU, and clearing the unlocking key codes only when the code read by the card reader is identical to the code of the first clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is open, or when the code read by the card reader is identical to the code of the second clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is closed.
  • One form of electronic locking device which can be unlocked in an emergency is described in our United Kingdom Patent Application filed simultaneously with the present Application, and reference is made to that Application for a full description.
  • An example of one preferred embodiment of the unit for clearing unlocking key codes of an electronic locking device will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which:
    • Figure l is a block diagram of the electronic locking device used in one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
    • Figure 2 is a flowchart of the key code setting operation for that device of Figure 1; and
    • Figure 3 is a flowchart showing one example of unlocking key code clearing operation in one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • The method for clearing unlocking key codes in this preferred embodiment is used in, for instance, an electronic locking device for hotels, such as a personal safe for guests as used in a hotel room, and the configuration of such an electronic locking device is shown in Figure 1.
  • The device includes a card reader 1 for reading the code from a card having a code encoded on a magnetic strip on the card. Most credit and charge cards have such a strip and are well known. A first auxiliary memory 2 is provided for storing the code read by the card reader 1. The device has a second auxiliary memory 3 and a main memory 4 for storing the unlocking codes. A display 5 will indicate if the contents of the first auxiliary memory 2 have been stored in the main memory 4. A microprocessor (CPU) 6 is provided for processing signals and controlling an unlocking circuit 7 for executing unlocking according to the unlocking signal given by the CPU 6. A multiposition switch 8 is available for manual selection of the operation mode of the CPU 6 according to the following positions:
    • 0 ..... Normal operation mode of the elec­tronic locking device
    • 1 ..... Global master key setting position;
    • 2 ..... First floor master key setting position;
    • 3 ..... Second floor master key setting position;
    • 4 ..... First area master key setting position;
    • 5 ..... Second area master key setting position;
    • 6 ..... Third area master key setting position;
    • 7 ..... First maid key setting position;
    • 8 ..... Second maid key setting position;
    • A ..... Emergency key setting position;
    • B ..... Test key setting position;
    • C ..... Double-lock/unlock key setting position;
    • D ..... First clearing key setting position;
    • E ..... Second clearing key setting position;
    • F ..... Third clearing key setting position
  • Of these switch positions, the "0" position is the normal operation mode of the electronic locking device in which the locking device will be opened when the code of a magnetic card read by the card reader 1 agrees with a code set in the main memory 4, and setting of guest key codes is also made in this switch position. The position from "1" to "F" are for setting keys to be kept by hotel employees of the respective positions. Setting of codes for the employees keys can be effected by setting the multiposition switch 8 in the respective positions allocated to the respective keys, and inserting each key, a magnetic card, in the card reader 1 at least twice till, for example, the display 5 is lit up by the operation of the CPU 6 as shown by the flowchart in Figure 2.
  • Of these keys for employees, the keys of "1" to "C" can unlock the locking devices at their respective levels by first setting their codes as shown above, setting the multiposition switch 8 in the "0" position, and inserting the key card into the card reader.
  • The first, second and third clearing keys to be set in the switch positions D, E and F respectively enable the main memory to store a code or codes of a guest key or keys or clear the storage areas of the main memory 4 for setting a code or codes of a guest key or keys in the normal operation mode (switch position: "0") of the electronic locking device when the door is open (when the inner lever on the door is operated), when the door is closed, and when the door is either open or closed, respectively. When a key card set in one of these switch positions is inserted into the card reader 1 in the normal operation mode of the electronic locking device, according to, for example, the operation procedure of the flowchart of Figure 3, the CPU 6 will clear the guest key code or codes in the main memory 4, and the code of a magnetic card to be inserted in the card reader 1 in this mode will be stored in the main memory 4 as an unlocking code (unlocking key code) of the guest key. Once a guest key or keys is set in the aforementioned manner, the CPU 6 will not allow setting codes of any magnetic cards as unlocking codes unless one of the clearing key card is inserted into the card reader 1 according to the position (open or closed) of the door. It is possible to arrange the electronic locking device so that after setting a guest key code or codes as shown above, if the door is not opened at least once within the specified time span, the code of the first card to be inserted into the card reader 1 after the elapse of the time span is set as an unlocking key code.
  • As described so far, this invention makes the use of the electronic locking device easier while retaining its safety.

Claims (2)

1. A method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device in which the unlocking circuit is arranged to be actuated when the code of a magnetic card read by the card reader agrees with an unlocking key code set in the memory, the method comprising using a first clearing card which will function only when the door associated with the locking device is open and a second clearing card which will function only when the door is closed, setting the codes of the first and second clearing cards in specified separate addresses in the memory in the code setting mode for setting the codes of the clearing cards in the processing unit (CPU) of the electronic locking device, determining whether the door is open or closed in the normal operation mode of the CPU, and clearing the unlocking key codes only when the code read by the card reader is identical to the code of the first clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is open, or when the code read by the card reader is identical to the code of the second clearing card set in the above-mentioned manner and the door is closed.
2. A method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device substantially as here described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
EP87304541A 1986-05-22 1987-05-21 A method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device Expired - Lifetime EP0246903B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT87304541T ATE74993T1 (en) 1986-05-22 1987-05-21 PROCEDURE FOR ERASING UNLOCKING CODES IN AN ELECTRONIC LOCKING DEVICE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8612466 1986-05-22
GB868612466A GB8612466D0 (en) 1986-05-22 1986-05-22 Clearing unlocking key codes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0246903A1 true EP0246903A1 (en) 1987-11-25
EP0246903B1 EP0246903B1 (en) 1992-04-15

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ID=10598268

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87304541A Expired - Lifetime EP0246903B1 (en) 1986-05-22 1987-05-21 A method for clearing unlocking key codes in an electronic locking device

Country Status (4)

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EP (1) EP0246903B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE74993T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3778204D1 (en)
GB (1) GB8612466D0 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3819954A1 (en) * 1988-06-11 1989-12-14 Schulte Schlagbaum Ag Locking apparatus with an address store

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1456138A (en) * 1974-04-16 1976-11-17 Sabsay D M Security devices and methods of operation thereof
US4207555A (en) * 1978-03-03 1980-06-10 The Eastern Company Lock system
WO1980002711A1 (en) * 1979-06-05 1980-12-11 Thelin Handel Id Select Electronic lock with changeable opening code
US4411144A (en) * 1976-04-16 1983-10-25 Kadex, Inc. Electronic lock system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1456138A (en) * 1974-04-16 1976-11-17 Sabsay D M Security devices and methods of operation thereof
US4411144A (en) * 1976-04-16 1983-10-25 Kadex, Inc. Electronic lock system
US4207555A (en) * 1978-03-03 1980-06-10 The Eastern Company Lock system
WO1980002711A1 (en) * 1979-06-05 1980-12-11 Thelin Handel Id Select Electronic lock with changeable opening code

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3819954A1 (en) * 1988-06-11 1989-12-14 Schulte Schlagbaum Ag Locking apparatus with an address store

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE74993T1 (en) 1992-05-15
GB8612466D0 (en) 1986-07-02
EP0246903B1 (en) 1992-04-15
DE3778204D1 (en) 1992-05-21

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