EP0410008A1 - Dispositif de distribution de clefs - Google Patents

Dispositif de distribution de clefs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0410008A1
EP0410008A1 EP87302008A EP87302008A EP0410008A1 EP 0410008 A1 EP0410008 A1 EP 0410008A1 EP 87302008 A EP87302008 A EP 87302008A EP 87302008 A EP87302008 A EP 87302008A EP 0410008 A1 EP0410008 A1 EP 0410008A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key
customer
dispenser
credit card
information
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP87302008A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ramsey Kwan-Leong Chan
Edwin Kim Ying Chau
Samuel Conkin
James Laktin
Joseph Michael Lojpur
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.)
Microtel Ltd
Original Assignee
Microtel 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 Microtel Ltd filed Critical Microtel Ltd
Publication of EP0410008A1 publication Critical patent/EP0410008A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G07C9/00896—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys specially adapted for particular uses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0042—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for hiring of objects
    • 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
    • G07C9/00896—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys specially adapted for particular uses
    • G07C2009/00936—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys specially adapted for particular uses for key cabinets

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to credit card activated dispensing machines and more particularly to an automated electronic key dispenser activated by credit cards. Although this invention has been devised for use in the motel industry, other applications may be found where there exists a requirement for an electronic key dispenser.
  • the present invention will eliminate these familiar industry problems by providing an automated guest registration system or more specifically an auto­mated electronic key dispenser which is activated by cre­dit cards.
  • the customer chooses his accommodation by entering his requirements via a key board system.
  • the system records data off the credit card, registers the guest or guests according to their needs, dispenses room keys and automatically prepares billing information.
  • the client will automatically be billed along with other cre­dit card purchases.
  • an aspect of the present invention is to provide an automatic electronic key dispensing apparatus comprising: customer activated accessing means for enabling said apparatus and reading customer iden­tification and information; interface means to allow said customer to select and enter required data; means for displaying said data and guide said customer in operating said apparatus; means for processing and recording said customer identification, information and said required data; key dispensing means activatable by said processing means for releasing a selected key.
  • the electronic key dispenser is provided in a housing 11 which can either be mounted on a wall or on a pedestal.
  • the internal working parts of the dispenser are made accessible through the back by means a rear panel 32 shown in Figure 2.
  • Housing 11 is similar to a housing used in the banking industry or for public telephones. These include a somewhat rectangular box which can be made of sheets of metal, having transparent side panels 12 and 13 which can be made of polycarbonate and includes an overhead light 14 which will illuminate the key dispenser apparatus at night.
  • the key dispenser includes a card reader 15, a key pad 16 by which guests can enter their requirements by pressing the appropriate keys on the key pad, a liquid crystal display 17 is provided to display appropriate data, and a key dispensing assembly 18 having a door-trap 19 per­mitting access to a retrieving box (not shown) for remo­val of a dispensed key.
  • Instructions can be provided on the front panel 20 to guide a customer before operating the electronic key dispenser.
  • the card reader 15 is used by a customer to access the key dispensing apparatus 10 which will be enabled upon insertion of a credit card.
  • a modem con­nected to a telephone line allows card reader 15 to read the authorization code transmitted by the appropriate credit card company, read the customer identification and permit loading and extraction of information from the credit card.
  • FIG. 2 is a section view depicting the major components of the key dispensing assembly.
  • This assembly is comprised of three major components which includes a key releasing mechanism 30 positioned at the top of a housing 11 and disposed so as to face rear panel 32.
  • the key releasing mechanism 30 is placed above a chute 33 which will guide a dispensed key into a retrieving box 34.
  • a key can be retrieved by a customer by pushing door 35a inwardly as shown at 35b. Access to the chute from the outside is prevented by means of a preventor 36 which will limit the amount of travel allowed when door 35a swings open to the position shown at 35b.
  • Rear panel 32 is accessible from inside the motel in order to allow a motel operator to replace room keys that have been returned by guests, back on the key releasing mechanism 30.
  • Key releasing mechanism 30 is disclosed further in Figure 3.
  • This key releasing mechanism is the subject of a co-pending patent application.
  • the key releasing apparatus includes a number of solenoid activated rods 40 on which a key having either a hole on key ring (not shown) is positioned.
  • a retaining plate 41 is placed in front and makes contact with each individual rod 40 to prevent accidental releasing of a key.
  • the individual keys are positioned into rows and columns such that each individual key will have a different row/column combination.
  • Each row and column of keys is stepped apart from an adjacent row and column so as to prevent a key from being accidentally jammed thus preventing proper releasing of said key.
  • a solenoid matrix activatable by means of separate row and column select drivers is configured to allow the dispensing of any individual key.
  • Figure 4 shows the exploded view of the key dispensing assembly.
  • the key releasing mechanism 30 is positioned above a funnel-shaped chute 33 which is posi­tioned and supported behind the key dispensing box 34 which is further positioned behind front panel 20.
  • the key releasing mechanism 30 faces the rear panel (not shown) in order to allow access to the key releasing mechanism.
  • FIG. 5 a block diagram of the electronic circuitry used in the operation of the electronic key dispenser. Most of the operations and instructions are controlled by the central processing unit 50.
  • the CPU controls all data flow between peripheral devices and synchronization of the information flow.
  • the CPU is connected to a watch dog reset circuit 51 which will reset the CPU to start executing the instructions.
  • the circuit also monitors for hardware failure, and monitors for clock pulses occurring at regu­lar intervals. If the clock does not re-trigger the watch dog reset 51 will assume that a failure in hardware has occurred and will therefore reset the CPU to the starting address stored in EPROM 52.
  • the CPU can use a clock rate variable from 2 to 5 MHz.
  • Processor 50 is connected to a card reader 53 such that when the processor has been reset by a power up or manual reset, the processor will wait for a data ready strobe from the card reader 53.
  • the credit card reader converts magnetic flux information stored on the credit card's magnetic strip into a binary code.
  • Processor 50 can access EPROM 52 and RAM 54 by means of address 55, buffer 56 and chip select circuit 57.
  • the primary function of address 55 is to demultiplex a lower order address from an 8 bit data word.
  • Buffer 56 will control the direction of data move­ment to the data bus lines i.e. read or write.
  • Chip select circuit 57 allows the selection of an appropriate peripheral device.
  • a port input adaptor 58 is provided to extend the existing ports of processor 50 to increase its input and output capabilities. It is used to perform input and output functions for printer 59, room setting panel 60 and will generate a 4 bit data strobe to the column select chip 61 and a 3 bit data strobe to the row select chip.
  • Column select chip 61 will generate a 16 bit data word to operate the column driver 63, of which, one of 10 bits available will be used to activate one solenoid of the 6 x 10 solenoid matrix 65.
  • row select chip 62 will generate an 8 bit data word to operate the row driver 64, of which, one of 6 bits available will be used by matrix 65.
  • Printer 59 is used as a permanent record keeper and will print all transactions that have been carried out as well as customer information and supervisory program dump.
  • Display 66 can be a liquid crystal display, CRT, LED or similar displaying device. It is used to instruct and guide customers through the sequen­ces required for receiving a key. Data is presented to display 66 in an 8 bit data word. The display will auto­matically convert this 8 bit word into the appropriate character to be displayed.
  • Processor 50 controls the input and output of data to the display.
  • Keypad 67 is used to interface the customer and processor 50. The keypad will receive key scan strobes from adaptor 58 and return a key return strobe depending on what buttons are depressed. As indicated previously column select 61 receives a 4 bit word from adaptor 58 thereby activating one of 10 output bits to enable driver 63 to supply power to the solenoid and consequently delivering a key.
  • row select circuit 62 receives a 3 bit word from adaptor 58 and upon decoding will activate one of 6 output bits, thereby connecting the proper sole­noid to ground. Signals from both the column driver 63 and row drive 62 will occur simultaneously, thereby coupling the current to flow from the power supply to the appropriate solenoid to ground.
  • the 6 x 10 solenoid matrix 65 is composed of a possible 6 rows and 10 columns of solenoids. A common line exists for each row solenoid so as to produce the ground path for current flow.
  • the column solenoids are connected in parallel at the column driver output 63. Current can thereby be supplied to a selected column.
  • the processor 50 will strobe the matrix column and row to deliver a key by means of a port input adaptor 58.
  • Two or more EPROMS 52 and/or RAM 54 store program executions and instructions for the pro­cessor 50.
  • the EPROMS thereby give the system a minimum of 16 K x 8 read only memory.
  • the EPROMS are enabled by a strobe signal from address 55.
  • a minimum 8 K x 8 ran­dom access memory 54 is used to store programmed infor­mation such as pricing, date, tax rate, etc.
  • the card information such as name of customer, expiry date, account number, are all stored in the random access memory, for later printout.
  • the random access memory also has the added provision of lithium battery backup, such that if a power failure occurred the owner does not have to reprogram the tax, room pricing, etc.
  • Room setting panel 60 is a simple switch matrix of 6 x 10 design. The purpose of the switch setting panel is to enter into the random access memory the number of rooms that are available for late night business. The programming is performed by the motel operator.
  • Power supply 68 provides a plus 5V DC and plus or minus 12V DC to the circuitry.
  • the electronic dispenser will function as follows: Upon arrival, a guest or customer is asked to insert his credit card into the card reader.
  • the card reader will pick up infor­mation from magnetic strip and will send it to CPU which will verify if it complies with the magnetic strip and coding scheme of the American National Standard Institute and also verify the expiry date.
  • the CPU will send a signal via the modem 69 and telephone line 70 to the appropriate credit card company to validate credit.
  • an authorization code is received by the CPU 50.
  • the customer account number is checked for guaranteed reservation. If the customer has a guaranteed reservation the display will show the room rate and wait for the approval of the customer.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
EP87302008A 1986-03-10 1987-03-09 Dispositif de distribution de clefs Withdrawn EP0410008A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US83791686A 1986-03-10 1986-03-10
US837916 1986-03-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0410008A1 true EP0410008A1 (fr) 1991-01-30

Family

ID=25275787

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87302008A Withdrawn EP0410008A1 (fr) 1986-03-10 1987-03-09 Dispositif de distribution de clefs

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0410008A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU6985787A (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2721734A1 (fr) * 1994-06-28 1995-12-29 Erros Installation pour la distribution sélective et le retour d'un objet.
DE4431780A1 (de) * 1994-09-07 1996-03-14 Albert Baur Personenleitsystem
FR2729066A1 (fr) * 1995-01-10 1996-07-12 Fitoussi Daniel Armoire de gestion et de distribution de cles ou de trousseau de cles
EP0803846A1 (fr) * 1994-10-19 1997-10-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Syytème transactionnel électronique de rangement
US6209270B1 (en) 1999-10-25 2001-04-03 Hugh W. Johnston Multilevel building with ramp
US6230971B1 (en) 1996-04-29 2001-05-15 Hitachi, Ltd. Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system
EP1559057A1 (fr) * 2002-09-20 2005-08-03 Robert L. Jacobi Guichet de receptionniste d'hotel/de motel en libre-service automatique
CN112884949A (zh) * 2021-01-22 2021-06-01 深圳市威尔电器有限公司 一种智能钥匙柜

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2230635B (en) * 1989-04-14 1993-05-26 Sanyo Electric Works Automatic fare collection machine
WO1992001273A1 (fr) * 1990-07-09 1992-01-23 Computer Detection Systems Pty. Ltd. Systeme de distribution et d'enregistrement automatique

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3742453A (en) * 1971-12-16 1973-06-26 Itt Automatic hotel security system using coded magnetic card
FR2405524A1 (fr) * 1977-10-06 1979-05-04 Trindel Systeme de distribution automatique de clefs de locaux, notamment pour hotel
JPS59105171A (ja) * 1982-12-08 1984-06-18 U S S Houshiki Jido Hokiyuu Koji Kk ホテルの無人化システム
EP0206639A2 (fr) * 1985-06-14 1986-12-30 International Business Machines Corporation Terminal de libre service pour enregistrement d'arrivée et de départ dans un hôtel

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3742453A (en) * 1971-12-16 1973-06-26 Itt Automatic hotel security system using coded magnetic card
FR2405524A1 (fr) * 1977-10-06 1979-05-04 Trindel Systeme de distribution automatique de clefs de locaux, notamment pour hotel
JPS59105171A (ja) * 1982-12-08 1984-06-18 U S S Houshiki Jido Hokiyuu Koji Kk ホテルの無人化システム
EP0206639A2 (fr) * 1985-06-14 1986-12-30 International Business Machines Corporation Terminal de libre service pour enregistrement d'arrivée et de départ dans un hôtel

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 8, no. 223 (P-307)(1660) 12 October 1984, & JP-A-59 105171 (YUU ESU ESU HOUSHIKI JIDOU HOKIYUU KOUJI) 18 June 1984, *

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2721734A1 (fr) * 1994-06-28 1995-12-29 Erros Installation pour la distribution sélective et le retour d'un objet.
DE4431780A1 (de) * 1994-09-07 1996-03-14 Albert Baur Personenleitsystem
EP0803846A1 (fr) * 1994-10-19 1997-10-29 Hitachi, Ltd. Syytème transactionnel électronique de rangement
US6116506A (en) * 1994-10-19 2000-09-12 Hitachi, Ltd. Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system
FR2729066A1 (fr) * 1995-01-10 1996-07-12 Fitoussi Daniel Armoire de gestion et de distribution de cles ou de trousseau de cles
US6230971B1 (en) 1996-04-29 2001-05-15 Hitachi, Ltd. Transaction-oriented electronic accommodation system
US6209270B1 (en) 1999-10-25 2001-04-03 Hugh W. Johnston Multilevel building with ramp
EP1559057A1 (fr) * 2002-09-20 2005-08-03 Robert L. Jacobi Guichet de receptionniste d'hotel/de motel en libre-service automatique
EP1559057A4 (fr) * 2002-09-20 2006-06-07 Robert L Jacobi Guichet de receptionniste d'hotel/de motel en libre-service automatique
CN112884949A (zh) * 2021-01-22 2021-06-01 深圳市威尔电器有限公司 一种智能钥匙柜
CN112884949B (zh) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-22 深圳市威尔电器有限公司 一种智能钥匙柜

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6985787A (en) 1987-09-17

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