Communications: electrical – Selective – Intelligence comparison for controlling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-02
2002-05-14
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2735)
Communications: electrical
Selective
Intelligence comparison for controlling
C340S005100, C340S005600, C070S460000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06388558
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key system which is used in an ignition key for use in a car, a motorcycle, or the like, or an operation key to a door for use at a building entrance, a storehouse, or the like or for a computer system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In these days, it is not unusual that a family owns a plurality of cars or motorcycles. Since the family members have a plurality of cars or motorcycles, they also have a plurality of keys for operating each car. Moreover, when they go outside by car, they carry a house front door key and the like as well as a car key.
However, it is troublesome to own a plurality of keys in this manner and further to often confirm which key is to be used.
Moreover, in some case, the key is carelessly forgotten to be removed. In a delivery car or the like, the key is sometimes intentionally kept without being removed because it is troublesome to repeatedly stop/start the engine. In this case, the car may be stolen. Furthermore, if the stolen car is used in a crime, it may cause trouble for other people as well as the damage of the car theft.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Wherefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a key system which can be easily managed and also has high safety.
To achieve the object, a key system uses, as a key, an ID card for outputting ID output signals including ID data to the outside. The key system is provided with ID signal receiving means for receiving ID output signals transmitted from the ID card; ID extracting means for extracting ID data from ID output signals received by the ID signal receiving means; ID storage means for storing ID data beforehand; coincidence determination means for determining whether or not there is the ID data coinciding with the ID data extracted by the ID extracting means; operation enabling means for making effective equipment unlocking or equipment operation when the coincidence determination means admits coincidence of both ID data. In the key system, a driver's license, a passport, or one of other identity proving ID cards that can univocally specify an owner's identity is used. The system is further provided with a memory content change means for adding/deleting memory content of the ID storage means.
In the key system, the driver's license, the passport or one of other ID cards which can emit ID output signals is used as the key. ID output signals emitted from such an ID card are received, the ID data included in the signals is read, it is determined to whose ID data the ID data corresponds, and operation of the key system is permitted only when the ID data belongs to a person who is permitted the operation thereof.
As the information for univocally specifying the owner's identity, name, birthday, blood type, sex, license registration number, member number, and the like are used.
In this manner, different from the conventional key system, determination is not based on whether or not the key is owned. In the present key system, the driver's license, the passport or one of other identity proving ID cards is used to determine whether or not a person is permitted. Such an ID card is very difficult to be copied or forged. Therefore, it is substantially impossible to prepare a duplicate key without permission of the key system manager and perform operation without permission. Therefore, the key system has very high safety. Moreover, if ID data of a certain person is stored (registered) in a plurality of key systems, the person can perform unlocking and other operations for a plurality of equipment with only one ID card. Therefore, a purse or a pocket can be kept in order.
In addition to the driver's license and the passport, in the near future, a credit card, an electronic money card, a health insurance card, and the like provided with an IC chip which can emit ID output signals to the outside are to be issued. These can be used as the aforementioned identity proving ID cards. Alternatively, a card issued to each citizen or each resident by the government, a local public entity, or the like may be used.
Moreover, according to the key system when the coincidence determination means admits the coincidence of both ID data in the key system the equipment unlocking or equipment operation is performed.
In the key system, when ID data of a person who is permitted to perform operation is confirmed, the equipment is unlocked or operated.
With the constitution, for example, in order to permit a plurality of people to enter one room, the key system is applied to a room entrance/exit door, and ID data of permitted people are registered beforehand. By determining coincidence
onconformity of ID data, a person is permitted to enter/exit or prohibited from entering/exiting. Furthermore, when business is finished, in order to prohibit entering/exiting from the room, ID data of the corresponding person may be deleted from the key system. Therefore, the system is convenient for a room manager because he/she does not need to pass keys to a plurality of people or collect the keys from them. Moreover, if the ID data of a certain person is registered in a plurality of door key systems, the person can go into or out of a plurality of rooms with only one ID card, and key management is easy. Therefore, by applying the system to a hotel room door and registering ID data of a person who has reserved the room, the person can use the room without receiving a key at the front desk.
Additionally, the key system may be applied to a condominium front door. In this case, means may be provided for storing a person who has opened the door and a time when the door has been opened. With the constitution, a person other than registered residents cannot open the door. Also, it can be managed who entered the condominium and when it was. Therefore, the safety can be enhanced. Furthermore, the system may be constituted in such a manner that the moment someone enters the condominium, the room interphone, telephone, or the like becomes connected.
Moreover, the key system may be applied to an entrance of the place where an admission fee is to be paid, for example, an amusement park, a membership system restaurant, or the like. In this case, when a credit card or an electronic money card is used as an ID card, the fee can be collected simultaneously with entrance. Moreover, by providing the means for storing the time and the person who has entered as aforementioned, customer management can be facilitated.
The key system may be applied to a television set installed in a hotel or inn guest room. The system may be constituted in such a manner that projection is performed by determining whether or not a person who has presented the ID card is over eighteen years old. With the constitution, there is no possibility that children watch a program for adults only.
Similarly, when the key system is applied to an entrance to a pachinko parlor or each pachinko machine, there is no possibility that children illegally play pachinko. Additionally, by providing the means for storing the time and the person who has entered as aforementioned, the customer management can be facilitated.
Moreover, according to the key system an ID card and a physical key are both used in the key system. When the coincidence determination means admits the coincidence of both ID data and further physical key operation is performed, the equipment unlocking or operation is performed.
In the key system, only when the ID data of a person who is permitted to operate and the physical key are both present, operation can be performed. Specifically, the key system is locked up double.
As aforementioned, since operation cannot be performed until there are provided both the ID card and the key, a very high safety is assured. Therefore, for example, when the key system is applied to a safe locked double with a key and a dial in such a manner that the safe cannot open until the ID data of all the managers are entered, safety is enhanced because the presence of the key, the coincidence of dial numbers,
ADC Technology Inc.
Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
Horabik Michael
Shimizu M
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