Communications: electrical – Selective – Intelligence comparison for controlling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-09
2001-11-13
Zimmerman, Brian (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Selective
Intelligence comparison for controlling
C340S010100, C340S010520, C235S380000, C235S382000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317025
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to programmable locks and security systems employing such locks for use by individuals or large entities employing large numbers of such locks.
Most cargo shipped by truck, rail car and so on has little or no security. For example, most truck trailers are equipped with hardware to accommodate locks, but few utilize them. Most shippers rely on seals as a means of identifying, but not preventing unauthorized entry. Seals are devices that indicate tampering, but do not preclude such tampering if one desires to break the seal.
On fleet size scale wherein some fleets comprise thousands of trailers owned and used by a single entity with numerous terminals through the country, the administrative burden of transferring and tracking keys between personnel, facilities, and trailers has proven to be insurmountable. Thus, only trailers dedicated to high risk cargo delivery in one area can be secured with any kind of substantial permanent barrier to cargo theft. Most cargo shippers look upon cargo theft as just another cost of doing business.
Consequently the present invention is directed to providing a solution to this problem. The present inventors recognizes that a security system for all levels of complexity of shipping entities requires a simplified user system that at the same time provides the necessary security at all levels required by various cargos.
A lock device according to the present invention comprises a lock including a locking member having a first lock position and a second unlock position; log means associated with the lock for electronically recording and displaying data manifesting the number of times from a reference value the locking member is placed in the unlock position; coding means associated with the lock including a personal identification (ID) code means having an ID code associated with at least one individual and access (ACC) code means having an ACC code associated with the level of authority of the at least one individual for cooperatively permitting the at least one individual to unlock the lock upon entry of the codes; and lock enable means associated with the coding means for the permitting the unlocking of the lock by the at least one individual only for a given number of times in a predetermined time period.
In one aspect, the lock includes optical transmitting means including a second personal identification (ID) code means having a second ID code associated with the at least one individual and second access (ACC) code means having a second ACC code associated with the level of authority of the at least one individual, the first and second ID and ACC code means for the permitting when the second ID and ACC codes are transmitted and entered into the lock coding means and match the first ID and ACC codes in the lock.
In a further aspect, disabling means are provided for disabling the coding means in advance of the end of a given time period for permitting the lock to be unlocked without entry of the ID and ACC codes at the end of the given time period.
In a further aspect, means are provided for disabling the disabling means.
In a further aspect, the optical means includes portable receiver means for accessing and receiving the data.
In a further aspect, the log means includes means for associating the unlocking and attempts at unlocking into the unlock position with the corresponding ID code and the time of occurrence of each the unlocking and attempt.
In a further aspect, the lock includes display means for selectively displaying the data.
In a further aspect, a portable lock operating device for unlocking at least one lock encoded with a plurality of unique codes, the at least one lock including input means responsive to the input of the unique codes for permitting the lock to be unlocked, the device comprising a portable hand held housing; and programmable circuit means including code means secured to the housing and manifesting the unique codes, the unique codes including a first code uniquely associated with a given level of authority of at least one individual and a second code uniquely associated with the at least one individual, the circuit means including means for transmitting the first and second codes to the input means for permitting the lock to be unlocked when the inputted codes match the corresponding at least one code in the lock.
A lock device according to a further aspect comprises recording means associated with the lock for electronically recording and displaying the number of times from a reference value the locking member is placed in the unlock position.
A lock device according to a further aspect comprises coding means associated with the lock including programmable personal identification (ID) code means associated with at least one individual and programmable access (ACC) code means associated with the level of authority of the at least one individual for cooperatively permitting the unlocking of the lock in response to entering of the ID and ACC codes.
A lock according to a further aspect includes code disabling means for disabling the code means in advance of the end of a given time period for permitting the lock to be unlocked without entry of the code.
A lock device according to a further aspect comprises a lock including a locking member having a first lock position and a second unlock position; data recording means for electronically recording data corresponding to the number of times from a reference value the locking member is or attempted to be placed in the unlock position; programmable coding means having at least one code for limiting access to the data to at least one individual corresponding to the one code; and programmable portable transceiver means uniquely programmably associated with the at least one individual for selectively entering the one code and for retrieving the data only upon the entering.
In a further aspect, the lock comprises data recording means for recording data manifesting the number of times the lock is unlocked and manifesting the identification of an individual associated with the unlocking of the lock; and display means for selectively displaying the data.
In a further aspect, the lock comprises display means associated with the lock for electronically recording and displaying indicia manifesting the duration and when the locking member is placed in the unlock position.
In a further aspect, the lock includes code means associated with the lock for electronically recording and displaying indicia manifesting the identification of all individuals unlocking the lock in a given period.
In a further aspect, a security system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of locks each for recording the successful and unsuccessful opening and closing thereof and the unique ID code of an individual accessing the lock; control means for programming a different unique ID code corresponding to each lock; a first programmable activator means responsive to and programmed by the control means for unlocking only a selected one of the locks corresponding to one ID code; a second programmable activator means responsive to and programmed by the control means for selectively unlocking a plurality of the locks corresponding to a plurality of different ID codes; and a third programmable activator means responsive to and programmed by the control means for selectively retrieving information from each selected lock regarding the unlocking of the at least one lock.
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Amis Lynn Frederick
Leon Jeremy Phelps
McKee, Jr. Thomas Glenn
Nazalewicz Jan
Carella Byrne Bain Gilfillan Cecchi
Dalencourt Yves
E. J. Brooks Company
Gilfillan III John G.
Squire William
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