Locking system
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsWilliam Albert Tartal, Gabriel Michael Yessin, Robert E. Dalton, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Locking systems and devices and methods for using the systems and devices are provided. A locking system may include a receptacle having a lock and an electronic credential. If the electronic credential is brought into proximity of the receptacle, then a key can be used to open the lock. The electronic credential can be incorporated into a vehicle or into a handheld device.
Claims18
A handheld device configured to operate an electronic lock, the handheld device comprising:
- a memory configured to store a plurality of electronic credentials;
- a communication circuit configured to communicate with an electronic lock;
- and
- a display configured to display an indication of a locked state or an unlocked state of the electronic lock;
- wherein the handheld device is configured to:
- receive an input;
- transmit one of the plurality of electronic credentials to the electronic lock in response to the input;
- and
- cause a blocking assembly configured to block movement of a bolt in the electronic lock to move, thereby enabling the bolt to become manually mechanically operable by an insertion and turning of a key into the electronic lock to retract the bolt.
A handheld device configured to operate an electronic lock portion of a lock assembly, the handheld device comprising:
- a memory configured to store a plurality of electronic credentials;
- and
- a communication circuit configured to electronically communicate with the electronic lock portion;
- wherein the handheld device is configured to:
- receive an input from the electronic lock portion;
- transmit one of the plurality of electronic credentials to the electronic lock portion;
- and
- cause a blocking assembly configured to block movement of a bolt in the electronic lock portion to move in response to transmitting the one of the plurality of electronic credentials, thereby selectively enabling the bolt to become manually operable by an insertion and turning of a key into the lock assembly to retract the bolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.