# US 5,349,345 A · Electronic lock

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- Number: US 5,349,345 A
- Document ID: US5349345A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/906,795
- Filed: 1992-06-30
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1992-06-30
- Assignees: Vindicator Corporation
- Inventors: David J. Vanderschel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5349345A

## CPC

- G07C 9/00912: {for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like}
- G07C 2009/00761: {with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors}
- 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

## Abstract

An electronic lock system includes a key having a memory for storing a first parameter defined by a plurality of fields and a second parameter indicative of a number of the fields. A lock has a receptacle for reading the first and second parameters from the key's memory and compare circuitry for comparing respective fields of the first parameter with a third parameter stored in the lock, with the number of fields compared based on the second parameter. Access to the lock is provided responsive to the compare circuitry, such that a single key may access a predetermined set of locks. The electronic lock is capable of performing a plurality of functions. Control is provided such that permission to access the functions is configurable for each key.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electronic lock system comprising:
a key having a first memory for storing a first parameter comprising a plurality of fields and a second parameter indicative of a number of said fields; and
a lock comprising:
a receptacle for reading said first and second parameters from said first memory;
a second memory for storing a third parameter associated with the lock and comprising a plurality of fields;
compare circuitry for comparing respective fields of said first and third parameters, the number of fields compared based on said second parameter; and
circuitry for providing access to said lock responsive to said compare circuitry, such that a single key may access a predetermined set of locks.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said lock further comprises a database for storing information regarding keys provided access to the lock.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The electronic lock of claim 2 wherein said lock further comprises circuitry for setting said first parameter equal to said third parameter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The electronic lock of claim 3 wherein said setting circuitry comprises circuitry for setting said first parameter to said third parameter if said first parameter is set to a predetermined value indicating that the key has not previously accessed another lock.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The electronic lock of claim 4 further comprising circuitry for returning said first parameter to said predetermined value.

### Claim 6

A method of allowing access to a lock comprising:
reading first and second parameters from a memory presented to the lock, said first parameter comprising a plurality of fields and said second parameter indicating a predetermined number of said fields;
comparing a predetermined number of fields of said first parameter, based on said indicated predetermined number of said fields with corresponding fields of a third parameter associated with the lock; and
allowing access to the lock if said predetermined number of fields of said first parameter and corresponding fields of said third parameter match.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein said first parameter comprises a plurality of binary coded digits.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein each field of said first parameter comprises a binary coded digit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of writing the value of said third parameter to said first parameter, if said first parameter is equal to a predetermined value.