Electronic security system

An electronic safe deposit box system comprised of:

• a plurality of safe deposit boxes each having a door panel with a pair of spaced-apart apertures formed therein, each of said door panels having an electronically controlled locking mechanism mounted thereto with a specific access code allowing unlocking of said locking mechanism, said locking mechanism including a mechanical tumbler extending through one of said apertures and an electrical connector extending through the other of said apertures;
• identification means for receiving user identification information from a user of said safe deposit box system;
• processing means utilizing said user identification information to identify a safe deposit box and a corresponding access code from a table of such information;
• and
• a portable key device for use with said locking mechanism to unlock said locking mechanism, said key device including a mechanical connector dimensioned to mate with and operate said mechanical tumbler of said locking mechanism and an electrical connector dimensioned to attach to said electrical connector on said locking mechanism, said key device having temporary memory means programmable by said processing means for storing a safe deposit box number and a code access number.

An electronic lock system for controlling access to a plurality of enclosures each having an openable and closeable panel, said system comprised of:

• a lock mechanism mounted to each of said panels, said lock mechanism having a mechanical lock member movable between a first position locking said panel and a second position unlocking said panel, each of said lock mechanisms having electronic circuit means including memory means for storing a specific access code and lock control means allowing movement of said lock member from said first position to said second position,
• processing means for storing information regarding access codes for each enclosure lock mechanism, and
• a small, hand-held portable key device for use with said lock mechanisms on said panels, said key device and including mechanical connection means for connection with said lock member and electronic connection means for connection with said electronic circuit means in said lock mechanism, and being mountable onto said panels by said mechanical and electronic connection means to remain in place thereon, said key device further including memory means programmable by said processing means for storing a single access code to a lock mechanism on one of said panels, an electrical power source for energizing said control means in said lock mechanism and means for erasing said access code after a predetermined period of time.

A method for controlling access to a plurality of enclosures each having an openable and closeable panel, comprising the steps of:

• providing each of said panels with a lock mechanism having a mechanical lock member movable between a first position locking said panel and a second position unlocking said panel, each of said lock mechanisms having a electronic circuit with a specific electronic access code allowing movement of said lock member from said first to said second position;
• storing said access code for each of said panels in a remote electronic processing means;
• transferring the access code for a selected enclosure to be opened from said electronic processing means to a portable electronic transfer device having temporary memory of a short duration;
• transporting said electronic transfer device to said selected enclosure;
• mounting said transfer device onto a specific panel to remain in place thereon in electronic communication with said electronic circuit;
• electronically communicating said electronic access code from said electronic transfer device to said lock mechanism allowing a short period of time for movement of said lock member from said first position to said second position;
• and
• erasing said access code from said transfer device.