Electronic key device a system and a method of managing electronic key information

An access control system for controlling access to a location secured by a lock mechanism, the access control system comprising:

• an electronic key device including a first transmitting element adapted to transmit a first control signal indicative of a request for granting a predetermined access right;
• and
• a lock control unit including a first receiving element adapted to receive said first control signal from the electronic key device, a first processing unit adapted to perform a verification of the received request, and a control unit adapted to initiate operating the lock mechanism depending on the result of the verification;
• said electronic key device further including a memory adapted to store a plurality of access codes identifying a plurality of predetermined access rights, enabling a user to initiate transmitting a selected one of the stored access codes to the lock control unit and enabling a user to edit and rearrange the plurality of stored access codes, said memory being configured to store a plurality of access code data items, each access code data item having an identifier identifying a corresponding lock control unit for which the access code is valid.

A method of controlling access to a plurality of locations each secured by a lock mechanism controlled by a respective lock control unit having a lock control unit memory, the method comprising the steps of:

• for each lock control unit, storing a respective access code in the lock control unit memory thereof, the respective access code being indicative of a predetermined access right to the respective location and being different from access codes to other locations;
• inputting and storing a plurality of access codes for a plurality of respective locations in a second memory of an electronic key device, a user of said key device being enabled to input, edit and rearrange the plurality of stored access codes, said step of storing the plurality of access codes including storing a plurality of access code data items, each access code data item having an identifier identifying a corresponding lock control unit for which the access code is valid;
• initiating, by said user, transmission of a selected one of the plurality of stored access codes to a first lock control unit having a first access code for requesting access to the location controlled by said first lock control unit;
• comparing the transmitted access code with the first access code stored in the first lock control unit memory;
• if the first access code corresponds to the transmitted access code, initiating operation of the lock mechanism;
• and
• editing, by said user, said plurality of access codes stored in said second memory for obtaining access to a second plurality of respective locations.