Patent Application
20220136282
This disclosure relates generally to lock and key combinations, and in particular, to a lock housing device and key structure combination for controlling a locking mechanism.
Presently, various mechanical and electronic locking devices include a lock and key combination for securing various items. A lock represents a mechanical and/or electronic fastening device that is released by an object (e.g., keycard), by supplying a unique identification information (e.g., pin code), or a combination of the two. A key represents a physical device utilized to operate the lock to gain access to an item that the lock secures.
One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention discloses an apparatus for a lock housing device and key structure, the apparatus comprising an enclosure, a central processing unit, a power source, a first distance measuring device, a first compressible member, and a first housing pin, wherein the central processing unit is electrically coupled to the power source and the first distance measuring device. The apparatus further comprising a first end of the first compressible member mechanically coupled to a first end of the first housing pin and a second end of the first compressible member mechanically coupled to an inner surface of the enclosure. The apparatus further comprising the first distance measuring device positioned at the second end of the first compressible member, wherein the first distance measuring device is configured to measure a first distance to the first end of the first housing pin. The apparatus further comprising a first key pin of a key structure disposed in the enclosure, wherein the first key pin is configured to compress the first compressible member the first distance.
Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for a lock housing device authenticating a key structure, the method comprising determining, by one or more processors, a lock housing device is in contact with a key structure, wherein a first key pin of the key structure compresses a first compressible member in the lock housing device. The method further comprising, receiving, by one or more processors, from a first distance measuring device, a first distance value for a first compression length of the first compressible member in the lock housing device. The method further comprising, responsive to determining the first compression length of the first compressible member matches a first known compression length, instructing, by one or more processors, a locking mechanism associated the lock housing device to deactivate.
The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the disclosure solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a lock housing device and a key structure, where the key structure is insertable into the lock housing device. One or more housing pins of the lock housing device at least partially align with one or more key pins of the key structure, where the one or more housing pins are compressible within the lock housing device by the one or more key pins of the key structure. The lock housing device includes a central processing unit, a communication device, a power source, and one or more distance measuring devices for the one or more housing pins of the lock housing device. The central processing unit utilizes the one or more distance measuring devices to measure a compression length of the one or more housing pins and a key verification program compares the compression length to known length to authenticate the key structure with the one or more key pins. For a secondary authentication, a current is supplied from the power source of the lock housing device to the one or more key pins of the key structure composed of various metal types, where the current is passed to the one or more housings pins of the lock housing device and grounded to the CPU. The key verification program compares resistance values for the one or more key pins of the key structure to the known resistance values to further authenticate the key structure with the one or more key pins.
Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of potential embodiments of the invention and may take various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments is also intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This description is intended to be interpreted merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the various aspects of the present disclosure. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosed structures and methods, as oriented in the drawing figures. Terms such as “above”, “overlying”, “atop”, “on top”, “positioned on” or “positioned atop” mean that a first element, such as a first structure, is present on a second element, such as a second structure, wherein intervening elements, such as an interface structure may be present between the first element and the second element. The term “direct contact” means that a first element, such as a first structure, and a second element, such as a second structure, are connected without any intermediary conducting, insulating or semiconductor layers at the interface of the two elements. The term substantially, or substantially similar, refer to instances in which the difference in length, height, or orientation convey no practical difference between the definite recitation (e.g. the phrase sans the substantially similar term), and the substantially similar variations. In one embodiment, substantial (and its derivatives) denote a difference by a generally accepted engineering or manufacturing tolerance for similar devices, up to, for example, 10% deviation in value or 10° deviation in angle.
In the interest of not obscuring the presentation of embodiments of the present invention, in the following detailed description, some processing steps or operations that are known in the art may have been combined together for presentation and for illustration purposes and in some instances may have not been described in detail. In other instances, some processing steps or operations that are known in the art may not be described at all. It should be understood that the following description is rather focused on the distinctive features or elements of various embodiments of the present invention.
CPU 108 utilizes measuring device 114 to determine a length due to compression of each compressible member 118 for each corresponding housing pin 116A-116F. In this embodiment, housing pins 116A-116F are in an initial state and each compressible member 118 is at an initial length, where each compressible member 118 is not experiencing compression due to a force being applied to a second end of each housing pin 116A-116F at area 120 opposite the first end of each housing pin 116A-116F. Each of measuring device 114 can be a laser measuring distance based on a light pulse leaving each of measuring device 114, reflecting off the first end of each corresponding housing pin 116A-116F, and receiving the reflected light at each measuring device 114. Each compressible member 118 can be a helical spring, where the light pulse emitted by measuring device 114 travels through a central axis of the helical spring for each compressible member 118. Communication module 110 allows for CPU 108 to communication with one or more external electronic device (e.g., a client device, an electronic lock mechanism) to provide information regarding an authentication of a key structure inserted into lock housing device 100. Power source 112 can be a rechargeable battery providing energy to CPU 108, communication module 110, and measuring devices 114.
In this embodiment, a length of each key pin 204A-204F subtracted from an initial length of each compressible member 118A-118F, is equal to the compression length of each compressible member 118A-118F. CPU 108 can verify the compression length for each corresponding compressible member 118A-118F due to the interaction between each key pin 204 and housing pin 116 combination and authenticate key structure 200 to the corresponding lock housing device. In another embodiment, where each key pin 204A-204F can also compress and retract into handle portion 202 of key structure 200, the two-stage compression of each key pin 204A-204F provides an additional security layer. The two-stage compression would result in a compression length for each compressible member 118A-118E that results from a length of each key pin 204A-204F and a secondary compression length for each key pin 204A-204F into handle portion 202 of key structure 200.
For a first step of an authentication process, a key verification program, discussed in further detail with regards to
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable other of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated but fall within the scope of the appended claims.
As previously discussed with regards to
Client device 702 may be a cellphone, smartphone, smartwatch, laptop, tablet computer, or any other electronic device capable of communicating via network 706. In general, client device 702 represents one or more programmable electronic devices or combination of programmable electronic devices capable of executing machine readable program instructions and communicating with other computing devices (not shown) within distributed data processing environment via a network, such as network 706. In one embodiment, client device 702 represents one or more devices associated with a user who is an owner of lock housing device 100. Client device 702 includes user interface 710, where user interface 710 enables a user of client device 702 to interact with key verification program 708 on lock housing device 100.
In general, network 706 can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between lock housing device 100, client device 702, and locking mechanism 706B. Network 706 can include, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the internet, a cellular network, a Bluetooth® connection or any combination of the preceding, and can further include wired, wireless, and/or fiber optic connections. In one embodiment, key verification program 708 can be a web service accessible via network 706 to a user of client device 702. In another embodiment, key verification program 708 may be operated directly by a user of lock housing device 100 via user interface (not illustrated in
Key verification program 708 provides a one-step or two-step authentication of key structures inserted into lock housing device 100. Prior to performing the one-step or two-step authentication process, key verification program 708 instructs locking mechanism 704A and/or 704B to activate (i.e., locked position). Key verification program 708 places CPU 108 into a low power state until key verification program 708 determines lock housing device 100 is contact with a key structure, where the key structure is inserted into lock housing device 100. Key verification program 708 initializes lock housing device by powering on CPU 108 from the low power state and receiving values corresponding to each housing pin, where a compressible member associated with each housing pin of lock housing device 100 is experiencing compression due to a corresponding key pin of the inserted key structure. For the one-step authentication process, the values include a compression length for each housing pin of lock housing device 100. For the two-step authentication process, the values include a compression length for each housing pin of lock housing device 100 and a resistance reading for each housing pin of lock housing device 100, where each housing pin is composed of a unique material type. Responsive to key verification program 708 failing to verify the values for each housing pin of lock housing device 100, key verification program 708 sends a notification to client device 702 associated with user regarding the failed verification. Responsive to key verification program 708 verifying the values for each housing pin of lock housing device 100, key verification program 708 instructs locking mechanism 704A and/or 704B to deactivate (i.e., unlocked position).
Key verification program 708 instructs locking mechanism to activates (802). Prior to key verification program 708 performing a one-step or two-step authentication process, key verification program 708 instructs the locking mechanism to activate (i.e., locked position). As previously discussed, the locking mechanism can be integrated into the lock housing device or remote from the lock housing device, where key verification program 708 communicates with the remote locking mechanism via a wireless connection. Key verification program 708 can instruct multiple locking mechanism to activate, where a single lock housing device and key structure combination are utilized for performing the one-step or two-step authentication process for the multiple locking mechanisms. If initial lengths for the compressible member associated with the housing pins of the lock housing mechanism were not previously defined by the manufacture, key verification program 708 measures and establishes the initial length for each compressible member associated with each housing pin of the lock housing device.
Key verification program 708 determines lock housing device is in contact with a key structure (804). In this embodiment, key verification program 708 instructs the lock housing device to operate in a low power state to preserve the power source. During the low power state, key verification program 708 can utilize a motion sensor integrated into the lock housing device to identify movement of at least one compressible member of the lock housing device. Responsive to key verification program 708 identifying movement of at least one compressible member of the lock housing device, key verification program 708 determines the key structure is in contact with the key structure. In another embodiment, key verification program 708 instructs the lock housing device to operate in a low power state to preserve the power source, where key verification program 708 utilizes electric housing connectors on the lock housing device and the key connectors on the key structure to determine when lock housing device is in contact with the key structure. As the key structure is inserted into the lock housing device, the electric housing connectors contact the key connectors and establish a complete circuit between the power source, electrical power leads in the lock housing device, the electric housing connectors, the key connectors, the electrical power leads in the key structure, the key pins, the housing pins, the electric ground leads of the lock housing device, and the CPU, as previously discussed with regards to
Key verification program 708 initializes the lock housing device (806). In this embodiment, key verification program 708 initializes the lock housing device by removing the lock housing device from the low power state. For a one-step authentication process, key verification program 708 powers on each distance measuring device associated with each compressible member of the lock housing device for measuring a compression length of each compressible member due to a key pin of the key structure pressing against a housing pin of the lock housing device. For a two-step authentication process, in addition to key verification program 708 powering on each distance measuring device, key verification program 708 instructs the power source to send a current through each key pin and housing pin combination to determine a resistance reading for each key pin and housing pin combination.
Key verification program 708 receives values for each housing pin of the lock housing device (808). For the one-step authentication process, key verification program 708 receives a distance value for each key pin and housing pin combination, where each distance value represents a compression length of each compressible member of the lock housing device. For the lock housing device and key structure combination previously described in
Key verification program 708 verifies the values (decision 810) by determining whether the received values for each housing pin match known values for each housing pin of the lock housing device. In the event, key verification program 708 fails to verify the values (“no” branch, decision 810), key verification program 708 sends a notification regarding the failed verification (812). In the event, key verification program 708 verifies the values (“yes” branch, decision 810), verification program 708 instructs the locking mechanism to deactivate (814).
Key verification program 708 sends a notification regarding the failed verification (812). In this embodiment, key verification program 708 sends a notification to a client device associated with the owner of the lock housing device regarding the failed authentication of the fail verification of the key structure inserted into the lock housing device. Key verification program 708 can send the notification to the client device utilizing one or more electronic methods (e.g., electronic mail, text message), where the notification can include a time of the failed verification, a date of the failed verification, a step that failed the verification from the two-step verification, and a list of one or more values that did not match the known values for the key pin and housing pin combinations. Key verification program 708 can display in a user interface on the client device a front view of the lock housing device (e.g.,
Key verification program 708 instructs the locking mechanism to deactivate (814). Key verification program 708 instructs the one or more locking mechanism to deactivate (i.e., unlocked position) by sending a signal to the locking mechanism. As previously discussed, the locking mechanism can be integrated into the lock housing device or remote from the lock housing device, where key verification program 708 communicates with the remote locking mechanism via a wireless connection. Key verification program 708 can instruct multiple locking mechanism to deactivate, where a single lock housing device and key structure combination are utilized for performing the one-step or two-step authentication process for the multiple locking mechanisms.
The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
