The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a locking system.
According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for wireless unlocking or locking of one or more locking members.
According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to at least one computer software p
At present, traditional metal keys and/or passes are used to open locks in connection with doors. Upon usage of passes, the same is frequently combined with the usage of a code. This represents a problem in that a great a number of keys and/or passes with accompanying codes may be required.
A locking system according to an aspect of the present invention comprises at least one electrical locking member, each of which intended for a door/garage door or the like and at least one key member. Each electrical locking member is associated with a first communication member for wireless communication over short distances. Each key member comprises a programmable, mobile unit comprising a second communication member for wireless communication over short distances. The electrical locking member is unlocked or locked by the fact that the second communication member encryptedly transmits an address unique to the mobile unit, as well as an authorized user code to the first communication member.
A significant advantage of this locking system according to an aspect of the present invention is that it is possible to use a mobile unit in order to lock or unlock many locks, which entails a great number of metal keys and/or passes are not needed. Furthermore, the use of a great number of codes is avoided.
In this connection, it is an advantage if the locking system furthermore comprises a central processing unit connected to each electrical locking member, which central processing unit comprises a memory member for the storage of the unique addresses of the mobile units as well as authorized user codes, and informs the locking members when they should be opened or locked.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if each first communication member is connected to a first memory member for the storage of the unique addresses of the mobile units and authorized user codes.
In this connection, it is an advantage if each electrical locking member furthermore is associated with a comparing member connected to the first communication member and the first memory member for the comparison of the agreement between address as well as user code received from the second communication member and address as well as user code in the first memory member.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if the electrical locking member remains in locked state when the comparing member does not establish agreement.
In this connection, it is an advantage if the first and the second communication member, respectively, communicate by means of Bluetooth technology.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if each programmable, mobile unit comprises a selecting member operable to select one of three different operating modes of said mobile unit.
In this connection, it is an advantage if, in the first operating mode, the mobile unit searches for electrical locking members, and if more than one electrical locking member is registered in a second memory member included in each mobile unit, a list is displayed on a display member included in each mobile unit, the user from the same list selecting which electrical locking member that should be unlocked or locked.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if, in the second operating mode, the mobile unit automatically searches for electrical locking members that are registered in a second memory member included in each mobile unit at a predetermined time interval, T, when the mobile unit finds at least one electrical locking member within a predetermined distance, d, from the mobile unit, the mobile unit displaying on a display member included in each mobile unit a question if the locking member/members found should be unlocked or locked.
In this connection, it is an advantage if, in the third operating mode, the mobile unit automatically searches for electrical locking members that are registered in a second memory member included in each mobile unit, when the mobile unit finds at least one electrical locking member within a predetermined distance, d, from the mobile unit, the locking member/members found being unlocked or the same being locked.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if a user of a mobile unit can send an SMS message comprising an erasure code to the mobile unit, the user code being erased in the mobile unit.
In this connection, it is an advantage if, before a mobile unit can unlock or lock an electrical locking member, the mobile unit and the electrical locking member have to be paired together by the fact that link and encryption keys are created, which pair information is saved in a third, persistent memory member connected to the first communication member.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if each mobile unit comprises a mobile telephone or a hand-held computer.
In this connection, it is an advantage if the first communication member, the first memory member and the third memory member are integrated in the electrical locking member or are arranged in a change-over switch connected to each locking member in order to enable opening of the electrical locking member from inside.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if a key member can comprise a stationary unit.
A method according an aspect of the present invention is carried out by means of a locking system comprising at least one electrical locking member, each of which intended for a door/garage door or the like and at least one key member in the form of a programmable, mobile unit, for wireless unlocking or locking of one or more electrical locking members. The method comprises the steps of:
A significant advantage of this method according to the present invention is that the use of a great number of metal keys and/or passes is abolished. Furthermore, the use of a great number of codes is avoided.
In this connection, it is an advantage if the method comprises the steps of:
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if the method furthermore comprises the steps of:
In this connection, it is an advantage if the method furthermore comprises the step of:
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if the method furthermore comprises the steps of:
In this connection, it is an advantage if the first and the second communication member, respectively, communicate by means of Bluetooth technology.
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if the method furthermore comprises the step of:
In this connection, it is an advantage if, in the first operating mode, the method furthermore comprises the steps of:
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if, in the second operating mode, the method furthermore comprises the steps of:
In this connection, it is an advantage if the method furthermore comprises the steps of:
An additional advantage in the method furthermore comprises the steps of:
In this connection, it is an advantage if, in the third operating mode, the method furthermore comprises the steps of:
An additional advantage, in this connection, is if a key member can comprise a stationary unit.
A significant advantage of this computer software product according to the present invention is that the use of a great number of metal keys and/or passes is abolished. Furthermore, the use of a great number of codes is avoided.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, where:
In
In
If agreement is established, the electrical locking member 121 is opened. Otherwise, the electrical locking member 121 remains in locked state.
According to another embodiment of the locking system 10 according to the present invention, the locking system 10 comprises a central processing unit connected to each electrical locking member (121, . . . , 12n). The central processing unit (not shown) comprises a memory member for the storage of the unique addresses of the mobile units (161, . . . , 16m) as well as authorized user codes. In this solution, the locking members (121, . . . , 12n) only work as so-called token stations between the mobile units (161, . . . , 16m) and the central processing unit, which decides if and informs when a locking member (121, . . . , 12n) should be opened or locked.
Furthermore, the mobile unit 161 comprises a selecting member 261 operable to enable the selection of one of three different operating modes of the mobile unit 161. The mobile unit 161 comprises furthermore a second memory member 281 for the storing of registered locking members 121. The mobile unit 161 comprises furthermore a display member 301 in order to, for instance, display a list of registered locking members 121 if more than one locking member is registered on the mobile unit 161, i.e., may be unlocked or locked by the mobile unit 161 in question.
The locking system 10 shown in
In the locking system 10 shown in
According to another embodiment, not shown, these members 181, 221, 241 and 321 are integrated in the electrical locking member 121.
According to a preferred embodiment of the locking system 10, the first and the second communication member, 181 and 201, respectively, communicate by means of Bluetooth technology. The locking system 10 may, in this connection, identify a user by means of the Bluetooth address thereof. The Bluetooth technology uses a frequency hopping technique. The frequency hops 1600 times/s and 79 channels are available. The Bluetooth technology also offers 128 bits encryption.
The locking member 121 is silent except from responding to direct connection enquiries. Thus, the locking member 121 is not seen upon a Bluetooth scanning of the area. Only the one who knows the Bluetooth address of the locking member 121 can communicate with the locking member 121 in question.
According to a preferred embodiment of the locking system 10, a user of a mobile unit 161, . . . , 16m may send an SMS message comprising an erasure code to the mobile unit 161, . . . , 16m, the user code being erased in the mobile unit 161, . . . , 16m. This prevents any unauthorised from using a found mobile unit 161, . . . , 16m in order to unlock an electrical locking member 121, . . . , 12n.
According to a preferred embodiment of the locking system 10, a key member 161 may comprise a stationary unit, such as a personal computer.
The function of the locking system 10 shown in
In
According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it furthermore comprises the step of: storing the unique address/addresses as well as authorized user codes of the mobile unit/units in the first memory member 221.
According to another preferred embodiment of the method, it furthermore comprises the steps of:
the central processing unit deciding about and informing the locking members (121, . . . , 12n) when they should be opened or locked.
According to an additional preferred embodiment of the method, it furthermore comprises the steps of: comparing agreement between address as well as user code received from the second communication member 201 and address as well as user code stored in the first memory member 221. If agreement is established, the electrical locking member 121 is unlocked. Otherwise, if agreement is not established, no unlocking of the locking member 121 is carried out.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it furthermore comprises the step of: by means of the selecting member 261 selecting one of three operating modes that the mobile unit 161 may operate in. These three operating modes will be described below in connection with
In
In
In
According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it furthermore comprises the step of: pairing together a mobile unit 161 and an electrical locking member 121 by the fact that link and encryption keys are saved, which pair information is stored/saved in the third memory member 321, which is persistent.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it furthermore comprises the steps of:
In
The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It will be evident for those skilled in the art that many different modifications are feasible within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0402263-8 | Sep 2004 | SE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/SE05/01281 | 9/5/2005 | WO | 3/8/2007 |