WO2003034348A1

WO2003034348A1 - A safe

Info

Publication number: WO2003034348A1
Application number: PCT/IB2002/003991
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malcolm Donald Anderson; Nicholas George Beaumont
Original assignee: Gilgamesh Limited
Priority date: 2001-10-18
Filing date: 2002-09-27
Publication date: 2003-04-24
Also published as: ZA200207029B

Abstract

The invention relates to a safe and particularly to a safe which has electronically operable control means for controlling its lock. The control means includes a code reader device for reading an authorization code stored in a portable authorization means, such as a code plug. The control means has also a keypad and a memory. The control means permits an opening code, linked to an authorization code, to be stored in its memory. In order to subsequently unlock the lock, it requires an authorization means to be brought into communication with its code reader device and the associated opening code to be entered via the keypad. The control means stores in its memory a record of authorization codes and opening codes that were used to unlock the lock.

Description

A SAFE

THIS INVENTION relates to a safe.

The invention relates particularly to a safe of a type that has an electronically operable control means that controls the operation of the locking mechanism of the safe, for opening and locking the door of the safe, and where the control means incorporates a keypad and a processing means and a user, before locking the door of the safe, generates a code, herein referred to as an end user code, via the keypad, that is stored by the processing means and unlocking of the door, once locked, requires the end user code to be entered via the keypad and the processing means to recognize the code and hence operate the locking mechanism for unlocking the door. Insofar as the general configuration of safes of the above type and their mode of use and operation are well known, these aspects are not described in any further detail herein. Also, any reference hereinafter to a safe must be interpreted as a reference to a safe of this particular type.

Safes of the above type often are used in hotel rooms for enabling guests to safely lock away their valuables. When a guest forgets the end user code generated by him, or leaves a safe locked upon leaving the hotel, it is required for an authorized third party, e.g. a hotel employee, to open the safe and in order to enable this, the processing means of the electronically operable control means of the safe has an override code stored therein which, when entered via the keypad and recognized by the processing means, will provide for the operation of the locking mechanism of the safe and opening of the safe door. Insofar as the override code often becomes known to a number of third parties, e.g. employees, this can be taken advantage of as a safe can thus be opened at any time by any one of the third parties, enabling theft from the safe without the particular third party that opened the safe being identifiable.

It is an object of this invention to at least alleviate this problem.

According to the invention there is provided a safe which includes an electronically operable control means that incorporates a keypad and a processing means, which has a memory, and that controls the operation of the locking mechanism of the safe, for opening and closing the door of the safe, and a code reader device for reading an authorization code stored in an authorization means and for transmitting it to the processing means of the control means, and in which the processing means is programmed to control opening of the safe by storing an authorization code corresponding to that stored in an authorization means and requiring the authorization code to be linked in its memory with an opening code by bringing the authorization means into communication with the code reader device, to permit the latter to read the authorization code stored in the former, and entering the opening code via the keypad and for subsequent opening of the safe requiring a person to either enter the end user code or to bring an authorization means, storing therein an authorization code corresponding to an authorization code linked in its memory with an opening code, into communication with the code reader device, to permit the latter to read the authorization code stored in the former, and entering the said opening code, which must be recognized by the processing means for operating the locking mechanism of the safe for opening the door of the safe, the processing means upon opening of the safe by a person storing therein, for subsequent downloading, details of the authorization code used to open the safe. As such, an authorization means will in practice be given only to authorized third parties. Each such authorized third party will thus select and enter into the safe, via the keypad, an opening code after bringing his authorization means into communication with the code reader device. Subsequent opening of the safe by the authorized third party will require him to again bring his authorization means into communication with the code reader device and then entering his opening code. In practice, a person or persons ultimately responsible for the security of the safe will issue authorization means to authorized third parties and keep a record of the authorization codes stored on those authorization means. The authorization codes are thus linked in the record to a particular authorized third party. As the details of authorization codes used to open the safe are stored by the safe for subsequent downloading, the person responsible for the authorization means used to open the safe at any time is identifiable via the said record.

The processing means may be programmed to respond to a specific code, herein referred to as a program code, by switching to a mode, herein referred to as program mode, in which an authorization code and an opening code linked therewith may be stored in the memory of the processing means. The processing means may be programmed to respond, while in program mode, to an authorization code read from an authorization means by the code reader device by permitting an opening code to be entered via the keypad, by storing in its memory the authorization code read and the opening code entered, and by linking them with each other within its memory. In this manner, each authorized third party responsible for an authorization means may be permitted to generate his own opening code while the processing means is in its program mode. The program code will in practice be known only to a person or persons ultimately responsible for the security of the safe.

The authorization means may be a commercially available code plug which stores therein an authorization code and which has a spigot having external electrical contact elements. The code reader device of the control means will then include a socket for receiving the spigot of the code plug, the socket having electrical contact elements to cooperate with the electrical contact elements of a code plug, when its spigot is received in the socket, thus permitting the code reader device to read the code stored in the code plug.

Alternatively, the authorization means may be a transponder device, a smart card, a card incorporating a magnetic strip, or the like, the code reader device being a corresponding reader device.

The processing means of the control means of the safe may include an integrated circuit chip. The processing means may have a real-time clock, permitting it to store within its memory the time at which an event occurred, such as an operation of the locking mechanism, the entering of a code via the keypad, the reading of a code by the code reader device, and the like.

The processing means may be programmed to store in its memory a code that was entered via the keypad during opening of the safe. The processing means may be programmed to store in its memory, in the event of the unlocking of the locking mechanism by means of an authorization means and an opening code, the authorization code read from the authorization means. The processing means may store in its memory a record of a sequence of events. As such, the processing means may store in its memory a record comprising the details of the last predetermined number of unlocking events for which end user codes were used and a separate record comprising the details of the last predetermined number of unlocking events for which authorization means and opening codes were used.

All data stored by the processing means may be downloadable to a device such as a personal computer, and the like, and the control means may include a data communications port suitable for this purpose. As such, the data communications port may form an integral part of the code reader device. In the case of the authorization means being a code plug, as aforesaid, the socket of the code reader device may serve also as such a data communications port. The invention will now be described, by way of an example of a safe, in accordance with the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. The example is of a safe, in accordance with the invention, that is provided in a hotel room. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic three-dimensional view of a safe, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a block representing the locking mechanism of the safe of Figure 1 and a circuit diagram of electronic control means of the safe; and

Figure 3 shows a general view of a code plug for use with the safe of Figure 1 .

In Figure 1 , a safe, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 1 0. The safe 1 0 is installed in a room (not shown) of a hotel to permit an end user, such as a hotel guest, to securely store valuables during his stay in the room. The safe 1 0 has a body 1 2 defining therein a storage compartment 1 4 in which valuables (not shown) such as computer notebooks, money, jewellery, and the like, may be stored. The safe 10 has also a door 1 6 which has a locking mechanism (see reference numeral 32 in Figure 2) which includes a lock bolt 1 8 and a knob 20. The safe 1 0 has further electronically operable control means (see reference numeral 24 in Figure 2), including a keypad 22, that controls the operation of the locking mechanism of the safe for opening and locking the door 1 6 of the safe.

In Figure 2, the control means is designated by the reference numeral 24. It includes the keypad 22, a processing means 26, including an integrated circuit chip 28, which i.a. serves as a memory, and a code reader device 30.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 generally, the control means 24 controls the operation of the locking mechanism 32 by enabling or disabling, as the case may be, the operation of the lock bolt 1 8 by means of the knob 20. A guest may put his valuables (not shown) into the compartment 14 and generate a four-digit end user code by entering it via the keypad 22. This code is stored by the processing means in the memory of its integrated circuit chip 28. The guest may then close the door 1 6 and rotate the knob 20, which will cause the lock bolt 1 8 to engage the body 1 2, thus locking the safe 10. When the guest wants to remove his valuables from the safe 10, he is required to enter again, via the keypad 22, the end user code entered before. T e processing means 26 will recognise this code and hence operate the locking mechanism 32 to permit disengagement of the body 1 2 by the lock bolt 1 8 by means of rotation of the knob 20, thus unlocking the door.

By way of example, the hotel has a manager, who is ultimately responsible for the security of the safe 1 0, and three supervisors working around the clock in eight hour shifts. Each of these supervisors is authorized to open the safe 10 in the case of a guest forgetting the end user code generated by him, or leaving the safe locked upon leaving the hotel. The supervisors thus are authorized third parties as referred to above. In the event of a supervisor opening the safe 1 0, the manager, for security reasons, must be able to ascertain which supervisor has opened the safe. As will be described hereinafter, the safe 10 permits each supervisor to open it whilst storing in the memory of its processing means 26, for subsequent downloading, the time of opening and details of the authorization code used to open the safe.

With reference particularly to Figure 1 , the code reader device has a socket 34 that can cooperate with an authorization means in the form of a commercially available code plug such as code plug 36 shown in Figure 3. With reference particularly to Figure 3, each supervisor is provided with a code plug such as the code plug 36. The code plug 36 stores therein an authorization code and has a spigot 40 having external electrical contact elements 42. The spigot 40 is receivable within the socket (see reference numeral 34 in Figure 1 ) of the control means.

With reference to the drawings in general, the socket 34 has electrical contact elements (not shown) to cooperate with the electrical contact elements 42 of the code plug 36 when the spigot 40 of the code plug is received in the socket. When the spigot 40 is received in the socket, the code plug 36 can communicate with the code reader device 30 by permitting the code reader device to read the code stored in the code plug. Upon so reading a code, the code reader device transmits it to the processing means 26.

The integrated circuit chip 28 stores therein an eight-digit program code and is programmed to respond to the program code being entered via the keypad 22 by switching to a program mode, in which an authorization code and an opening code may be stored in its memory and linked therein with each other. The manager is the only person who knows the program code of the safe 10.

The manager issues to each supervisor a code plug having stored therein an authorization code. He keeps a record of the names of the supervisors and the authorization code stored in the code plug issued to each supervisor.

In order to permit a supervisor to generate his own opening code and storing it in the memory of the processing means of the safe 10, the manager enters the program code of the safe via the keypad 22. The processing means 26 responds by switching to its program mode. A supervisor now inserts the spigot of his code plug into the socket 24 of the code reader device 30 of the control means. The code reader device reads the authorization code stored in the code plug and transmits it to the processing means. The processing means permits the supervisor to enter a four-digit opening code via the keypad 22, stores in its memory the authorization code read and the opening code entered, and links them with each other within its memory. The manager now instructs, via the keypad 22, the processing means to exit program mode.

A supervisor now wishing to access the safe 1 0 has to insert the spigot of his code plug into the socket 34 of the code reader device 30 and enter via the keypad 22 the opening code previously stored in the memory of the processing means 26 and linked thereby with the authorization code stored in the code plug. The processing means 26 has a built-in real-time clock (not shown). Each time the safe 1 0 is locked or unlocked and an end user code is entered, the processing means stores therein the time of the event and the end user code entered. Each time the safe is opened by means of a code plug and a corresponding opening code entered via the keypad 22, the processing means stores therein the time of the event, the authorization code read from the code plug, and the opening code entered. The processing means 26 stores in its memory a record comprising the details of the last fifty unlocking events for which end user codes were used and a separate record comprising the details of the last fifty unlocking events for which authorization means and opening codes were used.

The socket 34 of the code reader device 30 serves also as a data communications port for the control means 24. A personal computer (not shown) may be connected thereto, by means of a suitable data cable (not shown), for downloading to the computer the data stored within the memory of the processing means 26. Using suitable software stored on the computer, the manager may download the records comprising details of the events stored within the processing means. Since each code plug is linked via the record kept by the manager with a particular supervisor, who is responsible for the safeguarding of his own code plug and the opening code generated by himself, a manager may, by inspecting the data downloaded from the processing means on the personal computer, determine which supervisor was responsible for the opening of the safe at any particular time.

The safe of the invention provides a useful means of controlling the opening of the safe whilst creating an audit trail, in the form of data stored in the memory of the processing means for subsequent downloading, of authorization codes used to unlock the safe.

Claims

1 . A safe which includes an electronically operable control means that incorporates a keypad and a processing means, which has a memory, and that controls the operation of the locking mechanism of the safe, for opening and closing the door of the safe, and a code reader device for reading an authorization code stored in an authorization means and for transmitting it to the processing means of the control means, and in which the processing means is programmed to control opening of the safe by storing an authorization code corresponding to that stored in an authorization means and requiring the authorization code to be linked in its memory with an opening code by bringing the authorization means into communication with the code reader device, to permit the latter to read the authorization code stored in the former, and entering the opening code via the keypad and for subsequent opening of the safe requiring a person to either enter the end user code or to bring an authorization means, storing therein an authorization code corresponding to an authorization code linked in its memory with an opening code, into communication with the code reader device, to permit the latter to read the authorization code stored in the former, and entering the said opening code, which must be recognized by the processing means for operating the locking mechanism of the safe for opening the door of the safe, the processing means upon opening of the safe by a person storing therein, for subsequent downloading, details of the authorization code used to open the safe.

2. A safe as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the processing means is programmed to respond to a program code, by switching to a program mode, in which an authorization code and an opening code linked therewith may be stored in the memory of the processing means.

3. A safe as claimed in Claim 2, in which the processing means is programmed to respond, while in program mode, to an authorization code read from an authorization means via the code reader device by permitting an opening code to be entered via the keypad, by storing in its memory the authorization code read and the opening code entered, and by linking them to each other within its memory.

4. A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the processing means of the control means includes an integrated circuit chip.

5. A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the processing means has a real-time clock, permitting the processing means to store within its memory the time at which an event occurred, such as an operation of the locking mechanism, the entering of a code via the keypad, and the reading of an authorization code by the code reader device.

6. A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the processing means is programmed to store in its memory a predetermined number of codes that were entered via the keypad.

7. A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the processing means is programmed to store in its memory, in the event of the unlocking of the locking mechanism by means of an authorization means and an opening code, the authorization code read from the authorization means.

8. A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the processing means is programmed to store in its memory a record comprising details of a predetermined number of preceding unlocking events for which end user codes were used and a separate record comprising the details of the last predetermined number of unlocking events for which authorization means and opening codes were used.

. A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which data stored by the processing means is downloadable to a device such as a personal computer, the control means including a data communications port suitable for this purpose.

0. A safe as claimed in Claim 9, in which the data communications port forms an integral part of the code reader device.

1 . A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the code reader device includes a socket for receiving a spigot defined by a commercially available code plug, which stores therein an authorization code and of which the spigot has external electric contact elements, the socket having electrical contact elements to co-operate with the electrical contact elements of such a code plug, when its spigot is operatively received in the socket, thus permitting the code reader device to read the code stored in the code plug.

2. A safe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the code reader device is a device that can read a code stored in an authorization means in the form of any one of a transponder device, a smart card, a card incorporating a magnetic strip, and the like.

3. A safe, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.