Electronic Key System and Method

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic key system including an electrical/electronic key-like device and an electrical/electronic key receptacle capable of receiving a contactless type, contact type, or both types of key-like devices. The present invention further provides an electronic key system including an electrical/electronic key-like device and an intelligent electrical/electronic key receptacle wherein the system is capable of performing a transaction between the key-like device and the key receptacle after the key-like device is inserted into the key receptacle and moved to a predetermined position.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . An electronic key system, comprising: 
 a key device having an electromagnetic coupling member;    a key receptacle having a transceiver antenna member; and    wherein the key system is activated for a transaction by inserting the key device into the key receptacle, aligning the electromagnetic coupling member of the key device with the transceiver antenna member of the key receptacle by orienting the key device to a predetermined position without electrical contact between the key device and the key receptacle.    
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the key housing has a distal end and a proximal end and at least one notch disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, the electromagnetic coupling member is disposed proximate the distal end of the key housing.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the key receptacle comprises: 
 a key receptacle housing having an opening configured and arranged to receive and retain the key device;    the second circuit disposed inside and supported by the key receptacle housing; and    the transceiver antenna member disposed inside and supported by the key receptacle housing.    
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein when the key device is inserted into the opening, electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic coupling member is disposed substantially orthogonal to electromagnetic field of the transceiver antenna member, and insufficient energy is coupled between the electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic coupling member and the electromagnetic field of the transceiver antenna member, so that the transaction of the key system is not enabled.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein when the key device is fully inserted into the key receptacle and turned to and retained at the predetermined position where the electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic coupling member and the electromagnetic field of the transceiver antenna member are substantially aligned with each other, sufficient energy is coupled between the electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic coupling member and the electromagnetic field of the transceiver antenna member, so that the transaction of the key system is enabled.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein when the key device is turned into the predetermined position, a tactile feedback is generated.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein when the key device is turned into the predetermined position, an audible feedback is generated.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein when the key device is turned into the predetermined position, a visual feedback is generated.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the second circuit of the key receptacle comprises an interface for interfacing an external operation system.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the interface includes a RS-232 protocol.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the interface includes a RS-485 protocol.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the interface includes a USB protocol.  
     
     
         38 . A method of operating an electronic key system, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a key device, the key device storing information and having an electromagnetic coupling member;    providing a key receptacle, the key receptacle having a transceiver antenna member;    inserting the electromagnetic coupling member of the key device into the key receptacle; and    activating a transaction by orienting the key device to a predetermined position without electrical contact between the key device and the key receptacle.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the transaction is a data logging operation to read/write data between the key device and the key receptacle for transport of data.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the transaction is an access control operation to verify data stored in the key device and provide access to an external operation system.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the transaction is a vending operation whereby the data stored in the key device is an amount of value and is decremented after each vending operation.