Electronic combination lock utilizing a one-time use combination

Abstract

A combination lock is described where the combination that is used to open the lock is generated on a separate computer system using information that is contained in the lock and a series of steps that combine selected items of the information contained in the lock and alter the results of the results of the combination of the information items. The lock incorporates a computer processor which performs the identical steps to generate an authorized combination after a combination is entered into the lock. When the two combinations match, the lock is enabled for opening. At least some of the information items used in the generation of the combinations change with each successful opening of the lock, rendering the combination generated by the computer system useable for only a single opening of the lock.

We claim:  
     
       1. An electronic combination lock comprising: 
       an input dial for inputting numbers of a combination into said lock;  
       a display for displaying numbers;  
       an electronic control means for receiving said numbers of said combinations and for comparing said numbers with numbers of an authorized combination;  
       said electronic control means including:  
       an encrypting combination generator responsive to an entered combination for encrypting predetermined data and for generating a combination derived from said predetermined data;  
       a comparator for comparing said entered combination with said generated combination and responsive to a compare equal to generate a signal permitting said lock to open,  
       said encrypting and generating means responsive to a last accepted combination, a parameter unique to said lock, a master combination, a variable value, said variable value changed in a predictable manner upon each opening of said lock to form a result and manipulation of said result, to generate said authorized combination.  
     
     
       2. The lock of  claim 1  wherein said electronic control means comprises storage means for storing said entered combination upon said entered combination equalling said generated authorized combination. 
     
     
       3. The lock of  claim 1  wherein said electronic control means further includes a counter, contents of said counter incremented upon each comparing equal of said entered combination and said generated combination, said counter contents being said variable value. 
     
     
       4. The lock of  claim 1  wherein said electronic control means further includes means for generating a new master combination responsive to said authorized combination meeting a predetermined criteria. 
     
     
       5. The lock of  claim 4  wherein said criteria is that a sum of predesignated digits of said authorized combination equals a predetermined value. 
     
     
       6. A method of providing an electronic combination lock with a single use authorized combination for opening said lock comprising the steps of: 
       receiving a new combination into said lock;  
       responsive to said receiving said new combination, generating an authorized combination based upon previously used authorized combination, a value unique to said lock, a randomly alterable master combination, a variable value unique to said lock and a mathematical combining of predesignated digits of said entered combination;  
       comparing said generated, authorized combination with said entered combination, and  
       responsive to said compare equal condition therebetween, replacing said previously used authorized combination with said generated authorized combination, and  
       providing an electrical authorization signal to condition said lock to be opened.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  further comprising the steps of: 
       testing said authorized combination for equality to at least one condition;  
       responsive to said condition being equalled, altering said randomly alterable master combination to create an altered master combination, and  
       replacing said randomly alterable master combination with said altered master combination.  
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  additionally including steps of incrementing said variable value by a fixed increment upon successful comparison of said new combination and said authorized combination. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  additionally including steps of incrementing said variable value by a fixed increment upon successful comparison of said new combination and said authorized combination. 
     
     
       10. A computer system for generating a combination for operation of a lock comprising: 
       a memory for storing one fixed numerical value unique to a designated lock and at least three  two variable numerical values;  
       a computer processor;  
       a control program for controlling said processor to perform a predetermined sequence of operations involving a predetermined fixed numerical value and said at least two variable numerical values;  
       said sequence of operations including at least a first operation of combining one variable numerical value and one  the fixed numerical value, producing a first result; a  mathematically combining of  a second variable numerical value with said first result, producing a second result, ; a  rearranging of  digits of said second variable numerical value, ; a  mathematically combining of  said second result and said rearranged value, producing a third result, ; adding two digits of said third result to two predesignated digits of said third result, producing a fourth result, ; and providing said fourth result for the opening of a  said lock, wherein said fourth result is incapable of opening said lock two consecutive times.  
     
     
       11. The computer system of  claim 10  wherein said control program defines said first operation of combing  combining as exclusive ORing. 
     
     
       12. The computer system of  claim 10  wherein said control program defines said first operation of combining as a mathematical combining. 
     
     
       13. The computer system of  claim 10  wherein said two operations of mathematical combining are each addition or subtraction with the two operations being different. 
     
     
       14. An electronic combination lock having a computer for controlling operation of said lock, said computer  lock comprising: 
       Aa bolt,; 
       a bolt withdrawal mechanism including an actuator responsive to said computer for enabling withdrawal of said bolt;  
       said computer further comprising:  
       a memory for storing one fixed numerical value unique to a designated lock and at least three  one variable numerical values  value;  
       a computer processor;  
       a control program for controlling said processor to perform a predetermined sequence of operations involving a predetermined fixed numerical value and at least two  one variable numerical values  value;  
       said sequence of operations including at least a first operation of combining one variable numerical value and one fixed numerical value, producing a first result; a mathematical combining of a second variable value with said first result producing a second result, a rearranging of digits of said second variable numerical value, a mathematical combining of said second result and said rearranged value, producing a third result, adding two digits of said third result to two predesignated digits of said third result,  producing a fourth  result, said result changing for each opening of said lock;  
       said computer processor responsive to said control program to compare said fourth  result to a combination generated on a computer system performing identical operations in an identical sequence,  using identical fixed and variable values;  
       said computer responsive to a finding of equality of said fourth  result and said combination to signal said actuator to enable said bolt withdrawal.  
     
     
       15. An electronic combination lock comprising: 
       an input for entering numbers of a combination into said lock;  
       an electronic control for receiving said number of said combination and for comparing said numbers with numbers of an authorized combination;  
       said electronic control including:  
       an encrypting combination generator responsive to an entered combination for encrypting predetermined data and for generating a combination derived from said predetermined data;  
       a comparator for comparing said entered combination with said generated combination and responsive to a compare equal condition to generate a signal permitting said lock to open,  
       said encrypting and generating means responsive to a last accepted combination, a parameter unique to said lock, a master combination, a variable value, said variable value changed in a predictable manner upon each opening of said lock to form an interim value and manipulation of said interim value, to generate said authorized combination.  
     
     
       16. The lock of  claim 15  wherein said electronic control comprises storage means for storing said entered combination upon said entered combination equalling said generated authorized combination. 
     
     
       17. The lock of  claim 15  wherein said electronic control further includes a counter, contents of said counter incremented upon each comparing equal of said entered combination and said generated combination, said counter contents being said variable value. 
     
     
       18. The lock of  claim 15  wherein said electronic control further includes a combination generator for generating a new master combination responsive to said authorized combination meeting a predetermined criteria. 
     
     
       19. The lock of  claim 18  wherein said criteria is that a sum of predesignated digits of said authorized combination equals a predetermined value. 
     
     
       20. An electronic combination lock comprising: 
       
         a combination input device; and  
       
       
         an electronic control, wherein said control receives signals from said combination input, said control converts said signals into an entered combination, wherein said control generates an authorized combination from at least one variable value utilizing a function, said control compares said entered combination with said authorized combination and, responsive to a compare equal, said control generates a signal permitting said lock to open. 
       
     
     
       21. The electronic combination lock of  claim 20   
       
         wherein said at least one variable value comprises:  
       
       
         a last accepted combination;  
       
       
         a parameter unique to said lock; and  
       
       
         a variable parameter, wherein said variable parameter is changed in a predictable manner upon each opening of said lock; and  
       
       
         wherein said combination generating means manipulates said last accepted combination, said parameter unique to said lock, and said variable parameter to generate said authorized combination. 
       
     
     
       22. The lock of  claim 21  wherein said electronic control comprises storage for storing said entered combination upon said entered combination equaling said generated authorized combination. 
     
     
       23. The lock of  claim 21  wherein said electronic control further comprises a counter, wherein contents of said counter are incremented upon said entered combination comparing equal to said generated combination, and wherein said counter contents are said variable parameter. 
     
     
       24. The lock of  claim 21  wherein said electronic control further comprises means for generating a new variable value responsive to said authorized combination meeting a predetermined criteria. 
     
     
       25. The lock of  claim 24  wherein said criteria is that a sum of predesignated digits of said authorized combination equal a predetermined value. 
     
     
       26. An electronic combination lock comprising: 
       
         an input, said input permitting entry of an entered combination into said lock; and  
       
       
         an electronic control, wherein said electronic control comprises:  
       
       
         a combination generator, wherein said combination generator generates an authorized combination from at least one value, and wherein said authorized combination changes after each opening of said lock; and  
       
       
         a comparator, wherein said comparator compares said entered combination with said authorized combination and, responsive to a compare equal, generates a signal permitting said lock to open. 
       
     
     
       27. The lock of  claim 26  wherein said electronic control further comprises a counter, wherein contents of said counter are incremented upon said entered combination comparing equal to said authorized combination. 
     
     
       28. The lock of  claim 26  wherein said electronic control further comprises a counter, wherein contents of said counter are incremented upon each opening of said lock. 
     
     
       29. The lock of  claim 26  wherein said input is a knob. 
     
     
       30. The lock of  claim 26  wherein said input is a keypad. 
     
     
       31. The lock of  claim 26  wherein said input is an electronic memory. 
     
     
       32. The lock of  claim 26  wherein said input is an electronic key. 
     
     
       33. A method of providing an electronic combination lock with a single use authorized combination for opening said lock comprising the steps of: 
       
         receiving an entered combination into said lock;  
       
       
         generating an authorized combination based upon at least one value, said authorized combination changing each time said lock is opened;  
       
       
         comparing said generated authorized combination with said entered combination; and  
       
       
         responsive to a compare equal condition there between, providing an electrical signal to condition said lock to be opened. 
       
     
     
       34. A method of providing an electronic combination lock with a single use authorized combination for opening said lock comprising the steps of: 
       
         receiving an entered combination into said lock;  
       
       
         responsive to receiving said entered combination, generating an authorized combination based upon at least one value;  
       
       
         comparing said generated authorized combination with said entered combination;  
       
       
         responsive to a compare equal condition therebetween, providing an electrical signal to condition said lock to be opened; and  
       
       
         changing said authorized combination each time said entered combination compares equal to said authorized combination. 
       
     
     
       35. A multi- mode electronic combination lock comprising:    
       
         an input, said input permitting entry of an entered combination into said lock; and  
       
       
         an electronic control, said electronic control comprising:  
       
       
         a memory, said memory containing a bank combination;  
       
         a one - time combination generator, said one - time combination generator generating a one - time combination from at least one value;    
         a comparator, wherein said comparator compares said entered combination with said bank combination and, responsive to a compare equal, generates a signal permitting said lock to open; and wherein said comparator, responsive to a compare not - equal, compares said entered combination with said one - time combination and, responsive to a compare equal therebetween, generates said signal permitting said lock to open; and    
         said one - time combination changing after each compare equal between said entered combination and said one - time combination.   
     
     
       36. The lock of  claim 35  wherein said electronic control further comprises a counter, wherein contents of said counter are incremented upon said entered combination comparing equal to said authorized combination. 
     
     
       37. The lock of  claim 35  wherein said electronic control further comprises a counter, wherein contents of said counter are incremented upon each opening of said lock. 
     
     
       38. A method of providing a multi- mode electronic combination lock with an authorized combination for opening said lock comprising:    
       
         receiving an entered combination into said lock;  
       
       
         obtaining a bank combination;  
       
         obtaining a one - time combination;    
       
         comparing said entered combination with said bank combination and, responsive to a compare equal condition therebetween, providing an electrical signal to condition said lock to be opened; and  
       
         comparing said entered combination with said one - time combination and, responsive to a compare equal condition therebetween, providing an electrical signal to condition said lock to be opened and changing said one - time combination.   
     
     
       39. An electronic combination lock comprising: 
       
         an input, said input permitting entry of an entered combination and a user identification into said lock; and  
       
       
         an electronic control, said electronic control comprising:  
       
       
         a bank combination generator, said bank combination generator generating an authorized bank combination;  
       
         a one - time combination generator, said one - time combination generator generating an authorized one - time combination; and    
       
         a comparator, said comparator comparing said entered combination with said authorized combinations and, responsive to a compare equal to one of said authorized combinations, generating a signal permitting said lock to open;  
       
         wherein said authorized one - time combination generated by said one - time combination generator changes after said entered combination compares equal to said authorized one - time combination for said user identification entered.   
     
     
       40. The lock of  claim 39  wherein said electronic control further comprising a counter, wherein contents of said counter are incremented upon said entered combination comparing equal to said authorized combination. 
     
     
       41. The lock of  claim 39  wherein said electronic control further comprising a counter, wherein contents of said counter are incremented upon each opening of said lock. 
     
     
       42. The lock of  claim 39  wherein the user identification is contained in an electronic memory. 
     
     
       43. The lock of  claim 39  wherein the user identification is contained in an electronic key. 
     
     
       44. A method for opening a lock, the method comprising: 
       
         receiving an entered combination into the lock;  
       
       
         obtaining a present authorized combination, the present authorized combination being different than a previous authorized combination utilized to condition the lock for opening at a previous opening of the lock; and  
       
       
         comparing the entered combination with the present authorized combination and, responsive to a compare equal condition therebetween, providing an electrical signal to condition the lock to be opened. 
       
     
     
       45. A multi- mode electronic combination lock comprising:    
       
         an input, said input permitting entry of an entered combination and a user identification into said lock; and  
       
       
         an electronic control, said electronic control comprising:  
       
       
         a combination generator, the combination generator generating an authorized combination for each lock mode;  
       
       
         a comparator, said comparator comparing said entered combination with the authorized combinations and, responsive to a compare equal to one of the authorized combinations, generating a signal permitting the lock to open; and  
       
       
         at least one of the authorized combinations generated by the combination generator being different than the previous authorized combination utilized to generate the signal permitting the lock to open.