Lock

This invention relates to a lock and particularly, but not exclusively, a lock adapted for use with an access control system operated over the internet and/or via a wireless network.

It is a particular problem for working people to find the time to go shopping and also to arrange for the delivery to their homes of items which are too large to go through a letterbox. The present invention seeks to overcome these problems by the provision of a lock which does not need the presence of the consumer or anyone else at the designated point of delivery. Because there is no-one present to check the items delivered, it is very desirable that the delivered goods should be placed in a secure receptor, or delivery box, to ensure that the goods cannot be easily stolen or tampered with prior to the purchaser returning home.

Known systems generally comprise a container with a closure member at the consumer's house, the closure member including a lock that requires a unique code to be entered by a supplier or merchant delivering goods in order to gain access and deliver the goods. The code required to open the lock is unique to an order placed by the consumer. In its simplest form, the lock may comprise a combination lock. In this case, the person ordering the goods for delivery would simply give the supplier the number of the combination which would form the authorisation code. A person delivering the goods would then simply dial the combination number in the lock when they reach the appropriate destination, open the closure member, place the ordered goods in the receptor means and then close the closure member. The combination lock may be such

that it is randomly reset as soon as the closure member is closed. Alternatively, the supplier of goods gives the customer an order number which would also comprise the authorisation code for the lock. The purchaser would then set the lock to the appropriate code so that the person delivering the goods can enter the code and deliver the goods.

In another known system, for increased security, the delivery person is not given the authorisation code but this would be generated automatically either by the customer or the supplier in the computer system of the supplier and downloaded to a hand held control carried by the delivery person. On reaching the address for delivery, the delivery person would merely press the appropriate button on his hand control which would emit the authorisation code, by means of an infra-red light for example, to open the closure member. If, on receipt of the order, the supplier's computer system generated a randomly generated number, this number could be transmitted to the customer's telephone or computer to enable the customer to set the lock of their receptor accordingly. The authorisation code could therefore be in the form of a four or six digit PIN number which the consumer could input manually onto a combination lock or electronically in an electronic lock. The code may therefore be a personal PIN number, order identification number or other code or unique message.

In other known systems, the access control is conducted remotely via a mobile phone GSM network.

One problem with the abovementioned delivery systems are that in the case of non- physical entry of the authorisation code in the lock by the delivery person, compatibility is required between the merchant's hardware i.e. the hand held control carried by the

delivery systems and the closure element or lock on the customer's receptor. Also, in the case of physical entry of the authorisation code by the delivery person, the code may be commandeered and unauthorised entry may be possible.

In the system described above, the lock or closure element must also be provided with a reliable constant power supply to enable it to receive the code from the hand held control of the delivery person or over a GSM mobile phone network. The system must constantly monitor for an authorisation signal to gain access. Such a power supply can add considerable bulk and expense to a system. If the power should fail, the delivery may not be made. Furthermore, the use of a GSM mobile phone network generally requires a subscription to be made. The present invention seeks to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to the present invention there is provided a lock, including an electronic enabling circuit adapted to be responsive to a unique control signal from a remote access management centre to enable the lock to be unlocked.

Preferably the lock is connected to the remote access management centre via a network connection for example a wireless network such as a WiFi / 802.11 network.

Preferably the lock is in a normally locked state and the enabling circuit remains in a normally un-powered passive state.

Preferably the lock includes manually operable power generation means, power being generated to enable the lock to be opened as a result of the person delivering the goods operating said manually operable power generation means.

Preferably the power generation means is incorporated in the lock.

Preferably the lock is adapted to be opened by a key and power is generated by rotation of a member coaxial with said key.

Preferably an access control system, wherein the lock is adapted to be put in a condition to be unlocked after the receipt of an authorisation code sent from a central access management centre, the authorisation code being unique, the authorisation code being transmitted from the central access management centre only upon confirmation of a predetermined condition.

Preferably the supplier issues a customer order number containing the authorisation code for the lock and the authorisation code is randomly generated by the supplier's computer system and the authorisation code is encrypted for transmission to the lock.

Preferably the system comprises a delivery system including means to place an order and co-ordinate delivery with a supplier of physical goods, receptor means at a receiving station for receiving the physical goods, the receptor means having a normally locked closure member which, when open, enables the goods to be placed in the receptor, and said lock being adapted to lock the closure member, said authorisation code being unique to the order and being generated by the person placing the order or by the

supplier, said predetermined condition being confirmation that a person delivering the goods is in the region of the receiving station.

Preferably when the closure member is reclosed, the lock is relocked and reset so that the authorisation code is no longer effective.

Preferably the receptor incorporates a refrigerating unit controlled by signals over the internet.

Preferably the closure member is a front door or special built-in compartment of the said person's premises.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic of a preferred embodiment of an access control system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic of a lock.

Figure 3 shows a logic board circuit diagram of the lock.

One application of the lock is in a delivery system, a schematic of which is shown in Figure 1. A consumer or customer places an order with the supplier 3 of goods required for delivery. The order may be made by a variety of different methods such as by

telephone, in person, or over the internet. In order to process the order, the customer supplies a serial number unique to the lock 7 used to secure a closure member of a receptor means at the customer's predetermined delivery address such as the customers home 5. A remote access management centre or system 2 forwards the order to a carrier or delivery person 6 for delivering the goods. When the delivery person 6 arrives at the predetermined delivery address 5, the delivery person 6 sends a signal 18 to the access management system 2 either directly or via the supplier 3 by means such as a mobile phone, or through a local wireless network at the customer's predetermined delivery address 5 or via a shared wireless network 4 to indicate to the access management system 2 that the delivery person has arrived at the predetermined delivery address 5. The access management system 2 authenticates that the delivery and or delivery person 6 corresponds to the order made by the customer. If the delivery is successfully authenticated, the access management system 2 then sends a signal or authentication/access code to the lock 7 on the closure member of the receptor means to enable the delivery person 6 to unlock the lock 7. The access management system 2 sends the signal or authentication code to the lock 7 over the internet 19 or via the shared wireless network 4. Once the delivery has been completed, the receptor means is closed, the lock 7 is locked and may not be unlocked again without further authentication. The authentication code or signal used to control the lock is unique to the customer's lock and or the order.

As the delivery person 6 communicates directly with the access management system 2, there is no requirement for the delivery person 6 to physically enter a code to open the lock 7 or for any hand held device of the delivery person 6 to be compatible or be able to communicate with the customer's lock 7. In this way the delivery person 6 is able to

deliver to a number of customers, even though individual customer locks may be used to control access to different receptors or other access points, such as gates, doors etc.

In an alternative embodiment, authentication may proceed automatically by determining the geographic location of the delivery person 6 using a system such as GPS (global positioning system) which may be constantly monitored by the delivery company or supplier or access management system. When the geographic location of the delivery person is found to match the predetermined delivery address or location 5 requested by the customer, the access management system 2 transmits a signal through the internet 19 to unlock the lock 7.

The access management system 2 sends the authentication code or signal via the internet 19 or the shared wireless network 4 directly to the lock 7. The lock 7 may be directly connected to the internet for example via a local area network (LAN) or may be connected for example via a wireless network such as WiFi / 802.11 signal network) or other wireless communication means. The WiFi network may be from a wireless router in the house of the customer or may be a publicly available WiFi network. The signal can be encrypted for increased security.

Figure 2 shows a lock according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The lock 7 includes an electronic enabling circuit comprising a wireless network receiver 8 with an antenna 11 and an access code control unit 9. The lock 7 may be provided with a mains electrical connection to power the network transmitter/receiver 8 or a battery or solar powered means. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2, the lock 7 is provided with internal mechanical power generation means 10. When the delivery

person 6 wishes to leave a delivery at the customer's predetermined delivery address 5, the delivery person 6 turns a free turning thumb-turn handle 12. This turning motion drives a power generation means 10 such as a dynamo which provides sufficient power for the lock 7 to receive the signal from the access management system 2 and authenticate this code using the access code control unit 9. In this way, the lock 7 and its associated electronics remain in a normally un-powered passive state until the delivery person 6 wishes to make a delivery. The electronic components of the lock -therefore only need to be activated or awoken when access is required.

When the electronic enabling circuit of the lock 7 receives the correct authentication signal, which signal is transmitted to the lock 7 for a predetermined time whilst the delivery person 6 is at the receiving station or until the lock is unlocked; the power generation means 10 enables a solenoid to engage a pin 13 between a rotatable barrel 17 connected to the thumb-turn handle 12, and the barrel lock mechanism 16 such that continued turning of the handle releases the latch 14 and thereby unlocks the lock. The enabling circuit may also incorporate a transmitter to indicate to the access management system that it has received and recognised the authentication code.

The customer is also provided with a key 15 which may be used to unlock the lock 7 without an authentication code being sent by the access management system 2 or any of the electronic components 8, 9 of the lock needing to be activated. The key 15 is designed to engage through the barrel 17 of the thumb turn handle 12 with the barrel lock mechanism 16. The lock may be a conventional mechanical lock such as a cylinder or lever tumbler type.

Logic board circuit diagrams are shown in Figure 3 detailing the components of the lock shown in Figure 2.

The lock 7 may be used to control access to other closure members such as the front door of the consumer's premises or a special built-in compartment. The lock or access control system 2 may be applied in various applications where remote access control is desired.

The receptor means may be provided with a refrigeration unit controlled by signals over the internet and/or wireless network made at the time of delivery.

In the case of a delivery control system, the receptor means is preferably arranged so that the customer can access the goods purchased from inside his home either freely or by use of a key, but these are optional arrangements.