Smart lock system

Abstract

An electronic access control and recording system includes a lock, a card reader, a key card configured to communicate with the lock and with the card reader, a database, and an administrator microprocessor configured to provide a user interface and to communicate with the database and with the card reader. At least one of the lock and the card contain a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory storing encrypted information. In use, the key card provides access to the lock and transfers the encrypted information between the lock and the database via the card reader and the administrator microprocessor. The administrator microprocessor provides a user interface for reviewing and administering the database. The user interface also provides account and password qualification for users.

1 . A smart lock system, comprising:
 an electronic lock; and   a key card engageable with the lock for communication therebetween;   wherein one of the lock and the card comprises a first microprocessor, a first memory, and a first memory access encryption engine in communication with the first microprocessor and in communication with the first memory, and the other of the lock and the card comprises a second memory that stores information including an encryption key by which the first memory access encryption engine encrypts and decrypts at least some information stored in the first memory, the first microprocessor being configured to open the lock based on comparing encrypted information in the first memory to encrypted information in the second memory.   
     
     
         2 . The smart lock system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first microprocessor copies the encryption key from the first memory to the second memory when the key card is engaged with the lock, and the second microprocessor removes the encryption key from the second memory when the key card is disengaged from the lock. 
     
     
         3 . The smart lock system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first microprocessor and the first memory are comprised within the card, and wherein the first microprocessor compares a list of lock serial numbers in the first memory to a lock serial number in the second memory. 
     
     
         4 . The smart lock system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first microprocessor and the first memory are comprised within the lock, and wherein the first microprocessor compares a lock serial number in the first memory to a list of lock serial numbers in the second memory. 
     
     
         5 . The smart lock system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first microprocessor and the first memory are comprised within the lock, and wherein the first microprocessor compares a list of card serial numbers in the first memory to a card serial number in the second memory. 
     
     
         6 . The smart lock system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one of the first memory and the second memory that is comprised within the card stores an expiration date and time, wherein the lock further comprises a clock indicating a current date and time, wherein the expiration date and time are modifiable by engaging the card with a card reader, and wherein the card functions to open the lock only when the expiration date and time are later than the current date and time. 
     
     
         7 . A smart lock system, comprising:
 a plurality of electronic locks, each lock containing encrypted lock information specific to that lock;   a card reader;   a plurality of key cards engageable with each of the plurality of locks, and with the card reader, for communication therebetween, each key card containing encrypted card information and encrypted lock information specific to that card;   an administrator microprocessor in communication with the card reader;   a display and an input device in communication with the administrator microprocessor and with the card reader; and   a database in communication with the administrator microprocessor,   wherein the database contains encrypted card information and encrypted lock information for each lock and key card of the system,   wherein each of the plurality of cards further contains unencrypted card information including an activity log key usable for decrypting the encrypted lock information, the administrator microprocessor is configured to provide a user interface to the display for receiving a user authentication when one of the plurality of cards is engaged with the card reader, the administrator microprocessor is configured to query the database for a match between the user authentication and a portion of the unencrypted card information, and the administrator microprocessor obtains the activity log key from the card reader only when the database returns the match,   such that the encrypted lock information can be decrypted only when one of the plurality of cards is engaged with the lock, or with the card reader, and the encrypted system information can be decrypted only when one of the plurality of cards is engaged with the card reader.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the encrypted card information includes, for each card, a list of locks accessible by the card. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the encrypted lock information includes at least one list of cards not permitted to access one of more of the locks.