Electronic Key Authentication for Safe Deposit Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical safe deposit boxes are vulnerable to key duplication, compromising the security of stored valuables, as they rely on traditional mechanical keys that can be easily replicated.
Innovation Solution
An electronic locking system utilizing a set of electronic keys, including an active electronic key with a power source and a passive electronic key, which employs digital key generation, encryption, and authentication through a processor and non-volatile memory to ensure secure operation, requiring both keys for authentication and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical keys are used for safe deposit boxes, then the operation is simple and cost-effective, but the security is compromised due to ease of key duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical key systems with electronic key systems that use digital encryption and authentication. The electronic key contains a processor and memory that generate and transmit encrypted digital keys, eliminating the physical mechanical components that are vulnerable to duplication. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying and encryption methods where the physical key is replaced by electronic data that can be securely copied and transmitted only to authorized devices. The digital key can be replicated only through authorized electronic processes, not physical duplication, solving the security vulnerability of mechanical key copying.
2Reliability
If electronic keys with power sources are used, then the authentication security is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electronic key system into two segments: active electronic keys with power sources for high-security authentication, and passive electronic keys without power sources for simpler applications. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce different types of keys based on security requirements, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high security where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic key design incorporates multiple functions including authentication, encryption, and communication capabilities in a single device. The key can operate in both active mode (with power source) and passive mode (without power source), making it universally applicable to different security levels and reducing the need for multiple specialized key types.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates a set of electronic keys for an electronic lock. The set of electronic keys includes at least one passive electronic key having a passive digital key, and at least one active electronic key having an active digital key. Each of passive and active electronic keys includes a communication channel and an electronic key power supply port. The active electronic key includes electrical power source providing electrical power supply to the active electronic key itself, the electronic lock and the passive electronic key through the electronic lock to operate the electronic lock. When both active and passive electronic keys are inserted into respective electronic keyholes of the electronic lock, both active and passive digital keys are transmitted to the electronic lock, the electronic lock can be locked and unlocked only when both active and passive digital keys received match prestored active and passive digital keys respectively.