Separated Electromechanical Locking for Tamper-Resistant Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement machine locking systems are vulnerable to unauthorized opening through drilling and require entire cylinder replacement upon key loss, lacking effective security and management efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A locking system featuring an electromechanical unit spatially and mechanically separate from the lock, controlled by a key with stored identification codes, using wireless communication and encryption, ensuring authorization checks and tamper-resistant mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a key-operated cylinder locking mechanism is integrated directly onto the cylinder's shaft, then the locking system is simple in structure, but it becomes vulnerable to drilling and unauthorized opening
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two independent parts: a separate lock component that receives the key and a separate locking unit that performs the actual locking action. The lock and locking unit are spatially and mechanically separated, connected only through signal technology. This segmentation prevents drilling attacks because the key-operated lock cannot directly control the locking mechanism, eliminating the vulnerability in simple integrated systems.
2Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is integrated directly onto the cylinder's shaft, then the system is easy to operate, but the entire cylinder must be replaced if a key is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the lock from the locking unit, the system allows independent replacement or reconfiguration. When a key is lost, only the key identification code needs to be blocked in the control module, not the entire locking mechanism. The lock body remains functional, and new keys with different identification codes can be issued without replacing hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses key identification codes stored in memory units rather than relying solely on physical key characteristics. This parameter change from mechanical key uniqueness to programmable identification codes allows flexible key management where codes can be blocked, deactivated, or reissued electronically, simplifying key management while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If multiple key-operated cylinders are installed in each amusement machine, then each machine can be secured individually, but a large number of different keys are required to operate multiple machines
Solution Approach 1:
The lock component is designed as a universal interface that can be used across multiple amusement machines. The same lock body with key reception capability can operate on different machines, while the locking units may vary. Key identification codes are programmed to grant access to specific machines or groups of machines, allowing a single physical key design to serve multiple functions across the fleet.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from requiring multiple physical keys with different mechanical configurations to using a single key design with programmable identification codes. The control module stores and verifies these codes, allowing flexible assignment of access rights. This parameter change enables centralized key management where one key can be programmed to access multiple machines, or different keys can be issued with specific access permissions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a locking system (10) for an amusement machine (12), comprising an electromechanical locking unit (100), a lock (14) spatially and mechanically separated from the locking unit (100), a control module (16) connected to the locking unit (100) and the lock (14) by means of a signal for controlling the locking system (10), and a key (24) compatible with the lock (14), wherein the key (24) has a first storage unit (26) for storing a key identification code, and wherein the control module (16) is configured to initiate data transmission to the key (24), to read the key identification code stored in the first storage unit (26) of the key (24), and to verify it using the key identification number.whether authorization exists to operate the electromechanical locking unit (100) and - if authorization exists - to issue a control command to actuate the electromechanical locking unit (100),