EP0244332B1 - Remotely controlled system for relay-operated locking devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a high security electronic key-lock system with wireless remote control, actuating opening and closing relays comprising a transmitting key and a receiving lock.

There are remote control systems of this type which make it possible, by identification of a code transmitted by the key to the lock in which this code has been pre-registered, to activate said lock.

These systems, such as that which is the subject of patent application EP-A-0 099 762, have the major drawback of allowing the interception of the codes emitted by the key and their reproduction and are therefore of questionable security.

Patent application WO-A-85 01980 concerning an optical transmission key and a lock capable of accepting several codes from the key also has the drawback of interceptable and reusable codes: in fact, the lock checks only if the code received is well saved in his memory.

Various systems have been proposed in order to alleviate the insecurity which results from the above systems.

One of these systems is presented in application FR-A-2 536 781. The latter describes a key emitting a code taken from a succession of different predetermined codes and a lock recognizing a signal forming part of this succession. Successive actuations of the key cause the issuance one after the other of codes in the order of succession and the lock on each actuation is ready to receive the next code in succession. This installation has the drawback of desynchronization between key and lock, in particular in the event of blank firing of the key.

In order to overcome this drawback, the installation according to this request FR-A-2 536 781 comprises a resynchronization system which consists in simultaneously transmitting to the code a signal allowing the lock in the event of a mismatch between the code received and the code which had to be received, to consider one of the following codes in the succession and to compare it with the code received.

Another resynchronization system exposed in the cited request consists in sending an auxiliary code allowing a reinitialization in the succession of codes of the key and of the lock.
However, in the case where the key is intended to open several locks, desynchronizations are frequent and the locks will be set to accept codes already issued. In addition, this system does not prevent desynchronizations, each of them requiring manual intervention detrimental to the comfort of use and safety.

Other systems of the prior art propose a solution to overcome the desynchronization which consists in using a key and a lock both receiving transmitters. However, these systems, of which the application EP-A-0 098 437 is a concrete embodiment thereof, have the major drawback of a high cost.

In application EP-A-0 432 270 is presented a card unlocking system. This system does not present the risk of interception between a key and a lock and therefore does not include means avoiding this risk, the card serving as a key always containing the same information. It would therefore not be safe to implement this operating principle in a remote control system because the information could be very easily intercepted and reproduced to actuate the lock.

Systems having a clock in the key and the lock based on entirely different principles of the invention do not avoid desynchronization either.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks by proposing a wireless remote control key-lock system, in which the key is transmitting and transmits unpredictable and different codes during each transmission and in which the lock is receiving and identifies the transmitting key from the variable codes received, accepts these codes if they come from an authorized key and permanently eliminates any code already accepted.

• un clavier (G),
• une mémoire (B) du numéro (X) de la clé,
• un compteur, à mémoire (C), incrémenté de façon univoque, lors de chaque émission de la clé dont la valeur est nommée (TXY),
• un calculateur (D) générant, par un algorithme secret, un code nommé (TCXSY) à partir de données contenues dans la clé,
• et un émetteur (F),

To this end, the key-lock system according to the invention comprises a key having a transmission function and a lock having a reception and activation function of opening and closing relays, each key comprises:

• a keyboard (G),
• a memory (B) of the number (X) of the key,
• a counter, with memory (C), incremented unequivocally, during each transmission of the key whose value is named (TXY),
• a computer (D) generating, by a secret algorithm, a code named (TCXSY) from data contained in the key,
• and a transmitter (F),

• un clavier (G′),
• un récepteur (F′) des signaux émis par l'émetteur (F) de la clé,
• une mémoire (A′) des numéros (X) des clés autorisées à actionner la serrure,
• un calculateur (D′) générant par le même algorithme que celui de la clé un code nommé (TSYCX),
• un comparateur (J′) de données et codes émis par la clé avec d'autres données et codes de la serrure.

and each lock includes:

• a keyboard (G ′),
• a receiver (F ′) of the signals transmitted by the transmitter (F) of the key,
• a memory (A ′) of the numbers (X) of the keys authorized to actuate the lock,
• a calculator (D ′) generating by the same algorithm as that of the key a code named (TSYCX),
• a comparator (J ′) of data and codes transmitted by the key with other data and codes of the lock.

• en ce que la clé émet par son émetteur (F), avec le code (TCXSY) généré par son calculateur (D), la valeur (TXY) de son compteur interne variable lors de chaque émission,
• en ce que la valeur variable émise (TXY) du compteur clé entre dans la génération par le calculateur (D) du code variable (TCXSY) émis par la clé,
• en ce que la serrure comporte une mémoire (A′), associant à chaque numéro (X) de clé autorisée la valeur (TYX) du compteur émis par la clé lors de la dernière acceptation par cette serrure d'une émission de cette clé,
• en ce que la serrure, par son comparateur (J′) vérifie lors de la réception d'une émission que la valeur (TXY) du compteur clé est incrémentée par rapport à la valeur (TYX) inscrite dans la mémoire (A′) de la serrure pour la clé considérée et rejette l'émission dans le cas contraire,
• en ce que la serrure, par le moyen de son calculateur (D′) génère le code (TSYCX) à comparer au code (TCXSY) reçu de la clé à partir de données comprenant la valeur variable (TXY) du compteur clé émise par la dite clé.

This system is essentially characterized,

• in that the key transmits by its transmitter (F), with the code (TCXSY) generated by its calculator (D), the value (TXY) of its variable internal counter during each transmission,
• in that the variable value emitted (TXY) from the key counter enters the generation by the computer (D) of the variable code (TCXSY) emitted by the key,
• in that the lock has a memory (A ′), associating with each authorized key number (X) the value (TYX) of the counter emitted by the key during the last acceptance by this lock of an emission of this key,
• in that the lock, by its comparator (J ′) verifies upon reception of a transmission that the value (TXY) of the key counter is incremented compared to the value (TYX) written in the memory (A ′) of the lock for the key in question and rejects the transmission otherwise,
• in that the lock, by means of its calculator (D ′) generates the code (TSYCX) to be compared to the code (TCXSY) received from the key from data comprising the variable value (TXY) of the key counter emitted by the said key.

These characteristics allow the keys to issue codes that are always variable and the locks to identify the keys from the reception of the variable, unpredictable codes, with automatic synchronization because the lock generates its code from information received from the key.

• Une mémoire A dans laquelle sont enregistrés les repères Ry des serrures à actionner, associés aux numéros Y de ces serrures.
  Ry et Y sont mémorisés dans la clé par son utilisateur. Le repère Ry de la serrure librement choisi par son utilisateur est unique pour chaque clé qui l'associe au numéro Y de la serrure dans une table de correspondance.

As shown in the attached figure given by way of nonlimiting example, the key-lock system according to the invention comprises a key comprising:

• A memory A in which the references Ry of the locks to be actuated are recorded, associated with the numbers Y of these locks.
  Ry and Y are stored in the key by its user. The lock frame Ry freely chosen by its user is unique for each key which associates it with the lock number Y in a correspondence table.

• Une mémoire B dans laquelle le numéro de la clé X considérée est enregistré par construction. A chaque clé correspond un numéro X unique.
• Un compteur interne à la clé avec sa mémoire C. Ce compteur est incrémenté de façon univoque à chaque émission de la clé. La valeur de ce compteur est nommée TXY.
• Un calculateur D qui génère un code nommé TCXSY résultant de la combinaison, par un algorithme à clé secrète, du numéro Y de la serrure que l'on désire actionner, du numéro X de la clé et de la valeur TXY du compteur clé.
  Ce code TCXSY varie à chaque émission de la clé du fait que la combinaison à partir de laquelle il est obtenu utilise la valeur TXY qui varie à chaque action sur la clé.
• Une mémoire E comprenant par construction de la clé deux signaux (+) et (-) reconnaissables par la serrure et signifiant à cette dernière le type d'ordre reçu, ouverture ou fermeture.
• Un émetteur F transmettant à la serrure, par tous moyens connus, le signal (+) ou (-), le numéro Y de la serrure à actionner, le numéro X de la clé en action, la valeur TXY du compteur de la dite clé et le code TCXSY généré par le calculateur D.
• Des moyens G permettent l'introduction des données Ry et Y dans la mémoire A et la désignation de la serrure à actionner par son repère Ry.
• Des connexions I et H entre les éléments ci-dessus énoncés.

Memory A therefore contains the list of all the duos Ry, Y of the locks to be actuated.

• A memory B in which the number of the key X considered is recorded by construction. Each key has a unique X number.
• An internal counter to the key with its memory C. This counter is unequivocally incremented each time the key is transmitted. The value of this counter is named TXY.
• A computer D which generates a code called TCXSY resulting from the combination, by a secret key algorithm, of the number Y of the lock which it is desired to actuate, of the number X of the key and of the value TXY of the key counter.
  This TCXSY code varies each time the key is issued because the combination from which it is obtained uses the TXY value which varies with each action on the key.
• A memory E comprising by construction of the key two signals (+) and (-) recognizable by the lock and signifying to the latter the type of order received, opening or closing.
• A transmitter F transmitting to the lock, by any known means, the signal (+) or (-), the number Y of the lock to be actuated, the number X of the key in action, the value TXY of the counter of said key and the TCXSY code generated by the computer D.
• Means G allow the introduction of the data Ry and Y into the memory A and the designation of the lock to be actuated by its reference frame Ry.
• Connections I and H between the above-mentioned elements.

The data sent by the key, that is to say, Y, X, TXY and TCXSY, and interceptable, are not secret.
TXY and TCXSY change during each transmission and TCXSY is unpredictable because the algorithm which generates it is secret.

• Une mémoire A′ contenant les numéros X des clés autorisées à actionner la dite serrure et dans laquelle est associée, en correspondance avec chaque numéro de clé X, la valeur TYX du compteur interne reçue de chaque clé lors de la dernière émission acceptée par la serrure.
• Une mémoire B′ dans laquelle est enregistré par construction le numéro Y de chaque serrure.
• Un calculateur D′ générant une combinaison nommée TSYCX, par un algorithme identique à celui de la clé, à partir du numéro Y de la serrure, du numéro X de la clé et de la valeur TXY du compteur de la clé reçus lors de l'émission de cette dernière. Cette combinaison est générée après vérification que TXY reçu de la clé est à un niveau incrémenté par rapport à la valeur antérieure TYX mémorisée dans A′ en correspondance de la clé en action et correspondant à la valeur du compteur clé lors de l'émission précédente de cette dernière et acceptée par la serrure.
• Une mémoire E′ comprenant par construction de la serrure des signaux (+) et (-) identiques à ceux de la clé et signifiant à la serrure par comparaison, le type d'ordre reçu de la clé, ouverture ou fermeture.
• Un récepteur F′ recevant de la clé les informations émises par cette dernière.
• Des moyens G′ d'introduction dans la mémoire A′ des numéros X des clés autorisées.
• Un comparateur J′ qui vérifie :
  • que le numéro de la serrure Y reçu de la clé correspond au numéro Y enregistré dans la mémoire B′ de la serrure,
  • que le numéro X de la clé est bien mémorisé dans la mémoire A′ de la serrure,
  • que la valeur TXY du compteur reçue de la clé est à un niveau supérieur à celui de la valeur du compteur TYX mémorisée dans la mémoire A′ en correspondance de la clé actionnée,
  • et que le code TCXSY reçu de la clé est identique au code TSYCX généré par le calculateur D′ de la serrure.

The lock of the system according to the invention comprises:

• A memory A ′ containing the numbers X of the keys authorized to actuate the said lock and in which is associated, in correspondence with each key number X, the TYX value of the internal counter received from each key during the last transmission accepted by the lock.
• A memory B ′ in which the number Y of each lock is recorded by construction.
• A computer D ′ generating a combination called TSYCX, by an algorithm identical to that of the key, from the number Y of the lock, the number X of the key and the value TXY of the counter of the key received during the issue of the latter. This combination is generated after checking that TXY received from the key is at an incremented level compared to the previous value TYX stored in A ′ in correspondence of the key in action and corresponding to the value of the key counter during the previous transmission of the latter and accepted by the lock.
• A memory E ′ comprising by construction of the lock signals (+) and (-) identical to those of the key and signifying to the lock by comparison, the type of order received from the key, opening or closing.
• A receiver F ′ receiving from the key the information transmitted by the latter.
• Means G ′ of introducing into the memory A ′ the numbers X of the authorized keys.
• A comparator J ′ which checks:
  • that the number of lock Y received from the key corresponds to the number Y recorded in memory B ′ of the lock,
  • that the number X of the key is well memorized in memory A ′ of the lock,
  • that the value TXY of the counter received from the key is at a level higher than that of the value of the counter TYX stored in the memory A ′ in correspondence with the actuated key,
  • and that the code TCXSY received from the key is identical to the code TSYCX generated by the computer D ′ of the lock.

If all the previous conditions are met, the comparator authorizes, depending on the signal (+) or (-) received from the key, the closing or opening of a relay 1.

This comparator then increments, via a connection C ′, the value TYX, recorded in the memory A ′ of the lock in correspondence of the key considered, at the level of the value TXY received from the key.

- Connections I ′ and H ′ between the above components.

The key-lock system thus described is an analog representation of an electronic component which can group together all the memory, comparator and calculator functions.

• La clé ne peut actionner la serrure que si l'on a enregistré dans sa mémoire A le numéro Y de la dite serrure et la serrure ne peut être actionnée par la clé que si l'on a enregistré dans sa mémoire A′ le numéro X de la clé actionnée.
  Ces introductions sont protégées par un code d'accès à la mémoire de chacun des éléments.
• La serrure avant d'accepter une émission d'une clé, vérifie que la valeur TXY du compteur reçue de cette clé est incrémentée par rapport à la valeur TYX correspondante inscrite dans la mémoire A′ de la serrure.
• La valeur TXY du compteur de la clé varie à chaque émission de la clé et le code TCXSY obtenu en utilisant entre autres la dite valeur TXY varie également à chaque émission de la clé.
• La serrure gènére elle-même le code TSYCX à comparer à celui TCXSY de la clé, à partir des informations reçues de la clé et vérifiées.
• La serrure élimine définitivement tout code déjà accepté car elle élimine toute valeur du compteur clé non incrémentée par rapport à la valeur mémorisée dans la serrure, interdisant ainsi l'utilisation de messages interceptés.
• Les codes émis par la clé et reçus par la serrure sont imprévisibles car l'algorithme des calculateurs D et D′ est secret et inscrit d'une façon non lisible dans ces calculateurs.
• Les ensembles clé-serrure ainsi constitués permettent à un ensemble de clés d'ouvrir une serrure par introduction dans chaque clé des informations serrure et dans la serrure des informations clés et permettent à chaque clé d'ouvrir un ensemble de serrures par la même méthode.

The key-lock assembly according to the invention meets all the security requirements in this area:

• The key can only activate the lock if you have stored the number Y of said lock in its memory A and the lock can only be activated by the key if you have stored the number X in its memory A ′ of the activated key.
  These introductions are protected by an access code to the memory of each of the elements.
• The lock before accepting a transmission of a key, verifies that the value TXY of the counter received from this key is incremented with respect to the corresponding value TYX written in the memory A ′ of the lock.
• The TXY value of the key counter varies with each transmission of the key and the TCXSY code obtained by using, inter alia, said TXY value also varies with each transmission of the key.
• The lock itself generates the TSYCX code to be compared to that of the key, TCXSY, from the information received from the key and verified.
• The lock permanently eliminates any code already accepted because it eliminates any value of the key counter not incremented compared to the value stored in the lock, thus prohibiting the use of intercepted messages.
• The codes emitted by the key and received by the lock are unpredictable because the algorithm of the computers D and D ′ is secret and written in an unreadable manner in these calculators.
• The key-lock assemblies thus formed allow a set of keys to open a lock by introducing lock information into each key and into the lock key information and allow each key to open a set of locks by the same method.

The interception of messages does not in any case allow, even if they are reproduced, to actuate a lock or to disturb its operation because the value TYX of the lock counter is not brought up to the value TXY of the counter of the key only if the lock has been actuated.

The proposed invention ensures the inviolability of the key-lock system with remote control and transmitter key and receiver lock because the combination issued is variable with each transmission, is unpredictable and is ineffective if it is reproduced after interception.

Claims (3)

1. A system of keys and locks for remote operation by wireless, in which the key has a transmitting function and the lock has a function of reception and of energising opening and closing relays (1), in which each key comprises:

- a keyboard (G)

- a memory (B) of the number (X) of the key,

- a counter having a memory (C), incremented in univocal manner at the time of each transmission of the key the value of which is appointed (TXY),

- a calculator (D) which by means of a secret algorithm generates an appointed code (TCXSY) from data contained in the key,

- and a transmitter (F)

and in which each lock comprises:

- a keyboard (G′),

- a reveiver (F′) for the signals transmitted by the transmitter (F) of the key,

- a memory (A′) of the numbers (X) of the keys authorised to operate the lock,

- a calculator (D′) generating an appointed code (TSYCX) by means of the same algorithm as that of the key,

- a comparator (J′) of the data and codes transmitted by the key with other data and codes of the lock,

being a system characterised:

- in that the key transmits via its transmitter (F), with the code (TCXSY) generated by its calculator (D), the value (TXY) of its internal counter which is variable at the time of each transmission,

- in that the transmitted variable value (TXY) of the key counter comes into the generation by the calculator (D) of the variable code (TCXSY) transmitted by the key,

- in that the lock includes a memory (A′) allocating to each authorised key number (X) the value (TYX) of the counter transmitted by the key at the time of the last acceptance by this lock of a transmission from this key,

- in that the lock, by its comparator (J′), checks upon receiving a transmission that the value (TXY) of the key counter has been incremented as compared to the value (TYX) entered in the memory (A′) of the lock for the key in question and rejects the transmission if the contrary is the case,

- in that the lock, by means of it calculator (D′) generates the code (TSYCX) to compare with the code (TCXSY) received from the key from data comprising the variable value (TXY) of the key counter transmitted by the said key.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the comparator (J′) stores in the memory (A′), via the connection (C′), the counter value received at the time of a transmission of a key corresponding to the number of this key, only if the lock has been activated by the transmission from this key.

3. A system according to claim 1, in which the key comprises a memory (A) of the numbers (Y) of the locks which may be activated by the key and in which the lock comprises a memory (B′) of the lock number (Y), characterised in that the variable codes (TCXSY) generated by the key and (TSYCX) generated by the lock result from combining data comprising the number (X) of the key stored in the memory (B) of the key and (A′) of the lock, the number (Y) of the lock which is to be activated present in the memory (A) of the key and (B′) of the lock and the counter value (TXY) transmitted by the key, and in that the comparator (J′) authorises the operation of the lock ordered by the key if the codes (TCXSY) transmitted by the key and (TSYCX) generated by the lock are identical.

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