Systems and methods for providing secure locks having redundant access channels are disclosed. In some embodiments of the invention, the smart lock has a hardware processor, a power source, a cylinder, a button that forms a rose knob, and a rose protector. The rose knob and rose protector protect and conceal the hardware processor, the power source, and the cylinder. The rose protector forms an annular groove that slidably interlocks with the rose knob. The rose knob has a plurality of redundant access channels for receiving authentication information. The redundant access channels may include a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad for entering a token, or a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device. When the user cannot open the lock through the first redundant access channel, the smart lock is configured to allow access through a second access channel.

It is presented a portable access control communication device comprising: a housing for protecting a key device, the access control communication device; a socket arranged to hold a blade of a key device, the socket comprising a connector for communication with the key device; a cellular radio communication module; and a controller. The controller is arranged to communicate, using the cellular radio communication module, with an access control device over a cellular communication network when a key device is provided in the socket such that there is electric contact between the key device and the socket. A corresponding method, computer program and computer program product area also presented.

The present disclosure relates to a slim smart card key for a vehicle and a control method thereof, and improves assembly convenience and product durability by including including the following: a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) to which a plurality of electronic components are soldered, which has a predetermined thickness, and in which a spare key receiving part and a battery receiving part are formed, wherein the spare key receiving part is formed by vertically cutting one side of the PCB and thus is vertically hollow, and the battery receiving part is formed by vertically cutting the other side of the PCB and thus is vertically hollow; a body part which has a spare key entrance hole for inserting a spare key through the spare key receiving part, and a battery entrance hole for inserting a battery through the battery receiving part, and which is injection molded to embrace the PCB while the PCB is inserted into a mold; a spare key settling part which is moved toward the spare key receiving part from above or below the PCB before the body part is injection molded, and then sits on and fixed onto a circumference of the spare key receiving part; and a terminal assembly which is moved in the same direction as that of the spare key settling part before the body part is injection molded, and then sits on and fixed onto a circumference of the battery receiving part.

Systems are provided for a backup entry and user authentication system for a vehicle. In one example, the system includes a smart phone having a housing that defines at least one recess. The system also includes an entry key having a blade adapted to mate with a lock of the vehicle to gain entry into the vehicle. The entry key is removably retained within the at least one recess. The system includes a transponder associated with the smart phone that outputs one or more signals that identifies a user to a processor of the vehicle, and the processor of the vehicle enables a startup of a propulsion system of the vehicle based on the identification.

An access control system and a method for operating an access control system are provided. The access control system includes an access control device. The method provides a step for initiating the transmission of the advertising signal by a communication module of the access control device, the advertising signal being received by a mobile device. The method provides a step for automatically receiving an access credential from the mobile device to the communication module of the access control device. The method provides a step for comparing, in an authentication module, the access credential with an authorized access credential (e.g., stored in a memory of the access control device).

It is presented a portable access control communication device comprising: a housing for protecting a key device, the access control communication device; a socket arranged to hold a blade of a key device, the socket comprising a connector for communication with the key device; a cellular radio communication module; and a controller. The controller is arranged to communicate, using the cellular radio communication module, with an access control device over a cellular communication network when a key device is provided in the socket such that there is electric contact between the key device and the socket. A corresponding method, computer program and computer program product area also presented.

This invention relates to a transponder key testing device and to a method of testing a transponder key. The transponder key may be used with any article using transponder key technology, typically a motor vehicle. The transponder key testing device has a first memory (30) in which is stored data relating to an article signal emitted by each one of a number of articles (10) and a second memory (32) in which is stored data relating to a response signal emitted by each one of a number of transponder keys (20). The testing device has a receiver (24) adapted to receive the article signal and the response signal. The testing device compares the article signal with data in the first memory, compares the response signal with data in the second memory, and determines whether or not the transponder key (20) is compatible with the article (10). There is also provided a method of testing a transponder key for compatibility with a particular article.

A card-type smart key includes: a PCB substrate on which components are mounted; and an EMC case which is coupled to the component mounting surface of the PCB substrate, wherein the EMC case is formed by: fixing the component non-mounting surface of the PCB substrate onto a lower plate of a mold after bringing the component non-mounting surface into close contact with the lower plate; covering the component mounting surface of the PCB substrate with an upper plate of the mold, leaving a preset space; and inputting a molding material into the preset space.

An electronic key for a vehicle includes an upper case component of a key case, a lower case component attachable to the upper case component, and a mechanical key that is selected from among a first mechanical key that is used in a state of being totally removed from the key case and a second mechanical key that is used in a protruding state of partially protruding from the key case. The lower case component is selected, so as to correspond to the mechanical key, from among a first lower case component that accommodates the first mechanical key to be removable and a second lower case component that accommodates the second mechanical key to be movable into the protruding state.

Disclosed is a smart key in which an auxiliary key can be inserted and a method of manufacturing the smart key. The smart key for a vehicle comprises a substrate on which components are mounted; a key accommodation unit formed on the substrate, and a housing into which an auxiliary key is capable of being inserted and a plurality of protrusions arranged inside the housing such that the auxiliary key is sandwiched between the plurality of protrusions when the auxiliary key is inserted into the housing; and a case covering the substrate and the key accommodation unit, wherein the housing includes a through-hole configured such that a part of the housing adjacent to the through-hole is capable of flexibly displacing relative to the other parts of the housing to widen a vertical gap in the housing by an external force applied to the auxiliary key.