Safes without weak parts

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(4) The names of the parties to a joint research agreement.

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(5) Reference to a “Sequence Listing,” a table, or a computer program listing appendix submitted on a compact disc and an incorporation-by-reference of the material on the compact disc (see § 1.2(e)(5)). The total number of compact discs including duplicates and the files on each compact disc shall be specified.

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All the current safes have weak parts on their surface: combinations lock, key lock, keyboard, LCD screen, card reader, fingerprint scanner, etc. Users need these weak parts to open safes. It's much easier to destroy these weak parts than to destroy safe body and door. Even if the objects inside a safe stay intact after the weak parts are destroyed, the valid user (owner etc.) can no longer operate (open, close) the safe.

We invented a new design method for safe which makes all the weak parts disappear from safe surface. The new safe becomes a smooth, complete, and rigid metal brick (FIG. 2). The user facing functionality of the weak parts are moved to a handy object (a new safe key) carried by users. For example, the fingerprint scanner on current safe (FIG. 1) is split from the safe door and becomes a key (FIG. 3) used by user to open the new safe (FIG. 2).

The security class or burglary resistant capability of a safe is determined by the safe's weakest parts: combinations lock, key lock, keyboard, LCD screen, card reader, fingerprint scanner, etc (referred as weak parts below). The results of an attack to the safe include opening safe door, digging holes on safe door or body, or dysfunction of the above weak parts. The corresponding consequences are: Objects deposited inside the safe are stolen or destroyed. Even if those objects stay intact, the safe owner is no longer able to operate the safe. A new design method about safe is disclosed in this invention. The new safe has no weak parts on its surface. It's obvious that weak parts are easier to destroy than safe door and body, which is why they are called weak parts. For safes without weak parts on their surface, these weak parts (in user's hand or inside safe) are not so easy to be attacked on. The GSA class or UL Certification is improved for the new safe. Users will find the new safe is more secure and convenient to use. The design method applies to other security containers and doors.

Almost all the safes are made of metal, which is able to transfer signals. The functionality of the weak parts (combinations lock, key lock, keyboard, LCD screen, card reader, fingerprint scanner, etc.) on the surface of the existing safes is divided into two components to implement. One component (referred as PART_1 below) is moved inside the safe, the other component (referred as PART_2 below) is built into a handy object (new safe key).

The communication between PART_1 and PART_2 can be done in many different ways which are not our invention. For example, PART_2 sends out radio wave and PART_1 receives radio wave. PART_2 or user sends out sound and PART_1 receives sound. If PART_1 has some infrared sensor which is built into the gap between safe body and closed door, then PART_1 can talk to PART_2 which has a infrared sensor. X-ray may be used for the communication between PART_1 and PART_2. 1-Wire Protocol based iButton technology may be used for the communication between PART_1 and PART_2 too.

PART_2 includes all the necessary user interface objects, i.e. combinations lock, key lock, keyboard, LCD screen, card reader, fingerprint scanner, etc. These user facing parts are used to gather information from user: password input via keyboard, fingerprint scanned from fingerprint scanner, etc. PART_1 includes safe controllers and all the background parts inside the safe. PART_1 receives the information gathered by PART_2 and works with PART_2 to achieve the desired functionality. For example, fingerprint scanner (PART_2) scans user's fingerprint and converts to data. The data is transferred into safe controller (PART_1) inside safe and compared with fingerprint data base. Based on comparison result, the safe controller controls the driving mechanism to open safe door.

The connection between PART_1 and safe surface is able to withstand electrical overflow, vibration, heat, water etc. which are caused by burglar physical impacts or natural hazards.

Since all the weak parts are disappeared from the safe surface, the safe becomes a smooth, complete, and rigid metal brick. Refer to FIG. 1˜3, the only difference between the old safe (FIG. 1) and the new safe (FIG. 2) is the fingerprint scanner is moved away from the surface of the old safe. It's obvious that the new safe has a better resistant capability to burglary and natural disaster.

(10) A claim or claims.

In a separate file.

(11) Abstract of the disclosure.

In a separate file.

(12) “Sequence Listing,” if on paper (see §§ 1.821 through 1.825).

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