ELECTRONIC SECURITY APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

摘要

A security apparatus (10) includes a microcomputer (12) and associated memory (14). The memory stores access codes (28) that are compared with codes input via a keypad (16). Where the input code matches a stored access code then access is provided to a device protected by the security apparatus. The access codes are generated according to an algorithm. The input codes are generated in accordance with the same algorithm, but are allocated by a remote server. The security apparatus can be attached to a device such as a delivery box. In an alternative embodiment, the secure apparatus can be used as a meter for example, such as a parking meter or to provide pre-purchased allocations of utility commodities such as electricity.