Communications: electrical – Continuously variable indicating – With meter reading
Patent
1995-02-06
1997-10-14
Holloway, III, Edwin C.
Communications: electrical
Continuously variable indicating
With meter reading
70278, E05B 4700
Patent
active
056776829
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a lock system of the type comprising a lock shell, a lock core, a key for insertion into the lock core, a number of locking pins installed in the lock shell and the lock core, and where the key shaft has a given mechanical key profile corresponding to the configuration of the locking pins and specific to the lock in question, which lock system furthermore preferably includes an electro-optical arrangement for reading a code, where the said code is specific to the lock in question and its corresponding key.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Lock systems of the type mentioned above are for instance known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,559. These lock systems are primarily intended for use in connection with the theft proofing of motor vehicles, but may in addition be utilized for instance for the protection of rooms and offices, to which unauthorized persons are not to be admitted, safe deposit boxes, and the like.
With reference to the mentioned document, a flat key in combination with a light emitting diode and a photo diode for an analogue reading of the coded profile of the edge of the key are utilized. The light intensity received by the photo diode is in direct relation to the depth of the cuts in the key shaft, and the thus established analogue electrical signal reproduces the edge profile of the key shaft, when the key is inserted into the lock core. The electrical signal is then by wire sent from the lock shell to a circuit, which analyzes the signal, compares it to one or several reference signals in a memory bank, and determines whether the lock can be accepted as valid.
A drawback of this technique is that an analogue reading is employed, where this reading may be encumbered by errors caused for instance by wear, dirt, electrical noise, etc. In addition, there is only a relatively limited number of possible combinations of peaks and troughs in the key profile, which among other things is due to the fact that the key profile is read by one light emitting diode/photo diode unit, while the key is in motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention aims to remedy such drawbacks, and provides a lock system which gives a high degree of protection.
In order to achieve this, a lock system according to the invention of the type mentioned above is characterized the longitudinal direction of the key shaft, respect to the longitudinal axis of the key shaft coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the lock core, extend substantially perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the key shaft, respectively, with respect to the lock core, is placed at least one light transmitter and one light receiver. transmitting channels, one end of the said channels opening out into the longitudinal centre line of the key shaft, and respectively, with respect to the lock core, is placed two light signal transmitting channels, which are positioned in such a manner as to transmit a light signal from the light transmitter to the light receiver for at least one given angular position of the lock core, where the core is turned by the key.
The invention relies on the realization that the combination of a reading of a key profile of a stationary key with the actual mechanical actuation (turning) of the lock core, by which the light signal for reading the code of the key is transmitted through the lock cylinder, provides the opportunity for an on-site determination of whether the key fits the lock and, whether it possesses the correct code.
Further suitable embodiments of the lock system according to the invention are apparent in the dependent claims.
The electromechanical lock system according to the invention is divided into three units: and the code generator, and from this site the user may actuate and release the lock system by means of an external, code medium, i.e. a coded key.
The transportation medium serves the purpose of transporting the code from the electromechanical lock and code generator placed at the actuating site to the electronic code lock placed at the locki
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patent: 4288780 (1981-09-01), Theodoru et al.
patent: 4734693 (1988-03-01), Dluhosch et al.
patent: 4791280 (1988-12-01), O'Connel et al.
patent: 4868559 (1989-09-01), Pinnow
patent: 5006843 (1991-04-01), Hauer
Poulsen Arne Kristian
Thorsen Anders Christian
Thorsen Jan Stefan
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