Electronic access control device

• US 20040178885A1
• Filed: 03/24/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O.S. Security LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Denison, William D., Silvers, Bradley S., Brownfield, Lawrence C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,683,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/00 Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7006 Predetermined time interval controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7113 Projected and retracted electrically

Abstract

An electronic lock utilizes two microprocessors remote from each other for enhanced security. The first microprocessor is disposed close to an input device such as a keypad, and the second microprocessor is disposed close to the lock mechanism and well protected from external access. The first microprocessor transmits a communication code to the second microprocessor when it receives via the input device an access code that matches a preset access code. The second microprocessor opens the lock if the transmitted communication code matches a preset communication code. The dual-microprocessor arrangement is advantageously used in a voice controlled access control system and in a motorcycle ignition control system. The present invention further provides an electronic access control system which has a master electronic key having a preset number of access, and an electronic alarm system for a bicycle that has a remote control mounted in the helmet of the rider.

Claims

1. An electronic access control device comprising:

a circuit having a portion deactivated during a first time period;

the portion of the circuit enabled during a second time period,

the portion of the circuit having an enable output signal generated in response to a sensed electromagnetic signal;

the portion of the circuit being enabled for an extended time period that is greater than the second time period;

the portion of the circuit having an input code output generated in response to the electromagnetic signal and during the extended time period;

a microprocessor having an unlock output signal generated if the input code matches the access code; and

,

an electromechanical driver having an output signal generated in response to the unlock signal.

2. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising a wake-up circuit.

3. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising a receiver.

4. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising a wake-up circuit and a receiver.

5. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising an antenna.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following is responsive to the output signal of the electromechanical driver:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor; and

, a solid-state relay.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signal is infrared.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signal is within a radio frequency.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a first circuit comprising an oscillator and having a first circuit output signal;

a second circuit enabled and disabled in response to the first circuit output signal, the second circuit having a second circuit output signal generated in response to receipt of an electromagnetic signal;

a third circuit temporarily enabled during the receipt of the electromagnetic signal, the circuit having a third circuit output signal comprising an input code generated in response to receipt of an electromagnetic signal;

a fourth circuit temporarily enabled to compare the input code to an access code; and

,

an electromechanical driver having an output that is provided to an unlock device if the input code matches the access code.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, the first and second circuits comprising a wake-up circuit.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, the third circuit comprising a decode circuit.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, the unlock device comprising at least one of the following:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor; and

, a solid-state relay.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic signal is infrared.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic signal is within a radio frequency.

15. An apparatus comprising:

an oscillator having an output comprising a plurality of duty cycles;

a circuit that is periodically enabled for a time t₁ and disabled for a time t₂ during at least some of the duty cycles;

a portion of the circuit that generates an input code in response to an electromagnetic signal;

a microprocessor that compares the input code to an access code;

a switch that enables the portion of the circuit as the input code is being received for a time t₃ that is greater than the time t₁.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the portion of the circuit is a decoder.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the switch is responsive to an override signal generated by the decoder.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an unlock device responsive to an unlock signal generated by the microprocessor.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, the unlock device comprising at least one of the following:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor; and

, a solid-state relay.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an electromechanical driver electrically connected to the microprocessor and an unlock device.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electromagnetic signal is infrared.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electromagnetic signal is within a radio frequency.

23. A circuit operating on current drained from a battery comprising:

an electronic circuit having an output that indicates detection of a device capable of providing an electromagnetic signal;

a decoder that extracts an input code transmitted via the electromagnetic signal;

a switch that, in response to an input, increases the current drained from the battery;

an electronic circuit that compares the input code to an access code;

an electronic circuit that provides an output to an unlock device if the input code matches the access code; and

,

wherein the switch decreases the current drained from the battery after receiving the input code.

24. The circuit of claim 23, the electronic circuit that provides the output to the unlock device comprising a microprocessor.

25. The circuit of claim 23, the electronic circuit that provides the output to the unlock device comprising an electromechanical driver.

26. The circuit of claim 23, the circuit that compares the input code to an access code comprising a microprocessor.

27. The circuit of claim 23, the unlock device comprising at least one of the following:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor; and

, a solid-state relay.

28. The circuit of claim 23, wherein the electromagnetic signal is infrared.

29. The circuit of claim 23, wherein the electromagnetic signal is within a radio.