ELECTRONIC COMBINATION LOCK

• US 20120024024A1
• Filed: 03/24/2009
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Free AG
• Original Assignee: Free AG
• Inventors: Faber, Bernhard, Rothenbacher, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US13/258,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20120024024A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/278.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00253 dynamically, e.g. variable code - rolling code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/735 Operating elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock (10). Particularly, the invention relates to an electronic combination lock suitable for industrial, commercial or residential use. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic combination lock, in which a person may input a code and the lock unlocks, if the input code equals a code stored in the lock. The lock comprises a input device (16) for inputting a code, a control unit (22) with a set of codes, one of the codes of the set of codes being set as an actual code and one of the codes of the set of codes being a subsequent code of the actual code and a lock mechanism for unlocking and locking the lock, wherein the control unit (22) causes the lock mechanism (14) to unlock, if the actual code is input to the input device (16), and the control unit (22) sets the subsequent code as the actual code, if the subsequent code is input to the input device (16).

Claims

1. A lock (10) comprising:

a input device (16) for inputting a code;

a control unit (22) with a set of codes (30, 30′

), one of the codes of the set of codes being set as an actual code (34, 34′

) and one of the codes of the set of codes being a subsequent code (36, 36′

) of the actual code (34, 34′

); and

a lock mechanism (14) for unlocking and locking the lock (10);

wherein the control unit (22) causes the lock mechanism (14) to unlock, if the actual code (34, 34′

) is input to the input device (16), and

the control unit (22) sets the subsequent code (36, 36′

) as the actual code (34, 34′

), if the subsequent code (36, 36′

) is input to the input device (16).

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the control unit (22) causes the lock mechanism (22) to unlock, if the subsequent code (36, 36′

) is input to the input device.

3. The lock of claim 1 or 2, wherein the set of codes is a list (30) and the subsequent code of a code (32) of the list (30) is the next code (36) in the list.

4. The lock of claim 3, wherein the list (30) starts with a first code and ends with a last code and wherein the subsequent code of the last code is the first code.

5. The lock of one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (22) sets the subsequent code (36, 36′

) as the actual code (34, 34′

), if the actual code (34, 34′

) is input to the input device (16).

6. The lock of one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the codes of the set of codes are set as actual codes,

wherein the control unit (22) causes the lock mechanism (14) to unlock, if one of the actual codes is input to the input device (16), and

wherein the control unit (22) sets the subsequent codes of the actual codes as the actual codes, if one of the subsequent codes is input to the input device (16).

7. The lock of one of the preceding claims, wherein a code of the set of codes (30′

) does not have a subsequent code.

8. A method for unlocking a lock (10) having a set of codes (30, 30′

), one of the codes of the set of codes being set as an actual code (34, 34′

) and one of the codes being a subsequent code (36, 36′

) of the actual code (34, 34′

), the method comprising the steps of;

inputting an input code;

unlocking the lock (10), if the input code is the actual code (34, 34′

);

setting the subsequent code (36, 36′

) as the actual code (34, 34′

), if the input code is the subsequent code (36, 36′

).

9. The method of claim 8, comprising the step of:

unlocking the lock, if the input code is the subsequent code (36, 36′

).

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the set of codes is a list (30) and the subsequent code (36) of a code (32) of the list is the next code in the list.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the list (30) starts with a first code and ends with a last code and wherein the subsequent code (36) of the last code is the first code.

12. The method of one of the claims 8 to 11, comprising the step of:

setting the subsequent code as the actual code, if the input code is the actual code.

13. The method of one of the claims 8 to 12, wherein at least two of the codes of the set of codes are set as actual codes, comprising the steps of:

unlocking the lock, if the input code is one of the actual codes, and

setting the subsequent codes of the actual codes as the actual codes, if the input code is one of the subsequent codes.

14. The method of one of the claims 8 to 13, wherein a code of the set of codes (30′

) does not have a subsequent code.

15. A computer-readable medium, in which a computer program for unlocking a lock is stored, which, when being executed by a processor, is adapted to carry out one of the methods of claims 8 to 14.

16. A program element for unlocking a lock, which, when being executed by a processor, is adapted to carry out one of the methods of claims 8 to 14.