ELECTRONIC COMBINATION SWITCHING DEVICE

• US 3,587,051 A
• Filed: 12/11/1969
• Issued: 06/22/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hovey John Morris
• Original Assignee: Hovey John Morris
• Inventors: HOVEY JOHN MORRIS
• Application Number:
  US04/884,440
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.27
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00698 actuated in function of displayed informations

Abstract

An electronic combination switching device for storage safes, credit card verification, etc. having a randomly varying operational sequence such that unauthorized persons cannot determine how to operate the device by observing an authorized person operate it. A random bit word is loaded into a storage register having preselected stages connected to a manually operable decoder. The authorized user observes the condition of the various register stages by indicator lights, and, having knowledge of the preselected stages, or combination, actuates the decoder to produce a raised output. Each proper actuation is accumulated in a counter and a new random word is loaded into the register after each actuation. The counter yields an output after a predetermined number of proper actuations. Improper actuations reset the counter and operate an alarm.

Claims

1. An electronic combination switching device comprising:

a. a plural stage register, b. means for loading a random bit word into the register, c. selective switching means coupled to preselected stages of the register for producing an output upon proper manual actuation dependent upon the condition of the register stages and knowledge of the preselected stages, and d. means responsive to the output from the selective switching means for actuating the switching device.

2. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein the means recited in subparagraph (d) comprises a counter and decoding means therefor for yielding an output after a predetermined number of successive counts.

3. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 1 further comprising means responsive to the actuation of the selective switching means for loading a new random bit work into the register.

4. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 2 further comprising means responsive to the actuation of the selective switching means for loading a new random bit word into the register.

5. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 2 further comprising means response to the improper actuation of the selective switching means for resetting the counter and actuating an alarm device.

6. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 1 further including means for indicating the condition of each register stage.

7. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a. a second plural stage register for loading with a random bit word by the means recited in subparagraph (b) of claim 1, b. second selective switching means coupled to preselected stages of the second register, c. means responsive to the proper actuation of the second selective switching means for producing an output signal, and d. means responsive to the means recited in subparagraph (d) of claim 1 and subparagraph (c) above for producing a final output signal.

8. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein the selective switching means is individually coupled to the preselected register stages by means comprising:

a. a card insert station having a card receiving slot and sensing means disposed adjacent the slot, and b. a card insertable in the slot and having electrical circuit defining means thereon cooperable with the sensing means to effect the desired circuit coupling.

9. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein the selective switching means comprises:

a. a plurality of decoding means individually coupled to preselected stages of the register, and b. a plurality of switches individually coupled to the outputs of the decoding means, whereby a particular decoding means may be manually actuated by the closure of its associated switch

10. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein the selective switching means comprises:

a. an AND gate, and b. a plurality of single-pole double-throw switches individually coupled between preselected stages of the register and the AND gate.

11. An electronic combination switching device as defined in claim 10 further comprising means responsive to the improper actuation of all of the switches for enabling the actuation of the switching device and simultaneously actuating an alarm device.