Electronic combination lock and system

• US 3,926,021 A
• Filed: 01/02/1974
• Issued: 12/16/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Uniqey Lock Company
• Original Assignee: Daryle Messner, Frederick E. Feagin, Leonard J. Genest, Sylvan Cole
• Inventors: Feagin, Frederick E., Cole, Sylvan, Messner, Daryle, Genest, Leonard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Craig, Jr., Albert G.
• Application Number:
  US05/430,247
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 70/277,278,279,280 317/134 340/149R
• US Class Current: 340/5.24
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06187 with magnetically detectable marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/085 metal detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00722 with magnetic components, e.g. magnets, magnetic strips, metallic inserts mechanical locks operated by permanent magnets E05B47/0038
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/215 the system having a variable access-code, e.g. varied as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7113 Projected and retracted electrically

Abstract

A unitary self-contained electronic combination lock is provided which includes a dead bolt manually operable from one side and operable from the other side only in response to insertion of a data combination card carrying a unique binary code in the form of selectively positioned metallic spots. Sensors located within the unit generate a binary 1 or 0 signal in response to the presence or absence of a metallic spot adjacent each sensor. The lock combination code is automatically changed to the data card'"'"''"'"'s code upon insertion of a card having a code combination which includes part of the lock'"'"''"'"'s code so that the previously issued cards will no longer operate to unlock the door. In this manner, the authorized code for each lock unit is automatically and independently changed to render inoperative all previously issued data cards.

Claims

1. An independently operable electronic lock and system having an alterable combination, said lock being operable in response to insertion of a correct combination code, comprising:

a lock housing adapted to be secured in a door;

securing means attached to said housing;

alterable memory means within said housing storing combination information for operating said lock;

means within said housing for receiving and detecting a first stationary combination code inserted into the lock, comparing said inserted first combination code with said stored combination information, and generating a drive signal when a comparison is favorable;

said receiving and detecting means comprising a plurality of sensor coils connected to receive the output of an oscillator, each coil having a ferrous metal core and being connected to produce a first signal across said coil in the absence of a code entry and a second signal across said coil in the presence of a code entry and a tuned circuit connected to produce a first output in response to the first signal across the respective coil and a second output in response to the second signal across the respective coil;

said inserted code entries comprising a least one electrically conductive area positioned adjacent to and within the magnetic field of at least one of said sensor coils to cause said second signal to be produced across said at least one coil, said first and second output signals providing a second combination code corresponding to said first combination code;

drive means within said housing adapted to operate said securing means in response to said drive signal;

means within said housing for changing said stored combination information to said inserted combination when a comparison is favorable; and

, an energy source connected to supply the power requirements of said lock and system.

2. An electronic lock and system as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said receiving and detecting means includes a card reader mounting said sensor coils and a protrusion extending inwardly into the card reader to prohibit access to the portion of the card reader in the area of said protrusion; and

further comprising;

a combination card adapted to be received by said card reader and having at least one plane, said card having a notch formed in at least one side to receive said card reader protrusion, said electrically conductive area being positioned on said plane to lie opposite a corresponding sensor coil when said card is positioned in said card reader so that said notch receives said protrusion.