Key actuated electronic lock for auto ignitions

• US 4,050,063 A
• Filed: 07/14/1975
• Issued: 09/20/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George R. Schull
• Original Assignee: George R. Schull
• Inventors: Schull, George R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US05/595,545
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 340/149 A, 340/149 R, 340/164 R, 340/147 MD, 340/274 C, 70/278, 317/134
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/225 key in lock presence switch
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/004 actuating mechanical switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 11/04 Preventing unauthorised use of engines of vehicles B60R25/04; ignition locks H01H27/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]

Abstract

A key-actuated electronic lock system for auto ignitions including a conventional auto ignition key-lock combination. Electronic lock actuating information is stored on the key and the lock supports a transducer for sensing the information stored on the key as it is inserted into the lock and for generating a coded electric signal indicative of the lock actuating information for application to a control secured in a locked compartment remote from the ignition lock. Within the control, the coded signal is compared with programmable coded information stored in the control and indicative of the electronic lock actuating information. A match of the information actuates circuitry for applying electric power to the auto ignition and auto accessories as desired including a lock to the locked compartment. The control includes a time delay lock out preventing unauthorized pulse code generator input from operating the system and over voltage protection devices for preventing a voltage override of the system. An auxiliary circuit allows operation of the auto ignition only by a standard mechanically coded ignition key after a combined closing of an auxiliary permit switch and actuation of the auto ignition lock with the electronically coded key.

Claims

1. A mechanical-electronic lock system for actuating auto ignitions and the like only upon sequential electronic and mechanical unlocking operations including a matching of a stored electronic lock code with an electronic key code generated as a key is being inserted into a lock cylinder followed by a mechanical turning of the key in the cylinder, the lock system comprising:

control means in a separate compartment and including storage means for storing a predetermined electrical lock code,

comparator means for comparing said electrical lock code with electrical input codes to said control means, and

means responsive only to a match between said lock and input codes for preconditioning an auto ignition and/or auto accessories for operating only in response to a subsequent mechanical turning of a lock cylinder in a mechanical key-actuated auto ignition lock;

a mechanical key-actuated auto ignition lock including a manually turnable lock cylinder for actuating said auto ignition and/or said auto accessories only after a preconditioning thereof by said control means followed by a turning of said lock cylinder, said cylinder having a keyway for receiving a mating ignition key for turning said lock cylinder in response to a turning of said mating ignition key;

a mating ignition key insertable into said keyway for turning said lock cylinder in response to a manual turning of said key and carrying a key code on a side face of said key, said key code matching said lock code;

transducer means in said auto ignition lock for reading said key code and generating an electrical key code indicative of said key code as said key is being inserted into said keyway; and

means for applying said electrical key code to said control means as an electrical input code for comparison and matching with said electrical lock code to precondition said auto ignition and/or accessories.

2. The system of claim 1, further including input code lockout means in said control means for blocking input codes to said control means for predetermined periods of time in response to each electrical input code differing from said key code and generated by said transducer means or by means external to said system and applied to said control means.

3. The system of claim 2 further including an auxiliary electrical power circuit connected to said auto ignition lock and including an operator controlable switch for applying electric power only to said auto ignition and only in response to a combined operation of said lock and closing of said switch.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said transducer means includes means for sensing said key code on said key and for generating a series of electrical pulses defining a binary coded key code indicative of said key code and clock pulse generating means responsive to movement of said key into said keyway for generating a series of clock pulses; and

said control means includes

a source of electric power,

a shift register for serially receiving said series of electrical pulses defining said binary coded key code and for receiving said clock pulses to store said binary coded key code,

programable circuit means for storing said electrical lock code as a binary coded lock code and for comparing said binary coded key code stored in said shift register and said binary coded lock code,

gate means connected to said programable circuit means for transmiting electric power from said source to said accessories only upon a matching of said binary coded key and lock coded to precondition said accessories; and

said input code lockout means includes means for blocking said clock pulses to said shift register for at least a predetermined minimum period of time after each storage of a binary coded signal in said shift register not indicative of said key code matching said binary coded lock code stored in said programable circuit means.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the input of each of said means for generating said clock pulses, said shift register and said accessories includes an overvoltage protection device for preventing a voltage override of said system comprising a fuse means in series with said input and a Zener diode connected between said input and a reference ground.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein:

said key code is defined by a series of depressions spaced along a side of said key; and

said transducer means includes

a transfer pin slideable into a side opening in said lock cylinder for engaging said series of depressions as said key in inserted into said keyway,

a spring for urging said transfer pin into said lock cylinder, and

a switch connected to a source of electric power and to said control means for momentarily operating as said transfer pin moves axially into or out of a depression in said key to generate as electrical pulse.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said clock pulse generating means comprises a stationary normally open switch connected to an electric power source and to said shift register, an actuating switch arm for closing said switch, and a spring loaded rod carrying a series of evenly spaced depressions supported for sliding movement adjacent an end of said lock cylinder in response to movement of said key into said keyway to cause said switch arm to ride over said depressions and produce a series of closings and openings of said switch to apply said series of clock pulses to said shift register.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said key code is defined by a series of depressions spaced along a side of said key; and

said transducer means includes

a transfer pin slideable into a side opening in said lock cylinder for engaging said series of depressions as said key is inserted into said keyway,

a key pin slideable into a side opening in said lock cylinder opposite said transfer pin to ride in a keyway in a side of said key opposite said series of depressions,

a pair of split ring members pivotally connected at one end to circumscribe said lock cylinder and engage exposed outer ends of said transfer and key pins, opposite ends of said split ring members carrying switch contacts defining a switch connected to an electric power source for momentarily operating as said transfer pin moves axially into or out of a depression in said key to generate an electrical pulse, and

springs means on outer surfaces of said split ring members for engaging an inner surface of a housing for said lock cylinder to urge said split ring members inwardly against said pins, whereby said key pin maintains separation of said other ends of said split ring members and contacts with lateral movement of said key in said keyway to prevent false closing of said switch.