Switch and lock activating system and method
First Claim
1. An electronic control system for enabling the operation of an electrically operated device, such as a lock opening means or other means, comprising in combination:
- first means defining a key adapted to be carried by a person,said key including a support in the shape of a finger ring and having a crown portion and a coded means disposed behind the outer surface of said crown portion,reading means for the coded means of said first means, said reading means comprising;
radiation generating means for generating and directing radiation toward said first means wherein said coded means of said first means operates to provide modulated radiation directed at said first means, andsensing means associated with said reading means for sensing said modulated radiation and generating output signals which are representative of the code defined by said coded means,signal processing means operable to receive said output signals generated by said sensing means and generate a control signal when signals are received thereby or predetermined characteristics,control means optically connected to receive said control signals andan electrically operated device controlled by said control means and operable to perform a given function when said control signal is generated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for opening a lock or activating a switch by electronically controlled means. In one form, a finger ring is provided which contains a code recording supported within or adjacent the crown thereof. When the hand of the person wearing the ring is held near a reading device, such as to dispose the crown within a recepticle containing the reading device, the code is automatically read and electrical signals generated thereby are applied to close or open an electrical switch or operate a motor or solenoid for opening a lock and/or drive a door to open. If the signals generated in reading the ring recording is a code, they may be applied to a comparator for operating the lock or switch if the code is an enabling code. The reading device may comprise a photoelectric cell or bank of cells adapted to read variations in reflectivity of the ring code. In another form, the ring may contain an electronic circuit or devices which generate a code in the presence of a radiation field generated in the vicinity of the recepticle for the ring upon sensing the presence of the ring. In another form, the ring may contain a battery and electronic circuit means for generating the enabling code when a switch is closed. In another form, the combination of the code generating means of the ring and a separate circuit such as a circuit card, may be required to enable the switch to close or the lock to open. Improvements are also provided in the constructions of electronic keys in the configurations of finger rings, wrist watches, cards and the like, for use in switch and lock activating systems, security and transaction systems and the like.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic control system for enabling the operation of an electrically operated device, such as a lock opening means or other means, comprising in combination:
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first means defining a key adapted to be carried by a person, said key including a support in the shape of a finger ring and having a crown portion and a coded means disposed behind the outer surface of said crown portion, reading means for the coded means of said first means, said reading means comprising; radiation generating means for generating and directing radiation toward said first means wherein said coded means of said first means operates to provide modulated radiation directed at said first means, and sensing means associated with said reading means for sensing said modulated radiation and generating output signals which are representative of the code defined by said coded means, signal processing means operable to receive said output signals generated by said sensing means and generate a control signal when signals are received thereby or predetermined characteristics, control means optically connected to receive said control signals and an electrically operated device controlled by said control means and operable to perform a given function when said control signal is generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronic keying system comprising in combination:
- a base in the shape of a finger ring having a crown portion and a ring portion for holding the ring on a finger,
a housing supported by said base and defining part of the crown portion of said ring, an electrically operated locking system including an operable lock and a support for said lock, control means for said system including a switching means, activating means for said switching means, said lock support having a receptacle with a cavity formed therein, at least a portion of said housing of said ring conforming to the wall of said cavity, optically scannable code means supported by said ring housing, electro-optical scanning means supported by said receptacle, said electro-optical scanning means being located and operable to scan said code means of said ring housing when said ring housing is disposed in said cavity and to generate an output signal, means for transmitting said output signal to said electrically operated locking system, and means responsive to said output signal and operable for activating said operable lock of said locking system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
- a base in the shape of a finger ring having a crown portion and a ring portion for holding the ring on a finger,
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15. A coded identifying means comprising in combination:
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a first support having a ring portion adapted to retain said support on the finger of a person, a crown portion supported by said ring portion, and an optically scannable code means disposed within said crown portion, a transparent window forming part of said crown portion and disposed in direct alignment with said optically scannable code means, a second support unattached to said first support, electro-optical scanning means supported by said second support, and means for aligning said window of said ring with said electro-optical scanning means to permit said scanning means to scan said optically readable code and to generate code signals defining said code. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification