Light actuated remote control security system

• US 4,412,356 A
• Filed: 01/14/1980
• Issued: 10/25/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Incorporated (Iowa State University)
• Original Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Incorporated (Iowa State University)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Kenneth E., Schroeder, Larry D., Klaus, Jack C., Casteel, Vincent H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coles, Edward L.
• Application Number:
  US06/112,125
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 455/603, 340/171 PF, 340/63, 340/171 R, 340/572, 343/225, 70/DIG. 51, 70/277, 250/215, 361/162, 361/172
• US Class Current: 398/106
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/51 Light sensitive control means

Abstract

A remote control security apparatus includes a lock element movable between locked and unlocked positions by an electrically actuated power device. The operator is provided with a portable transmitter adapted to generate light which is interrupted at a predetermined frequency so as to produce an encoded light signal. This signal is detected by a light transceiver which generates an independent signal at the same predetermined frequency and which compares the frequencies of the detected signal and independent signal. If these frequencies are substantially the same, the transceiver actuates the power means to move the lock element to its unlocked position. The security apparatus may be advantageously installed as a door lock, in which case a lock element receiving member is secured to the door. The signal detector is positioned at the exterior side of the door for receiving encoded signals from the transmitter and an override switch may be positioned at an interior side of the door for opening the lock without a transmitter. A contact switch is disclosed which maintains the lock element in the unlocked position whenever the door is open.

Claims

1. A remote control lock for a door having one side pivotally connected to one side portion of a door frame and an opposite free side closeable against an opposite side portion of the door frame, comprising,

a lock housing supported on said opposite side portion of said door frame,

a lock element supported on said housing for movement between a locked position wherein said element is advanced into the path of said door and an unlocked position wherein said element is retracted clear of the path of said door,

a lock element receiving member secured to said opposite free side of said door at a position for receiving said lock element in the locked position thereof when said door is closed, thereby to lock said door in the closed position,

bias means urging said lock element to said locked position,

an electrically actuated power means supported by said housing for moving said lock element to said unlocked position against the urging of said bias means,

a portable transmitter adapted to generate light which is interrupted at a continuously oscillating predetermined frequency,

a signal receiving circuit supported by said housing and including means for detecting said encoded light signal and verification means for determining whether said encoded light signal is interrupted generally at said predetermined frequency,

said verification means being electrically connected to said power means and operative to actuate said power means to move said lock element to said unlocked position when the frequency of the detected light signal substantially equals said predetermined frequency,

said signal receiving circuit further comprising an override switch which is manually operable to actuate said power means to retrace said lock element.

2. A remote control lock for a door having one side pivotally connected to one side portion of a door frame and an opposite free side closeable against an opposite side portion of the door frame, comprising,

a lock housing supported on said opposite side portion of said door frame,

a lock element supported on said housing for movement between a locked position wherein said element is advanced into the path of said door and an unlocked position wherein said element is retracted clear of the path of said door,

a lock element receiving member secured to said opposite free side of said door at a position for receiving said lock element in the locked position thereof when said door is closed, thereby to lock said door in the closed position,

bias means urging said lock element to said locked position,

an electrically actuated power means supported by said housing for moving said lock element to said unlocked position against the urging of said bias means,

a portable transmitter adapted to generate light which is interrupted at a continuously oscillating predetermined frequency,

a signal receiving circuit supported by said housing and including means for detecting said encoded light signal and verification means for determining whether said encoded light signal is interrupted generally at said predetermined frequency,

said verification means being electrically connected to said power means and operative to actuate said power means to move said lock element to said unlocked position when the frequency of the detected light signal substantially equals said predetermined frequency,

and a door actuated switch which is actuated in response to movement of said door from said closed position, said door actuated switch, when actuated, being operative to actuate said power means to retract said lock element to the unlocked position thereof.

3. A remote control security apparatus comprising,

a support means,

a lock element on said support means, said lock element being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position,

electrically actuated power means for moving said lock element from said locked position to said unlocked position,

a portable transmitter adapted to generate light which is interrupted at a continuously oscillating predetermined frequency thereby to produce an encoded light signal of pulses generated at substantially said predetermined frequency,

a signal receiver circuit including means for detecting an encoded light signal, means for generating an independent signal generally at said continuously oscillating predetermined frequency and comparator means for comparing the frequencies of the detected signal and independent signal,

said comparator means being electrically connected to said power means and operative to actuate said power means to move said lock element to said unlocked position when the frequencies of said detected and independent signals are substantially the same,

said portable transmitter including a housing, an electrically actuated light source, a source of electrical power and circuit means for electrically connecting said source of electric power to said light source such that said light is interrupted at said continuously oscillating predetermined frequency,

said circuit means comprising an integrated circuit timer/oscillator chip and a plurality of frequency determining components electrically connected thereto, and

said means for generating an independent signal and said comparator means of said signal receiver circuit comprising an electronic phase locked loop and a plurality of frequency determining components electrically connected thereto,

said signal receiver circuit further comprising an override switch which is manually operable to actuate said power means to retract said lock element to said unlocked position.

4. A remote control lock for a door having one side pivotally connected to one side portion of a door frame and an opposite free side closeable against an opposite side portion of the door frame, comprising,

a lock housing,

a lock element supported on said housing for movement between a locked position and an unlocked position,

said lock housing adapted for support on the opposite side portion of a door frame so that said element, in the locked position thereof, is advanced into the path of the door and, in the unlocked position, is retracted clear of the path of said door,

a lock element receiving member adapted for securement to said opposite free side of said door at a position for receiving said lock element in the locked position thereof when said door is closed, thereby to lock said door in the closed position,

bias means urging said lock element to said locked position,

an electrically actuated power means supported by said housing for moving said lock element to said unlocked position against the urging of said bias means,

a portable transmitter adapted to generate light which is interrupted at a continuously oscillating predetermined frequency thereby to produce an encoded light signal of pulses generated at substantially said predetermined frequency,

a signal receiving circuit supported by said housing and including means for detecting said encoded light signal and verification means for determining whether said encoded light signal is interrupted generally at said predetermined frequency,

said verification means being electrically connected to said power means and operative to actuate said power means to move said lock element to said unlocked position when the frequency of the detected light signal substantially equals said predetermined frequency, and

a door actuated switch adapted for support on a door frame and operative to be actuated in response to movement of the door from its closed position, said switch, when actuated, being operative to actuate said power means to retract said lock element to the unlocked position thereof.