Electronic lock
First Claim
1. An electronic lock comprising display means having a plurality of display locations, a plurality of push buttons, each push button being associated with a different display location, means responsive to the actuation of each push button for displaying at the associated display location a sequence of indicia and for selecting from the sequence, under the control of the push button, a selected indicium for display at the associated display location, thereby enabling a selected set of indicia to be displayed by the display means, means for storing a predetermined set of indicia corresponding to the on-combination condition of the lock, means for comparing the displayed set of indicia with the stored predetermined set of indicia, and means responsive to the comparison for operating associated latch means to open the lock when the sets of indicia match.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic combination lock for luggage and the like comprises a microcomputer, a display having a plurality of display locations, and a plurality of push buttons, one being associated with each display location. Each push button advances its associated display location through a sequence of digits and enables selection of a desired digit for display. A displayed set of digits is compared with a stored predetermined set of digits, and a bistable electromagnetic latch is operated to open the lock when the sets of digits match. The electromagnetic latch comprises a magnetic member pivotally mounted for rotation between a pair of pole pieces, the magnetic member having first and second stable rotational positions at which each magnetic pole is adjacent to a different pole piece, and a pair of oppositely wound coils associated with the pole pieces and responsive to the momentary flow of electrical current therethrough for producing a magnetic flux that causes the magnetic member to rotate from one position to the other.
51 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. An electronic lock comprising display means having a plurality of display locations, a plurality of push buttons, each push button being associated with a different display location, means responsive to the actuation of each push button for displaying at the associated display location a sequence of indicia and for selecting from the sequence, under the control of the push button, a selected indicium for display at the associated display location, thereby enabling a selected set of indicia to be displayed by the display means, means for storing a predetermined set of indicia corresponding to the on-combination condition of the lock, means for comparing the displayed set of indicia with the stored predetermined set of indicia, and means responsive to the comparison for operating associated latch means to open the lock when the sets of indicia match.
Specification