Apparatus and method for a universal electronic locking system

• US 4,665,397 A
• Filed: 07/06/1984
• Issued: 05/12/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Universal Hedonics
• Original Assignee: Universal Photonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Pinnow, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): YUSKO, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/628,517
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.56, 340/825.31, 340/825.3, 340/825.71, 340/825.72, 455/186, 361/172, 358/194.1
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00642 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0065 by solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a universal electronic locking system (UELS) which controls an actuating device for a lock is disclosed. The system is composed of two elements, a signal-transmitting unit and a signal-receiving unit. The integrated circuit chip of the watch is expanded to include a programmable memory unit such that various codes may be entered in the watch and the codes may be changed at any interval desired by the operator. The signal-receiving unit comprises a photodetector for receiving an optical signal from the signal-transmitting unit and contains a programmable memory unit which is responsive to each and all codes contained in the signal-transmitting unit. Upon changing the code signal in the signal-transmitting unit, the memory unit of the signal-receiving unit may be reprogrammed so as to be responsive to the newly encoded signal and allow the latching mechanism of the lock system to be operated. The system may be used alone or in combination with conventional key operated locking mechanisms. The UELS is contemplated for applications in the home, business, industry, recreation, defense and wherever locks and codes are used.

Claims

1. An electronically actuated locking system comprising a signal transmitting unit energized by a self-contained power source;

said signal transmitting unit comprising light-emitting means, a first controller which actuates said light-emitting means so as to transmit an encoded optical signal to a signal receiving unit, said first controller including a first programmable memory unit for storing data corresponding to a plurality of different encoded signals and means for entering said data into said first memory unit, said signal receiving unit comprising a photodetector for receiving said encloded optical signal, means for comparing said received encoded signal to one or more codes contained in a second programmable memory unit capable of storing data corresponding to a plurality of different encoded signals, means for entering said data into said second memory unit and means for deactivating a lock mechanism when said received encoded signal matches one of said one or more codes contained in said second memory unit.

2. An electronically actuated locking sytem as defined in claim 1, wherein said signal receiving unit further includes a non-programmable memory unit responsive to a single encoded signal so as to deactuate said lock mechanism when said single encoded signal is received by said signal receiving unit.

3. An electronically actuated locking system as defined in claim 2, wherein said memory units are non-volatile memory units.

4. An electronically actuated locking system as defined in claim 1, wherein said lock mechanism can be deactuated by an encoded optical signal or by key means.

5. An electronically actuated locking system as defined in claim 4, wherein said lock mechanism is deactuated by an encoded optical signal received by said signal receiving unit or by a key activated electronic switch.

6. An electronically actuated locking system as defined in claim 1, wherein said second memory unit is programmable by an encoded optical signal transmitted by said signal transmitting unit.

7. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 1, wherein said second memory unit is programmable by means other than said signal transmitting unit.

8. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 7, wherein said means for programming said second memory unit comprises a data link controlled from a central location.

9. An electronically actuated locking system as defined in claim 8, wherein said data link is connected to second memory units in a plurality of signal receiving units.

10. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 8, wherein said data link is connected to a central processor and transmits each actuation of said lock mechanism to said central processor for recordation.

11. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 10, wherein said central processor records said encoded optical signal received by said signal receiving unit.

12. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 10, wherein said central processor deactivates a security system upon receipt of said transmission of actuation of said lock mechanism.

13. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 1, wherein each of said one or more encoded signals can be transmitted to said signal receiving unit.

14. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 1, wherein said first memory unit is programmable so that each of said one or more encoded signals stored in said first memory unit can be reset to provide one or more different encoded signals in said first memory unit.

15. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 1, wherein said first memory unit contains a fixed emergency signal which upon transmission from said signal transmitting unit is capable of being received by any of a plurality of receivers within receiving distance of the signal transmitting unit.

16. An electronically actuated locking system as defined by claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting unit contains digital display means for displaying digits and/or letter characters identifying an encoded signal when the data corresponding to said encoded signal is entered into said first programmable memory unit.

17. A method of operating an electronic locking system including a signal transmitting unit which transmits an encoded optical signal to a signal receiving unit, comprising the steps of:

(a) entering and storing data corresponding to a plurality of encoded signals in a programmable memory unit of a signal transmitting unit;

(b) entering and storing data corresponding to one or more encoded signals in a programmable memory unit of a signal receiving unit capable of storing data corresponding to a plurality of different encoded signals;

(c) emitting a light beam modulated with said encoded optical signal from said signal transmitting unit in response to actuating a controller;

(d) receiving said encoded optical signal in said signal receiving unit;

(e) comparing said receiving encoded signal to one or more codes contained in a programmable memory unit of said signal receiving unit; and

(f) unlocking latching means when said received encoded signal matches a code contained in said memory of said signal receiving unit.

18. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising converting said encoded signal into a digital bit stream and transmitting it in a frequency shift key format to said signal receiving unit.

19. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising programming said signal transmitting unit so that a plurality of different encoded signals can be transmitted by said signal transmitting unit.

20. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising programming said memory unit of said signal receiving unit with a plurality of different codes which correspond to a plurality of different encoded signals.

21. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising providing a time delay in said signal receiving unit after a predetermined number of received signals fail to match one of the codes contained in the memory unit of said signal receiving means.

22. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising operating said latching means by an electromechanical device;

providing a primary power supply for actuating said electromechanical device;

providing a secondary power supply for actuating said electromechanical device and actuating said secondary power supply upon failure of said primary power supply.