Computerized combination lock

• US 5,061,923 A
• Filed: 09/29/1988
• Issued: 10/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lock II, LLC.
• Original Assignee: CH & I Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, James C., Harvey, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US07/250,918
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/542, 340/543, 70/277, 70/278, 70/332, 70/434, 361/172, 310/75 B, 310/330, 292/144, 292/201, 341/35
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00698 actuated in function of displayed informations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7085 Using a dial having indicia or pointer and indicia

Abstract

A combination lock for a safe or the like is provided that is fully computerized and self powered. A rotary dial is connected to a stepper motor/generator to provide the electrical power to a capacitor to power the system. The stepper motor/generator also provides input signals in the form of a code sequence to a microprocessor that processes the signals to initiate the operation of a drive motor to release a lock bolt once the proper combination is dialed. A read only memory (ROM) determines the proper combination from a combination storage means and feeds the combination to the microprocessor for comparison to the inputted signals from the dial. As each combination dialing sequence is begun, a random code initiator provides a different starting position in the sequence so that electronic or visual surveillance equipment cannot be used to surreptitiously obtain the combination. In order to thwart computerized input dialing to open the lock assembly, a dial speed sensitive lockout device also controls the microprocessor. During the combination dialing, a display unit presents the code and direction of movement of the sequence for observation by the person dialing the combination.

Claims

1. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

input means operable in accordance with a manually entered code sequence;

means for providing code sequence signals in response to manual operation of said manual input means;

a memory for storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

a computer for comparing said code sequence signals with data signals stored in said memory;

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code sequence signals correspond to said predetermined code sequence;

means for sensing a rate at which a code sequence is entered through said manual input means; and

means including said computer for inhibiting said operating means when the rate sensed by said sensing means exceeds a predetermined rate corresponding to a manual entry.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said manual input means includes a rotary dial whose rotary position corresponds to a manually entered code value.

3. The assembly of claim 2, including an electronic digital display integral with said dial.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said memory includes an electrically erasable read only memory for storing said predetermined code sequence.

5. The assembly of claim 1, including random code initiation means for supplying to said computer means a random different origin as a reference for starting said code sequence to be compared with said predetermined code sequence during movement of said manual input means.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said computer comprises a microprocessor.

7. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

a dial rotatable in accordance with a manually entered code sequence;

means for providing code sequence signals in response to rotation of said dial;

a memory storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

a computer for comparing said code sequence signals with data signals stored in said memory;

random code initiation means for supplying to said computer means at a particular time a random different dial origin as a reference position, independent of a rotational orientation of said dial at said particular time, for starting said code sequence to be compared with said predetermined code sequence during rotation of said dial input means; and

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code sequence signals correspond to said predetermined code sequence.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said memory includes an electrically erasable read only memory for storing codes of said predetermined code sequence.

9. The assembly of claim 7, including means for sensing a rate at which a code sequence is entered through said rotary dial;

and

means including said computer for preventing access to said enclosure when said rate sensed by said sensing means exceeds a predetermined rate.

10. The assembly of claim 7, including an electronic digital display integral with said dial.

11. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said computer comprises a microprocessor.

12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said random code initiation means is responsive to an initial rotation of said dial.

13. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said random code initiation means is responsive to a change of direction of rotation of said dial.

14. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

manual input means movable in accordance with a manually entered code sequence;

an electricity generator mechanically coupled to said manual input means for converting movement of said manual input means to an operating power;

a stepper motor integral with said generator for providing code sequence signals in response to manual movement of said manual input means;

a memory for storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

a computer energized by said operating power converted by said generator and comparing said code sequence signals with data signals stored in said memory; and

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code sequence signals correspond to said predetermined code sequence.

15. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

a dial rotatable in accordance with a manually entered code sequence;

means for providing code sequence signals in response to rotation of said dial;

a memory storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

a computer for comparing said code sequence signals with data signals stored in said memory;

random code initiation means for supplying to said computer means a different dial origin as a reference position for starting said code sequence to be compared with said predetermined code sequence during rotation of said dial input means;

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code sequence signals correspond to said predetermined code sequence; and

wherein said random code initiation means is responsive to a change of direction of rotation of said dial.

16. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

a memory for storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

dial means manually rotatable throughout variable limits of rotational travel executed by an operator to define a code entry signal at each of said limits;

a computer for comparing code entry signals with said data signals stored in said memory;

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code entry signals correspond to said predetermined code sequence; and

power conversion means fixedly coupled to said dial means for converting rotation of said dial to an operating power and for supplying said operating power to said computer.

17. The assembly of claim 16, including means for sensing a rate at which a code sequence is entered through said dial, and means including said computer for preventing access to said enclosure when said rate sensed by said sensing means exceeds a predetermined rate.

18. The assembly of claim 16, including an electronic digital display integral with said dial.

19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said computer comprises a microprocessor.

20. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said power conversion means further supplies to said computer incremental pulses during rotation of said dial means.

21. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said power conversion means comprises an electromagnetic generator.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said electromagnetic generator further comprises a stepper motor/generator.

23. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said operating means is activated by power supplied by said power conversion means.

24. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

a manually rotatable dial for providing code signals;

power conversion means for converting rotation of said dial to an operating power;

means activated by power converted by said power conversion means for electronically displaying dial indicia corresponding to dial position;

a memory for storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

whereby limits of rotation of the dial corresponding to displayed dial indicia may be set by an operator during manual entry of a code sequence;

a computer activated by power converted by said power conversion means and comparing said code signals provided by said dial at said limits of rotation with data signals stored in said memory; and

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code sequence entered by said operator corresponds to said predetermined code sequence.

25. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

a dial manually rotatable bidirectionally for providing code signals;

power conversion means for converting rotation of said dial to an operating power;

means for displaying dial indicia corresponding to dial position;

a memory for storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

whereby limits of rotation of the dial corresponding to displayed dial indicia may be set by an operator upon bidirectional rotation of said dial during manual entry of a code sequence;

a computer activated by power converted by said power conversion means and comparing said code signals provided by said dial at said limits of rotation with data signals stored in said memory; and

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code sequence entered by said operator corresponds to said predetermined code sequence.

26. A computerized combination lock assembly for a secured enclosure, comprising:

a manually rotatable dial for providing code sequence signals having values corresponding to rotational positions of said dial;

indicia corresponding to rotational position of said dial;

power conversion means for converting rotation of said dial to an operating power;

a memory for storing data signals representing a predetermined code sequence;

a computer for comparing code entry signals with data signals stored in said memory;

said computer receiving operating power from said power conversion means during rotation of said dial to predefined limits of rotation, corresponding to said indicia, to provide said code entry signals; and

operating means responsive to said computer for enabling opening of said secured enclosure when said code entry signals correspond to said predetermined code sequence.

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein said operating means is activated by power supplied by said power conversion means.