Electronic interlock for storage assemblies with communication

• US 5,389,919 A
• Filed: 11/19/1992
• Issued: 02/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meridian Ao (Barclays PLC)
• Original Assignee: Meridian Ao (Barclays PLC)
• Inventors: Miller, David E., Warren, Edward L., Arter, James
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Giust, John E.
• Application Number:
  US07/979,000
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.3, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 340/825.35, 109/7, 70/78, 70/85, 70/278, 70/280, 70/282, 312/183, 312/187, 312/215, 312/220, 312/222, 209/610, 209/611, 235/382, 235/382.5, 221/215, 221/7, 221/86, 221/89-91, 221/125, 221/155
• US Class Current: 340/5.31
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/462 for two or more drawers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5097 Cabinet

Abstract

An electronic interlock for locking a file cabinet (10, 100) and for limiting the number of drawers (14, 114) to be accessed at any given time. An input keyboard (20, 120) receives an input code to be compared with a prestored access code. If the codes do not match, an unlock signal is not produced. If the input code matches the access code, a processor (28, 148) renders the storage assembly (10, 110) accessible. The processor (28, 128) will receive a drawer selection number from the input keyboard (20, 120) user and will unlock a lock (16, 116) associated with the selected drawer (14, 114). Sensors (34, 134) sense the position of the drawers (14, 114) and disable the processor (28, 128) when one of the drawers (14, 114) is in the open position.

Claims

1. A file cabinet assembly (100) comprising:

housing means (12,

     112) defining an enclosure;

a plurality of storage units (14,

     114) slideably supported by said housing means (12,

     112) for sliding between a closed position and an open position;

a plurality of electronically controlled independent locking means (16,

     116) for receiving power and each operatively associated with one of said storage units (14,

     114) and having a locked condition for contacting and locking said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position in response to a lock signal and having an unlocked condition for unlocking and allowing said storage units (14,

     114) to slide to said open position in response to an unlock signal and for maintaining said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position and locked in response to discontinuation of power,

electrical control means (18,

     110) connected to said locking means (16,

     116) for locking and unlocking said locking means (16,

     116);

said control means (18,

     110) including electrical input means (20,

     120) for receiving an input code, electrical data memory means separate from said input means (20,

     120) for storing a plurality of access codes, position means operatively connected to each of said storage units (14,

     114) for producing an enable signal only when all of said storage units (14,

     114) are in said closed position and a disable signal when at least one of said storage units (14,

     114) is in said open position, and processor means connected to said input means (20,

     120) and said data memory means (22,

     162) and said position means and connected independently to each of said locking means for receiving and comparing said input code with said access codes to produce said unlock signal to only one of said locking means when said access code equals said input code and said enable signal is received and for limiting opening to only one of said storage units (14,

     114) while the remaining storage units (14,

     114) are maintained in said closed position with the associated locking means (16,

     116) locked so that all of said storage units (14,

     114) must be in the closed position in order to unlock said only one storage unit (14,

     114) and move said only one storage unit to the open position.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by data memory means (20, 162) including access memory and unit assignment memory for storing at said access codes and at least one unit assignment number associated with each of said storage units (14, 114).

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said processor means (224, 148) including selection means for retrieving said unit assignment number associated with said access code equal to said input code and comparing a selection number from said input means to said unit assignment numbers to allow opening of said storage unit (14, 114) associated with said selection number when said selection number equals one of said unit assignment numbers.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said input means (20, 120) including a keypad having a plurality of momentary depressible keys for input of said input code and said selection number.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said position means including sensing means (34, 134) independently associated with each of said storage units (14, 114) each for producing a close signal when said storage unit (14, 114) is in said closed position and an open signal when said storage unit (14, 114) is not in said open position.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said position means including means (154) for receiving said close and open signals and for producing said enable signal when only said close signal is received and for producing said disable signal when at least one of said open signals is received.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said control means (110) including timing means (135) for establishing a time delay after comparison of said input code with an access code and after the input of selection codes within which time said unlock signal will be produced to a selected storage unit (114), and after opening of a selected storage unit.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said timing means (135) including a plurality of manual actuatable switches wherein each switch provides a value indicative of a selected time delay.

9. A file cabinet assembly (100) comprising:

housing means (12,

     112) defining an enclosure;

a plurality of storage units (14,

     114) slideably supported by said housing means (12,

     112) for sliding between a closed position and an open position;

a plurality of electronically controlled independent locking means (16,

     116) for receiving power and each operatively associated with one of said storage units (14,

     114) and having a locked condition for contacting and locking said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position in response to a lock signal and having an unlocked condition for unlocking and allowing said storage units (14,

     114) to slide to said open position in response to an unlock signal and for maintaining said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position and locked in response to discontinuation of power,

electrical control means (18,

     100) connected to said locking means (16,

     116) for locking and unlocking said locking means (16,

     116);

said control means (18,

     110) including input means (20,

     120) for receiving an input code, data memory means separate from said input means (20,

     120) for storing an access code, said sensing means (34,

     134) including a plurality of sensors each associated with at least one of said storage units (14,

     114) for each producing a close signal when said storage unit (14,

     114) is in said closed position and for producing an open signal when said storage unit (14,

     114) is in said open position, position means (154) operatively connected to said sensing means for receiving all of said close and open signals and for producing an enable signal when only said close signals are received and for producing a disable signal when at least one of said open signals is received, and processor means connected to said input means (20,

     120) and said data memory means (22,

     162) and said position means and connected independently to each of said locking means for receiving and comparing said access code with said input code to produce said unlock signal to only one of said locking means when said access code equals said input code and said enable signal is received and for limiting opening to only one of said storage units (14,

     114) while the remaining storage units (14,

     114) are maintained in said closed position with the associated locking means (16,

     116) locked so that all of said storage units (14,

     114) must be in the closed position in order to unlock said only one storage unit (14,

     114) and move said only one storage unit to the open position.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said sensors including interlock switches associated with each of said storage units (14, 114) for producing said close and open signals.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said data memory means (22, 162) including access memory for storing a plurality of access codes.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said data memory means (22, 162) including unit assignment memory for storing at least one access code and unit assignment number associated with each access code and associated with each of the storage units (14, 114).

13. A method of providing limited access to a file cabinet assembly (10, 100) having a plurality of storage units (14, 114) moveable between a closed position and an open position within a housing (12, 112), the method including the steps of:

receiving power,

storing a plurality of access codes,

receiving an input code,

sensing the position of all of the storage units (14,

     114) and producing an electrical position signal indicative of the positions,

producing an electrical enable signal only when all of the storage units (14,

     114) are in the closed position based on the position signals,

producing an electrical disable signal when at least one of the storage units (14,

     114) is in the open position,

locking the storage units (14,

     114) by electrical control in the closed position when the input code is not equal to the access code,

locking the storage units (14,

     114) when power is discontinued,

comparing the input code to the stored access codes,

independently unlocking only one of the storage units (14,

     114) by electrical control from the closed position when the input code equals the access code and the enable signal is produced and power is received, and

retaining the remaining storage units (14,

     114) locking so that all of the storage units must be in the closed position to allow only one storage unit to be opened.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 further including storing unit assignment numbers with selective access codes in memory wherein each unit assignment number identifies a specific one of the storage units.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 further including retrieving the unit assignment number associated with the access code equal to the input code and comparing a selection number from the input to the unit assignment number to allow opening of the storage unit associated with the selection number when the selection number equals one of the unit assignment numbers.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 further including inputting the input code and selection number by actuating selected momentary depressible contact keys.

17. A method of providing limited access to a file cabinet assembly (10, 100) having a plurality of storage units (14, 114) moveable between a closed position and an open position within a housing (12, 112), the method including the steps of:

receiving power,

storing an access code,

receiving an input code,

individually sensing the position of each of the storage units (14,

     114) and producing an electrical signal for each storage unit indicative of the position thereof producing a plurality of open and close signals depending on the associated position of the storage unit between either open or close,

receiving all of the individual open and close signals,

producing a separate and remote electrical enable signal only when all of the received signals are close signals and all of the storage units (14,

     114) are in the closed position,

producing an electrical disable signal when at least one of the received signals is an open signal and at least one of the storage units (14,

     114) is in the open position,

receiving the enable or disable signal and locking the storage units (14,

     114) by electrical control in the closed position when the input code is not equal to the access code,

locking the storage units (14,

     114) when power is discontinued,

independently unlocking only one of the storage units (14,

     114) by electrical control from the closed position when the input code equals the access code and the enable signal is produced and power is received, and

retaining the remaining storage units (14,

     114) locked so that all of the storage units must be in the closed position to allow only one storage unit to be opened.

18. A file cabinet assembly (100) comprising:

housing means (12,

     112) defining an enclosure;

a plurality of storage units (14,

     114) supported by said housing means (12,

     112) for moving between a closed position and an open position;

electronically controlled locking means (16,

     116) for receiving power and operatively associated with each of said storage units (14,

     114) and having a locked condition for contacting and locking said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position in response to a lock signal and having an unlocked condition for unlocking and allowing said storage units (14,

     114) to move to said open position in response to an unlock signal and for maintaining said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position and locked in response to discontinuation of power;

electrical control means (18,

     110) connected to said locking means (16,

     116) for locking and unlocking said locking means (16,

     116);

said control means (18,

     110) including electronic input means (20,

     120) for receiving an input code, electronic data memory means separate from said input means (20,

     120) for storing a plurality of access codes, electronic sensing means operatively connected to said storage units for producing an electrical signal indicative of the respective storage unit being in the closed position or open position, history memory means for storing operational information regarding reception of an input code and use of said access codes and a subsequent opening of a storage unit, processor means operatively connected to said input means (20,

     120) and said data memory means (22,

     162) and said history memory means and said locking means for receiving and comparing said input code with said access codes to produce said unlock signal to only one of said locking means when said access code equals said input code and all of said storage units are in said closed position allow opening of one of said storage units when said input code has a predetermined relationship with said access codes and to store the occurrence of the relationship and access code and sensed opening of a storage unit in said history memory means for subsequent electronic recall and for limiting opening to only one of said storage units while the remaining storage units are maintained in said closed position with the associated locking means locked so that all of said storage units must be in the closed position in order to unlock a storage unit.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 further characterized by including interface means (42, 142) for communicating with an external computer for transferring information from said history memory means.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 further characterized by said control means including loop address means for establishing a loop code.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 20 further characterized by said processor means including loop means for receiving said loop code upon communication through said interface means and for receiving a communication code from the external computer to allow communication therebetween when said communication code has a predetermined relation with said loop code.

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 further characterized by said control means including position means operatively connected to said storage units to produce an enable signal only when all of said storage units are in said closed position and a disable signal when at least one of the said storage units is in said open position, and said processor means including means connected to said input means and said data means and said position means and connected independently to each of said locking means for receiving and comparing said access codes with said input code to produce said unlock signal to only one of said locking means when said access code equals said input code and said enable signal is received and for limiting opening to only one of said storage units while the remaining storage units are maintained in said closed position with the associated locking means locked so that all of said storage units must to in the closed position in order to unlock said only one storage unit and move said only one storage unit to the open position.

23. A file cabinet assembly (100) comprising:

housing means (12,

     112) defining an enclosure;

a plurality of storage units (14,

     114) supported by a housing means (12,

     112) for moving between a closed position and open position;

electronically controlled locking means (16,

     116) for receiving power and operatively associated with each of said storage units (14,

     114) and having a locked condition for contacting and locking said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position in response to a lock signal and having an unlocked condition for unlocking and allowing said storage units (14,

     114) to move to said open position in response to an unlock signal and for maintaining said storage units (14,

     114) in said closed position and locked in response to discontinuation of power;

electrical control means (18,

     110) connected to said locking means (16,

     116) for locking and unlocking said locking means (16,

     116);

said control means (18,110) including electronic input means (20,

     120) for receiving an input code, electronic data memory means for storing a plurality of access codes, electronic sensing means for producing an electrical signal indicative of the respective storage unit being in the closed position or open position, interface means for communication with an external computer to transfer information therewith, and processor means operatively connected with said input means and said data memory means and said interface means for receiving and comparing said input code with said access codes to produce said unlock signal to only one of said locking means when said access code equals said input code to allow opening of one of said storage units when said input code has a predetermined relationship with said access codes and for communicating information and said access codes with the external computer through control of said interface means and for limiting opening to only one of said storage units while the remaining storage units are maintained in said closed position with the associated locking means locked so that all of said storage units must be in the closed position in order to unlock a storage unit.

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 23 further characterized by said control means including loop address means for establishing a loop code.

25. An assembly as set forth in claim 24 further characterized by said processor means including loop means for receiving said loop code upon communication through said interface means and for receiving a communication code from the external computer to allow communication therebetween when said communication code has a predetermined relation with said loop code.

26. An assembly as set forth in claim 23 further characterized by said control means including position means operatively connected to said storage units to produce an enable signal only when all of its storage units in said closed position and a disable signal when at least one of the said storage units is in said open position, and said processor means including means connected to said input means and said data means and said position means and connected independently to each of said locking means for receiving and comparing said access codes with said input code to produce said unlock signal to only one of said locking means when said access code equals said input code and said enable signal is received and for limiting opening to only one of said storage units while the remaining storage units are maintained in said closed position with the associated locking means locked so that all of said storage units must to in the closed position in order to unlock said only one storage unit and move said only one storage unit to the open position.

27. An assembly as set forth in claim 23 further characterized by said control means including electronic history memory means for storing operational information regarding reception of an input code and use of said access codes and opening of storage units such that said processor stores the occurrence of the relationship between said input code and access codes and an opening of a storage unit in said history memory means for subsequent electronic recall.