Electrical/mechanical access control systems

• US 5,848,541 A
• Filed: 11/29/1994
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Owens, Jeffrey D., Bolan, Michael L., Fekete, Nicholas M. G., Glick, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, GARY WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US08/346,556
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: 70/276, 70/277, 70/278, 70/279, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.34
• US Class Current: 70/278.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0016 with linearly reciprocating motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/002 Geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0025 in the form of grooves
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0091 Retrofittable electric locks, e.g. an electric module can be attached to an existing manual lock
• 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 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0611 Cylinder locks with electromagnetic control
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/267 in different semiconductor regions , e.g. heterojunctions H01L29/263 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/625 Operation and control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7107 And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc.

Abstract

A retrofit door knob assembly is adapted to fit within an aperture in a door in place of a conventional mechanical lock assembly. The retrofit door knob assembly is similar in appearance to a conventional door handle assembly, but includes a motor coupled to a latch, and suitable electrical and mechanical key inserts for receiving separate electrical and mechanical keys. Either a mechanical or electrical key can operate the latch. The electrical key insert includes a data probe within the handle for receiving the electrical key and the electrical key is provided with a means for gripping to allow a user to turn the handle with the key after the latch is unlocked by the motor.

Claims

1. An electronic lock system, comprising:

a retrofit door knob assembly including a handle, said door knob assembly being adapted to fit within an aperture formed within a door, said aperture being adapted to house a conventional mechanical lock assembly, said handle being substantially similar in appearance to a conventional door handle, said retrofit door knob assembly including a motor mechanically coupled to a latch for locking and unlocking the door;

a mechanical key and an electrical key, said electrical key comprising a processor, a battery, a memory and communication means for communicating via a one-wire communications protocol;

a mechanical key insert and an electrical key insert, which said latch can be actuated solely with said mechanical key received in said mechanical key insert;

a data probe housed within said handle of said retrofit door knob assembly, said data probe being adapted to communicate with said electrical key via said one-wire communications protocol when said electrical key is received in said electrical key insert;

a processor having a memory, said processor being coupled to said data probe for processing at least one signal received from said data probe, said processor for comparing ID information within said at least one signal to a list of IDs stored within said memory, wherein said processor is electrically coupled to said motor and actuates said motor to unlock the door whenever said ID information matches an ID within said list of IDs; and

said electrical key further including means for gripping, said means for gripping being capable of engagedly mating with said retrofitable door knob assembly to cause said door knob assembly to rotate as said electrical key is rotated about said axial center of said door knob assembly, wherein said means for gripping only turns the door knob assembly after the electronic key is recognized by said processor and after said processor has activated said motor to unlock the door, whereby said means for gripping provides an alternative to grabbing and turning said door knob assembly.

2. The lock system of claim 1, which further comprises a master control key wherein said data probe is further adapted to also communicate with said master control key and wherein said master control key is adapted to transmit control commands to said data probe.

3. The lock system of claim 1, which further comprises a master keying device wherein said probe is further adapted to also communicate with said master keying device and wherein said master keying device is adapted to transmit control commands to said data probe.

4. The lock system of claim 1, which further includes a one-wire network having a host computer and wherein said processor is adapted to communicate with said host computer over said one-wire network using a one-wire communications protocol.

5. The lock system of claim 1, wherein said data probe is permanently mounted at an end of said retrofit door knob assembly about an axial center of said door knob assembly.

6. The lock system of claim 1, which further includes means for providing feedback to a user trying to gain access to an area controlled by said lock.

7. The lock system of claim 6, wherein said means for providing feedback includes a light source whereby said user can determine, at a minimum, that said lock system is processing his access request by observing the transmission of light from said light source.

8. The lock system of claim 6, wherein said means for providing feedback includes a sound source whereby said user can determine, at a minimum, that said lock system is processing his access request by hearing the sound produced by said sound source.

9. An electronic lock system, comprising:

a retrofit door knob assembly adapted to fit within an aperture formed within a door, said aperture being adapted to house a conventional mechanical lock assembly, said retrofit door knob assembly being substantially similar in appearance to a conventional door handle, said retrofit door knob assembly including a motor mechanically coupled to a latch for locking and unlocking the door;

a mechanical key and an electrical key, said electrical key comprising a processor, a battery, memory and communication means for communicating;

a mechanical key insert and an electrical key insert, which said latch can be actuated solely with said mechanical key received in said mechanical key insert;

a data probe housed within said retrofit door knob assembly wherein said data probe is permanently mounted at an end of said retrofit door knob assembly about an axial center of said retrofit door knob assembly, said probe being adapted to communicate with said electrical key when said electrical key is received in said electrical key insert;

electronic means having a memory, said electronic means being coupled to said data probe for processing at least one signal received from said data probe, said electronic means for comparing ID information within said at least one signal to a list of IDs stored within said memory, wherein said electronic means actuates said motor to unlock the door whenever said ID information matches an ID within said list of IDs; and

said electronic key further including means for gripping, said means for gripping being capable of engagedly mating with said retrofitable door knob assembly to cause said door knob assembly to rotate as said electrical key is rotated about said axial center of said door knob assembly wherein said means for gripping in no way mechanically actuates said latch to lock or unlock a door.

10. The lock system of claim 9, which further comprises a master control key wherein said data probe is further adapted to also communicate with said master key and wherein said master control key is adapted to transmit control commands to said data probe.

11. The lock system of claim 10, which further comprises a network with a host computer, which host computer is external to said retrofitable door knob assembly, wherein said electronic means is further adapted to also communicate with said master control key and wherein said master control key is adapted to transmit control commands to said data probe.

12. The lock system of claim 11, wherein said network is a one-wire network, wherein said electronic means communicates with said host computer via said one-wire network using a one-wire communications protocol.

13. The lock system of claim 10, which further comprises a master keying device wherein said probe is further adapted to also communicate with said master keying device.

14. The lock system of claim 9, which further includes means for providing feedback to a user trying to gain access to an area controlled by said lock.

15. The lock system of claim 14, wherein said means for providing feedback includes a light source whereby said user can determine, at a minimum, that said lock system is processing his access request by observing the transmission of light from said light source.

16. The lock system of claim 14, wherein said means for providing feedback includes a sound source whereby said user can determine, at a minimum, that said lock system is processing his access request by hearing the sound produced by said sound source.