Key lock having inductive key detection and method of construction
First Claim
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1. A lock having inductive key detection comprising:
- a lock mechanism;
a detector member having a magnetic portion and movably disposed proximate the lock mechanism such that the detector member physically moves when a key engages the lock mechanism;
an interrogation antenna disposed proximate said detector member and comprising a magnetic core and a coil winding package such that said physical movement of said detector member electromagnetically induces a current signal in said interrogation antenna;
a detector coupled to the antenna and operable to detect said signal in said interrogation antenna and to generate an activation signal upon receipt of said signal;
interrogation electronics coupled to said detector, the interrogation electronics operable to receive the activation signal and switch to an active state in response, thereby interrogating a transponder on a key for authorization of the activation of a system upon receipt of a predetermined identification.
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Abstract
A lock (10) having inductive key detection includes a lock mechanism (14). A detector member (20) is movably disposed proximate the lock mechanism (14) such that the detector member (20) moves when a key engages the lock mechanism (14). The detector member (20) has a magnetic portion (24). An antenna (30) is disposed proximate the detector member (20) such that movement of the detector member (20) induces a signal in the antenna (30). A detector (42) is coupled to the antenna (30) and is operable to detect the signal in the antenna (30).
97 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A lock having inductive key detection comprising:
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a lock mechanism; a detector member having a magnetic portion and movably disposed proximate the lock mechanism such that the detector member physically moves when a key engages the lock mechanism; an interrogation antenna disposed proximate said detector member and comprising a magnetic core and a coil winding package such that said physical movement of said detector member electromagnetically induces a current signal in said interrogation antenna; a detector coupled to the antenna and operable to detect said signal in said interrogation antenna and to generate an activation signal upon receipt of said signal; interrogation electronics coupled to said detector, the interrogation electronics operable to receive the activation signal and switch to an active state in response, thereby interrogating a transponder on a key for authorization of the activation of a system upon receipt of a predetermined identification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A key lock having inductive key detection, comprising:
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a lock housing having an antenna chamber; a rotating lock cylinder disposed in the lock housing and having a keyhole, the lock housing and the rotating lock cylinder define a shaft intersecting the keyhole extending into the lock housing and terminating proximate the antenna chamber; a detector piston movably disposed in the shaft, the detector piston comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion is constructed from permanent magnetic material; an interrogation antenna disposed in the antenna chamber and comprising a magnetic core and a coil winding package, such that movement of the lower portion of the detector piston in the shaft electromagnetically induces a current signal in the antenna; an envelope detector coupled to the antenna, the envelope detector operable to detect said signal in the antenna and to provide an activation signal in response to detection of the signal; and interrogation electronics coupled to the envelope detector and the antenna, the interrogation electronics operable to receive said activation signal and to switch to an activate state in response. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of constructing a lock having inductive key detection, comprising the steps of:
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providing a lock mechanism; forming a detector member having a magnetic portion; movably disposing said detector member proximate the lock mechanism, such that the detector member moves when the key engages the lock mechanism; disposing an interrogation antenna having a magnetic core and a coil winding package proximate the detector member, such that movement of the detector member electromagnetically induces a current in the antenna; coupling a detector to the antenna, the detector operable to detect the current in the antenna and to generate an activation signal, wherein said activation signal is a start signal for interrogation electronics for interrogating a transponder on a key. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification