Actuation device

• US 6,753,757 B1
• Filed: 12/12/2000
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SKIDATA AG (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: SKIDATA AG (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Lerchner, Leonhard, Hainzlmaier, Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US09/622,447
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.6, 340/5.64, 340/5.66, 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/5.72, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.23, 340/10.42, 340/5.32, 307/10.5
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/005 Details or accessories

Abstract

An actuation device, for example for a door lock, is capable of actuation by a control unit which can be initiated by a transponder reader unit, said control unit being connected to a magnetic signal evaluation unit. The transponder reader unit generates signals which correspond to the signals of a magnetic card read head, for the initiation of the magnetic signal evaluation unit.

Claims

1. An actuation device, said actuation device having:

a housing, said housing having a slot for receiving a data-carrying card;

an electronically actuated control unit disposed in said housing for regulating a device;

a signal evaluation unit disposed in said housing for receiving data signals received as a consequence of the reading of a data-carrying card, said signal evaluation unit configured to, based on the received data signals, selectively generate an actuation signal to said control unit to regulate the operation of said control unit;

a cover separate from said housing that is disposed over said housing, said cover positioned over said housing to extend over the housing slot;

a transponder reader unit, said transponder reader unit comprising;

an antenna mounted to said cover to receive signals from a transponder external to said housing and said cover; and

a signal processing circuit disposed in said housing and connected to said signal evaluation unit, said signal processing circuit configured to;

receive signals from said antenna;

convert the signals from said antenna into a form in which said signal evaluation unit can evaluate the signals; and

forward the converted signals to said signal evaluation unit; and

an electrical connector mounted to said cover, wherein said antenna is connected to said electrical connector and said electrical connector applies the signals from said antenna to said signal processing circuit.

2. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein said transponder reader unit signal processing circuit includes:

an analog signal processing unit that exchanges signals with said antenna;

an RF control unit that is connected to said analog signal processing unit; and

a driver that is connected between said RF control unit and said signal evaluation unit.

3. The actuation device of claim 2, wherein said control unit is configured to selectively displace a lock bolt.

4. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein said control unit is configured to selectively displace a lock bolt.

5. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein:

a stand-by circuit is disposed in said housing; and

a proximity sensor is mounted to said cover and is configured to detect the presence of a transponder wherein said proximity sensor is connected to said stand-by circuit to, based on the detected presence of a transponder, control said stand-by circuit.

6. The actuation circuit of claim 5, wherein:

said cover is shaped to have;

a tongue that is seated in the slot of said housing; and

a head integral with said tongue that is positioned to extend over portions of said housing that define the slot; and

said antenna and said proximity sensor are mounted to said cover head.

7. The actuation device of claim 5, wherein said control unit is configured to selectively displace a lock bolt.

8. The actuation circuit of claim 1, wherein:

said cover is shaped to have;

a tongue that is seated in the slot of said housing; and

a head integral with said tongue that is positioned to extend over portions of said housing that define the slot, said antenna being mounted to said cover head.

9. The actuation circuit of claim 1, wherein said electrical connector attached to said cover is a plug.