Keylock switch and keylock switch system

• US 6,778,067 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2001
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kakuta, Kazumasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US09/771,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20020027161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.6, 340/5.62, 340/5.65, 340/5.66, 340/5.67, 340/10.34, 702/71, 702/37, 702/77, 702/78, 702/79
• US Class Current: 340/5.62
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00603 by power transmission from lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7028 Electric

Abstract

A keylock switch and a keylock switch system receive a supply of power from two terminals of the keylock switch, and output key data, affording a small and reasonably-priced keylock switch and keylock switch system, of a drastically expanded field of application of the keylock switch, and improved security in various fields. A keylock switch and a keylock switch system moreover can maintain the function of a conventional lock utilizing metal material. A signal read by read means may be isolated from a power, or a power source, stored in charge storing means to realize both supplying of power and outputting of key data through two terminals. Further, the state inside the keylock switches may be quickly reset to an initial state, to prepare for a next use.

Claims

1. A keylock switch, comprising:

first and second terminals, each comprising an electrical contact point;

charge storing means, connected between said first and second terminals, being charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

rectifying means preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing means from flowing backward, by regulating a power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing means and between said second terminal and said charge storing means;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

read means reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing means, and outputting said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals.

2. A keylock switch, comprising:

a metal key for operating mechanical components of a lock;

an insulating part covering at least a part of a head of said metal key; and

a keylock switch circuit disposed inside said insulating part, wherein said keylock switch circuit comprises;

a first terminal disposed on said metal key adjacent said insulating part;

a second terminal disposed on a surface of said insulating part displaced from contact with said metal key; and

a charge storing means connected between said first and second terminals, being charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

rectifying means preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing means from flowing in a reverse direction, by regulating a power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing means and between said second terminal and said charge storing means;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

read means reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing means, and outputting said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals.

3. A keylock switch system, comprising:

an electronic keylock to actuate a locking operation or a releasing operation in response to acceptance of key data; and

a keylock switch inputting said key data to said electronic keylock, wherein said keylock switch comprises;

first and second terminals, each comprising an electrical contact point;

charge storing means connected between said first and second terminals, being charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

rectifying means preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing means from flowing in a reverse direction, by regulating power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing means and between said second terminal and said charge storing means;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

read means reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing means, and outputtinQ said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals, and

wherein said electronic keylock comprises;

third and fourth terminals forming two iunctions by contacting said first and second terminals, respectively;

a power source supplying driving power to said keylock switch through said third and fourth terminals; and

detecting means detecting said key data from a signal between said third and fourth terminals.

4. The keylock switch system according to claim 3,

further comprising:

discharging means discharging power remaining in said charge storing means, provided in said keylock switch, in response to release of said two junctions.

5. The keylock switch system according to claim 3, wherein

further comprising isolating means isolating, from said power source, an AC signal between said third terminal and said fourth terminal.

6. The keylock switch system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a discharging unit discharging power remaining in said charge storing unit, provided in said keylock switch, in response to release of said two junctions.

7. The keylock switch system according to claim 3, further comprising an isolating unit isolating, from said power source, an AC signal between said third terminal and said fourth terminal.

8. A keylock switch system, comprising:

an electronic keylock to actuate a locking operation or a releasing operation in response to acceptance of key data; and

a keylock switch inputting said key data to said electronic keylock, wherein said keylock switch includes;

a metal key for operating mechanical components provided to a lock;

an insulating part covering at least a part of a head of said metal key; and

a keylock switch circuit disposed inside said insulating part, wherein said keylock switch circuit comprises;

a first terminal disposed on said metal key adjacent the insulating part;

a second terminal disposed on a surface of said insulating part displaced from contact with each other;

charcie storing means connected between said first and second terminals, being charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

rectifying means preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing means from flowing in a reverse direction, by regulating a power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing means and between said second terminal and said charge storing means;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

read means reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing means, and outputting said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals, and

wherein said electronic keylock comprises;

a third terminal so disposed in contact with a metal member to contact said metal key and forming a first iunction;

a fourth terminal contacting said second terminal and forming a second junction;

a power source supplying driving power to said keylock switch through said third and fourth terminals; and

detecting means for detecting said key data from a signal between said third and fourth terminals.

9. The keylock switch system according to claim 8, further comprising a discharging means discharging power remaining in said charge storing means, provided in said keylock switch, in response to release of said two first and second junctions.

10. The keylock switch system according to claim 8, further comprising an isolating means isolating, from said power source, an AC signal between said third terminal and said fourth terminal.

11. The keylock switch system according to claim 8, further comprising a discharging unit discharging power remaining in said charge storing unit, provided in said keylock switch, in response to release of said first and second junctions.

12. The keylock switch system according to claim 8, further comprising an isolating unit isolating, from said power source, an AC signal between said third terminal and said fourth terminal.

13. A keylock switch, comprising:

first and second terminals, each comprising an electrical contact point;

a charge storing unit connected between said first and second terminals and charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

a rectifier preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing unit from flowing in a reverse direction, by regulating a power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing unit and between said second terminal and said charge storing unit;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

a reader reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing unit, and outputting said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals.

14. A keylock switch, comprising:

a metal key for operating mechanical components of a lock;

an insulating part covering at least a part of a head of said metal key; and

a keylock switch circuit disposed inside said insulating part, wherein said keylock switch circuit comprises;

a first terminal disposed on said metal key adjacent said insulating part;

a second terminal disposed on a surface of said insulating part displaced from contact with said metal key;

a charge storing unit connected between said first and second terminals, being charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

a rectifier preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing unit from flowing in a reverse direction, by regulating a power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing unit and between said second terminal and said charge storing unit;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

a read unit reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing unit, and outputting said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals.

15. A keylock switch system, comprising:

an electronic keylock to actuate a locking operation or a releasing operation in response to acceptance of key data; and

a keylock switch inputting said key data to said electronic keylock, wherein said keylock switch comprises;

first and second terminals, each comprising an electrical contact point;

a charge storing unit connected between said first and second terminals, being charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

a rectifier preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing unit from flowing backward, by regulating power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing unit and between said second terminal and said charge storing unit;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

a read unit reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing unit, and outputting said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals, and

wherein said electronic keylock comprises;

third and fourth terminals forming two junctions by contacting said first and second terminals, respectively;

a power source supplying driving power to said keylock switch through said third and fourth terminals; and

a detector detecting said key data from a signal between said third and fourth terminals.

16. A keylock switch system, comprising:

an electronic keylock to actuate a locking operation or a releasing operation in response to acceptance of key data; and

a keylock switch inputting said key data to said electronic keylock, wherein said keylock switch comprises;

a metal key to operate mechanical components provided to a lock;

an insulating part covering at least a part of a head of said metal key; and

a keylock switch circuit disposed inside said insulating part, wherein said keylock switch circuit comprises;

a first terminal disposed on said metal key adjacent the insulating part;

a second terminal disposed on a surface of said insulating part displaced from contact with each other;

a charge storing unit connected between said first and second terminals, being charged by power supplied through said first and second terminals;

a rectifier preventing electric charge stored in said charge storing unit from flowing in a reverse direction, by regulating a power supplying direction between said first terminal and said charge storing unit and between said second terminal and said charge storing unit;

a memory storing key data of a predetermined length; and

a read unit reading said key data stored in said memory by utilizing power supplied from said charge storing unit, and outputting said key data by changing an electrical potential between said first and said second terminals; and

wherein said electronic keylock comprises;

a third terminal so disposed in contact with a metal member to contact said metal key and forming a first junction;

a fourth terminal contacting said second terminal and forming a second junction;

a power source supplying driving power to said keylock switch through said third and fourth terminals; and

a detector for detecting said key data from a signal between said third and fourth terminals.