Electronic access control device

• US 20040246098A1
• Filed: 07/07/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O.S. Security LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Micro Enhanced Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Denison, William D., Silvers, Bradley S., Brownfield, Lawrence C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,482,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/00 Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7006 Predetermined time interval controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7113 Projected and retracted electrically

Abstract

An electronic lock utilizes two microprocessors remote from each other for enhanced security. The first microprocessor is disposed close to an input device such as a keypad, and the second microprocessor is disposed close to the lock mechanism and well protected from external access. The first microprocessor transmits a communication code to the second microprocessor when it receives via the input device an access code that matches a preset access code. The second microprocessor opens the lock if the transmitted communication code matches a preset communication code. The dual-microprocessor arrangement is advantageously used in a voice controlled access control system and in a motorcycle ignition control system. The present invention further provides an electronic access control system which has a master electronic key having a preset number of access, and an electronic alarm system for a bicycle that has a remote control mounted in the helmet of the rider.

Claims

1. An electronic control device comprising:

a circuit having a portion deactivated during a first time period;

the portion of the circuit enabled during a second time period,

the portion of the circuit having an enable output signal generated in response to a sensed signal;

the portion of the circuit being enabled for an extended time period that is greater than the second time period;

the portion of the circuit having an input code output generated in response to the signal and during the extended time period;

a microprocessor having an output signal generated if the input code matches an authorization code; and

,

a driver having an output generated in response to the output signal generated by the microprocessor.

2. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising a wake-up circuit.

3. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising a receiver.

4. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising a wake-up circuit and a receiver.

5. The device of claim 1, the portion of the circuit comprising an antenna.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following responsive to the output of the driver:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor;

a solid-state relay; and

, an alarm.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein an alarm is enabled in response to the output of the driver.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein an alarm is disabled in response to the output of the driver.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensed signal is infrared.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensed signal is within a radio frequency.

64. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensed signal is digital.

65. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensed signal is generated by a keypad.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a first circuit comprising an oscillator and having a first circuit output signal;

a second circuit enabled and disabled in response to the first circuit output signal, the

second circuit having a second circuit output signal generated in response to receipt of a signal;

a third circuit temporarily enabled during the receipt of the electromagnetic signal, the circuit having a third circuit output signal comprising an input code generated in response to receipt of the signal;

a fourth circuit temporarily enabled to compare the input code to an authorization code; and

,

a driver having an output that is provided to a device if the input code matches the authorization code.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, the first and second circuits comprising a wake-up circuit.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, the third circuit comprising a decode circuit.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, the device comprising at least one of the following:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor;

a solid-state relay; and

, an alarm.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device is an alarm that is enabled in response to the output of the driver.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device is an alarm that is disabled in response to the output of the driver.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the signal is infrared.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the signal is within a radio frequency.

66. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the signal is digital.

67. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the signal is generated by a keypad.

19. An apparatus comprising:

an oscillator having an output comprising a plurality of duty cycles;

a circuit that is periodically enabled for a time t₁ and disabled for a time t₂ during at least some of the duty cycles;

a portion of the circuit that generates an input code in response to a signal;

a microprocessor that compares the input code to an authorization code;

a switch that enables the portion of the circuit as the input code is being received for a time t₃ that is greater than the time t₁.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the portion of the circuit is a decoder.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the switch is responsive to an override signal generated by the decoder.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a device responsive to a signal generated by the microprocessor.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, the device comprising at least one of the following:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor;

a solid-state relay; and

, an alarm.

24. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising an alarm responsive to a signal generated by the microprocessor.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the alarm is enabled in response to the signal generated by the microprocessor.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the alarm is disabled in response to the signal generated by the microprocessor.

27. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising an electromechanical driver electrically connected to the microprocessor and an unlock device.

28. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the signal is infrared.

29. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the signal is within a radio frequency.

68. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the signal is digital.

69. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the signal is generated by a keypad.

30. A circuit operating on current drained from a battery comprising:

an electronic circuit having an output that indicates detection of a device capable of providing an electromagnetic signal;

a decoder that extracts an input code transmitted via the electromagnetic signal;

a switch that, in response to an input, increases the current drained from the battery;

an electronic circuit that compares the input code to an authorization code;

an electronic circuit that provides an output to a device if the input code matches the authorization code; and

,

wherein the switch decreases the current drained from the battery after receiving the input code.

31. The circuit of claim 30, the electronic circuit that provides the output to the device comprising a microprocessor.

32. The circuit of claim 30, the electronic circuit that provides the output to the device comprising an electromechanical driver.

33. The circuit of claim 30, the circuit that compares the input code to the authorization code comprising a microprocessor.

34. The circuit of claim 30, the device comprising at least one of the following:

a solenoid;

an electromechanical relay;

a DC motor;

a solid-state relay; and

, an alarm.

35. The circuit of claim 30, the device comprising an alarm.

36. The circuit of claim 30, wherein the electromagnetic signal is infrared.

37. The circuit of claim 30, wherein the electromagnetic signal is within a radio frequency.

38. A method comprising the steps of:

deactivating a circuit during a first time period;

enabling a portion of the circuit for a second time period;

sensing a signal during the second time period;

enabling the circuit for an extended time period that is greater than the second time period upon the sensing of the signal;

processing the signal during the extended time period to obtain an input code;

comparing the input code to an authorization code; and

,

providing a signal to a device if the input code matches the authorization code.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of generating an oscillation signal and deactivating the circuit in response to the oscillation signal.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of toggling a switch to enable the circuit for the extended time period.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of operating at least one of the following in response to the signal to the device:

an electromechanical driver;

a solenoid;

a DC motor;

an electromechanical relay;

a solid-state relay; and

, an alarm.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the device is an alarm and further comprising the step of deactivating the alarm.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the device is an alarm and further comprising the step of activating the alarm.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein the signal is infrared.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the signal is within a radio frequency.

46. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of activating another portion of the circuit to compare the input code to the authorization code.

70. The method of claim 38 wherein the sensed signal is digital.

71. The method of claim 38 wherein the sensed signal is generated by a keypad.

47. A method comprising the steps of:

periodically enabling and disabling a circuit during each of a plurality of duty cycles wherein the circuit is enabled for a time t₁ during each of the duty cycles;

receiving an input code transmitted via a signal;

comparing the input code to an authorization code;

enabling the circuit as the input code is being received for a time t₂ that is greater than said time t₁; and

,

providing a signal to a device if the input code matches the authorization code.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of sensing receipt of the signal transmitting the input code.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the signal transmitting the input code is infrared.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein the signal transmitting the input code is within a radio frequency.

51. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of generating an override signal during at least a portion of the step of enabling the circuit as the input code is being received.

52. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of toggling a switch during at least a portion of the step of enabling the circuit as the input code is being received.

53. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of operating at least one of the following in response to the signal to the device:

an electromechanical driver;

a solenoid;

a DC motor;

an electromechanical relay;

a solid-state relay; and

, an alarm.

54. The method of claim 47, wherein the device is an alarm and further comprising the step of deactivating the alarm.

55. The method of claim 47, wherein the device is an alarm and further comprising the step of activating the alarm.

72. The method of claim 47 wherein the received signal is digital.

73. The method of claim 47 wherein the received signal is generated by a keypad.

56. A method for operating a circuit on current drained from a battery comprising the steps of:

generating a signal to indicate detection of a device capable of providing a signal;

receiving an input code transmitted by the signal;

increasing the current drained from the battery;

comparing the input code to an authorization code;

providing an output to a device if the input code matches the authorization code; and

,

decreasing the current drained from the battery after receiving the input code.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of increasing the current drained from the battery comprising toggling a switch and the step of decreasing the current drained from the battery comprising toggling the switch.

58. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of generating an oscillation signal during the step of receiving the input code.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the signal is infrared.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the signal within a radio frequency.

61. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of operating at least one of the following in response to the signal to the device:

an electromechanical driver;

a solenoid;

a DC motor;

an electromechanical relay;

a solid-state relay; and

, an alarm.

62. The method of claim 56, wherein the device is an alarm and further comprising the step of deactivating the alarm.

63. The method of claim 56, wherein the device is an alarm and further comprising the step of activating the alarm.

74. A method comprising the steps of:

deactivating a circuit during a first time period;

enabling a portion of the circuit for a second time period;

sensing a signal during the second time period;

processing the signal to obtain an input code;

comparing the input code to an authorization code; and

,

providing a signal to a device if the input code matches the authorization code.

75. The method of claim 74 further comprising the step of generating the sensed signal with a keypad.

76. The method of claim 74 wherein the sensed signal is digital.