ELECTRONIC COMBINATION LOCK INCLUDING SEQUENTIAL SIGNAL GENERATOR AND SIGNAL DISPLAY

• US 3,812,403 A
• Filed: 06/29/1972
• Issued: 05/21/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Klaus W. Gartner
• Original Assignee: Klaus W. Gartner
• Inventors: Gartner, Klaus W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moose, Jr., Harry E.
• Application Number:
  US05/267,640
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 317/134 70/278 340/147MD,147K,147B,167R 307/1AT
• US Class Current: 340/5.54
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00698 actuated in function of displayed informations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key

Abstract

A manually-actuated electronic combination lock is provided in which the combination code consists of certain preselected digital signals out of a field of many such signals. Circuit means provide for generating a sequence of digital signals constituting the field in response to sustained manual engagement with a push-button switch and a solid state alpha-numeric indicator is connected to display by symbolic representation each of the signals as generated. Selection of the proper combination of signals is provided by manually releasing the switch as each of the proper signals is displayed, whereupon each such selected signal is f ed to a decoding circuit. The signals selected in this manner are collected in the decoding circuit, which upon completion of the proper code operates an electromagnetic lock or the like. In one embodiment of the invention, the solid state indicator is mounted together with the push-button switch on a portable key member adapted for a detachable connection at a security station, such as a door equipped with an electricallyoperated lock. Other disclosed embodiments include, mounting of the solid state indicator and manual push-button within a door handle disposed adjacent to and for operation of an electromechanical door lock; and an arrangement of the solid state indicator and push-button in the driver'"'"''"'"'s compartment of a vehicle, preferably and as disclosed with the indicator disposed in a window panel overlying the steering column, for controlled operation of the vehicle ignition and hood locks.

Claims

1. An electronic combination lock comprising:

electrically operated lock control means, circuit means including manually actuated switch means having an unactuated state and being placed in an actuated state by continuous manual engagement therewith, said circuit means generating a sequence of electrical signals during the actuated state of said switch means and being operable to select predetermined ones of said generated signals for operating said lock control means in response to transitions of said switch means from its actuated state to its unactuated state, and means for displaying said generated signals, whereby said switch means may be selectively and manually operated between its actuated and unactuated states to achieve the selection of said predetermined signals.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes an electrical signal generator for generating said sequence of signaLs of said switch means being connected to and for operation of said generator.

3. The lock of claim 2, wherein said circuit means further includes a decoding circuit responsive to said predetermined signals to operate said lock control means.

4. The lock of claim 1 wherein said display means is comprised of a digitally operated solid state alpha-numeric indicator.

5. The lock of claim 1, said lock control means including an electro-mechanical lock adapted for installation in a door and door jamb assembly, and further comprising, a door handle adapted to be mounted on said door, said display means and said switch means of said circuit means being mounted on said door handle.

6. The lock of claim 5, said handle having an annular shape with one axial end adapted for mounting to said door, said switch means including a push-button switch mounted on the other end of said handle substantially coaxially therewith.

7. The lock of claim 6, said display means comprising, a solid state alpha-numeric indicator disposed in a window provided for the purpose in said handle.

8. The lock of claim 1, said lock control means including an ignition switch for a vehicle and said display means and switch means of said circuit means be adapted for installation in the driver'"'"''"'"'s compartment of such vehicle.

9. The lock of claim 8 further comprising, a vehicle steering column having a display window disposed for observation by a driver, said display means including a solid state alpha-numeric indicator mounted in said column window, and said switch means mounted on said steering column.

10. The lock of claim 9, wherein said window is mounted on an upper surface of said steering column and said switch means is mounted in a side or lower surface of said steering column, and further comprising, manual switch locator means disposed on said steering column immediately adjacent said switch means.

11. The electronic combination lock of claim 1, said circuit means comprising signal generator means having a forward mode and a backward mode generating said sequence of signals in a forward and reverse order respectively, and additional manually actuated switch means selectively disposing said generator means in either its forward or backward mode.

12. A security control system for selectively electrically operating control means adapted for fixed installation at and control of a secured station comprising, electrical circuit means including manually actuated switch means for generating a sequence of electrical signals and for selecting certain of said signals in order to operate said control means, and portable key means for detachable connection at said station and having electrically operated display means for displaying symbolic representations of said generated signals, whereby said certain signals may be selected by selective manual operation of said switch means in accordance with the displayed representations of said generated signals.

13. The control system of claim 12, further defined by a push-button switch providing said manually actuated switch means, said push-button switch mounted on said portable key means and having an unactuated state and being disposed in an actuated state during continuous manual engagement therewith, said circuit means generating said sequence of electrical signals during the actuated state of said push-button switch and said circuit means responsive to a transition of said push-button switch from its actuated state to its unactuated state to select one of the sequentially generated signals, whereby said push-button switch is manually engaged to initiate a sequential display of the generated signals and manually released at the instance of a displayed symbol to select the corresponding electrical signal.

14. The security control system of claim 12 wherein said circuit means comprises signal generator means having a forward mode and a backward mode for generating said sequence of electrical signals in a forward and a rEverse order respectively, and additional manually actuated switch means selectively disposed said generator means in either its forward or backward mode.

15. In a security control system having electrically operated lock means, the combination therewith comprising:

circuit means including generator means for automatically generating a sequence of electrical signals and said circuit means further including decoding means responsive to predetermined ones of said sequence of signals for operating said lock means, electrically-operated display means connected to said generator means for visually displaying symbolic representations of said generated signals, and manually operated switch means having a plurality of states and capable of being selectively and manually disposed in said various states, said generator means being responsive to one of said states of said switch means to issue said sequence of electrical signals and said decoding means being responsive to another of said states of said switch means to receive the signal issued by said generator means at the instance of any select time, whereby selective manual operation of said switch means between its various states enables an operator to select with the assistance of said display means the predetermined ones of said sequence of signals for successfully operating said lock means.

16. In the control system of claim 15, the combination thereof being further defined by said electrically operated display means comprising a single display panel selectively, sequentially displaying alpha-numeric symbols as said representations of said generated electrical signals, and said manually operated switch means comprising a single manually controlled actuator for selectively disposing said switch means in said various states, whereby a compact control device is provided in which a single manual control serves to enter selected alpha-numeric symbols as a plurality of the symbols are sequentially visually presented on the single display panel.

17. In the control system of claim 15, said signal generator means of said circuit means having a forward mode and a backward mode generating said sequence of electrical signals in a forward and reverse order respectively, and said generator means being responsive to one or more of said plurality of states of said manually operated switch means for selectively disposing said generator means in either its forward or backward mode.

18. In the control system of claim 15, wherein said electrically operated lock means includes an electro-mechanical lock adapted for installation in a door and door jamb assembly, the combination further comprising, a door handle adapted to be mounted on said door, said display means and switch means being mounted on said door handle.

19. In the security control system of claim 15, wherein the electrically operated lock means includes a vehicle ignition switch, the combination further comprising, a vehicle steering column fixedly carrying a display window disposed for observation by a driver, said display means mounted in said column window and said switch means mounted on said steering column.

20. In a security control system having electrically operated lock means adapted for fixed installation at a controlled security station, the combination therewith comprising:

circuit means including generator means for generating a sequence of electrical signals and decoding means responsive to predetermined ones of such signals for operating said lock means, electrically-operated display means connected to said generator means for visually displaying symbolic representations of said generated signals, and manually operated switch means connected to and for operating said generator means for selective generation of said signals and said switch means connected to and for operating said decoding means to select and communicate said predetermined signals thereto for operation of said lock means, and a portable key Means detachably electrically connected to a receptacle means provided at said station, said receptacle means being connected to said circuit means, said display means and said switch means being mounted on and carried by said key means for portable transportation thereof relative to said station.

21. An electronic combination lock comprising:

electrically operated lock control means adapted for fixed installation at a controlled security station, circuit means including manually actuated switch means having an unactuated state and being placed in an actuated state by continuous manual engagement therewith, said circuit means generating a sequence of electrical signals during the actuated state of said switch means and being operable to select predetermined ones of said generated signals for operating said lock control means in response to transitions of said switch means for its actuated state to its unactuated state, means for displaying said generated signals, portable key means detachably electrically connected at said station for portable transportation relative thereto, said means for displaying said generated signals being carried by said key means for operation of the former when said key means is connected at said station, whereby said key means may be connected at said station and said switch means selectively and manually operated between its actuated and unactuated states to achieve the selection of said predetermined signals.

22. The electronic combination lock of claim 21, wherein said switch means of said circuit means is carried by said key means together with said display means for detachable electrical connection at said station.