Electronic combination lock security system

• US 5,541,581 A
• Filed: 07/26/1994
• Issued: 07/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medeco Security Locks Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Medeco Security Locks Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Trent, Douglas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US08/280,819
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 341/35, 70/278, 70/284, 70/285, 70/283
• US Class Current: 340/5.55
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/00 Permutation or combination locks handles with combination locks E05B13/103; keyhole guards with combination locks E05B17/145; electric permutation locks E05B49/00; Puzzle locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0673 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 5/003 Pop-out handles, e.g. sliding outwardly before rotation
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00476 dynamically
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0088 centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00666 with dials
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/12 Details relating to cryptographic hardware or logic circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0894 Escrow, recovery or storing of secret information, e.g. secret key escrow or cryptographic key storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7085 : Using a dial having indicia or pointer and indicia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/713 : Dogging manual operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 : Combination or key

Abstract

An electronic security system includes an electronic lock mechanism and an electronic key, each of which is provided with a microprocessor controller and a memory storing data including an ID code and encryption key codes. The lock microprocessor may either change ID codes stored in its memory or encrypt a seed number to be used for determining access to the lock. A novel combination dial electronic lock utilizes the electronic lock and key in association with a conventional combination lock dial to prevent rotation of the combination dial unless an authorized electronic key has been inserted into the electronic lock.

Claims

1. A combination dial lock system, comprising:

a housing accommodating a combination dial and a spindle coupled to said dial and to a combination lock, and also accommodating an electronic lock having a bolt mechanism for preventing rotation of the combination dial when in a protracted position, and allowing the dial to be rotated when in a retracted position, wherein the electronic lock includes

means for receiving coded information from an electronic key,

means for comparing the received coded information with internal authorization information, and

means for allowing the electronic key to retract the bolt mechanism when the received information correctly matches the authorization information;

and wherein the combination dial lock system further includes an adapter ring rigidly attached to said combination dial, said adapter ring including means for receiving said bolt mechanism and thereby preventing rotation of said combination dial, said adapter ring enabling a standard combination dial to be employed in said system.

2. An electronic combination lock security system, comprising:

a combination dial and spindle assembly coupled to a combination lock;

means on said combination dial and spindle assembly for receiving a bolt;

an electronic lock including a bolt being received by said receiving means in a protracted locked position to prevent rotation of said combination dial and being retracted from said receiving means in a retracted unlocked position to allow rotation of said combination dial; and

means for operating said electronic lock to move said bolt between locked and unlocked positions;

said receiving means comprising an adapter ring rigidly secured to said combination dial, said adapter ring enabling said combination dial and spindle assembly to be a standard adapted for use in said system.

3. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 2, wherein said adapter ring includes an extension protruding therefrom and engaging with said bolt.

4. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 2, wherein said adapter ring includes a slot for receiving said bolt.

5. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 2, wherein said electronic lock includes a lock cylinder for engaging and moving said bolt through rotation.

6. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 5, wherein said operating means comprises an electronic key insertable into said lock cylinder of said electronic lock.

7. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 6, wherein said electronic lock further includes a bolt blocking mechanism engageable with said bolt for preventing movement of said bolt by rotation of said lock cylinder.

8. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 7, wherein said electronic lock further includes a solenoid for selectively retracting said bolt blocking mechanism out of engagement with said bolt.

9. A combination lock system comprising:

a combination dial and spindle assembly coupled to a combination lock for operating said combination lock;

means for selectively engaging said combination dial and spindle assembly to prevent rotation of said combination dial; and

means for actuating said engaging means to selectively disengage said combination dial and spindle assembly to allow rotation of said combination dial;

wherein said combination dial and spindle assembly includes an adapter ring secured to said combination dial and including means for receiving a bolt; and

wherein

said engaging means includes a bolt receivable by said receiving means;

said adapter ring enabling said combination dial and spindle assembly to be a standard adapted for use in said system.

10. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 9, wherein said receiving means comprises a slot.

11. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 9, wherein said receiving means comprises an extension protruding from said adapter ring.

12. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 9, wherein said engaging means further comprises an electronic lock having means for extending and retracting said bolt.

13. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 12, wherein said actuating means comprises an electronic key for operating said electronic lock to selectively retract said bolt.

14. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 13, wherein said electronic lock further comprises a lock cylinder for moving said bolt and said electronic key operates said electronic lock by being inserted into said lock cylinder and rotating said lock cylinder.

15. An electronic combination lock security system according to claim 14, wherein said electronic lock further comprises a bolt blocking mechanism engaging said bolt for preventing retraction of said bolt and a solenoid for selectively disengaging said bolt blocking mechanism from said bolt.