FR2749036A1 - ACCESS CONTROL DEVICE FOR PROGRAMMABLE ELECTRONIC LOCK DOOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of electrically programmable coded locks and keys. The lock, initially uncoded, directly receives its opening code in its main memory via a transponder, from the key bearing a code. A second memory, annexed to the main memory, commands the key to memorise the opening code, and is then erased by the lock command. The invention is useful particularly in controlling access to tenament blocks.

Description

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to the field of locksmithing, and particularly to that of so-called contactless electronic key locks.

 Generally, a lock is a closing device comprising a movable part, or bolt, which can penetrate into a fixed or keeper part, penetration being controlled by a removable or key element, introduced into a housing of the movable part. When it is desired to keep the possibility of opening secret, the key usually acts by the action of raised or hollow regions, cooperating with complementary regions integral with the bolt, these regions being arbitrarily designed to cooperate according to a determined mechanical coding, authorize the opening or closing of the lock.

 In the field concerned, it is known practice to use, instead of mechanical coding employing regions geometrically complementary to electrical coding.

 For this, the key is integral with a device constituting an electronic memory circuit, of the integrated circuit type, carrying an opening code, and the lock is equipped with an electronic reading device, comprising a memory circuit. program. The lock authorizes the opening of the door which it equips only if the respective codes of the key and the lock are the same.

 The transmission of codes between the circuits carried by the key and the lock can be done either by direct electrical contact, or without contact by a magnetic link, or by transformer with primary and secondary, or by radio with transmitter and receiver.

This intermediate element of communication is usually referred to as a transponder.

 Among the applications of such programmed key-lock pairs, it is known to implement a plurality of locks and keys, such as that which exists for example in a hotel, a residential building, a parking lot.

 For this, each lock is connected, by electrical line, to a central computer, which communicates to each of them a particular code, each lock being provided with a code reader.

 The opening of a lock, and consequently the freedom of access to the room whose door it controls, is obtained by presentation at the level of the lock, of a key provided with a transponder, the latter being carrier, in an electronic memory, a code readable by the code reader of the lock, each reader being provided with a memory programmed by line, by the central computer.

 However, the need to use power lines to connect the central programming computer and the satellite locks to be programmed is a serious drawback. This is why it has been proposed to program the memory of each lock directly on site.

 To do this, an operator takes a new key with his transponder, stores it in the central computer, and possibly adds various data (name, etc.) relating to the user. He then moves, through the premises concerned, to the lock to be programmed, provided with suitable electronic equipment: laptop, transponder, and he proceeds to programming.

 To obtain the opening of the door equipped with the programmed lock, the user is given a key provided with a transponder programmed in the central computer, and he can thus enter the room controlled by the lock.

 However, this system also has a serious drawback. It requires the prior passage of an operator in front of each lock to be programmed, carrying special electronic equipment, at each change of user, for example for a change of domicile, room, or authorized or unauthorized tenants.

 This obligation, in the case, for example, of several hundred apartments in blocks of H.L.M. buildings, may prove to be practically impossible to manage.

 The device which is the subject of the present invention advantageously remedies this drawback, and, in principle, uses the key, associated with its transponder programmed to transmit directly to the lock, during the first presentation of the latter, the opening code in the lock memory.

It is thus the holder of the key who himself ensures the programming of the lock, in place of a specialized operator and the corresponding serious drawbacks.

However, it is essential that the transmission of the lock opening code can only take place once, for obvious security reasons. This is why, according to another fundamental characteristic of the invention, a second programmable memory is implemented in the transponder integral with the key. Its function is to order the lock memory to copy the basic opening code from the main memory present in the transponder.

 This programming order given to the lock memory is written to this second memory by the central computer.

 According to the present invention, an access control device is used for the door of a room closed by a lock controlled by a key, the lock and the key being provided with respective electronic circuits provided with programmable memories capable of recording. an opening code, these respective circuits being put into communication by a transponder integral with the key, the programmable circuit of the key being programmed with a central computer, characterized in that the said programmable circuit of the key comprises two electronic memories , a first memory which ensures, by the transponder, the transmission to the lock of the opening code, and a second memory which ensures the management of this transmission, containing the instructions giving the order of execution of said transmission, these instructions then being erased in this memory after execution, by an order issued by the lock.

 The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description below, where other additional characteristics will appear.

Thus, as indicated above, the transponder integral with the key carries two memories, instead of a single memory as in the known art.

 The first memory, which for the sake of simplification will be called memory A, is that which cannot be erased, has been programmed as soon as it is put into service, with the central computer; It is she who opens the door.

 The second memory, characteristic of the present invention, and which by way of simplification will be called memory (B), is erasable and recordable. It is it which contains the instruction, intended for the lock, to copy the opening code of the memory (A) in said lock.

 Under these conditions, the device according to the invention operates as follows, during the first presentation of the key and its transponder at the level of the lock. Two cases are possible: If there is, in the additional memory (B), the recording of an order for recording the contents of the memory (A) in the lock, followed by an order to erase memory (B) in the transponder, the door can open, and the key and its transponder can no longer be used to program other locks. This is a fundamental advantage in case of loss or theft of the key.

 If, on the contrary, in the additional memory (B), no instruction to register a code in the lock, the latter compares the code number of the transponder - memory (A) -, with the number of code stored in its own memory, and depending on the positive or negative result of the comparison, the door opens or does not open.

 In summary, the invention is based on the erasure in the transponder, of the content of the memory (B) by order of the lock.

 The device which is the subject of the present invention has been described in an application given by way of example, that of buildings with a large number of dwellings. However, the protection of the invention applies to any field where decentralized access coding is implemented. According to a practical case given by way of example, the device of the invention is applicable to truck entrances and exits in a company. Entry is free, but after loading, an exit authorization is entered in the driver's transponder in his additional memory, with his identification number.

 The invention can likewise be applied to traffic control in a paying car park, again with registration in the programmable additional memory, which can be erased by the lock.

Claims (1)

 R.1: Access control device for the door of a room closed by a lock controlled by a key, the lock and the key being provided with respective electronic circuits provided with programmable memories capable of recording an opening code, these respective circuits being put in communication by a transponder integral with the key, the programmable circuit of the key being programmed with a central computer, characterized in that said programmable circuit of the key comprises two electronic memories, a first memory which ensures, by the transponder, the transmission to the lock of the opening code, and a second memory which ensures the management of this transmission, containing the instructions giving the order of execution of said transmission, these instructions being then erased in this memory after execution, by an order issued by the lock.  R.2, Access control device according to R.1, characterized in that said closed room is a warehouse.  R.3, Access control device according to R1, characterized in that said closed room is a car park.