EP1124207B1 - Locking system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a locking system comprising a lock arranged on a door or the like with at least one receiving unit and at least one mobile element designed for communication with the receiving unit of the lock.

Such locking systems are known per se in the prior art. In particular, in public baths and the like such systems are in use. Thus, a system is known in which a user receives a transponder element and moves with it through different areas of the system. There, the transponder element is in constant signal traffic with transmitting / receiving units, so that corresponding invoice amounts can be detected when leaving the total area by the accesses. In this system, for example, the cabinet locks are provided with conventional keys, and only the release to remove the key is done by inserting the transponder element. The locks themselves are mechanical. The transponder element has the form of a coin and is inserted into a corresponding receiving pocket of the key and attached to it, for example, captive by means of a bracelet on the body. In this embodiment, key and lock are permanently assigned, but selectable as a unit by the separate transponder element.

In another known system, a corresponding transponder element is provided which already provides the user with a holder and a fastening element to be handed over to the body. Here are disadvantageously associated transponder element and cabinet each other.

The prior art systems are in many ways still in need of improvement. In the one case of the prior art system, the user must wear a relatively large carrier for the closure element with transponder and key bit on a wristband. In the other known system there is a fixed assignment of the closing element to a locker, so that the locker is not freely selectable and must be visited separately by the user. However, if this system was used for freely selectable lockers, the user would have to remember the corresponding locker or its number, since in this case no imprint has been made on the closing element. While in the first system the coin-shaped transponder can be automatically dispensed by one machine, in the second system this automatic dispensing is difficult.

A generic prior art is known from DE 195 28 250 A1 This discloses a method for releasing a locker lock by introducing a release medium into the handle of the lock key. By inserting the release medium in the handle of the key inserted in the locker is a mechanical, electrical or mixed mechanical / electrical release of the rotational movement of the key in the lock. The release medium is firmly held in the key during use of the locker (locked locker) by the action of a locking mechanism.

Starting from the prior art, the present invention has for its object to further develop a locking system of the generic type such that, using an automatically dispensable closing element and free selection of a lock area, such as a locker, the user still needs to carry only a small unit, to which, however, he can recognize the freely chosen lock area, locker or the like.

The technical solution to this problem results from a saltwater system with the features of claim 1. further advantageous features are characterized in the claims 2 to 19.

The locking system according to the invention eliminates the disadvantages of the systems belonging to the prior art and makes the system extremely advantageous for use.

First of all, there is a lock on a door or the like, for example a locker door, which has an actuating element and at least one receiving unit. Irrespective of this, an authorization element, for example a transmission unit, is provided by an automatable device. In the area of the castle, d. H. somewhere on the cabinet door or the like, a support member is releasably attached, which is connectable to the authorization element and removable from the lock area. The user can thus automatically receive an authorization element at a machine and thus move to an arbitrarily selectable locker or the like. There, the user introduces the authorization element in the support element, on the one hand authorization element and support element are locked together according to an advantageous proposal of the invention, on the other hand triggered the support member from the lock area and thus removed. The support member advantageously has a fastener for the captive storage by the user, so for example a bracelet, a safety pin or the like. Advantageously, the cabinet number now be printed clearly visible on the support element, so that the operator does not have to remember this area. On the other hand, the operator carries the carrier element and the authorization element with him, so that the authorization element for automatic movement detection in the total area can be used to perform an appropriate cost determination.

Advantageously, the lock comprises a transmitting / receiving unit and the authorization element comprises a transponder. Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that a power source provided for the lock is activated shortly before the operation of the lock, for example by inserting the transponder into the carrier element, and the lock is automatically deactivated after the operation. As a result, the service life is increased considerably and the system as a whole is not susceptible.

With the locking system according to the invention opens up a lot of completely new possibilities. A problem with transponder-controlled locks is the positioning of transponders relative to the lock or its antenna. In the system according to the invention, the support member may be arranged from the outset so that when inserting the transponder this optimally to the antennas is positioned. It is also conceivable to use antenna components in the assignment element itself. The locking of authorization element with the support element can be done for example by a ball lock, ie, for example, by an electromagnetically movable pin balls for locking or unlocking an application area can be moved.

By the system according to the invention, the cabinet surfaces can be optimally designed. For example, only one slot may be provided for inserting the authorization element and a second slot for pushing out the carrier element. After inserting the authorization element this is optimally positioned in the cabinet interior to the antenna, read or described and used in a support member and locked, which is then pushed out through an opening. Upon return by the user, the latter pushes the carrier element back into the slot, where the transponder is removed, read or written and reissued. The overall surface can thus be designed to be tamper-proof.

The support member may in turn carry a transponder according to an advantageous proposal of the invention. In this case, it is not necessary according to the invention to connect the authorization element to the carrier element, but it is sufficient to leave the authorization element, for example the transponder coin, in the spin area, for example insert it into a slot or the like, and carry the carrier element. A data adjustment can be carried out between the transponder in the authorization element and the transponder in the carrier element. The transponder in the support element does not take unlocking functions or the like with respect to the lock.

The invention provides a conceivably simple and economically constructed locking system which offers the user a multitude of advantages which systems known from the prior art can not have.

Advantageously, the locking system has a blocking element which prevents the operation of the lock, unless the locking authorization is determined by the communication of the lock-side transmitting / receiving unit with the authorization element. In this case, the blocking element is in a Release position moves so that the lock is unlocked for closing or opening. The movement of the blocking element can be effected, for example, electromechanically. The energy required for this purpose can come from an accumulator system, wherein the power supply is enabled only when an authorization element is introduced. In this way, energy saving an electromechanical lock can be used to release the otherwise mechanically actuated lock.

Through the use of the locking element closing the lock by means of the actuating element is made possible only after the authorization check. Once the authorization check has been made and the lock unlocked, it can be locked. The removal of the support element, in turn, is advantageously possible only after closing the lock. To open again, it is provided with the invention that an opening of the lock is possible only with the authorization element and only after its examination, which was used for closing. This check is based on the fact that in the first combined use of authorization element and lock the authorization element is described with a lock-specific identifier, which is then checked. When used in leisure facilities, for example, locker locks are confirmed and related identifiers are stored in the authorization element. When re-opening the lock to open this identifier is then checked and the authorization element is used as appropriate or rejected.

In a particularly advantageous manner, it is proposed with the invention that the carrier element and the actuating element are designed as an integrated module, that is, an element performs both functions. In this way, the lock can not be manipulated mechanically, as are taken with the support member at the same time on the actuator from the lock area.

Advantageously, the invention proposes that, in addition to the data for the authorization check, data that can be used for further purposes can also be exchanged between the authorization element and the lock-side transceiver unit. This can be, for example, time information or also for information required for billing, so as to be able to automate or at least support time control, cost control and / or the like.

Fig. 1

eine Frontansicht einer schematischen Darstellung einer Spindtür;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispieles für ein Trägerelement;

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht des Elements gemäß Fig. 2 von der Seite;

Fig. 4

eine schematisierte Schnittansicht durch ein Schloß und

Fig. 5 a-d

Draufsichten auf ein Betätigungselement in verschiedenen Zuständen.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

Fig. 1

a front view of a schematic representation of a locker door;

Fig. 2

a view of an embodiment of a carrier element;

Fig. 3

a view of the element of Figure 2 from the side.

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view through a lock and

Fig. 5 ad

Top views of an actuator in different states.

1 shows a front view of a schematically illustrated locker door 1, for example a leisure facility or the like, in which a lock area 2 is shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the lock area comprises a substantially cylindrical actuating element 11 into which a carrier element 3 can be inserted.

The Fign. FIGS. 2 and 3 show, in two different views and states, an exemplary embodiment of a carrier element 3, comprising a housing 4 with an inner cavity 7, which is accessible through a slot 19. Bracelets 5, 6 are arranged on both sides of the housing 4, so that the housing 4 can be fastened to an arm, as is expedient for example in swimming pools. Through the slot 19, a coin-shaped in the embodiment shown transponder element 8 can be inserted into the cavity 7, which is held against the force of detents or locks 9 inside. To separate housing 4 and transponder element 8, the latter can be grasped in the area of the recesses 10 and pulled out of the housing 4.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic partially sectioned view of the lock area 2, wherein the actuating element 11 is connected at a front side of a locker door 1 with a located on the back of the locker door 1 lock 12 via a shaft 13. The actuator 11 is cylindrical, barrel-shaped and covered at the top with a front cover 15, which is fixed in the illustrated embodiment by a flanged free edge 16. Two slots 18 are carried out for the implementation of bracelets 5, 6 of a support element freely to the free upper edge.

In the inner receiving region 14 of the actuating element 11, an antenna 17 is arranged to carry out the non-contact communication with the transponder element 8 in the housing 4. Not shown are corresponding electrical connections, control units, memory and the like for performing the electronic functions.

Fig. 5 shows a front view of the actuating element 11 in four different states.

According to Fig. 5a, the actuating element 11 is in a position in which the lock is closed. The slots 18 are open to the free upper edge and the relative rotational position of the front panel 15 to actuator 11 is such that the slots 18 are open in the interior 14. An antenna 17 is substantially parallel to a line connecting the slots 18.

According to Fig. 5b, a support member is inserted into the actuating element 11 by the housing 4 is inserted into the receiving area 14, such that the bracelets 5, 6, the slots 18 protrude. In the housing 4, a transponder coin 8 is inserted, which is thus positioned parallel to the antenna 17. The transponder 8 is now read out via the antenna 17 in order to check a locking authorization. In the positive case, a lock is moved, so that the actuating element for opening the lock is rotatable, as shown in Fig. 5c.

The actuating element is now rotated by 90 ° relative to the front plate 15, so that the housing 4 is no longer removed from the receiving space 14 can be. The antenna, the housing 4 and the actuator 11 with the slots 18 and the passed through bracelets 5, 6 are once rotated relative to the front panel 15 by 90 °. The lock is now in an open position and, as shown in FIG. 5d, the transponder element 8 can be removed from the housing 4, so that now the slot 19 in the housing 4 is free. The locker door is in an open state and the lock can now be reactivated by inserting a transponder element. In this case, the locking authorization would be detected and stored on the communication via the antenna 17 and the lock could be closed in reverse order, which would again correspond to Fig. 5d, so that the housing 4 can be removed again, resulting in the obstructed, in Fig. 5a position results.

The described embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. In particular, the design of the assignment element, the positioning, the latches and the like can be configured as desired.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

door

2

castle area

3

support element

4

casing

5

tape

6

tape

7

cavity

8th

authorization element

9

barrier

10

recess

11

actuator

12

Lock

13

wave

14

reception area

15

front cover

16

edge

17

antenna

18

slot

19

slot

Claims (19)

1. A locking system including a lock (12) arranged on a door (1) or the like with an actuating element (11) for opening and closing the lock (12) and with at least one transmitting/receiving unit (17) and at least one mobile authorisation element (8) designed for communication with the transmitting/receiving unit (17) of the lock (12), a carrier element (3) being releaseably disposed in the lock region (2), which, when the lock (12) is locked, may be connected to the authorisation element (12) and may be removed from the lock region (2) and, on the first combined usage of the authorisation element (8) and lock (12), the authorisation element (8) is written with a code specific to the lock.
2. A locking system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the authorisation element (8) includes a transponder.
3. A locking system as claimed in claim 1 of the preceding claims, characterised in that the authorisation element (8) has the shape of a coin.
4. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lock (12) includes the transmitting/receiving unit (12) and a source of electrical power.
5. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the source of electrical power may be activated before actuation of the lock (12).
6. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the source of electrical power is automatically deactivated after actuation of the lock.
7. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier element (3) has a receiving region (7) for the authorisation element (8).
8. A locking system as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that a clamping mechanism for the releasable connection with the authorisation element (8) is provided in the receiving region.
9. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a mechanism for the releasable connection of the carrier element (3) is provided in a lock region (2).
10. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier element (3) has a fastening element for captive storage by the user.
11. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised by a blocking element which, after positive examination of the authorisation element (8) is moved into a position which permits the actuation of the lock.
12. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that closing of the lock (12) with the actuating element (11) is only possible after examination of the authorisation element (8).
13. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the removal of the carrier element (3) is only possible after closing the lock (12) with the actuating element (11).
14. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that opening of the lock (12) is only possible with the identical authorisation element after inspection thereof.
15. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier element (3) and the actuating element (11) are constructed in the form of an integrated assembly.
16. A locking system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in addition to the data for the authorisation checking, data usable for further purposes is also exchanged between the authorisation element (8) and the transmitting-receiving unit (17) on the lock.
17. A locking system as claimed in one of Claims 2 to 16, characterised in that the carrier element for its part carries a transponder.
18. A locking system as claimed in Claim 17, characterised in that the authorisation element is left in the locker region and the carrier element is carried.
19. A locking system as claimed in Claim 18, characterised in that a data reconciliation is effected between the transponder in the authorisation element and the transponder in the carrier element.

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