EP1330582A1

EP1330582A1 - Remote controlled door related lock arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP1330582A1
Application number: EP01972886A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Magnus Georg Goertz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-05
Filing date: 2001-10-04
Publication date: 2003-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-04
Also published as: SE0003597D0; DE60125804D1; EP1330582B1; ATE350555T1; WO2002029187A1; AU2001292520A1; DE60125804T2; SE524438C2; SE0003597L

Abstract

The invention comprises a remote control door related lock arrangement, with one unit (10) adapted for the control and one lock unit (20) belonging to the door, where the later unit can be made to occupy a position causing the door (2) to be locked by a locking plunger of the lock unit, or alternatively a position causing the door to be non-locked by the locking plunger, whereby a device belonging to the lock unit can be located by an electronic circuit (2a) to a locking or non-locking position relative to the plunger. Said door related device belonging to the door is controlled by electric energy generated by movement of a handle or knob (40) belonging to the door.

Description

REMOTE CONTROLLED DOOR RELATED LOCK ARRANGEMENT

Technical field

The present invention refers in general to a remote controlled door related lock arrangement, more specially to such a lock arrangement that comprises a unit adapted for the remote control, as well as a lock unit belonging to the door.

The lock unit comprises a sprung plunger which by movement of a handle or knob or other corresponding displacement from a standard position can be shifted from a position protruding from the lock unit to a position withdrawn into the lock unit, and which is normally held in the protruding position by a spring force, and a locking plunger which can be made to enter a locking position defined as where the door is locked by the plunger of the lock unit, alternatively a non-locking position defined as where the door is not locked by the plunger of the lock unit.

Since the function of locking the door to the door frame in order to prevent non-authorised entry through the door is governed by said locking plunger, the following description will basically cover the control of the movement of the plunger as well as the conditions related to it.

The invention also describes that a device belonging to the lock unit under influence of an electronic circuit can move or locate the locking plunger to a locking and/or a non-locking position.

Technical state of the art

Remote controlled door related lock arrangements of the kind described above are previously known in several forms.

A number of such lock arrangements rely on the use of an easily carried unit adapted for remote control, comprising a transmitter of electromagnetic waves and a lock unit belonging to the door and comprising a receiver for said waves.

As soon as the unit adapted for remote control does transmit signals carrying information, they are decoded in the lock unit belonging to the door, and in case of correct code, the plunger in the lock unit is assigned a non-locking position or the reverse.

It is also previously known to let the unit adapted for remote control transmit such informative signals that an electronic circuit being part of the lock unit can acti- vate other means to change the door from a closed and locked position to an open and non-locked position or reverse.

Basic rudimentary means are suggested here to ensure the identity control, to make it impossible for any non-authorised person with access to a unit adapted for remote control to enter through a locked door.

Since the unit adapted for remote control can be regarded as an "electronic key", this expression will occasionally be used in the following description.

The technical prior art also comprises the following published patents:

US-A-3 733 861

This shows and describes an electronic lock belonging to a door, and is controlled by a passive transponder or reply unit which can be used as a key by a person wishing to open the door.

A hand driven electric generator is coupled to a geared switch system cooperating with the handle or knob, and arranged to generate the energy needed to power a transceiver (combined receiver and transmitter) which can receive coded signals from the transponder belonging to the person, in order to open the lock and the door.

After reception of a correctly coded signal, a solenoid is activated to rotate or push a locking element away from the line of motion of the plunger of the lock unit, to allow opening of the door.

The personal transponder may have an external dimension suitable for hiding in a wrist watch or a pen.

The system for transmitting and receiving the required signals may be based on radio frequencies or ultrasound.

More specifically, the handle of fig. 1 should be turned counter-clockwise, the large diameter gear 23 turned counter-clockwise, the small diameter gear 22 turned clockwise with high speed, the large diameter gear 21 turned, and the small diameter gear 20 turned with high speed, which in turn will rotate the generator 25.

The generator 25 will generate a voltage for an electric control unit 42, which in turn can actuate a solenoid 38. The control unit 42 is provided with a receiving antenna 44.

The personal transponder is normally disconnected, but will be connected as soon as the person puts his hand onto the handle 10, whereby a permanent magnet 45 in the handle will cause a reed relay 51 in the transponder 50 to activate it to transmit a coded information-carrying signal, which will cause the voltage from the generator 25 to rotate the locking element in the direction of the arrow 35 towards an unlocked position.

It is easily understood that a system according to this principle requires a rotation of the handle vigorous enough to generate an electric pulse with energy enough to move the locking element to its open position before the front part of the locking element strikes the support surface 37, which will be displaced towards the locking element by the motion of the handle 10.

It is further suggested as an alternative that the energy generated by the generator 25 should also be transmitted to the transponder to activate it and make it transmit a correct code signal to open the lock and the door.

US-A-6 076 383

This shows and describes a lock arrangement which can be activated by a manually powered generator. Feeding of the information to the lock occurs by using a dial, and a stepping motor is powered by a one-way clutch, so that feeding occurs in one direction of rotation only, and feeding occurs as pulses of the stepping motor.

US-A-5 699 430

This shows and describes a security method and a unit which shall prevent access to a protected space by using a coded signal transmission, where one part of the coded signal transmission is fixed and the other part is continuously and automatically variable with time.

Principles of the present invention

Technical problems

With regard to the technical decisions that a person skilled in this technical field must make to be able to offer a solution of one or more stated technical problems, it is initially necessary to have a thorough overview of the actions and/or sequence of actions which are to be taken, as well as a necessary choice of the means required, and the following technical problems must be relevant for creating the present invention.

With regard to the technical prior art as described above, it must be regarded as a technical problem to prescribe a remote controlled lock arrangement, consisting of a unit adapted for remote control, serving as an "electronic key", as well as a lock unit with electronic circuits belonging to a door, where such conditions are proposed that the lock unit belonging to the door should be able to locate a carrier to a locking alternatively a non-locking position without any need to utilise any power source, external or unconnected to the door, and utilising as a power source for electronic circuits in said lock unit the energy generated by a rotating or other motion of a handle or knob being part of the lock unit and normally performed by a person wishing to open the lock and the pertaining door.

Apart from that, it is also seen as a technical problem to provide identification with sufficient security of an approved person with access to the "electronic key", where said identification should occur in the vicinity of the door without any other action of the person than carrying a previously identified and activated mobile telephone or corresponding lightweight mobile unit.

It is also a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages of making the necessary devices related to the door and belonging to the lock unit be dependent on the electrical energy generated by a vigorous rotating or corresponding motion of a handle or knob belonging to the door.

There is also a technical problem in adjusting the electronic circuits belonging to the door to such a low energy consumption that they can be supplied with energy from said rotating or corresponding motion with an energy surplus which will be enough to perform the opening or closing operations after the requested identification.

There is also a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with having a remote control unit for the lock unit, provided with electronic circuits and functions within an easily carried and activated mobile telephone or corresponding unit with separate energy supply by a battery.

In addition, there is a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with providing said door related electronic circuit and said mobile telephone or corresponding with signal transmitting and/or signal receiving circuits, and the signal system being adapted for signal transmission over short distances only, such as corresponding to an arm's length.

It may also be regarded as a technical problem to provide identification with sufficient security of an authorised person with access to the "electronic key", where said identification should occur in the vicinity of the door without any other action of the person than carrying a previously uniquely identified mobile telephone or corresponding unit which has been turned on to an activated state.

There is also a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with adapting said rotatory movement of the handle or corresponding for energy generation in two sequential and opposite directions, where the later direction of movement is chosen for generating the necessary energy.

There is a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting the electronic circuit belonging to the door be adapted to transmit an identification request signal after said energy generation, said signal being aimed at and intended to be received by the remote control adapted unit.

There is a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting the remote control adapted unit transmit, as an answer to an identification request, an identity signal valid for the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit to the electronic circuit belonging to the door, and in case said electronic circuit does accept said identification answer activate said device to enter a position where a locking plunger can be displaced according to a rotatory movement of the handle or corresponding.

There is also a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting the first rotatory movement be made to occur from an initial position of the handle or knob in a downward direction to a lower end position, while letting the second rotatory movement occur and generate electric energy during the return from said lower end position to said initial position.

There is a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages of offering a still another possible rotatory movement, said rotatory movement occurring from said initial position of the handle or knob upward to an upper end position.

There is an additional technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting the electronic circuit belonging to the door be adapted to transmit a signal questioning the identity to the remote control adapted unit after a rotatory movement from the initial position to said upper end position.

There is also a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting the remote control adapted unit under the circumstances mentioned above as an answer to the identity questioning transmit the identity assigned to the unit and/or the person handling it to the electronic circuit belonging to the door, and in case said remote control electronic circuit does accept said identification answer activate said device to enter a position displacing a plunger according to a rotational motion of the handle or corresponding.

There is then also a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting said device belonging to the locking unit related to the door be made as an electromagnetic actuator to provide a mechanical interlocking between the locking plunger and the handle or knob, by means of a carrier co-operating with the motion of the handle or corresponding.

There is also a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting internal circuits belonging to the lock unit be adapted to verify that the correctly identified unit adapted for remote control and the electronic circuit belonging to the door are located within a predetermined distance from each other and/or within a chosen angle.

It is then a technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with providing the remote control adapted unit with circuits and computer programs suitable to act as an electronic key to transmit and receive information between said unit and the electronic circuit belonging to the door, including encryption of information signals to be transmitted and decryption of information signals received.

There is a further technical problem to realise the importance and advantages connected with letting the electronic circuit belonging to the door be provided with circuits and computer programs to transmit and receive information signals between said unit and the remote control adapted unit, including encryption of information signals to be transmitted and decryption of information signals received.

Finally, there is a technical problem to create with simple means such circumstances that access to an accommodation by means of the lock arrangement could be charged to an account.

Solution

The present invention presupposes a remote controlled lock arrangement related to a door, including one remote control adapted unit and one lock unit belonging to a door, where the later can be made to enter a locked position determined by the locking plunger of the lock unit, alternatively a non-locked position determined by the locking plunger of the lock unit, where a device belonging to the lock unit is lo- cated in a position locking and/or non-locking said plunger.

In such a remote controlled door related lock arrangement it is suggested that said lock unit belonging and door related device should be affected by the electric energy generated by a rotatory movement or other corresponding movement of a handle, knob or corresponding part belonging to a door.

The invention suggests especially that the electronic circuit belonging to the door should be adapted to transmit a identity questioning signal to the remote control adapted unit, and that the remote control adapted unit then will respond with an identity valid for the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit, and in case the electronic circuit belonging to the door accepts said transmitted identity said device will be activated to a position where the locking plunger can be relocated by a rotational motion of the handle.

As preferred embodiments within the frame of the invention concept are described that electronic circuits belonging to the door such as those for identification should be supplied with electric energy by means of said rotatory movement or other corresponding action.

It is further suggested that electronic circuits within an easily carried and activated unit such as a mobile telephone or corresponding should be utilised for remote control of the lock arrangement.

Said electronic circuit belonging to the door and said mobile telephone or corresponding can be provided with signal transmitting and/or signal receiving circuits, and the signal system utilised should be adapted for signal exchange over short distances.

The invention further describes how said rotatory movement should be adapted to occur in two sequential and counter-rotating directions, where the electric energy required will be generated during the later direction of motion.

The invention further describes that the electronic circuit belonging to the door should be adapted to transmit an identity questioning signal to the remote control adapted unit after generation of said energy.

In its turn, the remote control adapted unit is adapted to transmit as an answer to said questioning the identity valid for the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit, and in case said identity is accepted by the electronic circuit belonging to the door, to activate said carrier to a position where the plunger can be relocated by a rotatory movement of the handle. The invention further describes that a first rotatory movement or corresponding should be arranged to occur from a normal position of the handle or knob to a lower end position, and that a second rotational motion should be arranged to occur from said lower end position to said normal position.

It is further described that a further rotatory movement is adapted to generate necessary electric energy when occurring from a normal position of the handle or knob upwards to an upper end position.

The invention furthermore describes that the electronic circuit belonging to the door can be adapted to send an identity questioning signal to the remote control adapted unit after a rotatory movement from a normal position to said upper end position and an energy generation caused by said motion.

Furthermore, the invention describes that the remote control adapted unit transmits an identity valid for the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit as an answer to said questioning, and in case of acceptance of said identity by the electronic circuit belonging to the door to activate said device to a position interlocking with the plunger where they can be displaced by a rotatory movement of said handle or knob.

It is further suggested that said device belonging to the lock unit and related to the door should consist of an electromagnetic actuator, offering mechanical cooperation and interlocking between the handle or knob, the carrier and the locking plunger.

It is further suggested that the internal circuits of the lock unit could be adapted to verify that the remote control adapted unit and the electronic circuit belonging to the door are located within a predetermined maximal distance from each other and/or within a chosen angle.

It is further suggested that the remote control adapted unit should comprise circuits and computer programs to allow it to transmit and receive information as an "electronic key" between said unit and the electronic circuit belonging to the door, such as encryption of transmitted information signals and decryption of received information signals.

In a corresponding way the electronic circuit belonging to the door can comprise circuits and computer programs to transmit and receive information signals between said unit and the remote control adapted unit, such as encryption of transmitted information signals and decryption of received information signals. Advantages

The advantages for a lock arrangement according to the present invention that must be regarded as most significative, are that hereby has been created preconditions for a person to be able to unlock or lock a remote controlled lock unit related to a door, and that authorisation control occurs as a questioning from the lock unit to a remote control unit or an "electronic key" which is transmitted to the door related lock unit, and where access is permitted if an authorised person carries a unit expressing the correct identity.

Furthermore, the lock unit belonging to the door will be possible to activate without any external energy source, and instead the required electrical energy will be generated by a rotatory movement or corresponding of a handle or knob.

What should be regarded as characterizing of a remote control door related lock arrangement with the significant characteristics of the present invention, is defined in the characterizing part of the following patent claim 1.

Brief description of the figures

One presently suggested remote control door related lock arrangement, with a remote control adapted unit and a lock unit belonging to a door, will now be described more closely with reference to the appended drawings, where: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a door which can be regarded as locked according to the descriptions of the present invention, and which can be unlocked by a remote control adapted unit, shown as a mobile telephone, Figure 2 shows as a block diagram an electronic circuit comprised in the lock unit belonging to the door, Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a relevant electronic circuit appended to or comprised in a remote control adapted unit, Figure 4 shows in a lateral view the mechanical design of a lock unit with a lock actuator, Figure 5 shows an embodiment where a rotatory movement of a handle causes a generator belonging to the door to generate a requested electrical energy, Figure 6 shows the position of the handle before the generator is made to gen- erate electrical energy during a rotatory movement, Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the co-operation between the handle and the generator in the position shown in fig. 5, Figure 8 shows sequentially an unlocking and a locking function which is significative of the invention, Figure 9 shows an arrangement where the opening operations can be charged to an account.

Description of an embodiment suggested here

It must be initially emphasised that in the following description of a presently suggested embodiment which shows the significative characteristics related to the invention and which is further illustrated by the figures of the accompanying drawings, we have chosen words and a special terminology with the primary intent of illuminating the principle of the invention.

However, it must be recognised that the expressions chosen here must not be regarded as limited by the chosen and used terms, and that every chosen term should be interpreted in such a way that it also covers all other technical equivalents which have the same or basically the same function when used for the same or basically the same purpose and/or technical effect.

Referring to figs. 1 and 8 this shows a remote controlled door related lock arrangement 1 , where said lock arrangement utilises one remote control adapted unit 10 as well as one lock unit 20 belonging to a door 2.

A sprung plunger 81 can be displaced between a position protruding from the lock unit 20 to a position retracted into the lock unit 20 by operation of a handle or knob.

A spring not shown here is adapted to press this sprung plunger 81 towards a protruding position, and a rotation of a handle 40 or a corresponding activity, from a normal horizontal position to a lower end position, will pull the sprung plunger 81 against the spring force towards the retracted position.

This part 81 of the lock unit 20 is not an essential part of the invention, and it will be mentioned only occasionally in the following description.

The lock unit 20 comprises apart from an electronic circuit 2a, a locking plunger 47 and certain mechanical assemblies in connection with said plunger, shown in figs. 4 and 5. The lock unit 20 can put the door 2 in a condition which is locked or alternatively non-locked by a locking plunger 47 within the lock unit 20, whereby a device 46 belonging to the lock unit can be located by the electronic circuit 2a to positions which make the plunger 47 locked and/or non-locked.

This will be more closely described in the following.

Referring to fig. 2, this shows as a block diagram the electronic circuit 2a which is a part of the lock unit 20 belonging to the door.

The electronic circuit or unit 2a comprises and utilises a generator 2b, the design of which will be further described with reference to figs. 5, 6 and 7, a unit 2c to accumulate electronic energy such as a condensator related battery.

The unit 2c supplies a CPU-unit 2d as well as an electromechanical actuator 2e and a transmitting and/or receiving circuit 2f adapted to signal transmission over a short distance. This distance could be chosen as an arm's length.

These kinds of circuits are well known in a great number of embodiments, and for this application is suggested an RF-communication circuit available under the name of "Blue Tooth".

The electronic unit 2a also comprises a directional antenna 2g.

Concerning the external electronic circuit 3a required by the invention, it has been illustrated as being a part of the remote control adapted portable and activated unit 10.

This has here been shown as a mobile telephone 10a, of a type commonly known, where said mobile telephone has been provided with a number of circuits adapted for telephone connection and other functions.

More generally, the unit 10 should consist of an active portable unit, which in addition to other functions should be able to receive an identity questioning and in reply transmit identity information.

The use of the invention will in the following be illustrated as with a mobile telephone 10a.

Figure 3 thus shows only such functions which are directly related to the remote control door related lock unit 2a, and for this purpose is shown the utilisation of a battery 3c, a CPU-unit 3d, a transmitting and/or receiving signal circuit 3f corresponding to the circuit 2f shown in fig. 2, as well as an antenna 3g.

For said remote control of the lock unit 2a are utilised electronic circuits located within the mobile telephone 10a or corresponding, where their co-operation will be further described with reference to fig. 8.

Of importance for the present invention is also that said electronic circuit 2a and said mobile telephone 10a or corresponding should be equipped with corresponding transmitting and/or receiving signal circuits, and that the signal system employed is adapted for signal transmission over short distances, where the system marketed under the name "Blue Tooth" can be advantageously be applied.

To make it possible to decide if a distance between the lock unit 20 and the portable unit 10 lies within a predetermined limit or range, certain arrangements are required and will be described later.

Referring to fig. 4, this shows in a lateral view and partly sectioned one embodiment of part of a lock unit 20, including a locking plunger 47 and an actuator 46.

Figure 4 shows a handle or knob 40 which can perform a rotatory movement around a shaft 41.

The handle 40 co-operates with an operating arm 42 which by means of a peg 43 can impart motion to a socket shaped carrier 44.

The carrier 44 is arranged to be moved by a movement of the peg 43 and carries an electromagnet 45 and an actuator pin 46 which can be actuated by the magnet.

When the actuator pin 46 is in the position shown in fig. 4, it is clear that the carrier 44 can perform a back-and-forth motion caused by the handle 40 without affecting the position of the plunger 47.

The plunger 47 is in this figure shown with its free end 47a inserted in a suitably shaped recess 48 in a door frame 49.

Further, the plunger 47 is provided with a groove-shaped recess 47b in the vicinity of the actuator pin 46.

It is now clear that when the handle 40 is rotated in a clockwise direction and the actuator pin is in the inactive position shown in fig. 4, only the carrier 44 will move in the direction of the arrow P1. The plunger will remain in the locking position shown in fig. 4, irrespective of the movement of the handle 40.

If the actuator pin 46 had been displaced to a position oriented and extended into the recess 47b, said clockwise rotation of the handle 40 will move not only the carrier 44 in the direction of the arrow P1 , but also make the plunger 47 take part in said horizontal motion, and this will make the free end 47a leave the recess 48 in the door frame 49 and thus leave the lock unit in a non-locking position. Figure 4 further shows that in case the handle 40 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction the carrier 44 will be displaced in the direction of the arrow P2, and with the actuator pin 46 in the position shown in fig. 4, the carrier 44 will be displaced without affecting the plunger 47.

If the plunger 47 had been in a non-locking position and the actuator pin 46 displaced to enter the recess 47b the rotation would cause the plunger 47 with its free end 47a to move into a position entering the recess 48 in the door frame 49.

With reference to figs. 5, 6 and 7, an example of a generator for electric energy and its activation by a rotatory movement of the handle 40 around its shaft 41 will be more closely described.

The generator has here been assigned the number 51 , and it is connected with a flywheel 52 to increase the electric energy generated by making the torque for turning the handle greater than without a flywheel 52.

The generator 51 and/or the flywheel 52 is provided with a gear wheel 53.

The gear wheel 53 co-operates with corresponding teeth 54a of a tooth segment 54.

A pin 55 is connected to the handle 40 and co-operates with a spring-loaded catch 56.

When the handle 40 is rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in fig. 6, the pin 55 is lifted upward and the tooth segment 54 is rotated to the position shown in fig- 6.

When the tooth segment 54 approaches the position shown in fig. 6, the catch 56 will loose its grip on the pin 55 and the gear segment 54 will be rotated back to its initial position by a spring 57, thereby making the generator rotate and generate the electric energy which can be stored in the battery unit 2c.

Referring to fig. 8, this shows a lateral view of a lock unit belonging to a door, with a handle 40, a shaft of rotation 41 , a sprung plunger 81 directly affected by the normal motion of the handle 40, said sprung plunger 81 intended to keep the door 2 closed or open when the locking plunger 47 belonging to the lock unit is in a nonlocking position.

In fig. 8 is shown in consecutive details the sequential steps for unlocking a door 2 according to the teachings of the present invention, while utilising the sprung plunger 81 and the locking plunger 47.

Detail "1" shows the handle 40 in a neutral position, while the sprung plunger 81 and the locking plunger 47 are inserted in locking position in recesses 48 in the door frame 49.

Detail "2" shows that the handle 40 has been moved to a lower position and the sprung plunger 81 has left the door frame recess, while the locking plunger 47 still remains in a locking position.

Detail "3" shows that the handle 40 has been returned to its neutral position, the sprung plunger 81 has returned to interact with the recess in the door frame 49, and the locking plunger 47 still remains in its locking position.

Detail "4" shows that the electric energy generated by the rotatory movement from position of detail "2" to position of detail "3" has been great enough to cause the lock unit 20 belonging to the door and an electronic circuit 2a being part of said unit to transmit an identity questioning signal to the remote control adapted unit 10 or the mobile telephone 10a.

The remote control adapted unit 10 now transmits an identity valid for the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit, and in case said transmitted identity is accepted by the electronic circuit 2a belonging to the door, said actuator device 46 will be activated to a position where the locking plunger 47 can be moved by a rotatory movement of the handle.

Detail "5" illustrates that in case of such acceptance, moving the handle 40 towards the illustrated lower position will mean that the sprung plunger 81 as well as the locking plunger 47 can be made to move away from the door frame.

The door is now unlocked by the locking plunger 47, and further moving of the handle 40 will now move only the sprung plunger 81 to a position interacting with the door frame or reverse.

To explain the sequence of locking, detail "7" of fig. 8 shows that the sprung plunger 81 is in a closing position while the locking plunger 47 is in a non-locking position.

By turning the handle 40 upward toward an upper position it was shown in fig. 5 that the tooth segment 54 will make the gear wheel 53 rotate the generator 51 with its flywheel 52 to generate electric energy as required.

The electronic circuit 20 belonging to the door is designed to let a rotatory movement from the normal position to said upper end position and the energy generation caused thereby be followed by transmission of an identity questioning signal to the remote control adapted unit 10 as shown in detail "8". The remote control adapted unit 10 then answers by transmitting the identity valid for the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit, and in case said transmitted identity is accepted by the electronic circuit 2a belonging to the door, said actuator device 46 is activated to a position which engages the locking plunger 47 and causes it to be moved by the rotatory movement of the handle.

The present invention thus describes a remote controlled door related lock arrangement which with help of a mobile telephone 10a or similar serving as an "electronic key" makes it possible in a simple way to lock or unlock one or more doors, with high security and with good possibilities to log, supervise or alarm.

The basic feature of the lock arrangement is the possibility to lock or unlock a lock unit belonging to a door without any external energy source, and it is thus fully undisturbed by any occurring power supply failures.

It is furthermore clear that the remote control door related lock unit will allow a simple and cost efficient installation, since the electronic circuit required and the other mechanical details belonging to the door are simple to install, and since a mobile telephone or corresponding can serve as an "electronic key" when it has been adapted to the required signal transmission in a simple way.

In the embodiment described here, the invention thus implies that the mechanical power of the rotational movement of the handle from a normal position to a lower or upper end position shall be transformed to a required electric power or energy pulse by means of a DC generator specially designed for this purpose.

The electric energy produced by the generator will then be stored in a battery or condensator.

This energy can be used to power the CPU-units, the signal interchange with the mobile telephone 10a and activate the electromagnetic actuator 46 in the lock unit.

In principle, the computer unit 2d within the lock unit 20 has four main purposes; to transmit to and receive information from the mobile telephone 10a, a PDA- unit or similar, to decrypt information received from the mobile telephone, to measure the spatial position of the mobile telephone 10a for instance by evaluating the received signal power, and to control the actuator 46 by an electromagnet 45.

Furthermore, there is a directional antenna for the required signal communication with the mobile telephone 0a.

The lock unit 20 can also transmit a lock status message to the mobile tele- phone, or alternatively to a surveillance or alarm centre.

Such an alarm centre can be connected with a communication link over Internet or GSM to send alert messages to a guard company and/or a camera taking a picture at each access attempt.

To minimise the risk of unauthorised entry, other security functions can be added to the signal interchange mentioned.

It is thus within the framework of possibilities of the present invention to utilise a system known as "Rolling Wheel Code" where the general principle is that the mobile telephone 10a and the lock unit 20(2a) contain two identical lists of codes. Each time the mobile telephone and the lock unit perform an unlocking sequence, the pointers of both lists move one step down. If the code received by the lock unit from the mobile telephone 10a is the same as expected in the lock unit, the unlocking sequence will be carried through.

It is also within the frame of possibilities to introduce such a condition that if the lock unit receives a non-acceptable identity code more than a predetermined number of times in a row, such as three times, the lock unit will be blocked and unable to receive any codes for a predetermined time such as one hour.

The present invention also requires that the "electronic key" will only transmit its code, if the user has already verified his authorisation with a PIN-code or keyboard operation.

Within the present invention it is also possible to introduce a requirement that the relevant mobile telephone must be within a correct distance from the lock, transmit with a specific power and be located within a proper predetermined angle from the lock unit.

The invention also includes a first computer program product comprising a computer program code which when executed on a computer available for a lock unit belonging to a door is adapted to perform the steps involved in the communication between said unit and a remote control adapted unit according to the relevant arrangement.

A second computer program product comprises a computer program code which when it is executed by a computer available for a remote control adapted unit is adapted to perform the steps involved in the communication between said unit and a lock unit belonging to a door according to the relevant arrangement, excepting such communication that is covered by traditionally known functions. The invention also includes a carrying medium, where said medium is carrying required computer program code.

The invention also includes a computer readable medium, where the computer program code mentioned above is stored.

With a renewed reference to fig. 2 and the electronic circuit 2a belonging to the lock unit it is mentioned that the reference numbers are: 2h illustrates a transmission circuit for an identity question, 2i illustrates a receiving circuit for a received identity answer, 2j illustrates a memory where a multitude of approved identities are stored, 2k illustrates a circuit which can compare each received identity with what is stored in the memory 2j and if accepted generate a signal of acceptance, 21 refers to a circuit able to calculate the distance to the electronic unit with the

"electronic key", 2m refers to a circuit for encryption of transmitted signals, 2n refers to a circuit for decryption of received signals, 2o refers to a circuit connected to a surveillance centre,

2p refers to a circuit for generation of codes of the "Rolling Wheel Code" system, 2q refers to a circuit for blocking the lock unit after a number of non-acceptable unlocking attempts, 2r refers to a circuit to contain a first computer program set-up.

With renewed reference to fig. 3 and the remote control adapted unit 10 it is mentioned that the following reference numbers are: 3h illustrates a signal receiving circuit for identity questions, 3i refers to a circuit for transmission of identity signals, 3j refers to a circuit for decryption of received signals, 3k refers to a circuit for encryption of transmitted signals, 31 refers to a circuit for generation of codes of the "Rolling Wheel Code" system, 3m refers to a circuit to contain a second computer program set-up, with a suitable co-operative connection to the CPU-unit 3d.

With reference to fig. 9 this shows the co-operation between the door 2, in this case the door of a cabinet, and a lock unit 20 attached to the cabinet door, where said lock unit by means of a code as mentioned above is co-operating with a unit 10.

Said unit 10 should according to fig. 9 be co-operatively connected to a tele- phone system operator 91 , and it is suggested a signal connection where unit 10 transmits a message to operators concerning the number of the cabinet 93 or the lock, whereupon the operator 91 transmits the locking code along with the locking cost.

A cabinet owner 92 receives information from the operator 91 concerning the cabinet number and time. The cabinet owner 92 knows who has rented the cabinet and/or lock, and at which time. The cabinet owner can the charge cost per unit time, while the renter needs neither cash or credit card and it is possible to determine the length of usage later.

The invention is of course not restricted to the embodiment described as an example above, but can be modified within the frame of the invention as illustrated by the claims following.

Claims

1. Remote controlled door related lock arrangement (1 ) with one for remote control adapted unit (10) and one lock unit (20) belonging to a door, where the later unit can be made to occupy a position causing the door to be locked by a locking plunger (47) of the lock unit, or alternatively a position causing the door to be non- locked by the locking plunger, whereby a device belonging to the lock unit can be located by an electronic circuit (2a) to a locking or non-locking position relative to the plunger, whereby said door related device belonging to the door is controlled by electric energy generated by movement of a handle or knob (40) belonging to the door, characterized by the electronic circuit (2a) belonging to the door being adapted to transmit an identity questioning signal to the remote control adapted unit (10); by the remote control adapted unit (10) then transmitting a valid identity of the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit; and by activating said device (46) to a position where the locking plunger (47) can be displaced by a rotatory movement of the handle (40) in case said transmitted identity is accepted by the electronic circuit (2a) belonging to the door.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized by the electronic circuit (2a) belonging to the door also receiving electric energy generated by said rotatory movement.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by an electronic circuit adapted for remote control of the lock unit being allocated to a portable activatable unit such as a mobile telephone or corresponding.

4. Arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by said electronic circuit and said portable unit, such as a mobile telephone or corresponding, being provided with signal transmitting and/or receiving circuits, and by the signal system being adapted for short distances.

5. Arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized by said rotatory movement being adapted to occur in two sequential and opposite directions, where the electric energy required is generated during the later direction.

6. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 5, characterized by a first movement being adapted to occur from a normal position of the handle or knob, downward to a lower end position, and a second movement being adapted to occur from said lower end position to said normal position.

7. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 6, characterized by still another movement being adapted to occur from a normal position of the handle or knob upward to an upper end position.

8. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 7, characterized by the electronic circuit belonging to the door being adapted to transmit an identity questioning signal to the remote control adapted unit after a movement from the normal position to said upper end position and an accompanying energy generation.

9. Arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the remote control adapted unit transmitting a valid identity of the unit and/or the person assigned to the unit; and by activating said device to a position where the locking plunger can be displaced by a movement of the handle in case the electronic circuit belonging to the door has accepted said transmitted identity.

10. Arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized by said device, belonging to the lock unit and related to the door, consisting of an electromagnetic actuator which can provide mechanical interlocking between the locking plunger and the rotatory movement of the handle or knob.

1 . Arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized by the remote control adapted unit and the electronic circuit belonging to the door having to be located within a predetermined distance from each other and/or located within a chosen angle, to permit an acceptable signal transmission.

12. Arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized by the remote control adapted unit comprising circuits and computer programs to allow it as an "electronic key" to transmit and receive information between said unit and the electronic circuit belonging to the door, such as encryption of transmitted information signals and decryption of received information signals.

13. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 12, characterized by the electronic circuit belonging to the door comprising circuits and computer programs to transmit and receive information signals between said circuit and the remote control adapted unit, such as encryption of transmitted information signals and decryption of received information signals.

14. A first computer program product, characterized by comprising a computer program code, which, when executed by a computer available for a unit belonging to a door, is adapted to perform the steps involved in the communication between said unit and a remote control adapted unit as defined in any of the previous claims.

15. A second computer program product, characterized by comprising a computer program code, which when executed by a computer available for a remote control adapted unit is adapted to perform the steps involved in the communication between said unit and a lock unit belonging to a door according to the arrangement defined in any of claims 1 - 13, excepting such communication that is covered by traditionally known functions.

16. A carrying medium, characterized by carrying a computer program code required according to one or more among claims 14 and 15.

17. A computer readable medium, characterized by having stored on it computer program code to be utilised according to one or more among claims 14 and 15.

18. Arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized by charging data for locking and/or unlocking functions performed are transmitted from the remote control unit to an operator which in turn sends relevant information to an owner.