EP2137706A1 - Universal key and mecchanical-electronic lock with standardisable components - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention, belonging to the category of electrical and mechanical systems, it has applications in all systems in which, using only one universal mobile keypad, to access one's various premises, to activated/deactivated a mechanism or to executed a command or a function perform by means of the insertion of a codes in an interface of system of patent application. The codes can be keyed in at the time of use or, for convenience, set earlier. For reasons of maximum security, The codes can be keyed in at different location from where the interface is situated. In tue last case, the codes is transmitted into interface and the flash memory, which the codes is maintained in cancels aut. The use of this system, and especially of the standardised mobile keypad (or key or command component) and of the standardised interface (or keyslot), in combination or otherwise with an electronic card and/or with any mechanism: 1. would allow the abolition of all current methods: • of unlocking doors or windows, • of executing on/ off commands, • of performing every type of action or of function, 2. would guarantee progressive and unsurpassed levels of security, with the elimination of irritating bunches of keys; of smart cards; of electronic keys and of whatever else is currently used, which are easily clonable and circumventable and now of little or no practical use.

Description

UNIVERSAL KEYAND MECCHANI CAL-ELECTRONIC LOCK WITH STANDARDISABLE COMPONENTS

The invention described below consists of a code-based mechanical-electronic system for locking and unlocking doors and windows and actuating locks. It is designed so that the components forming the interface (keyslot) between the lock and the command and control component (key) can constitute a "standard" that can supplant the current arrangements which envisage an infinity of types of these components (keyslots and keys).

These arrangements, which necessitate possessing and carrying a considerable number of keys, cards and so forth in order to access one's various premises (house, alarm system, safe, car, garage, gate, computer, cupboards, office, boat, clubs and premises with access controls, etc.), besides being impractical and out of step with current technology, have a degree of security which is inadequate for the times and current levels of knowledge and for the ease wjth which they can be circumvented by duplication, theft etc.

Starting from the assumption that systems of access by keying in a numerical code at the time of need are much more secure, are very practical and fully guarantee person-to- person equal opportunity, between man and woman, smart and intelligent, honest and dishonest, husband and wife, parents and children etc. etc., because the code can be stored solely in the mind and therefore well hidden from others so as to keep one's own property safe.

The decision was taken to put forward the present patent proposal. As is well-known, mechanical-electronic code-based locks consist essentially of the following:

1. a mechanical system for physically closing a latch, generally with a handle, which includes an electrical releasing mechanism which prohibits or, if activated, permits its operation (a mechanism generally consisting of a movable (retractable) piston, activated by a solenoid controlled by an electrical current, with a return spring which, in the state of rest, specifically prohibits the functionality of the mechanical part);

2. an electronic card for decoding the preset code which activates (changes the status of) the mechanism for releasing the mechanical part;

3. components for acquiring access codes (generally numerical keypads with buttons) connected directly to the electronic decoding card. The mechanical locking systems and electronic decoding cards can be of any type, complexity, degree of security and, the cards, can be programmable and even capable, possibly, of providing further services (e.g. access control with the possibility of differentiating access codes by person). The components, on the other hand, which are called above "components for acquiring access codes" represent elements which, as a result of being made in conformity with the types proposed in this patent application or another similar one, and as a result of the process of standardising them, could enable the achievement of the hoped-for results of the use of a single "component for acquiring access codes", a single key (therefore) for all the locks to all one's own premises. To achieve this, it was thought advisable to divide the "component for acquiring access codes" into two elements: l. the interface (keyslot) (Fig. 3), interposed between the electronic decoding card (Fig. 2) and the actual component for entering the access codes (key) (Fig. 5), to be located exclusively on the outside of the frames, doors and articles to be protected or to which one wishes to limit access;

2. the actual component for enter the access codes, is a mobile and portable numerical keypad (Fig. 5) on which to key the codes, physically connecting the component in intimate contact with the interface (keyslot) (Fig. 3) which, in turn, will connect to the programmable decoding card (Fig. 2).

The keypad (or command and control component) constitutes the essential and salient element of the invention, having a sufficient number of keys (buttons) and electrical contacts and/or other interfacing devices (ex.: infrared, radio frequency, DTMF tone and modulated light systems etc.) for communicating with the interface (or keyslot). This keypad can contain systems for pre-entering the codes, and, where high levels of security are required, this pre-entering can be performed in a different place from where the interface (or keyslot) is located. The code are held in a flash memory in the keypad (or command and control component) until it is entered into the keyslot (or interface), which also causes the deletion of the flash memory).

The interface (Fig.3)

The interface complies with standard conventions, can be made of any type of material suitable for the purpose.

It is provided with electrical slot (Fig. 3c), with a layout that complies with the standard conventions, which can come into contact with the complementary connector (Fig. 5a) of the component for entering the access codes, that is the mobile and portable keypad (Fig. 5). In addition, this slot is provided of electrical contacts for imput/autput electric current, and at least contacts, for any further functionalities or future integrations. The interface is equipped with four different-coloured indicating LEDs (ex.: electrical current present [green], unlock activated [yellow], error [red], other function [blue])

(Fig. 3b),.

It is configured, in line with standard conventions (Fig. 3d and Fig. 6), to accept, according to need, the elements (such as phototransistors, antennae, transducers etc.) to connect to other devices in order to control the lock, including through coded infrared signals (produced for example by cellphones or mobile computer apparatus), by means of modulated light signals, by radio signals complying with the standards adopted for cellphones and computers, or by signals generated by apparatus generating DTMF tones.

Component for entering access codes (Fig. /7)

In the basic, mass-market version it consists of a removable and portable keypad, as depicted in drawing (Fig. 5). There could be any number of buttons on this component) and in the basic version, there is no need of electrical power supply. As already said, the mobile keypad (control component or removable key) constitutes the essential and salient element and the lynchpin of the invention, and it is provided with a connector (Fig. 5a) providing a sufficient number of electrical contacts and/or other interfacing devices (ex.: infrared, radio frequency, DTMF tone and modulated light systems etc.) (Fig. 5b) communicating with the complementary slot of keyslot (or interface) (Fig. 3).

In the basic version the buttons activate pure and simple electrical contacts that would allow a numerical code to be entered, which through the interface (or keyslot) would be decoded by the electronic card (on which the identical code would have been previously set so that the card recognises it) in order to send a command to the locking/unlocking mechanism or other type of system for the performance of any other service or function in consequence or otherwise of being appropriately integrated with electrical circuits, in which the above-mentioned components (interface or keyslot - command component or keypad or removable key - decoding card) can be used either singly or together or in combinations which could be derived from them for a fruitful and useful and desired function. Normally the code must be entered after the keypad (or control component or removable key) has been inserted into the interface (or keyslot), and the code can be changed, for reasons of security, at any time and with the frequency desired or considered appropriate, by means of settings entered into the decoding card. In more complex solutions, and according to the levels of security required, in order to facilitate use for example by old people or incapacitated people or people with disabilities, or for people who desire it, it can include systems of coding with dipswitches or with other methods (like remote controls for motorised gates) for entering a code which is only to be altered in exceptional cases and which the person concerned can keep possibly outside the home or in the care of a person they trust, or in some other way so as to protect themselves from losing the "key"; in this case the release of the locking mechanism would be performed by the simple introduction of the keypad (or removable key) into the interface (or keyslot), with or without a button being pressed. To ensure greater levels of security, the keypad (or control component, or removable key) can include a system for pre-keying the access code such that this code can be keyed in, for example while walking along the street, or in a car, or elsewhere but at all events in a different place than the lock or the entrance or the mechanism concerned in the manoeuvre. The code can then be held in a special flash memory until it is transmitted to the keyslot (or interface) by pressing a button on the keypad (or removable key); this operation would however also delete the flash memory so as to avoid the possibility that theft of the keypad (or removable key) could allow outsiders to ascertain the exact access code. The decoding cards would obviously be suitable for the purpose, and could be provided with mechanisms for generating alarm signals after a particular number of incorrect attempts at entering the codes. This solution would make it impractical for ill-intentioned people to position videocameras or set up other methods of finding out the codes for opening or activating the command. With this solution, as may be guessed, it is necessary to key in the code each time one wants to activate a command.

For security reasons the decoding card must be installed inside the premises to be protected, and it must be made inaccessible even from the inside, at least with the door closed.

Conclusions

It is easy to imagine the advantages which would follow from the adoption of the proposed solution. They can be summarised as follows:

• Extreme practicality, since if all the premises of each person who requires one were fitted with a mechanical-electronic lock (Fig. i) equipped with the interface (Fig. 3) described above, only one key (a keypad with buttons) (Fig. 5) would be necessary, or even a borrowed key, for access wherever it was required. Bunches of keys, cards, smart cards etc. could all be abolished. This system could execute on/off commands on any other type of system by using one or more of the lock system's components (the salient components are: interface or keyslot (Fig. 3) - keypad or control component or removable key (Fig. 5) - decoding card (Fig. 2) - locking/unlocking mechanism (Fig. 1) or other mechanism to be operated by means of the change in status of a locked/unlocked or on/off condition); or it could be used for any other operation where the keying and acquisition of a code by the use of such a keypad (or removable key) renders a service and performs a function and/or makes practicable an operation in any field of knowledge and human services, in consequence or otherwise of appropriate integration with electronic circuits;

• The possibility of an alternative way of operating locks or of executing any other command or any other action or function, using compatible systems which are extremely widespread (cellphones, mobile computer systems etc.), which is in keeping with the lifestyle of the young and of people who do not want to carry even a minute keypad, once the card and the accessories of the interface have been adapted to this optional function;

• A greater degree of security than with current systems because of the adoption of an access code, alterable at will, to be keyed in at the time it is needed, whose level of security can be graduated according to personal needs, and which can even be stored only in one's mind, to make absolutely unfeasible the duplication and theft which normally and easily occur with keys and electronic cards. The code, furthermore, can be different for each lock and for each person even in a family situation, to allow or prevent access and to store the codes in memory with control systems. The code can be entered or keyed, in the majority of cases, at the time of executing the command, action or function desired, or, in the case of people not capable of. this, preset but still alterable, or, for reasons of maximum security, keyed in earlier, in a place other than where it is to be used, stored in memory and , transmitted to the keyslot when required and deleted from the memory which was keeping it temporarily stored. This would make it absolutely unfeasible for ill- intentioned people to use spy systems based on video recording by miniature cameras;

• Good price/quality ratio in view of the expected constant reductions in the cost of electronic products and the relative industrial processes in their manufacture, and rises in the price of metals and the industrial processes necessary, for example, for manufacturing decoding systems with mechanical keys;

• It will be possible to put an end to the nightmare of losing keys, since, in the expectation of the hoped-for standardisation, in the basic version any suitable keypad, even borrowed or bought in an emergency, will work for operating the lock or mechanism or for making possible an action or a function, and in the more complex versions even a cellphone or a portable computer system or a generator of DTMF tones or suitable coded radio systems will be able to perform the command. In any event, in spite of the fact that the maximum level of security (or graduated levels of security according to need) in the execution of commands, actions or functions is achieved by this system, considered as a whole or as a series of sub- assemblies, there will always be the certainty in every case that it will be possible to execute these commands, actions or functions, precisely because of the possibility in all versions of using a removable key (mobile keypad), standardised in the basic version, and a more or less complex code, memorised or kept stored in a suitable manner.

• In view of its remarkable number of physical electrical contacts and the fact that it is configured to accept any other connecting element for data transfer, the interface is also usable for allowing dialogue between advanced systems for securing or releasing locks or access mechanisms on the basis of reading/analysing fingerprints, the pupil of the eye and other items differentiating human beings. With the conception and invention of the elements, usable individually or together or in the various sub- assemblies which can be made, as described above (interface or keyslot - keypad or control component or removable key - decoding card, more or less complex according to need - mechanisms for control or for performing actions or functions, I believe that I can revolutionise current methods of locking and unlocking doors and windows or executing commands or performing a variety of other functions, by realising universal solutions which others have not been able to devise in such a decisive manner, achieving the maximum in terms of universality, of simplicity of use, of practicality, of flexibility, of security, of the possibility of abolishing (as inadequate) all other systems which address these objectives, of reduction of costs of production, of simplification, of less demanding production processes with consequent smaller environmental impact and of everything else that can be gained from the invention of my removable key and the other sub-assemblies of my universal electronic lock with removable key with keypad, sub-assemblies which are indicated as:

1. Mobile keypad (command component or removable and standardisable key with keypad) (Fig. 5);

2. Mobile keypad (command component or removable and standardisable key with keypad) (Fig. 5) and standardisable interface (keyslot) (Fig. 3); 3- Mobile keypad (command component or removable and standardisable key with keypad) (Fig. 5) and standardisable interface (keyslot) (Fig. 3) and electronic decoding card (Fig. 2), more or less complex depending on its functions;

4. Mobile keypad (command component or removable and standardisable key with keypad) (Fig. 5) and standardisable interface (keyslot) (Fig. 3) and electronic decoding card (Fig. 2) (more or less complex depending on its functions) and mechanisms and actuators of actions and functions which require the use of the above-mentioned removable key with keypad or connector of keypad and/or slot of interface (keyslot).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. i - lock mechanism (example); connector (Fig. ia);

Fig. 2 - Electronic card or system for the decoding and the processing of the codes; connectors (Fig. 2a);

Fig. 3 - Interface (keyslot) front view: example of embodiment; Connector (Fig. 3°a); signalling LEDs (Fig. 3b); cavity containing the electrical contacts, to connect to the keypad and windows for other coupling systems (Fig. 3c); windows for other coupling systems (Fig. 3d) ;

Fig.4 - Outside door with interface (keyslot) and door handle: example;

Fig. 5 - Mobile keypad ( Key - command organ), example, door electrical contacts (Fig. 5a), windows for other connection systems (IR, DTMF tones, etc .) (Fig. 5b) and leds (Fig. 5c). Front view (Fig. 5-1); retro view (Fig. 5-2); view of top side (Fig. 5-

3).

Fig.6 - Detail of Interface. Three-dimensional detail of compartment configured for recessed housing of other coupling systems, with transparent window or grille facing towards the outside (the interface has three windows).

Claims

CLAIMSUNIVERSAL KEY AND MECCHANICAL-ELECTRONIC LOCK WITH STANDARDISABLE COMPONENTSCLAIM n. i: Mobile keypad (key or command component) (Fig. 5) with buttons; removable and transportable; standardisable or to be standardised to obtain the best results; constructed with any type of material; provided with a connector (Fig. 5a), provided with electrical contacts and arrangements (Fig. 5b) and/or other interfacing devices (e.g. infrared, radio frequency, DTMF tone and modulated light systems etc.) for communicating with the interface (keyslot) (Claim 3) (Fig. 3), complementary and conforming to the slot (Fig. 3c) present on the interface (keyslot) (Claim 3); adapted for keying numerical codes or passwords and/or for generating precoded signals; can contain systems for pre-entering the codes, and where high levels of security are required, this pre-entering can be performed in a different place from where the interface (keyslot) of claim n. 3 is located, because the code would be held in a volatile memory in the keypad (key or command component) until it was entered into the keyslot (or interface) of claim n. 3, which would also cause the deletion of the volatile memory, or can contain other types of devises for the performance of any other service or function in consequence or otherwise of being appropriately integrated with electrical circuits;CLAIM n.2 the connector (Fig. 5a) of the keypad of claim n. 1 (Fig. 5), supplied of electrical contacts and other connection apparatus or devises (Fig. 5b), standardised and used to connect to the interface of claim n.3 (Fig. 3), to any type of system or with which, to the aims of the patent royalties, will constitute an only entity.Claims, also, the fabrication or the fabrication authorization privilege of any thing that makes use of such typology of the connector;CLAIM n. 3: interface (or keyslot) (Fig. 3), standardisable or to be standardised to . obtain the best results; interposed between the electronic decoding card (Fig. 2) and the mobile keypad (key) (Fig. 5); to place outside of the door- locks or of anything where accessibility is to be limited or to be operated with codes; supplied of a slot provided with electrical contacts and arrangements and/ or other interfacing devices (e.g. infrared, radio frequency, DTMF tone and modulated light systems etc.) for communicating with the mobile keypad (key or command device) of claim n.i, complementary to the connector of the mobile keypad (key or command device) of claim n.i.The interface is equipped, furthermore, with different-coloured indicating LEDs (ex.: current present [green], unlocking activated [yellow], error [red], other function [blue]) (Fig. 3b) or LCD display and audio-signals emitting element and is configured, in line with standard conventions (Fig. 3d), to accept, as necessary and according to need, elements (such as phototransistors, antennae, transducers etc.) for connecting to other systems so as to be able to control the lock (or other types of devises for the performance of any other sendee or function), including through coded infrared signals (produced for example by cellphones or mobile computer apparatus), by means of modulated light signals, by radio signals complying with the standards adopted for cellphones and computers, or by signals generated by apparatus generating DTMF tones;CLAIM n.4: Any system that would use:

1. Mobile keypad (or removable and standardisable key or command component) of claim n. 1 or Connector of claim n. 2) and standardisable interface (or keyslot) of claim n. 3;

2. Mobile keypad (or removable and standardisable key or command component) of claim n. 1 or Connector of claim n. 2) and standardisable interface (or keyslot) of claim n. 3 and electronic decoding card, more or less complex depending on its functions;

3. Mobile keypad (or removable and standardisable key or command component) of claim n. 1 or Connector of claim n. 2) and standardisable interface (or keyslot) of claim n. 3 and electronic decoding card, more or less complex depending on its functions, and mechanisms and actuators of actions and functions;

CLAIM n. 5: Any system that would use the mobile Keypad of Claim n.i, the connector of claim n. 2, the interface of claim n.3 and any type of electronic card or system or arrangement for the recognition, the decoding and the processing of the codes coming from the mobile Keypad (key) of claim n.i through/or the interface of claim n.3 and by any mechanism, lock or anything else that activates an action or a function through the use of codes and/or through the use of the interface of claim n.3.