GB2272481A

GB2272481A - Programmable electronic lock with card key.

Info

Publication number: GB2272481A
Application number: GB9322763A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Juan Antonio Imedio
Original assignee: Talleres de Escoriaza SA
Current assignee: Talleres de Escoriaza SA
Priority date: 1992-11-04
Filing date: 1993-11-04
Publication date: 1994-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-04
Also published as: FR2705117B1; GB2272481B; FR2705117A1; GB9322763D0; DE4337351A1; ES2070045B1; AT402650B; ES2070045R; ATA222693A; ES2070045A2

Abstract

A programmable electronic lock, constructed with a minimum basic configuration modularly and optionally implementable for additional facilities, has a card which in addition to the coded fields affecting its validity, has an extra field for the codification of additional data which do not affect the validity of the card but only the facilities available to the user - eg in a hotel, access to the sauna, safe, car park etc - which via a reader are transferred to an additional data register which feeds an additional calculation means implemented with logic circuits enabling it to examine the additional data register in relation to respective modular elements which enable the said additional facilities and which are designed to process the data and can be optionally incorporated according to the desired final locking configuration, in accordance with the needs of the site. The additional calculating means has a logic output which is normally activated and, if the examination of the said additional data proves negative, passes a "false value," preventing the activation of the electromechanical means for opening the lock.

Description

2272481 1

PROGRAMMABLE ELECTRONIC LOCK FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a programmable electronic lock which is an improvement on our prior Spanish Patent No. 532,333.

It has been developed on the modular principle and is designed, with the minimum basic configuration given in Patent No. 532,333, to comprise optionally a number of modules intended to provide the user with extra facilities, without affecting the general validity of the card, which relates to the basic configuration.

Although the purposes of the application of this lock may vary considerably, it is particularly suitable for use in an hotel to which reference will be made hereinafter, this being the most typical instance and the best expression of the universal applicability of the lock and of the valuable services thereby rendered.

PRIOR ART

Patent 532,333 described a programmable electronic lock operated by a code carrier, such as a card, coded with card and "shift" codes which are automatically "updated" the first time the card of a new resident arriving at the hotel is inserted, provided the difference of the last key code produced with the new card code, less the last lock code registered internally by the lock, gives, as a result, one or two 'Jump" units.

2 Patent 532,333 also envisaged the possibility of producing "master systems." For this purpose the cards bore information of the type (19) to which they belonged, and the lock had a number of registers (22a,22b... )serving to memorize different codes relating to each of the types. These codes operated independently of one another. One type is reserved for the residents, and other to the general master card and another to the master cards of floors etc. Changes of codes in one type do not affect the others, so that when a new resident arrives this cancels the previous one but does not affect the comasters".

The services indicated are found adequate for the locks of doors to living premises; in hotels, however, there are numerous other services (safe, room refrigerator, swimming bath, sauna, car park) and accesses (main door, equipment store) which are likewise equipped with electronic locks which are required to respond to various actions; some of these locks are independent and designed to open only to one guest and to certain master controls; others have to open to a number of hotel guests or to all of them; others are wired to the reception controller who issues the cards in such a way that it is known when guests ascend to or descend from the floors.

Other known locks different from that covered by our Patent 532,333 use the system in which one and the same code is operated in all cases and in which this code, combined with a clock, is validated if it is within the preset time margins. EXPLANATION OF INVENTION & ITS ADVANTAGES The new lock principle will enable the management of the hotel system to be simplified, the latter requiring locks of different capacities and functional principles, by 3 means of the creation of a modular system of locks and codes in the cards which will make it possible to cover all the possible variants, with a compatible basic structure which it will be possible to activate optionally, with one, several or all possible modules designed to provide the user with other facilities, in originating different lock configurations adapted to each function and requirement.

For this purpose, the new lock is distinguished and characterized by the fact that the said card or code carrier incorporates an extra field for the coding of additional data which do not affect the validity of the card but affects the facilities available to the user and which, via the reader are transferred to an additional data register which feeds an additional calculation means provided with logic circuits which enable it to examine the additional data register in relation to respective modular elements which activate the additional facilities, are designed to process the additional data and can be optionally incorporated, according to the desired final configuration of the lock in accordance with the needs of the site, the calculation means having a logic output which is normally activated, which output, if the examination of the additional data is found to be negative, passes a "false value," preventing the activation of the said electromechanical means via a logic "AND" gate which at its other input is fed by the "OR" gate; and by the fact that, among the multiplexers, the previous unitary registers for each type of card have been replaced by other registers which activate a multiplicity of different registers for each of the different types of card which are provided; and by the fact that there is a special register for the value of the maximum "jump" between cards, which feeds another input of the comparator, the output of this latter being activated when the remaining register less the lock code the register of lock code shows a 'Jump" between consecutive

4 cards which is less than the content of the special register, which may reach up to a hundred or more "jump" units.

With the invention, there is no reason for the additional data to appear on every single card, and according to the function which the card-lock combination is required to perform and to the complexity of the system of locks installed, there will be cards having all, some or none of the additional data.

In general terms, the functionality of the invention resides in the fact that all the locks examine the card code and compare it with the one which they have memorized, to determine whether it is valid, changing it if necessary; adhering for this purpose to the process and the elements already described in our Patent 532,333, which will be described hereafter. The processing of the additional data of the card will also be effected, these, if any, being examined by the locks prepared for this operation, either by some of them or by all of them. They are not data relevant to the validity of the card, since the latter will be valid if it has the last code edited for a room. However, they are data of use for filtering the access to certain common zones or for setting up special operations of the lock etc, in accordance with the variety of possibilities which will be detailed hereinafter.

It is nevertheless desirable first of all to give an explanatory example of this operation described above: if a lock includes a clock it will examine the date of expiry of the cards. A card which is valid but of which the date of expiry has already passed will not be able to open this lock, even though a lock without a clock could be opened. If we install in the door of the room a lock with a clock and in the safe a lock without 4 a clock, both can be opened by the same card of the guest. The safe does not require a clock, because, when the expiry date has passed, the lock of the door will reject the card and the guest will have no access to the room or to the safe.

Among the numerous possibilities offered by this new principle, the additional date enumerated and defined below have been selected expressly:

Authorizations: These are varied and are allocated in advance to different services, such as the swimming pool, the parking space, the sauna or the safe. The swimming pool lock is programmed to ensure that it will only open in response to the cards on which the corresponding authorization is activated. When the card is issued each authorization is activated or deactivated according to the category or the requirements of the guest.

Ex12i11 date: defines the date limit and time limit allocated to the guest. When this period has elapsed the card is rejected in the locks having a clock but continues to be valid in the locks having no clock until a new card arrives.

Date of commencement of validitn defines date and time from when onwards the card is admitted. This is useful in cases of prior issue of cards for parties, when it is desired to eliminate the risk that one of them will be used before the party arrive and the proper check-in is effected. The same applies as in the case described above: only the locks having a clock will reject it if used before the date of commencement of validity.

Periods: defines a "timetable" among various possible periods. A lock with a clock will only open for this card during the hours allocated to the lock for the said "timetable. " 6 Activation of "office"- function: This function ensures that the lock previously programmed for the purpose can be open and remain open for an indeterminate period for those valid cards which in addition are authorized for this function. The same cards can return to the state in which they leave the lock locked.

Thus, in the case of a conference room, normal cards (without "office" function) can be issued for those attending, and a latter can enter but the door will re-lock. The person in charge of the conference can have issued to him a card with the "office" function authorized, which enables him to leave the door temporarily open during certain periods.

Cgpaciiy to cancel "12rivacy": Locks are customarily fitted with an internal button termed "privacy button", preventing the opening of the lock by certain cards. Only those in which this capacity is activated can open the lock when the "privacy button" is pressed.

Identiiy of user: This is a number relating to the user in the records of the controller issuing the cards. When a lock has the appropriate elements (clock and memory) it registers the openings, using the said number as the identity number of the user.

Kgyboard code: Certain locks are provided with a keyboard, and a secret code has to be keyed in by the user, apart from his valid card. This code is different for each user, so that in the event of the loss or theft of the card the safety of the system is protected by this additional detail. In order to avoid the necessity of increasing the memory of the lock, the keyboard code is encoded in the card.

With regard to the said new means of calculation, fed by the additional 7 data register, the system includes optional modular clock elements, elements for "memory of periodC, for "cancellation of privacy", for the "office" function or for indefinite preservation of "open lock state", for memory of register of openings and for secret personal code keyboard.

In this new recommended system the validation of the cards of one and the same system are subject to a card code independent of the additional data, and this enables integrated locks to be produced for a basic central block, which is that described in our Patent 532,333 and which would provide the minimum configuration, into which the said modular elements would be optionally incorporated, to obtain configurations more or less adaptable to the needs of each site in the system. If what is added is a clock module, the lock will examine the dates of expiry and of commencement of validity of the cards. And if it also has programmed timetables, it will ascertain in the case of cards with a time-table whether the latter is within one of the permitted periods; if also it has more memory than that required to safeguard the codes of cards it will register openings with the date and time indicated by its clock and the identity indicated by the card; if it has a "privacy button" and the latter is activated it will require the card to be prepared to cancel the privacy; if a keyboard is added, the lock will examine the keyboard code encoded on the card in order to compare it with the keyed code, etc.

To sum up, in addition to enabling complex systems of locks to be managed, this new system will make it possible to keep the cost to the minimum level, enabling that lock configuration to be adopted which is the most economical for each site in the system.

8 A further point of view from which this new patent provides an improvement by comparison with Patent 532 333 is that relating to the recognition as new and valid of a recently issued code differing in one or two units from that memorized in the lock code register. Now, on the other hand, it is envisaged that there will be locks which do not read the cards of many successive occupants of a room, as they leave certain facilities unused, such as the safe or the swimming pool. The improvement provided thus consists of the recognition that a code is valid and new if the difference is less than a predetermined number which is memorized in a special register and which forms part of the initial programming of the lock. The locks of the doors of the rooms thus have a number equal to 10 to allow for the improbable circumstances in which 10 successive "guest cards" are issued which are never used; where the swimming pool and the safe are concerned, however, they may be equal to 100.

In addition to the "crossed master system" which activates the modular clock element in conjunction with the code of the card, the new lock system provides other "crossed masteC possibilities, which in the final result enable one and the same lock to be opened by cards all of which belong to one and the same type-out of all the possible types (cards of the "guest" type, cards of the "floor master-card" type, etc.) and with the special characteristic that changes of code in any one of them leaves the remaining ones unaffected.

For example, a hotel has locks which have to give passage to more than one guest, as would be the case with a lock installed in the entrance to a corridor containing various guests' rooms; others have to give access to more than one master card of the same r 9 level, as may be the case with storerooms which can be opened by the master cards of all the floors; while others, like that of the main entrance to the hotel, have to give access to practically all the valid cards at this moment, whether "guest cards" or "master cards." Now according to our Patent 532,333,among the multiplexers connected to the type of card register, the lock has a set of registers each of which memorizes the code of a type of card. We now propose that this should be replaced by a set of registers of indefinite number which memorize codes of cards of the first type, followed by another set of an indefinite number of registers which memorize cards of the second type, and so on, until all the possible types of cards have been covered; consequently, when a card of a certain type is read it may correspond to various registers which belong to its type. The lock, following the process known from Patent 532,333, verifies whether the card code is equal to the first memorized or whether its difference is less than a certain value. If this is the case, it operates accordingly and terminates the exploration. If it is not the case, it repeats the process with the subsequent register of the same type. This continues until a valid one is found or the set of registers of the same type is exhausted.

A further service rendered by the present invention applies to cases in which it is desired that a certain guest will be able to open the doors of various rooms with his card. For example, a family party is booked into three rooms and the parents wish to be able to open all three doors. One solution would be to provide them with three cards. Another would be to issue one single card which instead of one single card code contains three card codes which correspond to those of the three rooms. The "shift" code, the type and the additional data are the same as on a normal card and are not repeated. The lock, on reading the card, therefore acts with the first card code as if it were the only one. If it is not valid it attempts to act on the second card code, and so on, until it encounters a valid one or until the codes encoded in the card are exhausted. If it encounters a valid one it continues with the examination of the additional data.

DRAWINGS & REFERENCES The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings; the single figure of which shows a preferred version of the invention and is a synoptic diagram corresponding to a programmable electronic combination lock constructed in accordance with the invention, showing its most general and complete configuration, equipped with various modular elements (53, 54, 55, 59, 60, 61) which form the minimum basic configuration summarized in Patent 532, 333 for the treatment of each and every additional data engraved in the new field (50) of the card (1).

This Fig. 1 shows the following:1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8:

Coded card. Field of card (1) for card code. Field of card (1) for "shift" code. Card reader. Card Code Register. "ShiX' Code Register. Calculating means. Control Logic gate.

9: 10 ll: 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21: 23: 24: 25: 26: 27: 28: 29: 30: 31: 32:

System code register. Control Logic gate. Lock code register. Output of comparator (17) Output of comparator (17). "OR" logic gate. Output of gate (14). Key code register. Comparator. Electromechanical means. Field of card (1) for card type code. Card type code Register. Multiplexer. Multiplexer. Control logic gate. Control logic gate. Switch. Differentiator circuit RD. Bi-stable trigger. Output of trigger (28). Discriminator. "AND" Logic gate. Timer.

12 33: Output of timer (32).

40a,40b,40c. Registers operable for cards of type (40).

41a, 41b 41c, Registers operable for cards of type (41) 50: Field of card (1) for additional data codes. 51: Additional data codes register. 52: Calculating means. 53: Modular clock element. 54: Modular element of "timetable periods" memory. 55: Modular privacy element. 56: Output of calculating mean (52). 57: "AND" logic gate. 58: Output of gate (57). 59: Modular element of "office" function. 60: Modular element of openings memory register. 61: Modular element of keyboard of secret code. 70: Register of value of maximum 'Jump" between cards of successive recognition.

A: B:

Input or reading of comparator (17) for register (16).

Input or reading of comparator (17) for register (11).

t 13 EXPLANATION OF A DETAILED EMBODIMENT.

With regard to the drawings and references indicated, the single figure provides a synoptical illustration of the most general configuration of the lock, developed on a modular principle of which the minimum basic configuration corresponds to that of Patent 532,333 and which can be amplified by optional modules (5 1, 54, 55, 59, 60) which operate selectively in relation to a new field (50) for the coding of additional data, this field being incorporated as a new feature in the card (1).

Thus the card (1) comprises coding fields (2, 3, 19, 50) for card, "shift, "card type and additional data codes respectively.

In accordance with the contents of Patent 532,333, the present minimum basic lock configuration operates in such a way that when the card (1) is inserted in the reader (4), the card and "shift" codes are temporarily stored in registers (5, 6) and are transmitted to a calculating means (7), which also receives a lock system code from a register (9) the calculating means (7) using the system and the "shift"code of the register (6) as elements for the conversion of the card code into a key code, this latter being stored in a register (16) which feeds a comparator (17), which likewise receives a lock code stored in a register (11) of the lock. The comparator (17), in response to a correspondence between the key code of the register (16) and the lock code (11) of the register, produces at its output (13) a signal which, via an "OR" gate (14), actuates electro-mechanical means (18) for opening the lock, when the key code is identical to the lock code increased by one unit. The other output (12) of the comparator (17) is actuated and, via the MW gate (14), supplies a signal which actuates an electromechanical means (18) for opening the lock. This signal, at the output (13) of the comparator (17), 14 actuates a control gate (10), which "updates" the lock code of the register (11) in accordance with the value of the key code in the register (16). On the other hand, the card type code is temporarily memorized in a register (20), the contents of which, via the multiplexers (21) and (23), actuates one or more of various registers (reference- marked 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d in our Patent 532,333), which registers, when actuated, at the output from the multiplexer (23) actuate the control gate (25) and transfers the contents of the lock code to the register (11). At the same time, the output (12) of the comparator (17) acts on the control gate (24), which, via the multiplexer (21), updates the content of the register in question (22a to 22d, old) corresponding to the type of card.

In addition, the field (50) of the card (1) is now read, and its contents stored in the additional data register (5 1) from where it passes to the calculating means (52), which is implemented with logic circuits capable of operating selectively with a plurality of modular elements: clock (53), "timetable" memory (54), privacy cancellation (55), "office" function (59), openings register memory (60) and secret code keyboard (61), of which the purposes have already been explained in detail heretofore and of which the optional incorporation of all, some or none of these produces respective configurations of locks for different services according to the needs of the site in the system. When none of the said modular elements (53-55, 59-61) exists in a lock we have the aforementioned minimum basic configuration of a lock and any additional data incorporated into the field (50) of the card (1), and the output signal (56) will have a true value, and will be ignored by this particular lock, although other locks in the system will respond thereto. When a lock incorporates one or all of the modules (53-55, 59-61), a corresponding signal is emitted by the output (56) and feeds the "AND" gate (57) which at its other input is

1 connected to the output of the "OR" gate (14), so that, at the output (58), a signal is produced which activates the electro-mechanical means (18). This output (58) is now the one which feeds the "AND" gate (31) which feeds the timer (32). The logic output (56 is normally activated and passes to "false value" if the examination of any of the additional data gives a negative result. This signal (56), when at "false value", inhibits the activation of the electromechanical means (18) by means of the logic "AND" gate (57).

On the other hand, the multiplexers (21 and 23) are now operating in relation to registers (40a, 40b, 40c. 41a,41b,41c.)which are different for each type of card, instead of only one as before. Attention should also be drawn to the feature of the incorporation of the special register (70) which makes it possible to predetermine a value for the maximum 'Jump" between consecutively recognizable cards, with capacity for 'JumpC of up to 100 or more cards, instead of one or two, as was the case before. This makes it possible to establish different "card jumps" for the locks of the rooms, the safe or the swimming pool, as has already been explained heretofore, for which purpose the output (12) is activated when the difference A-B is less than the contents of the register (70).

Enlarging upon the "office" function, it has already been mentioned that this consists of the possibility of leaving a lock open for an indefinite period of time until it is once again desired to close it. To render this function really flexible, not all the cards (1) must be capable of effecting it, and for this purpose an additional item of data has been provided, as we have seen. In turn, however, the holder of a card (1) with an "office" function does not always wish to leave the lock open. In many cases he wishes 16 to open it and immediately re-close it.

It is of interest to differentiate between the two operations (normal opening and "office" function) without any need for accessories, such as a button, in the lock. For this purpose, if the card (1) is inserted once only, the opening is normal. If it is inserted twice consecutively in a short period which may amount to two or three seconds, the first opens the lock and the second causes it to remain permanently open ("office" function). Its use is facilitated by a suitable pilot system, such as a flashing green light showing for three seconds, in order to indicate that the lock remains open.

To close'the lock it is sufficient to re-insert the card (1) twice consecutively, the flashing green light showing, the first time, that the lock is actually open, while the second insertion closes the lock, which reverts to its normal state.

As for the other additional facilities, these are only possible if the lock is programmed to admit the "office" function and if the card (1) has activated this function. Since no accessories are required, any lock can be programmed for "office" (or for "pass") without the need to increase the number of lock models.

The nature of the present invention having been sufficiently described, as well as its performance for industrial purposes, it need only be added that it is possible to introduce, into the invention as a whole and into its constituent parts, changes in form, material and arrangement, within the scope of the invention, insofar as such modifications are not at variance with its basis.

1 4 17

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A programmable electronic lock, operable by means of coded cards comprising: a card with fields respectively encoded with card codes "shift"codes and "card type" codes; a card reader; independent registers for the card codes the "shift" codes, the "card type" codes, the system code, the lock code, the key code and of each of the different types of card; a calculating means which is fed by the said registers and which operates with the system and "shift" codes, converting the card code into a key code which is situated in the key-code register; a comparator which is fed by the key code and lock code registers and which has two outputs respectively operable when the registers, key code and lock code coincide and when the key code register exceeds by one or two units the lock code; a logic "OR" gate fed by the outputs of the comparator and connected to electromechanical means for opening the lock; a first control gate inserted between the key code and lock code and connected to the first output of the comparator multiplexers which relate the specific registers of each type of card with the "card type" code register and also a second control gate which feeds the lock code register; a third control gate which is fed by the keycode. register and the first output of the comparator and which feeds the input of the first multiplexer; a discriminator which detects whether the type of card is of a high "level of authorization" and which is fed by the "card type" code register and which feeds a logic "AND" gate, which is also fed by the output of the logic "OR" gate and which, in its turn, feeds a timer; a fourth control gate which is inserted between the card codes and system code registers and which has one input connected to a differentiator circuit RC and the other connected to the positive pole of the circuit, via a switch, in which the lock according to the invention is structured in accordance with a minimum basic configuration modularly and is optionally operable for 18 additional facilities, the card or code carrier incorporating an extra field for the coding of additional data which do not affect the validity of the card but only the facilities available to the user and which through the card reader are transferred to an additional data register which feeds an additional calculating means equipped with logic circuits which enable it to examine the additional data register in relation to respective modular elements which control the additional facilities, are designed to process the additional data and can be optionally incorporated, according to the desired final configuration of the lock according to the needs of the site, the additional calculating means having a logic output which is normally activated and which, if the examination of the additional data proves negative, passes a "false value, " inhibiting the operation of the electro-mechanical means via a second logic "AND" gate which at its other input is fed by the "OR" gate; in which, among the multiplexers, the previous unitary registers for each type or card have been replaced by other registers which activate a multiplicity of different registers for each of the different types of card which are provided; and in which there is a special register for the value of the maximum 'Jump" between cards which feeds another input of the said comparator, the first output of the comparator being activated when the key code register shows a 'Jump" between consecutive cards which is less than the content of the special register, which may reach up to a hundred or more 'Jump" units.

2. A new programmable electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein, among the numerous possible elements, in relation to the additional calculating means, optional modular elements are provided, i.e. clock, "timetable period memory", "privacy cancellation", "office" function or indefinite conservation of "open lock state", "opening register memory" and secret personal code keyboard.

19

3. A programmable electronic lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein among the numerous possible data, the additional data in the card includes the date for authorizations for access to common zones, end of validity, commencement of validity, "timetable periodC, enablement of "office" function, enablement of "cancellation of privacy", identity of user and secret personal code by keyboard.

4. A programmable electronic lock, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the additional data field, all, some or none of the additional data contemplated will be encoded.

5. A programmable electronic lock, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein both in its minimum basic configuration and in that which is provided with all the modular elements contemplated the lock "reads" all the data engraved on the card but only "takes note of "those additional data for the examination of which it is prepared according to its basic configuration, the basic minimum configuration being at all events capable of examining the card code, "shift" code and card-type code.

6. A programmable electronic lock, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, the lock being provided with the "office" function and the card having this item of data activated in its additional data field, a first insertion of the correct card will cause the lock to open and indicate this open state, while a second insertion, effected after a predetermined brief interval of time, will cause the lock to remain open indefinitely, until, with two consecutive further insertions, the first once again indicates the open state and the second effects the closure and the return of the lock to its normal operation.

7. A programmable electronic lock, according to claim 6, wherein the system provides for the existence of a pilot light which is activated continuously and intermittently during the said predetermined period of time and after verifying the first insertion of the two consecutive insertions for activation and cancellation of the "office,, function.

8. A programmable electronic lock, according to the any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first "AND" gate is fed by the said discriminator and by the output of the said "AND" gate.

9. A programmable electronic lock, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum value of the 'Jump" between consecutively read cards which is contained in the special register can be predetermined for up to a hundred -or more units, and when the comparator indicates that the difference of the key code and key code registers is different from zero and less than the said value of the special register this results in the activation of the first output of the comparator, which, via the first control gate, "updates" the contents of the lockcode register, and which, via the third gate and the first multiplexer, "updates" the contents of the said other registers.

10. A programmable electronic lock substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.