GB2291252A - Device for storing and encrypying an alphanumeric code - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for storing and encrypting a code, such as a PIN number, comprises a shaft (2), received on which is one or more code rings (14) and one or more reference rings (12). Each ring bears alphanumeric symbols distributed around its periphery. Each ring is arranged to be movable relative to the or each adjacent ring in the direction of the length of the shaft. Restraining means such as a nut or the like (22) screwed onto a threaded portion (6) of the shaft, is located at one end of the shaft and is movable between a first position, in which the or each reference ring is rotationally fixed with respect to the associated code ring, and a second position, in which the or each reference ring is rotatable relative to the associated code ring. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR STORING AND ENCRYPTING AN AhPHANUMERIC CODE The present invention relates to a device for storing and encrypting an alphanumeric code.

There are nowadays an increasing number of instances where codes comprising a number of alphanumeric symbols, either numbers or letters or a combination of the two, are required in everyday life for operation of a wide range of equipment. The best known example of this is in connection with cash withdrawal cards for use with alternated bank teller machines which require four digit codes to enable the user to gain access to the service.

These code numbers are commonly known as PIN (Personal Identification Numbers). There is also an increasing number of instances where codes are required to enable access to equipment or buildings on a regular basis.

Some notable examples are door entry systems at the work place which require codes to be used to allow access to buildings. Codes are now used to lock and unlock mobile telephones in order to prevent unauthorised use.

Numerous other examples can be found in the security field where codes are needed to unlock car radios, disarm alarm systems and the like.

Using PIN numbers as an example, a typical user will write his PIN number on a piece of paper for safe keeping and then put it away in a safe place. However, the piece of paper is frequently lost or the place of safe keeping cannot be remembered, especially if it is infrequently used. The situation can also arise that the PIN number is simply forgotten where the urgency or stress of certain situations causes a temporary lapse of memory.

It is known that one way of reliably remembering such a code is to physically associate the numbers of such a code with the letters of a word which the user can retain in his memory more easily than the code itself. One known simple way of doing this is to draw a grid on a piece of paper comprising two lines of squares, one above the other. The squares of one line are filled with numbers or letters, including those of the code which is to be remembered and the squares of the other line are filled typically with letters whose sequence appears superficially to be random but which are in fact so arranged that those squares which are associated with the squares in which the numbers of the code to be stored are positioned include letters which together spell a simply memorised word.Thus in order to recall the code stored in the grid, the user need only look at the squares associated with the letters of the word which has been memorised. However, whilst simple, such devices suffer from the drawback referred to above, namely that they are easily lost or their place of safe keeping forgotten.

Furthermore, it is believed that they are not used very widely because they create little or no feeling of security due to their simple and essentially twodimensional appearance. The available number of encrypted combinations is somewhat limited and once stored cannot readily be changed. It 5 believed that devices for storing and encrypting a code operating on this general principle would find more widespread application if the device were less flimsy and were to offer a greater number of combination possibilities to encrypt the code and if it were very easy to store and alter the code.It is also thought te be desirable for the device to have an appearance which inherently engenders a greater perception cf security, e.g. if it has an appearance reminiscent of a known security device, such as a combination lock.

Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide a device for storing and encrypting an alphanumeric code which is less flimsy than known devices, is more secure by offering a large number of encryption combinations and can be readily encoded and changed as required and which may be readily attached to an article selected by the user and which creates a rather greater feeling of security.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a device for storing and encrypting an alphanumeric code comprises a shaft, received on which is at least one code ring bearing alphanumeric symbols distributed around its outer periphery and a plurality of reference rings bearing alphanumeric or pictorial symbols distributed around their outer periphery, each ring being arranged so as to be movable relative to the or each adjacent ring in the direction of the length of the shaft, and restraining means located at one end of the shaft and movable between a first position, in which each reference ring is rotationally fixed with respect to the code ring, and a second position, in which the reference rings are rotatable relative to the code ring.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a device for storing and encrypting an alphanumeric code comprises a shaft, received on which is a plurality of code rings bearing alphanumeric symbols distributed around their outer periphery and at least one reference ring bearing alphanumeric or pictorial symbols distributed around its outer periphery, each ring being arranged so as to be movable relative to the or each adjacent ring in the direction of the length of the shaft, and restraining means located at one end of the shaft and movable between a first position in which each code ring is rotationally fixed with respect to the reference ring, and a second position in which the code rings are rotatable relative to the reference ring.

Thus the device in accordance with the present invention has an external appearance reminiscent of that of a known combination lock. It comprises a plurality of code rings and reference rings which may be moved axially on the shaft relative to another when the restraining means is moved to the second position whereby the rings may then be rotated relative to one another to alter the association between the alphanumeric symbols on the or each code ring and the alphanumeric or pictorial symbols on the or each reference ring.

The device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a reference ring corresponding to each symbol of the code to be stored and this means in practice that there will be at least four reference rings because three digit codes are rarely used and can in any event be more easily remembered. The device includes one or more code rings. Each reference ring is adjacent to and associated with the code ring if there is only one such ring, and adjacent to and associated with a respective code ring, if the number of such rings is the same as that of the reference rings.In order to store and encrypt a code, the restraining means is moved to the second position and each reference ring is rotated relative to the single code ring or the associated code ring so the specified symbol of the code on the periphery of the code ring is adjacent to a specified symbol on the periphery of the reference ring. This will typically be one letter of an easily remembered word but it could be one digit of an easily remembered number, such as the date of birth of the user, or it could even be a pictorial symbol.Once the reference rings have been positioned relative to the code ring or the associated code ring in this manner to store the code, the restraining means is moved into the first position in which relative rotational movement of the reference rings and the code ring(s) is prevented and the code is then stored on the device and cannot be decrypted by third parties without knowledge by the reference word, number or pictorial symbols.

The device in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention includes a code ring corresponding to each symbol of the code to be stored and this means in practice that there will be at least four code rings.

The device includes one or more reference rings. Each code ring is adjacent to and associated with a reference ring, if there is only one such ring, and adjacent to and associated with a respective reference ring, if a number of such rings is the same as that of the code rings. The method of operation of this device is substantially the same as that of the device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention in which the number of code and reference rings is the same, the rings are rotatable on the shaft and each associated pair of code and reference rings includes formations with cooperate to prevent relative rotation of the two rings when the restraining means is in the first position but the rings may be moved so that the formations do not so cooperate when the restraining means is in the second position.

The formations may comprise a plurality of recesses formed on one ring of each associated pair and at least one projection on the other ring of each associated pair which is adapted to be received in a respective one of the recesses. Thus in this embodiment each associated pair of code and reference rings is freely rotatable on the shaft with respect to the other pairs but the rings of each pair are rotationally fixed with respect to one another so as to ensure that the required association of a code symbol on the code ring with a reference symbol on the reference ring is maintained.

The restraining means may take various forms but in one preferred and simple embodiment it comprises a nut which is received on a screw-threaded portion of one end of the shaft. Thus in the embodiment referred to above in which there are cooperating formations on each associated pair of rings, the nut is moved to the second position by unscrewing it, either sufficiently far so as to remove it from the shaft or at least sufficiently far to enable the cooperating formations on at least one associated pair of code and reference rings to be moved out of engagement with one another, whereby they may be rotated relative to one another to store a symbol of the code on the code ring.If the nut is completely removed from the shaft, the rings may also be removed from the shaft, the rings of each associated pair rotated into the desired relative rotational positions and then replaced on the shaft, or alternatively the rings of each pair may be rotated relative to one another, after disengaging the cooperating formations, whilst still on the shaft.

In an alternative embodiment, the shaft and the aperture in the rings are of non-circular shape or are rotationally keyed together, whereby the rings cannot rotate with respect to the shaft. In this case, it will be necessary, after the restraining means has been moved to the second position, to remove the rings from the shaft and to rotate the reference rings into the required positions relative to the single code ring or relative to the associated respective code ring and then to replace them when either originally storing a code on the device or altering the code stored on the device.

If the restraining means comprises a nut received on a screw-threaded portion of one end of the shaft it is preferred that the screw-threaded portion of the shaft is of smaller diameter than the remainder of the shaft whereby when the nut is in its first position it engages the shoulder defined at the junction of the two portions of the shaft. Thus in this embodiment the nut does not engage the rings when it is in the first position and this ensures the free rotatability of the associated pairs of rings on the shaft in the first embodiment.

Alternatively, the restraining means may comprise connecting means connecting the shaft to one of the rings. This connecting means may comprise a snap fastening releasably connecting the ring in question to the shaft.

It is preferred that an aperture is formed in one end of the shaft, e.g. in an axially extending web or the like, with which the device may be fastened to a keyring or the strap of a mobile telephone or the like. It will be appreciated also that the device in accordance with the invention may form an integral part of a larger unit, e.g. a car radio of security coded type whose code is then stored in the device. The device could also form part of a smaller item, such as a pen whose shaft or barrel forms the shaft of the device.

It will be appreciated that if there is only a single code ring or reference ring it may be removable from the shaft in a manner similar to the other rings or alternatively it may be immovably connected to or integral with the shaft.

The device of the present invention thus provides a simple and reliable way of storing and encoding an alphanumeric code in a manner which is not accessible to unauthorised third parties. The symbols of the code are set successively on respective pairs of associated code and reference rings, typically, though not necessarily, from left to right, or alternatively on the reference rings with respect to the single code ring and the stored code may simply subsequently be changed after moving the restraining means from the first position to the second position.

Further features and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description of three specific embodiments which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a code storage and encrypting device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the device of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrow X; Figure 3 is a side view and an end view of a reference ring; Figure 4 is a side view and an end view of a code ring; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line A-A in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a similar view of a fourth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 9 is a similar view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4, the device comprises a circular section shaft 2 integral with one end of which is a flange 4. At the other end the shaft has a reduced diameter portion 6 which is screw-threaded and integrally connected to whose free end surface is a web 8 with an aperture 10 formed in it. Axially slidably received on the shaft 2 is a plurality of rings, in this case eight rings, comprising four reference rings 12 alternating with four code rings 14. Each code ring bears the numerals 0 to 9 distributed evenly around its periphery and each reference ring bears 10 letters of the alphabet, or in this case 10 pairs of letters of the alphabet distributed around its periphery at the same spacing as the numerals on the code rings. The aperture 16 in each ring is circular and only slightly larger than the shaft whereby the rings may rotate with respect to the shaft.

Each reference ring 12 has a plurality, in this case ten, of apertures 18 extending partially or wholly through it in the axial direction. Each code ring 14 has one or more, in this case four, correspondingly dimensioned and positioned projections 20 on one of its end faces.

The discs are retained on the shaft by a nut or internally screw-threaded ring 22 which is screwed onto the screw-threaded portion 6 of the shaft. The nut 22 is screwed on until it engages the shoulder at the junction of the larger and smaller diameter portions of the shaft, whereby the nut does not engage the discs. A small clearance is thus left between the flange 4, the nut 22 and the respective adjacent discs whereby all the discs are free to rotate on the shaft. However, the sum of the width of the two clearances is less than the length of the projections 20 whereby each code ring is rotationally keyed to an adjacent reference ring by the cooperation of their respective apertures and projections.The code and reference rings are therefore associated in pairs, and whilst each pair can rotate about the shaft the code and reference rings of each pair rotate as a solid body, that is to say relative rotation of the rings of each pair is prevented.

In use, when it is desired to store a code on the device, the nut 22 is unscrewed and removed and the rings are slid off the shaft. A memorable four letter word is selected and a code ring and a reference ring are rotated relative to one another until the first letter of the selected word is adjacent the.first letter of the code to be stored. The two rings are then interlocked by means of their respective apertures and projections and slid onto the shaft. The process is then repeated for subsequent numbers of the code to be stored which are associated with subsequent letters of the selected word on sequential pairs of reference and code rings which are then slid onto the shaft. Finally, the nut is replaced and the device is ready for use.In the illustration of Figure 1, the code could be 6666 and the selected word FIND or the code could be 4686 and the selected word BIRD. The device can then be carried loose in the pocket of the user or fastened to e.g. a keyring or the device, such as a mobile telephone, for which the code is required by means of the aperture 10 in the web 8.

The modified embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 is generally similar but in this case the cross-sectional shape of the larger diameter portion of the shaft 2 and of the aperture in each ring is decagonal and the apertures 18 and projections 20 are omitted. In this case the rings are not rotatable with respect to the shaft which does of course necessarily mean again that each code ring is not rotatable with respect to the associated reference ring. The use of the device is the same as that described in connection with Figures 1 to 4.

The third embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 is generally similar to the second embodiment except that there is only a single code ring 14 with which all the reference rings 12 are associated. The rings are again not rotatable with respect to the shaft and their relative positions can only be altered by removing them from the shaft, rotating them and then replacing them. A four letter reference word is again selected and the reference rings placed on the shaft so that the first letter of the selected word is adjacent the first numeral of the code to be stored, and so on. Thus, in the illustrated case, the selected word might be FIND and the code 4444 or the selected word might be BIRD and the code 2464.Although the code ring 14 is illustrated as being removable from the shaft, this is not necessary and in a modification, which is not illustrated, it is integral with the flange 4 or effectively constitutes the flange 4.

The fourth embodiment illustrated in Figure 8 is very similar to that illustrated in Figure 7 except that in this case there is a single reference ring 12 and four code rings 14. The construction and use of the device are, however, very similar to those of Figure 7 and the reference ring 12 can be permanently connected to it and/or to the flange 4 and can effectively constitute the flange 4.

The fifth embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 is very similar to that of Figure 8, the only difference being that the nut 22 has been omitted. Its retaining function is performed by a selectively reieasable mechanical connection, in this case a snap connection, between the ring, which in this case is the right hand code ring 14, which is furthest from the flange 4. The snap connection ensures that all the rings are retained on the shaft 22 but may be released to permit the rings to be removed from the shaft when it is desired to alter the code stored on the device.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications may be effected to the embodiments described above. Thus the device of the first and second embodiments may be used to store and encrypt two quite different codes by associating two code rings with each reference ring. In this case, each set of three rings will be appropriately restrained so that relative rotation is prevented and each set of rings may be rotatable bodily with respect to the shaft or fixed on it. The third and fourth embodiments may be similarly modified by providing two code rings and two reference rings, respectively.In a modification of the first embodiment, the rings need not actually be removable from the shaft and this can be achieved by making the nut captive on the shaft but capable of being unscrewed on the threaded portion a sufficient distance that the projections on at least one of the rings can be released from the apertures in the cooperating ring so that the two rings can be rotated relative to one another on the shaft to store a different code. The device may be used for storing not only a numerical code but also a code including or consisting of letters of the alphabet and in the case of the first embodiment this will require the provision of an increased number of apertures and projections to permit each associated pair of rings to be positioned in a number of relative positions which corresponds to the number of letters provided on the code rings. Similarly, the symbols on the reference rings need not be letters but may be numerals. This will necessitate the user memorising a numerical reference code different to the stored code but the number selected for the reference code will be one which the user can easily recall, e.g.

his year of birth. The symbols on the reference rings could also be of a pictorial nature. The nut 22 on the shaft could be replaced by any appropriate fastening device, e.g. a snap fitted ring or a snap connection on the code or referene ring which is furthest from the flange 4, as is used in the fifth embodiment, or a push fitted retainer on the shaft. The decagonal shape of the shaft and the aperture on the rings in the second to fifth embodiments could be replaced by any non-circular shape which prevents rotation of the rings on the shaft.

In all the illustrated embodiments, all the rings are movable on the shaft but it is mentioned in connection with the third and fourth embodiments that one of the end rings can be connected to or constitute the end flange 4.

This modification could be applied to all the other embodiments also and it will be appreciated that in this case the stationary end ring is still rotatable relative to the adjacent ring due to the fact that the adjacent ring may be rotated. In the fifth embodiment the nut 22 is replaced by a snap connection on the end ring, but it will be appreciated that both the end rings could have such snap connections in which event there will be no ring or flange integral with the shaft.

Claims (15)

1. A device for storing and encrypting an alphanumeric code comprising a shaft, received on which is at least one code ring bearing alphanumeric symbols distributed around its outer periphery and a plurality of reference rings bearing alphanumeric or pictorial symbols distributed around their outer periphery, each ring being arranged so as to be movable relative to the or each adjacent ring in the direction of the length of the shaft, and restraining means located at one end of the shaft and movable between a first position, in which each reference ring is rotationally fixed with respect to the code ring, and a second position, in which the reference rings are rotatable relative to the code ring.

2. A device for storing and encrypting an alphanumeric code comprising a shaft, received on which is a plurality of code rings bearing alphanumeric symbols distributed around their outer periphery and at least one reference ring bearing alphanumeric or pictorial symbols distributed around its outer periphery, each ring being arranged so as to be movable relative to the or each adjacent ring in the direction of the length of the shaft, and restraining means located at one end of the shaft and movable between a first position in which each code ring is rotationally fixed with respect to the reference ring, and a second position in which the code rings are rotatable relative to the reference ring.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the or each code ring bears a plurality of numerals and the or each reference ring bears a plurality of letters.

4. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the number of code rings is equal to that of the reference rings and each code ring is adjacent to a respective reference ring.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the rings are rotatable on the shaft and each associated pair of code and reference rings includes formations which cooperate to prevent relative rotation of the two rings when the restraining means is in the first position but the rings may be moved so that the formations do not so cooperate when the restraining means is in the second position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 in which the said formations comprise a plurality of recesses formed on one ring of each associated pair and at least one projection on the other ring of each associated pair which is adapted to be received in a respective one of the recesses.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shaft and the aperture in the rings are of non-circular shape whereby the rings can not rotate with respect to the shaft.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the restraining means comprises a nut which is received on a screw-threaded portion of one end of the shaft.

9. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which the screwthreaded portion of the shaft is of smaller diameter than the remainder of the shaft whereby when the nut is in its first position it engages the shoulder defined at the junction of the two portions of the shaft.

10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the restraining means comprises a connecting means connecting the shaft to one of the rings.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 in which the connecting means comprises a snap fastening.

12. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which forms part of a pen whose shaft or barrel forms the shaft of the device.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which an aperture is formed in one end of the shaft by which the device may be fastened to a key ring or the like.

14. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which there is a single ring which is immovably connected to or integral with the shaft.

15. A device substantially as specifically herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 and 6.