JP2002021382A - Unlocking key and locking/unlocking system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance security without using radio waves, maintaining a mechanism whereby ID codes are checked electronically. SOLUTION: When an unlocking key 9 having a liquid crystal element 19 built therein is inserted into the cylinder lock 6 of a door body 1, the liquid crystal element 19 operates in accordance with an ID code (memory code) built into the IC chip 17 of the key 9. A signal of an LED 21 which is caused to emit light by a drive circuit 22 is converted by the liquid crystal element 19 into modulated light, which is then received by a photodiode 23. The modulated signal received is amplified by an amplifier 24 and checked by a decoder circuit 25. An ID code which is a characteristic of the key is stored in the decoder circuit 25 and, if the checking indicates that the ID code of the received signal coincides with the ID code stored, a signal is output from the decoder circuit 9 so that an FET switch 26 is turned on.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an unlocking key used in a keyless entry system for a house, a building, and a hotel, an access control security system, and the like, and an unlocking system using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An unlocking system using an electric lock to improve safety is known in entry / exit control required in a high security building such as a nuclear facility from a home lock. In this system, a personal identification code (ID code) corresponding to an operation switch such as a remote control key owned by a resident, a room number, and the like are stored in an electric lock controller, and the ID code is transmitted by operating the remote control key or the like. And the transmitted personal identification code and the stored code are compared, and if they match, the electric lock is released.

[0003]

However, in the conventional system, the ID code transmission / reception is performed by a wireless radio wave of 300 MHz.
We use obi. For this reason, a strong pirate radio wave or the like affects malfunctions and other devices. In addition, being affected by this radio wave suggests that it may be started non-destructively by a multi-modulator capable of producing an arbitrary radio wave in the near future.

[0004] As another system, a fingerprint, a pupil,
There is also a system for identifying a specific person by an iris pattern or a face pattern. However, this system is very expensive and is difficult to introduce into a home system. In addition, although the recognition rate has been increased, there are fundamental problems such as erroneous recognition and inability to recognize the same person. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new security system that is low in cost and does not use radio waves.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention utilizes optical transmission which is in a technically advanced direction without using radio waves. Therefore, according to the present invention, first, an optical switch and an IC chip for driving the optical switch are built in a key plate, and an ID switch is embedded in the IC chip.
To provide an unlocking key containing the following code.

Here, the key plate corresponds to, for example, a key for the entrance of a house, and this key incorporates an optical switch and an IC chip for driving. Built-in, for example, wet key
It may be attached to a groove formed by dry etching or cutting, or may be attached to a molded product such as polypropylene and then covered with an external cover such as vinyl chloride. Further, the key of the present invention includes a card key used in a hotel or the like, and is not limited to an entrance key of a general household.

As an optical switch, for example, a liquid crystal element,
Examples include, but are not limited to, a piezoelectric element, an electro-optical shutter using the Pockels, the Faraday effect, an optical waveguide, an optical crystal, and the like. For example, a light-emitting diode, a laser, a lamp, or the like that modulates light to be emitted is included. In this case, a light emitting element described later also functions as an optical switch. The modulation of the optical switch is
This is performed according to the ID code built in the IC chip, and is modulated at, for example, 30 to 40 KHZ. Or 3-4K
HZ is also possible. There are many ICs that can be used most in the 30 to 40 kHz band. Further, the optical switch may have a gradation function.

The liquid crystal element includes, for example, a liquid crystal element having a refractive index, a liquid crystal element having a transmission and scattering type, a TN (twisted nematic) liquid crystal, a STN (super TN) liquid crystal, a ferroelectric liquid crystal element, an antiferroelectric liquid crystal, Examples include, but are not limited to, polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. This liquid crystal element may be either a single element or a plurality of pixels, and it is preferable that each pixel is opened and closed by applying a current to the liquid crystal element to form a pattern. When configuring a pattern, for example, a barcode or a QR code is displayed.

The present invention also provides an unlocking key as described above, a key insertion portion into which the key is inserted, a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided at a position sandwiching the optical switch at the time of key insertion in the key insertion portion, The optical signal from the device is
An ID collating unit that produces a modulated signal corresponding to the D code and performs ID collation when the modulated signal is received by the light receiving element;
There is provided a locking / unlocking system including a control unit that controls unlocking of a door in accordance with a comparison result of a collation unit. Here, the key insertion portion corresponds to, for example, a cylinder lock in a door knob, a key insertion portion of an entrance panel in an entrance hall of a condominium, a hotel, a card key reading portion of a hotel or a nuclear facility.

[0010] Examples of the light emitting device include, but are not limited to, a light emitting diode, a laser, a lamp, and EL (electroluminescence). The light-emitting device has an ultraviolet to infrared region, preferably 30
Those having a wavelength range of 0 to 1000 nm can be used. As the light receiving element, various infrared sensors such as a photodiode, a photomultiplier, a solid light receiving sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, and a thermopile can be used. In addition, a light emitting element and a light receiving element may be integrated like a photocoupler or a photointerrupter. Further, a plurality of light emitting elements or light receiving elements such as a plurality of photointerrupters or PSDs (posision sensing devices) may be provided.

[0011] The ID collation unit includes a unique I or I
D is stored in the ROM, and I is detected by the light receiving element.
A signal is sent to the control unit only when it matches D,
Start unlocking the door. The ID collation unit and the control unit may be constituted by the same CPU or may be constituted by different CPUs.

Further, in the present invention, an alarm unit for issuing an alarm when the collation result of the ID collating unit does not match may be further provided. As the alarm unit, for example, an alarm unit provided with a lamp at the entrance door to turn on the lamp, a unit that sounds a siren to notify the neighborhood, and the like are applicable. Further, in the present invention, the ID
A communication unit that communicates with the outside when the collation result of the collation unit does not match may be provided. Here, "outside" means a person other than a resident, and corresponds to, for example, communication with a security company, an apartment manager, or a hotel reception. In addition, communication corresponds to both wireless and wired.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an entrance door in which the unlocking key of the present invention is used. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a door main body, in which a key case main body 2 is embedded. A latch bolt 3 and a dead bolt 4 are housed in the key case body 2 so as to be able to be taken in and out of the door.
The operation part 8 for controlling the operation of the above is housed. The latch bolt 3 is connected to a door handle 5 provided outside the room, and the latch bolt 3 moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The operation of the door handle 5 causes a normal door opening / closing operation to be performed. The dead bolt 4 is connected to a plunger described later,
The plunger is operated by the operation unit 8. The operation unit 8 is operated by inserting the unlocking key 9 into the cylinder lock 6 having the key groove 7. Although the details of the unlocking key 9 and the operation unit 8 will be described later, the operation of the unlocking key 9 is an unlocking operation. Note that the latch bolt 3 and the dead bolt 4 are fitted into a striker 11 mounted in the entrance door frame 10 in an embedded state.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the unlocking key 9 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 16 denotes a key plate, on which an IC substrate 18 and a liquid crystal element 1 serving as an optical switch are provided.
9 are set, and a liquid crystal element driving circuit and an IC chip 17 with a built-in ID are mounted on an IC substrate 18. The key plate 16 has a through hole 20 so that the liquid crystal element 19 is exposed. The liquid crystal element 19 changes the direction of the liquid crystal by applying a current to a transparent electrode (not shown) in the liquid crystal element according to the ID code built in the IC chip 17, thereby opening and closing the element itself. The key plate 16 is provided with a power switch (not shown) and a power supply for driving the IC chip (not shown). The key plate 16, that is, the unlock key 9 is inserted into the cylinder lock 6 described above. , Switch is O
It becomes N and the liquid crystal element drive circuit of the IC chip 17 is driven. Alternatively, the power may not be provided on the key plate, and may be supplied from the cylinder lock 6.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram when the unlocking key 9 is inserted into the cylinder lock 6 and the dead bolt 4 is moved. 3, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. When the unlocking key 9 is inserted into the cylinder lock 6, an LED 21 and a photodiode 23 are arranged in the cylinder lock 6 at positions where the liquid crystal element 19 of the unlocking key 9 is sandwiched. A key detection switch (not shown) is provided in the cylinder lock 6, and when the insertion of the unlocking key 9 is detected, the LED 21 is turned on. The optical axis of the LED 21 is shown in FIG.
Through the through hole 20. 22 is L
This is a drive circuit for the ED 21. The reception signal of the photodiode 23 is amplified by the amplifier 24 and then decoded.
Sent to 5. Reference numeral 26 denotes an FET switch, which is turned on / off by an output signal of the decoder circuit 25. FET
When the switch 26 is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply 27. Reference numeral 28 denotes a plunger driven by a solenoid (not shown), which is connected to the dead bolt 4. Therefore, when the FET switch 26 is turned on and power is supplied from the power supply 27 to the solenoid, the deadbolt 4 moves (the direction a in the drawing).

With the above configuration, the door is unlocked as follows. The liquid crystal element 19 is attached to the cylinder lock 6 of the door body 1.
When the unlocking key 9 in which the
Operates according to an ID code (memory code) built into the IC chip 17 of the unlock key 9. Drive circuit 2
2 emits a signal from the LED 21 to the liquid crystal element 19
The light is converted into modulated light and received by the photodiode 23. The received modulation signal is amplified by an amplifier 24 and then collated by a decoder circuit 25. The decoder circuit 25 stores an ID code unique to the key, and stores the ID code of the received signal and the stored ID code.
When the code collation results match, the FET switch 26
Are output from the decoder circuit 9 so that the.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a signal in the decoder circuit 9. FIG. 4A shows a case where the collation result is correct. When the liquid crystal element 19 opens and closes according to an ID code (memory code) while synchronizing with the start bit, the liquid crystal element 19 closes when the LED 21 emits light, so that an optical signal reaches the photodiode 23. do not do. Therefore, in the counter of the decoder circuit 9, the count number between the start bit and the stop bit becomes 0, which indicates that the code to be verified is correct.

On the other hand, FIG. 4 (2) shows a case of a code to be verified which has been falsely input. Since only one location does not match the ID code, one signal is counted from the pulse train of the received light signal, and it can be determined that the collation result is inappropriate.

When the FET switch 26 is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply 11 to the solenoid 28, and the plunger 28 moves in the direction of a.
Also moves in the direction of a, and the door body 1 is unlocked.

When the unlocking key 9 is not inserted into the cylinder lock 6 or when the modulation signal (ID code) does not match, the solenoid is not energized because the FET switch 26 is in the OFF state. 28 moves in the direction of b, and the door is closed.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, but may have the following configuration. Each code commonly used in factory automation and POS systems such as liquid crystal barcodes and QR codes can be easily reproduced on the device by using the pixels of the liquid crystal device. Alternatively, a code (pattern) may be reproduced on the liquid crystal element when a key with the liquid crystal element is inserted. Further, the liquid crystal element may be smaller than the light receiving surface of the photodiode. Or PSD (posision sensi
Using a device that changes the voltage value depending on the position such as (ng device), if the signal is reproduced again in a pattern by a computer and collated, there are countless combinations of time series changes and patterns, It is almost impossible to illicitly match with a multi-pulse generator anymore. At the same time, starting failure and malfunction due to radio wave interference can be prevented. Alternatively, the pattern of the liquid crystal element is
By using a low-cost multi-link type photointerrupter, it is possible to take complicated time-series pulses. Further, the liquid crystal element may be composed of a plurality of pixels, and the pattern may be used to gradation the light intensity of the LED light passing through the liquid crystal element according to the number of open pixels. In this case, the emitted LED light is modulated into a pulse train while being toned according to the pattern of the liquid crystal element that changes in a time series.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the entrance door of a general house, but is applied to a place where all doors need to be unlocked, such as an entrance panel of an entrance room of an apartment, each room of an apartment, and each room of a hotel. It is possible. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and a communication unit may be provided so that a security company, a hotel front desk, a condominium manager, or the like can be contacted when collation in the decoder circuit does not match. Communication may be wireless or wired. Also,
An alarm may be sounded in addition to the communication.

[0023]

According to the present invention, since it is an optical transmission / reception system that does not use radio waves, it is not affected by disturbance or the like.
In addition, security is improved, and even if the cylinder lock is broken, starting is impossible without a key. Furthermore, since the component parts can be easily obtained, such as remote control ICs used in existing home appliances, the cost is low.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a front door using an unlocking key according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an unlocking key of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the unlocking system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a signal according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Door body 3: Latch bolt 4: Dead bolt 6: Cylinder lock 9: Unlock key 19: Liquid crystal element 21: LED 23: Photodiode

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) E05B 45/06 E05B 45/06 A 47/00 47/00 RU F term (reference) 2E250 AA00 AA02 AA03 AA04 AA06 BB09 BB46 BB47 BB57 BB58 BB64 BB68 CC10 CC11 CC12 DD06 EE11 FF42 FF43 FF44 FF49

Claims (9)

[Claims] An optical switch and an IC chip for driving the optical switch are built in a key plate.
An unlocking key containing the code D. 2. The unlocking key according to claim 1, wherein the optical switch is a liquid crystal element, a piezoelectric element, a Pockels, an electro-optical shutter, an optical waveguide, or an optical crystal. 3. A liquid crystal element comprising a liquid crystal element having a refractive index, a liquid crystal element having a transmission scattering property, a TN (twisted nematic) liquid crystal, and an STN.
3. The unlocking key according to claim 2, wherein the key is a (super TN) liquid crystal, a ferroelectric liquid crystal element, an antiferroelectric liquid crystal, or a polymer dispersed liquid crystal. 4. An unlocking key according to claim 1, wherein said optical switch has a gradation function. 5. The key according to claim 1, wherein:
A key insertion portion into which the key is inserted, a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided at a position sandwiching the optical switch when the key is inserted into the key insertion portion, and an optical signal from the light emitting element is converted into a modulation signal corresponding to the ID code by the optical switch. An ID collating unit that performs ID collation when the modulated signal is received by the light receiving element;
A lock / unlock system comprising: a control unit that controls unlocking of the door in accordance with the result of the comparison by the D comparison unit. 6. The locking and unlocking system according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting element is a light-emitting diode, a laser, a lamp, or EL (electroluminescence). 7. A light receiving element photodiode, a photomultiplier,
6. The locking and unlocking system according to claim 5, wherein the system is a solid-state light receiving sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, or a thermopile. 8. The locking / unlocking system according to claim 5, further comprising an alarm unit for issuing an alarm when the collation result of the ID collation unit does not match. 9. The locking and unlocking system according to claim 5, further comprising a communication unit for communicating with the outside when the collation result of the ID collation unit does not match.