JP2003056233A - Optical lock, optical key, and optical key-lock system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical key-lock system which protects a light receiving element from being destroyed by a picking tool, etc. SOLUTION: The optical key-lock system is comprised of the light receiving element 22, a protecting means 25, a filter means 26, a locking switch 29b, and a control section 21. The light emitting element 22 converts an optical signal emitted from a key 10 into an electric signal. The protecting means 25 includes a hole 251 having a predetermined bore through which optical signals 30, 31 pass, for protecting the light emitting element 22 from being destroyed by a foreign matter. The filter means 26 allows only a beam having a predetermined wavelength and/or a beam of predetermined luminance or more to arrive at the light receiving element 22, out of beams having passed through the hole 251. The locking switch 29b detects that the key 10 is arranged at a locking authentication location. The control section 21 determines whether or not the electric signal of the key conveys authentication information indicative of a legitimate key, and issues an unlocking instruction to a locking mechanism section 24 when it is determined that the electric signal conveys the authentic information. On the other hand, the control section 21 issues an instruction to the locking mechanism 24 when the legitimate key is arranged at the locking authentication location.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical key, an optical lock and an optical key lock system for transmitting authentication information from a key to a lock by an optical signal to perform optical authentication. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical key lock system that prevents a light receiving element from being broken by a picking metal fitting or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cylinder lock (pin cylinder lock, disk cylinder lock, etc.) generally used as a key lock system is required to authenticate whether it is a regular key or not.
Positioning is performed using a cylinder and a tumbler (physical authentication). Although the cylinder lock has different degrees of difficulty depending on the type of tumbler, it is vulnerable to picking, and it is impossible to completely prevent unauthorized unlocking due to picking.

The damage caused by theft due to picking hinders the stability of social life and industrial activities, and key lock systems other than cylinder locks are often applied to places where crime prevention is required. An example of a key lock system that can completely prevent unauthorized unlocking by picking is a card key lock. This is a system in which a card reader provided on the lock side reads the authentication information held by the key card to determine whether the key is a legitimate key (electronic authentication).

[0004]

However, in such a key lock system for electronically authenticating, the reading section of the authentication information is destroyed by the picking metal fitting or the like, though it is not unlocked by the picking. Sometimes. Further, since the structure is complicated, the cost becomes high, and there is a problem that it is difficult to introduce as a key lock system for general houses.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key lock system which prevents the authentication means from being destroyed by picking metal fittings or the like. Moreover, it aims at providing the key lock system which cannot be unlocked illegally at low cost.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the optical lock according to claim 1 drives the tightening mechanism means to unlock the regular optical key when it is located at the first authentication position. It is an optical lock that drives the tightening mechanism means and shifts to the locked state when the regular optical key is moved to the state and the regular optical key is placed at the second authorized position. Means for supplying electric power to the optical key, a light receiving element for converting an optical signal emitted by the regular optical key arranged at the first authentication position into an electric signal, and a light guide path having a predetermined aperture for passing the optical signal. A means for protecting the light receiving element from being destroyed by foreign matter, a filter for allowing only predetermined light of the light passing through the light guide path to reach the light receiving element, and an electric signal, The determination means includes a determination means for determining whether or not the authentication information is a standard optical key, and a detection means for detecting that the regular optical key is arranged at the second authentication position. If it is determined that the authentication information is the authentication information, the state shifts to the unlocked state, and if the detection unit detects that the regular optical key is arranged at the second authentication position, the state shifts to the locked state. Is characterized by.

An optical key according to a second aspect is an optical key used as a key for an optical lock according to the first aspect, wherein the authentication information is stored based on a microcomputer chip storing the authentication information and a command from the microcomputer chip. And a light emitting element which emits as an optical signal, and the microcomputer chip operates only when the light emitting element is arranged at the first authentication position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical key lock system having the optical lock according to the first aspect and the optical key according to the second aspect.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An optical key lock system according to the present invention unlocks an optical signal transmitted from an optical key when the optical signal indicates that it is a legitimate key, and locks it at an authentication position for locking. It is a key lock system that locks when an optical key is arranged. The authentication information is transmitted from the optical key to the optical lock by optical communication using the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and the light receiving element is destroyed by foreign matter such as picking metal fittings by providing a protection means to protect the light receiving element. Prevent. In addition, the protective means is provided with a light guide path having a diameter larger than the minimum light quantity required to operate the light receiving element and having a size such that a picking metal fitting or the like cannot be inserted. Among them, only predetermined light (light having a predetermined wavelength and / or light having a predetermined luminance or more) is allowed to reach the light receiving element. In addition, the optical key side does not have a power supply, and functions as a key when power is supplied from the optical lock side during the unlocking operation. A preferred embodiment of such an optical key lock system will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an optical key lock system according to this embodiment. This optical key lock system locks the key 10 with a lock 20 as shown in FIG.
Then, when the key 10 is rotated clockwise after being fitted, the key 10 is arranged at the unlocking authentication position (first authentication position). On the contrary, when the key 10 is rotated counterclockwise, the key 10 is arranged at the locking authentication position (second authentication position).

The key 10 has a microcomputer chip 11, a light emitting element 12, a lens 13, and a power receiving section 14. The microcomputer chip 11 stores authentication information indicating that it is a regular key. The CPU of the microcomputer chip 11 is preferable because the authentication information can be complicated as the number of bits increases. The light emitting element 12 is based on a command from the microcomputer chip 11,
It converts electrical signals into optical signals and outputs them. For example, the authentication information is output by a digital transmission method by modulating light (switching ON / OFF of light emission). The light emitting element 12 is a laser diode (LD) or a light emitting diode (LE).
D) or the like can be applied. The lens 13 converges the output light of the light emitting element 12. The power reception unit 14 is arranged so as to match the power transmission unit 28 when the key 10 is arranged at the authentication position for unlocking.

The lock 20 includes a control unit 21, a light receiving element 22, a power supply 23, a tightening mechanism unit 24, a protection unit 25, a filter unit 26, a key detection sensor 27, a power transmission unit 28, an unlocking switch 29a, and a locking switch. 29b.

The control unit 21 determines whether or not the electrical signal input from the light receiving element 22 matches the authentication information held by the control unit 21 itself, and if it determines that the electrical signal matches the authentication information, An instruction to shift the system to the unlocked state is output to the tightening mechanism section 24. Furthermore, the key 10 and the lock 20
When and are engaged and the key detection switch 27 is closed, the lock 2
0 is shifted from the standby mode to the operation mode. The standby mode is a state in which power is not being supplied from the power supply 23 to each part of the lock 20, and the operating mode is a state in which power is being supplied from the power supply 23 to each part of the lock 20. Normally, the lock 20 is in the standby mode, and power saving is realized by setting the operation mode only during the locking / unlocking operation. In addition, when the key 10 is placed at the authentication position for unlocking, the power source 23 is controlled to supply power to the key 10 as needed. In addition, the control unit 21 detects the state of the tightening mechanism unit 24 and determines whether it is in the locked state or the unlocked state.

The light receiving element 22 converts the received light signal into an electric signal and outputs it to the control section 21. As the light receiving element 22, a photodiode (PD), a phototransistor or the like can be applied. The power supply 23 supplies power to each part of the lock 20 and also supplies power to the key 10 based on an instruction from the control unit 21 when the key 10 is located at the authentication position for unlocking. As the power supply 23, a battery or a regulated DC power supply can be applied. The power supply 23 saves power by not supplying power to each part of the lock 20 in the standby mode, and supplies power to each part of the lock 20 in the operating mode. The tightening mechanism portion 24 is a tightening means including a latch bolt, a dead bolt, a thumb turn, and the like.

The protection means 25 has a hole 251 having a predetermined diameter. The protection means 25 has a function of preventing the light receiving element 22 from being broken by a picking metal fitting or the like. Protective means 25
May be a part of the housing wall of a case (not shown) in which the lock 20 is stored, or may be provided separately from the case. The diameter of the hole 251 is larger than the diameter that allows a minimum amount of light for operating the light-receiving element 22 to pass therethrough, and is such that a picking metal fitting or the like cannot be inserted. Light receiving element 22
The diameter of the hole through which the minimum amount of light required to operate is different depending on the wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting element 12, the sensitivity of the light receiving element 22, and the like, but is preferably 3 mm or less. The shape of the hole 251 is not limited to a circle, and may be a rectangle, an ellipse, or the like as long as the size satisfies the above condition.

The filter means 26 makes only light having a predetermined wavelength and / or light having a predetermined luminance (light amount) or more out of the light passing through the hole 251 reach the light receiving element 22. A band pass filter, for example, can be applied as a means for passing light of a predetermined wavelength. A polarization filter or a neutral density filter, for example, can be applied as a means for transmitting light having a predetermined brightness (light amount) or more. That is, the characteristics of the filter unit 26 can be realized by, for example, a configuration including at least one of a bandpass filter and a neutral density filter. Since the bandpass filter passes only light having a predetermined wavelength, it is possible to prevent the light receiving element from detecting an optical signal having a wavelength different from the light emitted by the regular key.
The polarization filter and the neutral density filter have a function of weakening the brightness of the input light. That is, the polarization filter and the neutral density filter attenuate an optical signal of a predetermined light amount or less to a level at which the light receiving element does not react.

The key detection switch 27 electrically connects the power source 23 and the control unit 21 when the key 10 and the lock 20 are fitted to each other. For example, the key detection switch 27 may mechanically close the relay by a protrusion provided on the key 10 when the key 10 is fitted into the lock 20, or the relay may be electrically contacted. You may close it. Power transmission unit 28
Matches the power receiving unit 14 to electrically connect the power source 23 and the key 10. The unlock switch 29a detects that the key 10 is placed at the authentication position for unlocking. The lock switch 29b detects that the key 10 is placed at the lock authentication position. For the unlocking switch 29a and the locking switch 29b, for example, a protrusion provided on the key 10 may mechanically close the relay, or an electrical contact may close the relay.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the key 10 and the lock 20 are fitted at the fitting position. With reference to this figure, the flow of the unlocking / locking operation by the optical key lock system to which the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is applied will be described.

<Common Operation for Unlocking / Locking>
A common operation flow for locking is shown. First, the user selects key 1
When 0 and the lock 20 are fitted together (step S101), the relay of the key detection switch 27 is closed and power is supplied to the control unit 21 (step S102). The control unit 21 controls the power source 23 to supply electric power to each unit of the lock 20, and
0 is shifted to the operation mode (step S103). Lock 2
After 0 shifts to the operation mode, the control unit 21 detects the state of the tightening mechanism unit 24 and determines whether it is the locked state or the unlocked state (step S104).

Thereafter, when the user rotates the lock 10,
Unlock switch 29a or lock switch 29b
Detects that the key 10 is placed at the authentication position for unlocking or locking (step S105). When the key 10 is placed at the authentication position for unlocking (step S106)
/ Yes), the unlocking operation shown in FIG. 5 is executed. On the other hand, when the key 10 is placed at the authentication position for locking (step S106 / No), the locking operation shown in FIG. 6 is executed.

<Unlocking Operation> FIG. 5 shows a flow of the unlocking operation. If it is determined in step S104 that the lock is unlocked (step S201 / No), there is no need to unlock the lock, so the lock 20 shifts to the standby mode (step S21).
1), the operation ends. When it is determined that the locked state is set (step S201 / Yes), the processes of step S202 and thereafter are executed.

When the key 10 is placed at the authentication position for unlocking, the power transmission section 28 and the power reception section 14 are aligned with each other. As a result, the power supply 23 and the key 10 are electrically connected, and the power supply 23 and the key 10
The electric power is supplied to each part of (step S202). When power is supplied from the power supply 23 to the microcomputer chip 11,
The light emitting element 12 is controlled to send dummy data as the optical signal 30 (step S203). The optical signal 30 sent from the light emitting element 12 is converged by the lens 13,
It is input to the filter means 26 through the hole 251. When the light receiving element 22 receives the optical signal 30 that has passed through the filter means 26, converts it into an electrical signal and inputs it to the control unit 21 (step S204 / Yes), the control unit 21 synchronizes with the dummy data (step S204). S205).

After that, the microcomputer chip 11 controls the light emitting element 12 to send the authentication information as the optical signal 31 (step S206). The optical signal 31 sent from the light emitting element 12 is converged by the lens 13 and input to the filter means 26 through the hole 251. The light receiving element 22 is
When the optical signal 31 that has passed through the filter means 26 is received,
It is converted into an electric signal and input to the control unit 21 (step S
207 / Yes). The control unit 21 determines whether the electric signal input from the light receiving element 22 matches the authentication information held by the control unit 21 itself (step S208).

When it is determined that they match (step S20)
8 / Yes), the control unit 21 controls the power supply 23 to operate the key 1
The power supply to 0 is stopped (step S209).
The control unit 21 drives the tightening mechanism unit 24 to shift the system to the unlocked state (step S210). After that, the power supply to each part of the lock 20 is stopped, the mode is shifted to the standby mode (step S211), and the process is ended.

On the other hand, when it is determined that they do not match (step S208 / No), the control unit 21 controls the power source 23 to stop the power supply to the key 10. Further control unit 2
1 notifies the user of an error using a sounding means (speaker or the like) not shown (step S212). After that, the power supply to each part of the lock 20 is stopped, the mode is shifted to the standby mode (step S113), and the process is ended.

When the optical signal input to the filter means 26 does not reach the light receiving element 22 (step S
204 / No, or step S207 / No), the control unit 21 stops the supply of power to the key 10 after the elapse of a certain time (step S213). Then lock 20
The supply of electric power to each unit is stopped, and a standby state is entered (step S211), and the process ends.

When it is determined that the authentication information does not match (step S208 / No), the control unit 21 counts it and reaches a predetermined number of times (arbitrarily settable) within a certain period. May shift to a state in which the unlocking operation by the key is not accepted at all. This state may be automatically released after a lapse of a predetermined time.

<Locking Operation> FIG. 6 shows the flow of the locking operation. When it is determined in step S104 that the lock is in the locked state (step S301 / No), there is no need to lock the lock, so the lock 20 shifts to the standby mode (step S30).
3), the operation ends.

When it is determined that the locked state is set (step S301 / Yes), the control section 21 causes the tightening mechanism section 24 to operate.
Is driven to shift the system to the unlocked state (step S302). After that, the lock 20 shifts to the standby mode (step S303) and ends the operation.

It should be noted that the key 10 is provided with a predetermined concavo-convex pattern so that if the pattern does not match the lock 20, it cannot be fitted with the lock 20 or cannot be rotated to the first or second authentication position. . Alternatively, even if an incompatible key is rotated to the first or second authentication position, the unlock switch 29a or the lock switch 29
b may not be activated.

The above embodiment is an example of implementation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light emitting element is not limited to the LD or the LED, and an ultraviolet light emitting element, an infrared light emitting element or the like can be applied. Also, if the power supplied from the lock side to the key side is a pulse current having a predetermined waveform, and if the key side microcomputer chip does not operate with a current of a different waveform, it is almost impossible to duplicate the key. And is preferable because the crime prevention property is enhanced. Alternatively, a structure having two or more pairs of light emitting elements and light receiving elements is preferable because the crime prevention can be further enhanced. In addition, the present invention is not limited to hinged doors, and can be applied as a system for unlocking / locking sliding doors, shutters, and the like. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the key detection switch 27, the unlock switch 29a, and the lock switch 29b are locked by closing the relay section of the circuit.
Although 0 is detected, it is also possible to carry out a modification so as to detect the key 10 by applying a sensor or the like.

Further, the optical key lock system according to the present invention is not limited to the illustrated construction.
For example, the direction in which the key 10 is rotated to be placed in the unlocking authentication position or the locking authentication position may be the opposite direction to the illustrated direction. Alternatively, each of these authentication positions may be provided in a separate place.

When the present invention is used in combination with a cylinder lock to form a double lock, the cylinder can be rotated / unlocked instead of the locking / unlocking operation.
The operation may be such that the rotation is disabled. As described above, the present invention can be modified within the scope of the invention.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has a protection means for protecting the light receiving element from being destroyed by foreign matter such as picking metal fittings. In addition,
A light guide path with a specified diameter (larger than the diameter that allows the minimum amount of light to operate the light receiving element to pass through and a size that does not allow picking metal fittings to be inserted) is provided in the protection means so that optical signals can pass through. I am able to do it. By setting the diameter of the light guide path so that the picking metal fitting cannot be inserted, it is possible to prevent the light receiving element from being damaged by the picking metal fitting.

Further, since only the component of the light passing through the light guide path which has passed through the filter means is made to reach the light receiving element, the light receiving element can detect the light other than the optical signal emitted by the regular key. Can be prevented. That is, it is possible to prevent the lock from shifting to the unlocked state due to a malfunction. That is, since the unlocking is performed only when the light receiving element receives the authentication information indicating the legitimate key as the optical signal of the frequency band that can pass through the filter means, it is almost impossible to unlock it illegally. It is impossible.

Further, according to the present invention, since the light emitting element, the light receiving element and the control board are used, the key lock system which cannot be unlocked illegally can be provided at a low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical key lock system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an unlocking authentication position and a locking authentication position.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a key 10 and a lock 20 are fitted together.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations common to unlocking / locking by the optical key lock system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of an unlocking operation by the optical key lock system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a locking operation by the optical key lock system to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 keys 11 Microcomputer chip 12 Light emitting element 13 lenses 14 Power receiving section 20 tablets 21 Control unit 22 Light receiving element 23 Power 24 Tightening mechanism 25 Protective measures 26 Filter Means 27 key detection switch 28 Power transmission section 29a Unlocking switch 29b Locking switch 30 optical signals (dummy data) 31 Optical signal (authentication information) 251 holes

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yasunori Kuji             5-3701, Mihama, Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture F-term (reference) 2E250 AA01 BB03 BB08 CC10 DD06                       FF23 FF37

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. When the regular optical key is placed in the first authentication position, the tightening mechanism means is driven to shift to the unlocked state, and the regular optical key is placed in the second authentication position. In this case, an optical lock that drives the tightening mechanism means to shift to a locked state, a means for supplying electric power to the regular optical key arranged at the first authentication position, and the first authentication position. A light receiving element for converting an optical signal emitted by a regular optical key arranged in the optical signal into an electric signal, and a light guide path having a predetermined diameter for passing the optical signal are provided to protect the light receiving element from being destroyed by foreign matter. Means, a filter that allows only predetermined light of the light that has passed through the light guide path to reach the light receiving element, and that the electrical signal is a regular optical key It has a judging means for judging whether it is authentication information and a detecting means for detecting that a regular optical key is arranged at the second authentication position, and the judging means is the authentication information. If the determination is made, the state is shifted to the unlocked state, and the state is shifted to the locked state when the detection means detects that the regular optical key is arranged at the second authentication position. Lock. 2. An optical key used as a key for the optical lock according to claim 1, wherein a microcomputer chip storing the authentication information, and the authentication information as the optical signal based on a command from the microcomputer chip. An optical key having a light emitting element which emits light, wherein the microcomputer chip is activated only when the light emitting element is arranged at the first authentication position. 3. An optical key lock system comprising the optical lock according to claim 1 and the optical key according to claim 2.