NZ248229A

NZ248229A - Coded electrical lock uses portable code input device to unlock

Info

Publication number: NZ248229A
Application number: NZ24822993A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Edward Hsing; Hsieh Sheng-Cheng; Dick Cheng
Original assignee: Edward Hsing; Sheng Cheng Hsieh; Dick Cheng
Priority date: 1993-07-22
Filing date: 1993-07-22
Publication date: 1995-12-21

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> 24 82 2 9 Priority Daie(s): 1 Complete Specification Riied: 1 Class: m J.OSM±/?C Publication Date:..2—t—DEC--JS95- P.O. Journal No: . JULA993 ssf* Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ELECTRIC CODE LOCK SET FOR TELECOMMUNICATION CABINET WE, EDWARD HSING, HSIEH SHENG-CHENG AND DICK CHENG all are citizens of Taiwan residing at 533 Chung Cheng Road, 10F Hsln Tien City, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan, REPUBLIC OF CHINA hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - 1 - (followed by page la) 24 822 ELECTRIC CODE LOCK SET FOR TELECOMMUNICATION CABINET The present invention relates generally to an electric code lock set, and more particularly to one used for cross connect cabinets or wiring cabinets. Most of telecommunication cabinets are without a locking device so that the. wire tapping, illegal connecting or illeagal disconnecting can happen easily. This situation is harmful to both the telephone subscriber and the Post Telephone and Telegragh (PTT). Some conventional cabinets are to be unlocked by keys of the same size and shape. Thus, with only one key, a key holder can unlock all cabinets with the same keyhole type. Although with locks, this kind of cabinets still suffer easily from wire tapping, illegal connecting or illegal disconnecting. If the cabinets are locked by electric code locks of the same code, there still is the similar problem. There stili are conventional cabinets locked by keys of different sizes and shapes. Because the cabinets are of a large quantity and because the different key holders to a specific cabinet are not always from the,same place, the management of keys is difficult and inconvenient. Conventional electric code card locks of different codes still have the similar problem. There further are conventional cabinets with electric code locks electrically connected to a fixed power supply and a keyboard for inputting therefrom an input code. Because the power supply for the electric code locks cannot always be desiredly obtained, there is a power-supply problem. Because lo» (followed by page 2) 24 82 2 the keyboard is mounted on the surface of the cabinets and prone to be damaged by a curious person, there is a repairing and maintaining problem. Because the code for the electric ■ code lock is fixed and can not be changed, there is a 5 security problem. It is therefore attempted by the Applicants to deal with the above situation encountered by the prior art. The primary object of the present invention is to provide an electric code lock set capable of being energized by a non-10 fixed power supply. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric lock set obtaining an input code from a portable unlocking device, which thus, frees from being damaged by a curious fellow or kid. 15 A further object of the present invention is to provide a well-monitored and well-protected electric code lock set connected to a monitoring center which monitors whether the electric code lock set is locked or unlocked and gives a warning signal when the electric code lock set is undesiredly 20 unlocked. A yet object of the present invention is to provide an electric code lock set having portable unlocking devices capable of being conveniently managed and distributed. Still an object of the present invention is to provide an 25 electric code lock set with a code changeable to be highly securable. One more object of the present invention is to provide an electric code lock set capable of being energized by an 2 2 4" fl 2 2 9 electric power from the monitoring center. The above objects are to be read as alternatives to the object of at least providing the public with a useful choice. In accordance with the present invention, an electric code lock set includes a code-storing device, e.g. a RAM, ROM or EEPROM, for storing therein a preset code, an electric lock 5 energized by an electric lock power source by a portable unlocking device power source or an electric power source from a monitoring center if to be unlocked, a code-identifying control device for identifying whether there is an input code identical to the preset code and for generating 10 an unlocking signal if said codes are identical, and an electric lock circuit for unlocking the electric lock after the electric lock circuit receives the unlocking signal. Certainly, the present electric code lock set can further include a portable unlocking device having the portable 15 unlocking device power source and a code-inputting device for inputting thereby the input code. The preset code can be preset by the monitoring center, and the electric lock circuit can be an electronic switch. Certainly, the electric code lock lock set can further 20 include a receiving device for receiving the electric lock power source and the input code. The monitoring center can include an automatically answering device and a computer. The portable unlocking power source can be a battery. The portable unlocking device power source can also supply the 25 portable unlocking device. The monitoring center can allow the preset code in the code-storing device to be altered. Certainly, the electric lock can further include a coil for generating a magnetic field when the electric lock circuit 24 82 2 9 receives the unlocking signal; a blocking board being in a translated condition when the coil generates the magnetic field; and a latch normally latching the lock and for freeing from latching the lock when the blocking board is in 5 the translated condition. Certainly, the electric code lock set can further include an electronic sensor to detect whether a door of the cabinet is open. The code-identifying device can generate an open signal when the door is open. The monitoring center can 10 further include an automatically dialing and receiving device for transmitting a warning signal to the computer when the electric lock is undesiredly unlocked. The undesiredly unlocked condition of the electric lock can mean that the input code is not identical to the preset code but the 15 electric lock is unlocked. The electric code lock set can further include a warning device for warning when the warning device receives the warning signal. The warning device can be an amplifier. The code-identifying control device can further include an enabling device permitting the electric 20 code lock set in a enabling mode allowing the portable unlocking device to receive the input code, and a disabling device permitting the electric code lock set in a disabling mode not allowing the portable unlocking device to receive the input code. 25 Certainly, the electric code lock set can further include • a selecting switch for selecting the electric lock power source from one of the portable unlocking device power source and the electric lock power source from the monitoring 24 82 2 center. The portable unlocking device can further include a buzzer for warning that the lock is not locked rightly after being unlocked. The portable unlocking device can further include several indicators for showing different working conditions. The portable unlocking device can further include an outputting device connected for outputting an electric lock power from the electric lock power source and the input code to the receiving device. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematical block diagram showing a monitoring center according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an electric code lock set in combination with a portable unlocking device according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematical view showing a wiring cabinet containing the present electric lock set with a latch normally latching the electric lock; and Fig. 4 is a schematical view showing a wiring cabinet containing the present electric lock set with the latch not latching the electric lock when the blocking board is in a translated condition. Referring now to Fig. 1, the monitoring center according to the present invention includes an automatically answering device 5 and a computer 4, and the automatically-answering device 5 is connected to the electric code lock set by a communication circuit 19, as shown in Fig. 2, which shows 5 N ?^22g the electric code lock set according to the present invention includes a code-identifying control derice 6, a code-storing device 22, an automatically dialing and receiving circuit 21, an electronic connector 20, an electronic sensor 8, a power-supplying device 10, a first rechargeable battery 11, a warning device 9 being an amplifier, an electric lock circuit 23 being an electronic switch, an electric lock 37 which has a relay 3'2 having a coil 33, a blocking board 25 and a latch 31 normally blocked by board 25, and a receiving device 26. Power-supplying device 10 gets a DC power from a telephone exchange through communication circuit 19 to energize code-storing device 22, code-identifying control device 6, and automatically dialing and answering device 21. First rechargeable battery 11 is recharged by power-supplying device 10 on normally-working occasion, but when communication circuit 19 is broken up, battery 11 will assume the function of power-supplying device 10. Referring to Fig. 2, the present electric code lock set further includes a portable unlocking device 2 having a controller 13, a code-inputting device 15 being a keyboard, a buzzer 14, a portable unlocking device power source 34 being a second rechargeable battery, a light fixture 12, a starting switch 18, a confirming switch 16, an outputting device 30, a power indicator 27, a normally-working indicator 28, and a lock-requiring indicator 29. Portable unlocking device 2 is connected to code-identifying control device 6 by connceting together outputting device 30 and receiving device 26. The monitoring center connects thereto code-identifying 6 €4 32 2 control device 6 through automatically dialing and receiving circuit 21, electronic connector 20, and communication circuit 19 so that monitoring center can preset a code in code-storing device 22, can alter the preset code in code-5 storing device 22 and selectively allows the electric code lock set in an enabling mode or in a disabling mode. After receiving device 26 and outputting device 30 are connected, the input code, inputed through keyboard 15 and processed by an encoding device in controller 13, is 10 transmitted to code-identifying control device 6 through a wire a. And then, after comparing the preset code in code-storing device 22 with the input code, code-identifying control device 6 generates an unlocking signal to allow electronic switch 23 to turn on if the two codes are 15 identical. Because electronic switch 23 is turned on, second rechargeable battery 34 energizes electric lock 37 through a wire b so that there will be a current flowing through coil 33, thus generating a magnetic field (according to Ampere's right-hand law and Faraday law of induction) in order that 20 blocking board 25 is translated by a magnetic force resulted by the magnetic field. Since latch 31 is no more blocked by blocking board 25 (as shown in Figs. 3 & 4), latch 31 can be moved to an "unlocking position" to execute the unlocking procedure. Then, code-identifying control device 6 25 communicates with the monitoring center to inform that electric lock 37 is unlocked. Besides, the electric unlocking device holder can use the light fixture 12 by turning on starting switch 18 for lightening. 24 8229 Electronic sensor 8 is installed on the door of the cabinet. When the door is closed, electronic sensor 8 provides a shorted switch function and when the door is opened, electronic sensor 8 provides an opened switch function. When 5 keyboard 15 does not input an input code the same as the preset code to code-identifying control device 6 and electronic sensor 8 senses that the door of the cabinet is opened, the door of the cabinet apparently is damaged which is an undesired unlocked condition. At this time, code-10 identifying control device 6 initiates the automatically dialing and receiving circuit 21 to communicate with computer 4 of the monitoring center in order that computer 4 will show a warning information and code-identifying control device 6 can generate a warning signal to amplifier 9 15 for frightening a possible intruder. When the portable unlocking device holder closes the door of the cabinet, electronic sensor 8 provides the shorted switch function, and the information that the door of the cabinet is closed is transmitted to code-identifying device 6 allowing 20 locking-requiring indicator 29 to turn on to show that the electric code lock set should be locked. Meanwhile, buzzer 14 begins buzzing. After locking the electric lock and translating latch 31 to the "locking position", the portable unlocking device holder must turn on confirming switch 16 to 25 confirm that the electric lock is locked exactly. That is to say, controller 13 in portable unlocking device 2 transmits a signal to code-identifying control device 6 thus generating a control signal to allow eletronic switch 23 to turn off so 8 24 822 that there will be no current flowing to coil 33 and no magnetic force generated, and latch 31 will be returned to the "locking position" and latchs the lock. At this moment, code-identifying control device 6 generates a signal to 5 controller 13 to allow locking-requiring indicator 29 to turn off and buzzer 14 to stop buzzing. Then the portable unlocking device holder disconnects outputting device 30 from receiving device 26. Code-identifying control device 6 generates a signal to communicate the automatically-dialing 10 and answering circuit 21 with the monitoring center through communication circuit 19. The informations about whether the electric code lock set is locked and when the electric code lock set is locked are transmitted to computer 4. According to the present invention, the electric code lock 15 set further includes a selecting switch connected to second rechargeable battery 34 and the monitoring center. If the switch is selected to be connected to second rechargeable battery 34, as mentioned above, it is a normally-working condition. If the switch is selected to be connected to the 20 monitoring center, the monitoring center can directly send the unlocking signal to unlock electric lock 37 without using portable unlocking device 2. Finally, as mentioned above, the monitoring center can alter the preset code in code-identifying control device 6 so that 25 the circuit in code-identifying control device 6 will return to the initial state after the preset code is altered. </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> 248229 WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An electric code lock set for mounting in a telecommunication cabinet comprising: an electric code lock including: a code-storing device for storing therein a preset lock code; an electric lock energized by an electric lock power source selected from one of a portable unlocking device power source and an electric power source from a monitoring center if to be unlocked; a code-identifying control device electrically connected to said code-storing device for identifying whether there is an input code identical to said preset lock code and for generating an unlocking signal if said codes are identical; an electric lock circuit electrically connected to said code-identifying control device for unlocking said electric lock when said electric lock circuit receives said unlocking signal; and a receiving device for receiving said portable unlocking device power source and said input code; and a portable unlocking device including: said portable unlocking device power source; a controller controlling said portable unlocking device; an outputting device electrically connected to said receiving device and said controller for transmitting therethrough said portable unlocking device power source and said input code to enable said code-identifying device to generate said unlocking signal; and a code-inputting device electrically connected to said controller for inputting thereby said input code. 24822$

2. An electric code lock set according to Claim 1 wherein said preset code is preset by said monitoring center.

3. An electric code lock set according to Claim 1 wherein said electric lock circuit includes an electronic switch.

4. An electric code lock set according to Claim 1 wherein said portable unlocking device power source is a battery.

5. An electric code lock set according to Claim 1 wherein said monitoring center further allows said preset code in said code-storing device to be altered.

6. An electric code lock set according to Claim 1 wherein said electric lock further includes: a coil electrically connected to said electric lock circuit for generating a magnetic field when said electric lock circuit receives said unlocking signal; a blocking board being in a translated condition when said coil generates said magnetic field; and a latch being in a normally locked position in which the latch is prevented from being moved to an unlocked position by the blocking board, the said latch being moveable to an unlocked position when the blocking board is in said translated condition.

7. An electric code lock set according to Claim 1, further comprising an electronic sensor electrically connected to said code-identifying control device to detect whether a door of said cabinet is open.

8. An electric code lock set according to Claim 7 wherein said code-identifying control device generates an open signal when said door of said cabinet is open. -12-

9. An electric code lock set according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said portable unlocking device power source also supplies said portable unlocking device.

10. An electric code lock set according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said portable unlocking device further includes a buzzer electrically connected to said code-identifying control device for warning that said electric lock is not locked correctly after being unlocked.

11. An electric code lock set according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said portable unlocking device further includes several indicators for showing different working conditions.

12. An electric code lock set according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said monitoring center includes an automatic answering device and a computer.

13. An electric code lock set according to Claim 12, further comprising an automatically dialling and receiving device electrically connected to said automatic answering device and said code-identifying control device for transmitting a warning signal to said computer when said electric lock is undesiredly unlocked.

14. An electric code lock set according to Claim 13 wherein an undesiredly unlocked condition of said electric lock means that said input code inputted by said code-inputting device is not identical to said preset lock code but that said electric lock is unlocked.

15. An electric code lock set according to claim 13, further comprising a warning device for warning when said warning device receives said warning signal. -13-

16. An electric code lock set according to Claim 15 wherein said warning device is an amplifier.

17. An electric code lock set according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said code-identifying control device further includes an enabling device and a disabling device.

18. An electric code lock set according to claim 17 wherein said enabling device permits said electric code lock set to be put in an enabling mode allowing said portable unlocking device to receive said input code.

19. An electric code lock set according to claim 17 wherein said disabling device permits said electric code lock set to be put in a disabling mode which does not allow said portable unlocking device to receive said input code.

20. An electric code lock set substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. EDWARE HSING, HSIEH SHENG-CHENG By t! lfiein Attorneys BALDWIN.\ iSON & CAREY DICK CHENG </div>