WO1995014284A1

WO1995014284A1 - Security systems

Info

Publication number: WO1995014284A1
Application number: PCT/GB1994/002513
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan John Bootle
Original assignee: Card-World Products Limited
Priority date: 1993-11-17
Filing date: 1994-11-15
Publication date: 1995-05-26
Also published as: GB2298303A; GB2298303B; AU1031195A; GB9610354D0; GB9323704D0

Abstract

The invention provides a security system including a card reader for reading a stripe card as a smart card, which is actuated by such a card being fully inserted into a slot of the card reader. The security system may include an enclosed area having a closure panel and the invention may further provide a method of monitoring transactions such as the reading of a card inserted into the slot or the opening of the closure panel. The closure panel of the security system may include a locking member which is movable under the control of a solenoid and a hinge which enables the closure panel to be quickly fitted.

Description

SECURITY SYSTEMS

This invention relates to security systems and particularly but not exclusively to improvements in local safes such as those used in hotel rooms. The invention also incorporates a locking mechanism which can be used in other types of security systems, such as for protection of premises. The invention also provides an improved card reader for particular but not exclusive application to safes.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a card reader for reading data from a magnetic stripe card or smart card, the card reader comprising a slot for receiving a card, data reading circuitry located in the slot for reading data from the card and which is disabled as the card is inserted into the slot, and a sensing device located at the rear of the slot and arranged to be actuated by a card which has been fully inserted into the slot, the sensing device controlling the data reading circuitry so that it is enabled only when the card has been fully inserted.

This reduces power consumption since the data reading circuitry can be turned off except when a card has been inserted.

The data reading circuitry can be electronic circuitry for reading from a smart card or a magnetic head to read data from a magnetic stripe. In the latter case, data is read from the magnetic stripe as the card is withdrawn from the slot. This aspect of the invention makes use of the fact that there is a much smaller variation in the rate at which people remove a card from a slot compared with the rate at which they insert it. It thus enables the data reading circuitry to be designed to read more reliably every card which is inserted.

The invention also provides a safe including such a card reader.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a card-operated safe having a slot for receiving a card and including data reading circuitry for reading data from a magnetic stripe card or smart card or the like, the slot also including a connection member for connection to an auxiliary device which is adapted to be received by the slot.

The auxiliary device can be a power unit for powering up control circuitry of the safe or a handheld processor device which can be used to access and/or program the control circuitry. The programming device can be a handheld unit operating as a remote processor for communicating with the control circuitry of the safe.

The slot can be provided by a card reader in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of monitoring transactions of a safe comprising storing in processor memory of the safe events which have taken place together with the time at which the events took place, the events including: electrical events comprising at least reading a card inserrted into a slot of the safe, the event being stored as a code identifying data read from the card together with the time of reading; and physical events comprising opening a door of the safe, the event being stored as a code indicating that the door has been opened together with the time of opening.

This constitutes a so-called audit trail for the safe and can provide a record of every activity involved in either programming, locking or unlocking the safe. Electrical events which are recorded can also include the use of a remote processing unit to program the safe or take information from its control circuitry or processor. A particular advantage of the audit trail is that if a wrong card is used in an attempt to fraudulently gain access to the safe, the processor memory will have a record of the data from that wrong card and the time at which the attempt was made. This could prove useful in apprehending thieves.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a safe including a local processor for controlling operation of the safe in response to reading data from a credit card or smart card or the like, the safe having a communication device for communicating with a remote handheld processor which can thereby access the local processor.

The handheld processor can be received by a slot adapted to accommodate the credit card, with the communication device being controlled by an electrical connection in the slot. Alternatively optical communication circuitry could be used, or a separate electrical connector can be provided. Where the safe has an audit trail, the handheld processor can access the audit trail information.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a security system including a lock which has a movable locking member attached or attachable to a closure panel, the movable locking member being moved under the influence of a solenoid coil, against the action of biasing means, between an extended position corresponding to a locked position of the closure panel relative to a frame member and an unlocked position, the movable locking member having a bevelled edge so that the panel can be pushed closed even with the movable locking member in the extended position and the panel open.

This arrangement reduces power for the solenoid coil and simplifies the opening procedure. The solenoid coil is only driven for unlocking; otherwise it is not energised and the locking member remains in the extended locked position (either with the panel open or closed) .

The security system can be used on a safe where the frame is part of the body of the safe and the closure panel is the door of the safe. Alternatively it can be used in a house or other premises where the closure panel is a door or window. The security system may be used in conjuction with the card reader as defined by the first aspect of the invention.

The security system can be card-operated, for example using a card reader according to the first aspect, and can be used in combination with an alarm system.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a hinge comprising a hinge block for securing to the inner surface of a closure panel and having a passageway extending therethrough to accommodate a hinge pin; and a hinge bracket for securing to a frame member with respect to which the closure panel can be opened and closed and defining an aperture in which the pin is mounted for rotation wherein there are means for securing the pin relative to the hinge block and wherein the pin can only be withdrawn from the passageway on release of the securing means.

Preferably the pin is not accessible by mechanical means and can only be withdrawn from the passageway by use of magnetic r force. This makes the hinge more resistant to vandalism. The hinge is such that it can be mounted entirely on the inside of a housing, such as a safe, leaving no external features. It is therefore particularly well suited to a door of a safe as there are then no external features to attract vandalism of the safe.

Preferably the hinge bracket has an upturned portion which acts as a rotational stop for the hinge block on a predetermined amount of rotation of the closure panel. The securing means can conveniently be provided by a grub screw which extends laterally toward the passageway.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing control circuitry for the safe;

Figure 2 is a view from the top of a card reader;

Figure 3 is a view from the side of the card reader of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view from the front of the card reader of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a block diagram of circuitry in a hand-held processing unit;

Figures 6(a) and 6(b) illustrate a locking mechanism;

Figure 7(a) shows a schematic of a safe;

Figure 7(b) is a view from the top of a hinge;

Figure 8 is a section longitudinally through the hinge of Figure 7(b) ;

Figure 9 is a view looking in the direction of arrow IX of Figure 8;

Figures 10a, 10b and 10c are end, top and side views of a hingre mounting block; and

Figure 11 shows the instruction panel for a safe demonstrating the opening and closing sequence.

The present invention is principally concerned with a safe which can be made in a fire resistant and vandal resistant fashion and which provides greater security and ease of use for a customer. Figure 1 is a block diagram of the main component of circuitry for a safe. Reference numeral 2 denotes central control circuitry which can be provided by a microprocessor or the like. The microprocessor 2 incorporates some memory of its own but can additionally be connected to an optional extra memory 4. The microprocessor 2 controls indicator lights 6 for the safe, an alarm system 8 for the safe and a solenoid 10 which forms part of the locking mechanism for the safe. The microprocessor 2 is connected to receive signals from a card reader 12 of the safe and a door switch 14 of the safe. The microprocessor 2 is connected to a power supply 16 which is associated with a low battery detect unit 18. An elapse clock 20 is connected to the microprocessor 2. There is also connected to the microprocessor 2 a communications interface 22 which provides connections between the microprocessor 2 and programmer control circuitry and the safe network. The connection to the safe network provides facility for connection of a plurality of safes in a network so that they can be accessed remotely by a master controller.

Reference will now be made to Figures 2 to 4 to describe the card reader 12 for the safe. The card reader 12 has a slot 24 for receiving a card. The slot 24 has peripheral regions and a central region which are denoted by reference numeral 26 of a narrower width than the remainder of the slot to accurately guide a card into the slot. Reference numeral 28 denotes a magnetic head for reading data from a magnetic stripe of the card. Thus, the card will be inserted with the magnetic stripe facing the magnetic head 28. The magnetic head 28 is preferably mounted resiliently such that when a card is entered into the slot the head is displaced such that it presses onto the magnetic stripe of the card with sufficient force to make good contact.

Reference numeral 30 in Figure 2 denotes the area which will be occupied by the card when it is inserted. The slot also has a contact area for smart cards denoted by reference numeral 32. The slot has at its rear a microswitch 34 which is actuated when a card has been fully inserted into the card reader. Adjacent the slot there is provided a jack-type connector 36 reached via a jack access hole 38 and which acts as an electrical connector member for auxiliary devices. The microswitch 34 is mounted on a control circuit board 40 which can be seen in Figure 3. The circuit board 40 contains the electronic circuitry required for reading and processing data from a card.

The jack-type connector 36 provides three connections. The connector is set back approximately 15 mm from the front of the card reader so that a special extended mating connector is provided. The three connections can be used for any type of signal, but in the preferred embodiment they are used as follows:

1) 12 volt auxiliary power input/6 volt handheld power output.

2) Bidirectional data signal to handheld programming unit.

3) Ground (zero volts) .

The bidirectional data signal connection enables the hand held programming unit to access the memory of the central control circuitry for reading or for programming.

The power supply 16 for the safe is a 6 volt rechargeable battery which can be positioned within the door of the safe. The battery is capable of energising over 1000 operations before it requires a new charge. In the case of the battery running down to a preset level, a red light will start to flash once every 10 seconds and will continue to do so until the battery has been attended to. Should the battery run completely flat, a power unit can be connected via the jack-type connector 36 to charge up the battery. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the battery could be charged via a power card inserted into the slot 24 of the card reader.

The processor 2 of the safe can be programmed and accessed from a handheld processing unit the circuitry of which is illustrated in Figure 5. That unit can be connected via the jack-type connector 36 and in that event receives its power from the power supply 16 of the safe. One of the connections of the jack-type connector allows bidirectional transmission of data to and from the handheld processing unit. Connection of the handheld processing unit to the safe is detected by the change in the state of this data line. This line is normally held at 5 volts by the safe control circuitry 2 but, when the handheld processing unit is connected and ready to operate, this line is pulled low. This state change is detected by the processor and communication can then begin.

The handheld processing unit can be produced in two versions. The first is one which can be supplied to the customer to allow him to access and print out data from the safe and will also allow him to program location data into the safe, for example hotel name, room number. The second is a service tool which will allow company staff to test, set up and reprogram safes in-situ.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of circuitry of the handheld processing unit which can be used to program the safe and to receive information from the safe. The unit includes programmer control circuitry 42 connected to a printer interface 52, a display/keypad interface 56 and a memory 46. There is also a connection 48 for connection to the r communications interface 22 of the circuitry of the safe shown in Figure 1. The programmer control circuitry 42 is connected to a printer 50 via the printer interface 52, to a display 54 via the display/keypad interface 56, and to a keypad 44 also via the display/keypad interface 56. In practice, the circuitry of the handheld unit will be accommodated in a small handheld module which can be connected to the safe for communication with the microprocessor 2. In one embodiment, the module will have an electrical connector which can be connected to the jack-type connector 36 of the card reader. Power for the programmer control circuitry 42 is provided by the power supply 16 when the handheld unit is connected to the communications interface 22.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate a locking mechanism which can be used for the safe or in security systems in other applications, for example to lock doors or windows. The locking mechanism comprises a locking member 58 which has a flat surface 58a facing an abutment edge 60 of a frame member 62 when the locking member 58 is in the locked position. The locking member 58 also has a curved or bevelled surface 58b. The locking member 58 is movable from the extended (locked) position shown in Figure 6a to the unlocked position shown in Figure 6b under the action of a solenoid coil 64. That is, when the solenoid coil 64 is energised the locking member 58 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. The locking mechanism also includes a spring 66 which biases the locking member in the locked or extended position. Thus, no energy is required to maintain the locking member 58 in the locked position. It is only necessary to energise the solenoid coil 64 when the locking member 58 is to be withdrawn into the unlocked position.

The solenoid coil forms part of the solenoid 10 which is an active output component which is designed such that when a fire signal is received from the processor 2 a high current burst of 3 to 4 amps for 200 milleseconds drives the solenoid coil, and the locking member is then held with a trickle current of 300 milleamps for a period of two seconds before the bolt is released.

Because of the curved surface or bevel 58b of the locking member 58, a closure panel carrying the locking member can be pushed shut even with the locking member in its extended position. In that event, the locking member is pushed back around the abutment 60 against the action of the spring and then re-adopts the locked position. This ability to slam-shut the closure panel even with the locking member 58 in the extended position simplifies the procedure required for locking and unlocking of a security system using the locking mechanism. This will be described in more detail in the context of use of a safe in the following. However, it will be appreciated that the same sequence of operations will apply wherever the locking mechanism is used.

The locking mechanism described with reference to Figures 6a and 6b could be further adapted to incorporate a deadlock mechanism.

Use of the safe will now be described. It is assumed that the safe has a door which can be opened and closed and which is fitted with the locking mechanism of Figure 6a and 6b. The safe includes a card reader in accordance with Figures 2 to 4 and circuitry in accordance with Figure 1. The safe can be programmed for use as follows. The programming sequence is begun with the door in the open position but with the solenoid coil inactivated so that the locking member 58 is in the extended position. A credit card with a magnetic stripe or a smart card is inserted into the card reader through the slot 24. The card reading mechanism is inactivated while the card in inserted into the slot but when the card reaches the rear of the slot, the microswitch 34 is actuated and this enables the card reading circuitry. Thus, the card can then be read as the card is removed. An orange light illuminates the slot r and an audible signal can be provided in addition to this to indicate that the door is open and that the card is correctly positioned for programming. In the case that the card reader includes smart card reading circuitry 32, the smart card connections are made when the microswitch 34 is actuated. As the electronic circuitry is enabled, it will attempt to establish communication with the smart card and if this is achieved data is read from the smart card and a green light is illuminated to indicate acceptance of the card. In addition, an audible signal can be provided in association with the illumination of the green light. If no communication is established, it is assumed that the card is not a smart card but is a card carrying a magnetic stripe and in that case the card is read as it is removed from the slot. That is, as the card is withdrawn over the magnetic reading head 28, the data stored in the magnetic stripe is detected, amplified and shaped before being passed to the microprocessor 2 for decoding. This then causes illumination of the green light (together with an audible signal where provided) and is used to control operation of the safe.

As the card reading circuitry operates on removal and not insertion of the card, this allows power saving by allowing the electronic circuitry to be shut down for most of the time.

A second card can be used to program the safe during a period of for example 30 seconds during which the green light will remain illuminated. Such period may be extended according to implementation requirements and in a preferred embodiment this period is one minute.

The data taken from the card (or cards) is stored in the memory provided in the processor 2 or the optional memory 4 and indicates an authorised card. Thereafter, only that card (or cards) can be used to open the safe until it is programmed again. Once the safe has been programmed, items to be secured canrbe placed in the safe and the door is then slammed shut so that the locking member 58 adopts its locked position and locks the safe. To open the safe from this position, the same card that was used to lock it is inserted into the slot and acceptance of this card will be indicated by a green light, together with an audible signal where provided. The card is then withdrawn and the green light will go out if the card is accepted. If the data on the card matches that of an authorised card, the control circuitry 2 drives the solenoid 10 to energise the solenoid coil 64 which causes the locking member 58 to be withdrawn to the unlocked position. The door then opens under the action of a spring. Where a plurality of safes are installed on any particular site, a mastercard can be provided which can be used at any time to open any of the safes on that site. The use of the mastercard will not affect the data which has been stored in the memory concerning the card which was originally used to lock the safe so that that card can still be used to unlock it.

An important feature of a safe in accordance with the present invention is the provision of an audit trail. The memory of the safe (provided by processor 2 or optional memory 4) records with an associated time every event involved in either programming, locking or unlocking the safe. It also records the use of master cards and handheld programming units. In the preferred embodiment, a record can be kept of the previous 20 operations or 65,000 minutes of time. The optional memory 4 increases the amount of data storage available. The audit trail allows the operator (e.g. the hotel manager) to review all events for the safe over a time period.

1. User card 1 programmed

2. User card 2 programmed

3. User card 1 used

4. User card 2 used

5. Invalid read

6. Unauthorised card used *card number stored

7. Master card used

8. Handheld unit used

9. Programmed via comms link

10. Door opened .without card (physical event monitored by door switch 14)

11. Elapse timer rollover

Each audit trail entry contains a code to represent the above, a time reference and a count. The time reference is stored as an elapsed time.

s well as recording the details of all valid cards used, the audit trail can record certain details of illegal cards which are attempted to be used.

The audit trail could also advantageously be used to record the details of all events over an extended time period, for example a full day, as required by the specific implementation.

The processor 2 generates a clock pulse every half second which is derived by dividing a 32.768KHZ processor clock by 2 to the power 14. These half second pulses are counted by the processor 2 to provide a one minute time frame which is used to increment the elapse clock 20.

During normal operation the elapsed time is incremented every minute. When one of the above operations occurs the current elapsed time is saved to the audit trail as the time reference. Entries will be made into the trail until the memory is full; from that time the oldest entry is overwritten. The audit trail is never totally erased.

The elapse timer will count 65535 minutes (45.5 days) before rolling over to zero and starting again.

The audit trail can be read using the handheld processing unit, but it could also be read via the communication interface 22. When the handheld unit is connected and the communications established the operator first enters the date and time, to provide a base for the conversion of elapsed time into real time.

If there is only a minimum memory capacity installed all audit trail entries are transferred to the handheld unit. If additional memory is used the operator is prompted for a predetermined number of entry blocks required.

This data is transferred, converted and formatted before being printed by the printer 50. The printed ticket would look similar to the one below.

CARD-WORLD SAFES AUDIT PRINTOUT

HOTEL NAME RM No. XX SER NO. XXXXXX DD/MM/YY HH:MM

DD/MM/YY

HH:MM BAD CRD XX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

HH:MM CRD 1 OPEN

HH:MM CRD 2 OPEN

DD/MM/YY

HH:MM CRD 1 OPEN HH:MM CRD 2 PROG HH:MM CRD 1 PROG HH:MM MASTER

DD/MM/YY

HH:MM CRD 1 OPEN

This data is available again if required but the top entry will be the use of the handheld unit to produce the above ticket.

A particularly advantageous feature of the audit trail is that in the case of any wrong card being used to attempt to illegally gain access to the safe, the audit trail will seize the account number and details of the card used and its time of use. This could be useful in apprehending potential thieves. Also, the audit trail records physical events such as attempts to open the door by manual means. Once again, the time of such an attempt would be recorded.

In the above described embodiment, the handheld processing unit is connected to the safe through the jack-type connector 36. In another embodiment (not illustrated) the handheld programming unit can be provided as a card which can be inserted into the card reading slot.

Reference will now be made to Figures 7 to 10 to describe a hinge used in the safe. The hinge can to be mounted internally of the safe so that there are no external components. Not only does this render the external surface of the safe completely flush, but it reduces the opportunity for vandalism. Thus, it makes it much more difficult for the door of the safe to be removed by physical force. Moreover, it means that the safe can more readily be made fire-proof as there are no external gaps.

Figure 7(a) shows a front view of a safe having a door 88 and a housing 70. The door will preferably be attached to the housing by means of two hinges both on one vertical side of the safe door: one hinge at the top of the chosen vertical side and the other hinge at the bottom of the chosen vertical side.

Figure 7(b) shows a view through the partial cross-section VII-VII of Figure 7(a), looking upwards towards the top hinge. As in Figure 7(a), reference numeral 70 denotes the housing of the safe, which defines at its front end an opening 72. Figure 8 shows a view of the cross section of Figure 7(b) in the direction of the arrow VIII of Figure 7(b). Similarly the view in the direction of the arrow VII of Figure 8 is that of Figure 7(b). As can be seen most clearly in Figure 8, at the opening 72 the safe is formed with a top plate 78 which continues into a vertical front wall 80 which then continues into a horizontal hinge bracket 74. The horizontal bracket has a down-turned flange 82 which extends partially along the hinge bracket 74. A hole 84 is provided in the hinge bracket 74. Reference numeral 86 denotes a hinge mounting block which is secured to the door 88 of the safe, the door extending across the aperture 72 formed in the safe frame 70. The hinge mounting block has a vertical passageway 90 running through it which aligns with the hole 84 provided in the hinge bracket 74.

As can be seen most clearly in Figures 10a to 10c, the passageway 90 of the hinge mounting block 86 extends longitudinally thereof and the hinge mounting block additionally has a grub screw aperture 92 which extends perpendicularly to the passageway 90. The hinge mounting block has a chamfered corner 94 which is on the side of the mounting block spaced from the upturned flange 82 when the block is secured to the door 88. A pin 96 extends through the passageway 90 and through the hole in the mounting plate 74 and is supported by the top plate 78. The pin 96 is secured to the hinge block 86 but can rotate in the hole 84.

.Referring further to Figures 7(b) and 8, the pin 96 has a coiled spring 100 wrapped around it. One end 102 of the coiled spring fits into a slot groove 104 in the bottom of the pin, the spring is wound around the pin and then the other end 106 of the coiled spring extends away from the pin 96 such that it comes to rest against a lateral wall of the safe housing 70, as clearly shown in Figure 7(b). Although not shown in Figure 8 for reasons of clarity, means would preferably be provided at the bottom end of the pin 96 over the slot groove 104 to prevent any slippage of the coiled spring.

Referring again to Figure 7(b), when the door 88 of the safe is closed and locked, the end 106 of the coiled spring rests against the wall of the safe and the spring is under tension. When the safe is unlocked the force of the spring will force the door open. In the preferred embodiment, the pin 96 will also be provided with a slot groove 108 in its upper end. When the door is mounted and the hinge assembled with the pin 96 and coiled spring in place, a screwdriver can be placed in the slot 108 of the pin to rotate it so as to increase the tension under which the spring is held. When the desired tension is reached a grub screw in the grub screw aperture 92 is tightened to hold the rotational position of the pin relative to the door. Hence when the safe lock opens under the control of a stripe card or a smart card the door automatically 'springs' open. When the door is pulled in the direction of arrow A (Figure 7) for opening, the pin 96 rotates in the hole 84 with the chamfered corner 94 allowing the hinge block to pass the upturned flange 82. The corner 95 of the hinge mounting block 86 however abuts against the upturned flange 82 and acts as a door stop.

The hinge mechanism at the bottom of the vertical side of the door is substantially identical to the top hinge, but is assembled as the mirror image. There is one significant difference to the bottom hinge, however, since it is adapted to carry the weight of the safe door. The essential difference of the bottom hinge will now be described with reference to Figure 9. To mount the door using the hinge system, the pin 96 is inserted into the hole 84 of the hinge bracket 74 and rests on the base plate 78 of the safe. The door 88 of the safe is then raised a slight distance to provide a gap 100 (Figure 8) . With this gap 100, and the pin resting on the base plate 78, a grub screw is tightened in the aperture 92 and then the pin takes all the weight of the door. In the preferred embodiment a coiled spring is only used on one hinge and this is preferably the top hinge, since the top hinge conveniently allows access as described above to adjust the tension of the coiled spring. The bottom hinge illustrated in Figure 9 is therefore shown without a coiled spring mounted therewith.

The hinge structure enables the door to be quickly fitted and removed to and from the safe.

To take the door off its hinges requires a grub screw to release the pin 96. The bottom pin, which does not require a tension spring, can be made flush with the surface of the hinge block as shown in Figure 9. A magnet is then additionally required to remove the pin 96 from the passageway 90. Thus, the pin is made to extend only a small amount or not at all above the upper surface of the mounting block so that it can only be accessed by magnetic force and not by mechanical means. This makes the safe more resistant to vandalism.

The safes are fitted with an audible alarm which will sound if the safe is tampered with electronically or physically. If an attempt is made to gain entry with the wrong card the audit trail records sufficient details from that card for the owner of that card to be identified. If the safes are linked to a central computer the alarm will also sound at the site of the computer.

The safes can be linked to a central computer system using the safe network connection by means of a fibre optic connector which can link up to any existing common cable such as a ring main or internal telephone line. The safes could also be opened by such a control computer sytem via the safe network connection. When connected to a central computer the alarm sounds in the reception and the audit report is accessible through the computer. In the case of the doors to the rooms having been fitted with locks according to Figures 6a and 6b, it would be possible for the safes and the doors to be linked and controlled by a central computer. If the safes are connected to a central computer it is a simple matter to charge for the safes if it is desirable to do so.

Where such a system is used in domestic or business premises, the locking mechanism described above with reference to Figures 6(a) and 6(b) could be provided with means on the inside of the door for manually opening the lock.

The card reader described hereinabove could also be used in other applications where security is desirable such as secure cabinets, either with or without the locking mechanism described hereinabove with reference to Figures 6(a) and 6(b) or the hinge described hereinabove. The locking mechanism of Figures 6a and 6b can be used with a card reader to offer a card entry door locking system for doors to hotel rooms. This system would generally be linked to a central computer and would therefore offer the perfect opportunity for linking the safe and the door . entry system all into one audit trail system, and thereby providing the highest level of security for the guest.

Such a central locking system can be combined with a standard alarm system for domestic premises. It offers any householder the comfort of knowing that as well as their alarm being on, all the doors in the house are locked as well. It offers the versatility of being able to alarm and lock different areas in the house at the point of exit. It records and times any forced entries to the house and will provide a detailed report of the movements of any burglar who gains entry. Should the entrance card be lost, a new one can be programmed at no cost to the householder avoiding the cost of replacing locks in the case of lost keys.

Where such a system is used in domestic or business premises, the locking mechanism described above with reference to Figures 6a and 6b could be provided with means on the inside of the door for manually opening the lock.

Claims

1. A card reader for reading data from a magnetic stripe card or smart card, the card reader comprising a slot for receiving a card, data reading circuitry located in the slot for reading data from the card and which is disabled as the card is inserted into the slot, and a sensing device located at the rear of the slot and arranged to be actuated by a card which has been fully inserted into the slot, the sensing device controlling the data reading circuitry so that it is enabled only when the card has been fully inserted.

2. The card reader of claim 1 wherein the data reading circuitry is electronic circuitry for reading data from a smart card.

3. The card reader of claim 1 wherein the data reading circuitry is a magnetic head for reading data from a magnetic stripe.

4. The card reader of claim 3 wherein the data is read from said magnetic stripe as the card is withdrawn from the slot.

5. The card reader of any preceding claim wherein an electrical connection member is provided for connection to an auxiliary device.

6. The card reader of claim 5 wherein the auxiliary device is a power unit for powering up control circuitry of the safe.

7. The card reader of claim 5 wherein the auxiliary device is a handheld processor device which is used to access control circuitry.

8. The card reader of claim 5 wherein the auxiliary device is a handheld processor device which is used to program control circuitry.

9. A security system comprising a card reader according to any preceding claim.

10. The security system of claim 9 further comprising a closure panel for sealing an enclosed area.

11. The security system of claim 10 wherein the enclosed area is a safe and the closure panel is a door.

12. The security system of claim 10 wherein the enclosed area is a room and the closure panel is a door or a window of a house.

13. The security system according to any one of claims 10 to 12 including a lock which has a movable locking member attached or attachable to the closure panel, the movable locking member being moved under the influence of a solenoid coil, against the action of biasing means, between an extended position corresponding to a locked position of the closure panel relative to a frame member of the enclosed area and an unlocked position, the movable locking member having a bevelled edge so that the panel can be pushed closed even with the movable locking member in the extended position and the panel open.

14. The security system of claim 11 wherein the safe includes a hinge comprising a hinge block for securing to the inner surface of the closure panel and having a passageway extending therethrough to accommodate a hinge pin; and a hinge bracket for securing to a frame member of the enclosed area with respect to which the closure panel can be opened and closed and defining an aperture in which the pin is mounted for rotation wherein there are means for securing the pin relative to the hinge block and wherein the pin can only be withdrawn from the passageway on release of the securing means.

15. The security system of claim 14 such, that it is mounted entirely on the inside of a housing.

16. The security system of claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the hinge bracket has an upturned portion which acts as a rotational stop for the hinge block on a predetermined amount of rotation of the closure panel.

17. The security system of any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the means for securing the pin relative to the hinge block for securing the pin relative to the hinge block is provided by a grub screw which extends laterally toward the passageway.

18. The security system of any one of claims 14 to 17 further comprising a resilient means wherein the closure panel is opened relative to the frame member by the resilient force of said resilient means.

19. The security system of claim 18 wherein the resilient means is a tension spring.

20. A method of monitoring transactions of a security system according to any of claims 9 to 19 comprising storing in processor memory events which have taken place together with the time at which the events took place, the events including: electrical events comprising at least reading a card inserted into a slot of the security system, the event being stored as a code identifying the data read from the card together with the time of reading; and physical events comprising opening a closure panel of the security system the event being stored as a code indicating that the closure panel has been opened together with the time of opening.

21. A method of monitoring transactions of a safe comprising storing in processor memory of the safe events which have taken place together with the time at which the events took place, the events including: electrical events comprising at least reading a card inserted into a slot of the safe, the event being stored as a code identifying data read from the card together with the time of reading; and physical events comprising opening a door of the safe, the event being stored as a code indicating that the door has been opened together with the time of opening.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said electrical events further comprise the use of a remote processing unit to program the safe or take information from its control circuitry or processor.

23. The method of claim 21 or claim 22 wherein said processor memory stores a predetermined number of safe events.

24. The method of any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein said processor memory stores code identifying data of a card illegally inserted into the slot.

25. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein said processor memory stores safe events over an extended time period.

26. The method of any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein said processor memory stores code identifying data of a master card.

27. A security system including a lock which has a movable locking member attached or attachable to a closure panel, the movable locking member being moved under the influence of a solenoid coil, against the action of biasing means, between an extended position corresponding to a locked position of the closure panel relative to a frame member and an unlocked position, the movable locking member having a bevelled edge so that the panel can be pushed closed even with the movable locking member in the extended position and the panel open.

28. The security system of claim 27 wherein the frame is part of the body of a safe and the closure panel is the door of the safe.

29. The security system of claim 27 wherein the closure panel is a door or a window of a house.

30. The security system of any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein the movable locking member comprises a deadlock.

31. A hinge comprising a hinge block for securing to the inner surface of a closure panel and having a passageway extending therethrough to accommodate a hinge pin; and a hinge bracket for securing to a frame member with respect to which the closure panel can be opened and closed and defining an aperture in which the pin is mounted for rotation wherein there are means for securing the pin relative to the hinge block and wherein the pin can only be withdrawn from the passageway on release of the securing means.

32. The hinge of claim 31 wherein the pin is not accessible by mechanical means and can only be withdrawn from the passageway by use of magnetic force.

33. The hinge of claim 31 or claim 32 such that it is mounted entirely on the inside of a housing.

34. The hinge of any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein the hinge bracket has an upturned portion which acts as a rotational stop for the hinge block on a predetermined amount of rotation of the closure panel.

35. The hinge of any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein the means for securing the pin relative to the hinge block is provided by a grub screw which extends laterally toward the passageway.

36. The hinge of any one of claims 31 to 35 further comprising a resilient means wherein the closure panel is opened relative to the frame member by the resilient force of said resilient member.

37. The hinge of claim 36 wherein the resilient means is a tension spring.