WO2005078667A1

WO2005078667A1 - Locking device

Info

Publication number: WO2005078667A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/000354
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Leman
Original assignee: Melexis Nv
Priority date: 2004-02-13
Filing date: 2005-02-14
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: GB0403214D0

Abstract

A locking device 100 comprises a locking means 117 connected to a locking mechanism, said locking means being movable between a lock position wherein operation of the locking mechanism is inhibited and an unlock position wherein operation of the locking means is not inhibited. The locking means is movable in response to RF signals received from a remote RF signal unit 101. The locking means is moved by actuation means 115, said actuation means 115 powered by energy extraction means 112, which are adapted to extract energy from the received RF signals. The locking means 117 provides a mechanical connection between the locking mechanism and the locking element in the unlock position and does not provide a mechanical connection between the locking mechanism and the locking element in the lock position. The locking means 117 may be small compared to the locking mechanism and the locking element. This means the state of the locking device 100 whether locked or unlocked may be controlled by movement of a small locking means 117 even if the locking device is large and/or heavy duty, thus making it feasible to extract sufficient energy to control the locking device from an RF signal.

Description

LOCKING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a locking device operable in response to radio frequency (RF) signals and additionally to a goods storage means incorporating such a

locking device. Use of radio frequency transmission to communicate with or to control a device remotely is known. In such systems, a handset or other remote signal unit emits an RF signal with predetermined characteristics. The device is provided with means for receiving the signal and means for determining whether the signal has particular desired characteristics. If the RF signal has the desired characteristics, the device will then perform a desired action, the particular action determined by the particular characteristics of the received RF signal.

One example of such a device is an RF identification tag such as those used to identify property in warehouses, retail premises etc and to draw attention to attempted shoplifting. Typically such tags are operable to respond to a received RF signal of particular characteristics by transmitting an RF signal in response, thereby identifying the tag and alerting an adjacent detector to the presence of the tag.

In order to perform a desired action, the device must be supplied with sufficient energy to complete the action. If the action is to transmit an RF signal in response, sufficient energy can be extracted from the received RF signal. If the action is more onerous, then the device will require an additional power supply to complete the action. As the tags may be adapted to respond only to signals incorporating a particular key code there is considerable interest in applying such technology to other security applications. One particular example is use of such tags as the 'key' for an electronic lock or locking system, as electronic code locks can be more difficult for may thieves to pick. Present electronic locks, particularly large or heavy-duty locks, require more power to actuate their locking mechanism than can be extracted from a typical RF control signal and therefore require an additional power supply.

In some circumstances, it is undesirable or impractical to provide such an additional power supply. This may be because of additional bulk and/or expense and/or because of the consequences of a failure of the power supply. One example is a lock provided on a goods transport container to prevent unauthorised access to the goods within the container, hi such cases the locking mechanism and power supply must be provided either within the container or within a strong shielded portion on the exterior of the container to prevent damage during transit or tampering by unauthorised persons. If the power supply fails when the container is locked, either the lock or part of the container must be physically destroyed in order to access the goods within. This not only requires the repair or replacement of the container and or the lock for future use but also may damage the stored goods. If the power supply fails when the container unlocked the power supply must be replaced or recharged, if the goods are to be transported securely. This can require the partial unloading of the container costing a supplier time and money.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved remotely operable lock that alleviates some or all of the above problems. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking device comprising: a locking mechanism; a locking means connected to said locking mechanism said locking means being movable between a lock position wherein operation of the locking mechanism is inhibited and an unlock position wherein operation of the locking means is not inhibited; RF signal receiving means for receiving RF signals from a remote location; energy extraction means for extracting energy from the received RF signals; and actuation means operable to move said locking means between said lock position and said unlock position in response to said received RF signals. This provides a remotely operable lock wherein by using a locking means to inhibit or not inhibit a locking mechanism an additional power supply is not required, particularly if the locking means is relatively small in relation to the locking mechanism. This thus avoids the problems described above caused by failure of such an additional power supply. The locking mechanism is preferably a locking mechanism of the type operable to control the movement of a locking element between a locked position wherein the locking element engages with a corresponding locking seat adjacent to the locking mechanism and an unlocked position where it does not engage with said locking seat. The locking mechanism may comprise any suitable mechanism for moving the locking element between said locked position and said unlocked position. The movement of the locking element may be translational or rotational or a combination of the two as desired. Typically, the locking element is a bolt but may alternatively be a bar, wedge or any other suitable element. The locking seat is preferably a hole, notch or cavity adapted to engage with the locking element.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking means provides a mechanical connection between the locking mechanism and the locking element in the unlock position and does not provide a mechanical connection between the locking mechanism and the locking element in the lock position. The mechanical connection formed by the locking means may alternatively be provided between a user operable actuator for the lock mechanism and the lock mechanism itself, the user operable actuator may be a handle or similar. Control of the position of the locking means thus controls whether the locking element may be moved or not. In such embodiments, the locking mechanism is preferably a conventional key operated locking mechanism. Alternatively, a conventional door handle type mechanism may be provided, actuated directly by operating a handle without use of a key. In these embodiments, the movement of the locking means to the lock position thus inhibits the operation of the locking mechanism by not providing a mechanical connection between either an actuator and the locking mechanism or between the locking element and the locking mechanism.

This arrangement is advantageous in that the locking means providing mechanical connection between the locking mechanism and the locking element may be small compared to the locking mechanism and the locking element. This means the state of the locking device whether locked or unlocked may be controlled by movement of a small locking means even if the locking device is large and/or heavy duty, thus making it feasible to extract sufficient energy to control the locking device from an RF signal.

The locking element of the locking mechanism preferably obstructs and most preferably substantially prevents relative movement between an article on which the locking device is mounted and an adjacent article. Typically the locking device is mounted on a door or hatch and the locking element, when in the locked position engages with a locking seat provided on the wall or ceiling in which the door or hatch is provided and prevents said door or hatch from being opened and when in the unlocked position does not prevent said door or hatch from being opened. Alternatively however said locking device may be provided on said wall or ceiling with a locking element operable to engage with a locking seat provided on the door or hatch.

The locking means may be mechanically connected to the locking mechanism and/or the locking element. In one such embodiment, movement of the locking means is directly translated via the locking mechanism into movement of the locking element. In another such embodiment, the locking means is the locking element and the actuation means is operable to move the locking mechanism.

Preferably, a control unit is provided, the control unit being connected to said RF signal receiving means and operable to control the operation of the actuation means in response to the received RF signals.

The actuation means may comprise an electromechanical prime mover, a permanent magnet or non permanent magnet electromotor an ultrasonic transducer or any other suitable means. The actuation means is preferably connected to the locking means via an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism may comprise a suitable arrangement of gears and or levers, a ratchet or a pair of ratchets, an escapement or any other suitable mechanism. A different actuation means and or different actuation mechanisms may be provided for moving the locking element to the locked position or disabling movement of the locking means as is provided for moving the locking element to the unlocked position or enabling movement of the locking element.

The energy extraction means is connected to the RF transponder and arranged to extract energy from the received RF signals and to supply that energy in suitable form to power the other component parts of the locking device. The amount of power extracted from the RF signal determines the ability of the device to operate. In particular, if a lower power RF signal is received or a lower proportion of energy in a received signal is extracted, this limits the speed at which the locking means may be moved between the first and second positions. Preferably a driver is provided to drive the actuation means, the driver may be incorporated into the control unit or preferably may be a separate component connected between the control unit and the actuation means.

Preferably, the RF signal receiving means is an RF transponder. Said transponder preferably comprises an antenna and circuitry operative to extract data from the received RF signal. Most preferably said RF transponder is operable to transmit RF signals in addition to receiving RF signals.

RF signals are transmitted to the device by any suitable RF signal unit. The incoming signals preferably comprise an identification code and a command. Preferably, the control means compares the identification code in the signal with a stored identification code and only responds to the command if the identification code matches the stored identification code. The identification code is preferably stored in a data storage means, which may be incorporated into the control unit or may be a separate component.

The identification code may be preset during manufacture or may be reset manually in use. Preferably in order to reset the code physical access to the device is required, however in some embodiments, the code may be reset in response to a suitable command in a received RF signal. Preferably, the number of occasions on which the code may be reset or the time delay between successive resettings of the code is limited.

Commands may include 'lock', 'unlock', 'status' or similar. In response to receiving a 'lock' command the device is activated to move said locking means to the lock position. Similarly, in response to receiving an 'unlock' command the device is activated to move said locking element to the unlock position, hi response to receiving a status command, the device will transmit an RF signal including status data from each component of the device.

In some embodiments the device may be connected to a number of additional sensors, and will transmit details of their present and or past status in response to a 'status' command. In such embodiments, memory means may be provided either as part of the control means or separately, as desired.

In some embodiments, the identification code may be set for each specific use of the device and then reset to a default value after each use. When the default value set the device can remain in a locked state until it is required again. In this manner any specific identification codes or even the format of such identification codes is not disclosed unless necessary.

Preferably, said locking device may additionally incorporate a random number generator. Said random number generator may be operative each time the device is locked to generate a new random number and transmit it to the remote RF signal unit, and may additionally be operative to store said new random number and retransmit it to the remote storage unit on the next occasion that an unlock command is received. In this manner if a record of the random number generated when the device was last locked by an authorised person is kept, an authorised person may tell upon next unlocking the device, whether any other person has unlocked the box in the intervening time interval.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a securable goods storage container wherein the container is secured by means of a locking device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably said container comprises a box or crate constructed from metal or other suitable resilient material. Preferably said container has a door or hatch provided on one side which when opened allows access to the interior of the container. In some embodiments the locking device may be provided on the door, in other embodiments however the locking device may be provided on the main body of the container. In either case, the locking device is preferably mounted on the interior surface of said door or said container. It is possible, if desired, to mount the RF transponder in a separate location to the rest of the locking device if desired. This may be useful if a stronger signal can be received in a particular location, which is not on the door or adjacent to the door. This may also be useful if said remote RF signal unit only transmits a sufficiently strong signal to move the locking means if positioned adjacent to the transponder, and the location of the transponder is only revealed to authorised persons. The container may therefore be adapted to mount the RF means adjacent to an RF window, an RF window being an area of the container wall through which RF signals can pass more easily than usual.

Preferably, said locking device may be additionally connected to light and or pressure sensors allowing detection of an unauthorised entry into the box.

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a locking device according to the present invention and a remote RF signal unit; and Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a lock.

Referring to figure 1, a locking device 100 having a locking means 117 movable between a lock position and an unlock position is shown. Movement of the locking means 117 is effected by an actuation mechanism 116 connected to an electronic actuation means 115. The actuation means 115 is driven by driver 114, which is controlled by control unit 113. hi some embodiments the driver may be

incorporated directly in to the control unit 113, if desired. The control unit 113 is additionally connected to an RF transponder 111. the

RF transponder is operative to receive modulated RF signals 102 generated and transmitted by a remote RF signal unit 101. The transponder 111 is additionally connected to an energy extraction means 112, which extracts energy from the received RF signals to power the control unit 113 and via driver 114, the movement of locking means 117.

In a preferred embodiment the actuation means 115 is an electro-mechanical prime mover and the actuation mechanism 116 is an arrangement of mechanical gears or levers such as to create sufficient torque or force to move locking means 117. alternative embodiments however alternative actuation means or actuation mechanisms may be substituted.

Energy extraction means 112 is arranged to extract energy from the received RF signals and to supply that energy in suitable form to power the separate or combined component parts of the device 100. The amount of power extractable from the RF signal 102 will determine the ability of the device 100 to operate and may limit the speed at which the locking means may be moved between the locked and unlocked positions.

The RF transponder 111 comprises an antenna (not shown) and circuitry operative to extract data from the modulated RF signal 102 and to generate a corresponding data signal 203, which is passed to a control unit 113. The RF transponder 111 is also operative to transmit RF signals when required. Typically said transmitted RF signals comprise a data signal 204 passed to the transponder 111 by control unit 113. The incoming RF signal 102 includes at least an identification code and a command. The control means 113 compares the identification code with a unique identification code stored in the device 100. If the transmitted identification code is identical to the stored identification code then the incoming signal 102 is accepted as valid and the control unit then processes the command.

The identification code is stored in a data storage means (not shown), which may be incorporated into the control unit or may be an independent data storage means. The identification code may be preset during manufacture or may alternatively be set or reset at a later time. Setting or resetting the identification code can be carried out remotely via RF signals or by direct contact with the device 100. in some embodiments the identification code may only be set or reset a limited number of times. By restricting the number of times the identification code may be reset and or by restricting resetting to times when there is direct contact with the locking device, the security of the locking device against those attempting to operate it without authorisation may be improved.

It is also envisaged that if desired the identification code may be set each time the locking device 100 is used. In such embodiments the identification code is reset to a default value after each use. When the default value is set the locking device 100 can be stored in a locked state until it is next required without disclosing the identification code or the format of the identification code.

Commands in RF signals 102 include 'lock', 'unlock' and 'status' in addition to any such set or reset of the identification code commands discussed above. When the control means 113 receives a correct identification code followed by a 'lock' or an 'unlock' command, the control means 113 generates a corresponding lock or unlock signal 207 which is passed to the driver 114. The driver, in response generates actuation signals 209 to operate actuation means 115. The actuation means 115 is mechanically connected to actuation mechanism 116 and thus moves the locking means 117 to the lock position if a 'lock' command has been received or to the unlock position if an 'unlock' command has been received.

When the control means 113 receives a correct identification code followed by a 'status' command, control means activates RF transponder 111 to transmit an RF data signal in response thereto. The RF data signal can include fixed data and or variable data, fixed data being a preset identification code and variable data including data related to the status or of components of the locking device 100 or any components linked to the locking device. The variable data may also include data relating to any attempts to operate the device 100 using a wrong or falsely coded interrogation. The locking means 117 may be any suitable means for controlling a mechanical lock. Typically a mechanical lock comprises a locking mechanism 201 and a locking element 202 the locking mechanism 201 being operative to move the locking element 202 between a position in which the element 202 engages or locks with a locking seat 203 and a position wherein the element 202 is not able to engage or lock with the seat 203. hi one embodiment of the invention, the locking means 117 is a locking element 202 and the actuation mechanism 116 is thus a locking mechanism 201. In an alternative preferable embodiment the locking means 117 forms a mechanical connection between the locking element 202 and the locking mechanism 201, when in the lock position and does not form a mechanical connection between the locking element 202 and the locking mechanism 201 when in the unlock position. In such cases the locking mechanism 201 is a manually actuated mechanism, actuated by a key and or a handle. A 'lock' command sent to the device 100 subsequent to the locking element 202 being manually actuated to the locked position thus prevents the locking mechanism 201 from moving the locking element 202 into the unlocked position unless an 'unlock' command has been received. In this way the operation of a large lock can be controlled by movement of a relatively small locking means and can thus be powered by energy extracted from RF signals.

One particular application of such locking devices is on goods transport containers. Fitting an electronically controlled lock of this type to such a container can make the container more secure against forced entry by unauthorised persons. Such a locking device could additionally be adapted to provide information relating to where, when and by whom it was last opened.

For instance once such a container is filled with goods, a status command is sent to the locking device 100. The variable data transmitted in response thereto may include details of the time that the container was last locked and or unlocked. In a particularly preferred embodiment the device may be provided with a random number generator, the random number generator being operative to generate a random number on each occasion that the container is locked. A new random number may be generated each time the container is locked and the same number is stored until the container is unlocked again, h a particular use of this facility a random number is generated and transmitted to the remote RF signal unit 101 once a container is filled with goods and locked. This random number can be recorded and transmitted independently to a similar unit at the destination for the goods. When the container is unlocked the remote RF signal unit 101 at the destination can compare the random number output by the device 100 upon unlocking with the random number transmitted separately. In this manner it can be ascertained whether a container has been opened in transit.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment, which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. A locking device comprising: a locking mechanism; a locking means connected to said locking mechanism said locking means being movable between a lock position wherein operation of the locking mechanism is inhibited and an unlock position wherein operation of the locking means is not inhibited; RF signal receiving means for receiving RF signals from a remote location; energy extraction means for extracting energy from the received RF signals; and actuation means operable to move said locking means between said lock position and said unlock position in response to said received RF signals.

2. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is a locking mechanism of the type operable to control the movement of a locking element between a locked position wherein the locking element engages with a corresponding locking seat adjacent to the locking mechanism and an unlocked position where it does not engage with said locking seat.

3. A locking device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the locking means provides a mechanical connection between the locking mechanism and the locking element in the unlock position and does not provide a mechanical connection between the locking mechanism and the locking element in the lock position.

4. A locking device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the mechanical connection formed by the locking means is provided between a user operable actuator for the lock mechanism and the lock mechanism.

5. A locking device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the user operable actuator is a handle.

6. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the locking mechanism is a conventional key operated locking mechanism.

7. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the locking mechanism is conventional door handle type mechanism.

8. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein movement of the locking means is directly translated via the locking mechanism into movement of the locking element.

9. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a control unit is provided, the control unit being connected to said RF signal receiving means and operable to control the operation of the actuation means in response to the received RF signals.

10. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the actuation means comprises any one of the following: electromechanical prime mover; permanent magnet or non permanent magnet electromotor; and an ultrasonic transducer.

11. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the actuation means is connected to the locking means via an actuation mechanism and the actuation mechanism comprises any one or more of: an arrangement of gears; an arrangement of levers; a ratchet; a pair of ratchets; and an escapement.

12. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the energy extraction means is connected to the RF signal receiving means and arranged to extract energy from the received RF signals and to supply that energy in suitable form to power the other component parts of the locking device.

13. A locking device as claimed any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein a driver is provided to drive the actuation means, the driver either being incorporated into the control unit or a separate component connected between the control unit and the actuation means.

14. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the RF signal receiving means is an RF transponder, said transponder comprising an antenna and circuitry operative to extract data from the received RF signal.

15. A locking device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said RF transponder is operable to transmit RF signals in addition to receiving RF signals.

16. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein incoming RF signals are transmitted to the device by any suitable RF signal unit, the incoming signals comprising an identification code and a command.

17. A locking device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the control means compares the identification code in the signal with a stored identification code and only responds to the command if the identification code matches the stored identification code.

18. A locking device as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the identification code is stored in a data storage means, the data storage means being incorporated into the control unit or incorporated into a separate component.

19. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein the identification code is preset during manufacture.

20. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein the identification code is reset manually in use.

21. A locking device as claimed in claim 20 whereby in order to reset the code physical access to the device is required.

22. A locking device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the code may be reset in response to a suitable command in a received RF signal.

23. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the number of occasions on which the code may be reset is limited.

24. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the time delay between successive resettings of the code is limited.

25. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein the identification code is set for each specific use of the device and then reset to a default value after each use.

26. A locking device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 25 wherein commands in the incoming RF signal include 'lock', 'unlock' and 'status' whereby: in response to receiving a 'lock' command the device is activated to move said locking means to the lock position; in response to receiving an 'unlock' command the device is activated to move said locking element to the unlock position; and in response to receiving a 'status' command, the device will transmit an RF signal including status data from each component of the device.

27. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is connected to a number of additional sensors, and will transmit details of their present and or past status in response to a 'status' command.

28. A locking device as claimed in claim 27 wherein the additional sensors include pressure and/or light sensors.

29. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said locking device additionally incorporates a random number generator operative each time the device is locked to generate a new random number and transmit it to the remote RF signal unit.

30. A locking device as claimed in claim 29 wherein said random number generator is additionally operative to store said new random number and retransmit it to the remote storage unit on the next occasion that an 'unlock' command is received.

31. A securable goods storage container wherein the container is secured by means of a locking device as claimed in any preceding claim.

32. A goods container as claimed in claim 31 wherein said container comprises a box or crate constructed from metal or other resilient material.

33. A goods container as claimed in claim 31 or claim 32 wherein said container has a door or hatch provided on one side which when opened allows access to the interior of the container.

34. A goods container as claimed in claim 33 wherein the locking device is provided on the door of the container and the locking device is mounted on the interior surface of said door.

35. A goods container as claimed in claim 33 wherein the locking device is provided on the main body of the container and the locking device is mounted on the interior surface of said container.

36. A goods container as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35 wherein the RF transponder is mounted in a separate location to the rest of the locking device.

37. A goods container as claimed any one of claims 31 to 36 wherein the container is adapted to mount the RF means adjacent to an RF window.