Security People, Inc.

Other

Yucel K Keskin

Asil T Gokcebay

Robert E Kearns

A mechanical key and lock cylinder with mechanical bittings include an electronic access control feature, with minimal modification and without affecting or interfering with the mechanical function of the key and cylinder. A small, low-profile memory cell is embedded in a recess or later hole through the key, with one cell terminal grounded to the key and the other having a contact extension. When the key is inserted into the keyway of the cylinder plug, the ground connection is made with the cylinder and the memory cell contact extension engages a spring-loaded contact of a connector unit which extends from the cylinder plug. An insulated wire carries the conductive path out of the lock cylinder. The key remains of very low profile, and the cylinder plug is modified only by a small longitudinal bore from front to rear. Existing mechanical locks and cylinders can easily be retrofitted with the electronic access control feature. In another embodiment the key has its contacts on one or both sides of the key blade rather than at the shoulder of the key head. The memory cell device in or on the key head can include a microprocessor, battery and read/write memory.

Conventional mechanical lock cylinders and keys with electronic access control feature

An electronic lock device for lockers of similar uses has an input for a user code (keypad or electronic key reader), and a separate input for a manager key. Contacts at the manager key include power jumper contacts, so that when a user is unable to open his assigned locker, whether this is due to a low battery in the lock or failure of the user's key or the user's forgetting a PIN code, the manager key device will open the lock.

Locker lock with master override and low power jump start

A mechanical key and lock cylinder with mechanical bittings include electronic access control feature. A small, low-profile memory cell is embedded in a recess or hole through the key, with one cell terminal grounded to the key and the other having a contact extension. When the key is inserted into the keyway of the cylinder plug, the ground connection is made with the cylinder and the memory cell contact extension engages a contact of a connector unit from the cylinder plug. The key remains of very low profile. In another embodiment the key has its contacts on one or both sides of the key blade rather than at the shoulder of the key head. The memory cell device in or on the key head can include a microprocessor, battery and read/write memory.

Locks and keys are disclosed with electromagnetic as well as mechanical actuation. Several forms of reverse sidebar are described, avoiding binding of the lock release mechanism by premature turning of the key by a user. An embodiment of a system is described wherein the lock units are in radio communication with a control console, for setting access parameters and monitoring accessing events at each of the various locks.

Mechanical/electronic lock and key therefor

A system of locker compartments at various locations is controlled by a central system processor. A communication system from the central processor to all locations, and all lockers within a location, enables central control of rewritable locker access codes, reservation of appropriate lockers for delivery of orders, and monitoring of status of all lockers in the system. The assignment of lockers and codes can be web-based, and can be done by a vendor, a delivery company or an online customer.

Networked digital locker lock system

An electronic lock device includes provision for setting different bolt or latch extension lengths, to accommodate different door lock situations. In addition, the bolt or latch itself preferably is interchangeable for bolts or latches of different sizes or configurations, including switching a latch for a bolt or vice versa. The bolt or latch extension can be settable via a keypad or ibutton. In the preferred embodiments the lock units include a D.C. geared micromotor, which is also included in other electronic lock units disclosed.

Locker lock with adjustable bolt

A mechanical lock and key includes an electronic access control feature for preventing opening of the lock unless prescribed conditions are met. The lock cylinder, preferably the cylinder plug, is fitted with a small ID or &ldquo;serial number&rdquo; chip which is read when a voltage is applied. A connected addressable switch is connected to a solenoid capable of withdrawing a blocking pin, when the switch is activated. The mechanical key has a key head with a battery, microprocessor and database. When the key is inserted into the lock, a one-wire bus connection sends the lock ID to the key's microprocessor, a comparison is made by the microprocessor to determine whether the lock is authorized to be opened, and if so; a code for the addressable switch, determined from the key database, is sent via the one wire bus to the switch, powering the solenoid, withdrawing the blocking pin and enabling opening of the lock. A record is made in the database as to each instance of opening of each lock which the key fits. In electric parking meters, for example, cash count data can be read by the key and recorded for auditing the route. Rewritable memory can be included in the lock to store the cash count data gathered by the key for subsequent audit or, in situations involving several keys and a simple lock, to store a series of previous entry events for audit.

Coin collection lock and key

A lock cylinder of standard size and configuration, interchangeable with conventional mechanical cylinders, includes electronic access control features as additional security or in some embodiments as the sole security feature. A microcontroller, memory, solenoid, battery, one wire bus connection and other electric and electronic elements are self contained within the cylinder, being positioned in the cylinder shell or the cylinder plug. The microprocessor can be programmed as to authorized users, entry times, etc. using a special programming key, which itself is programmed with a computer. User keys have a memory cell or ID chip which is read by the cylinder's microcontroller on insertion of the key; however, a system of locks can include locks which are mechanical/electronic, solely electronic and solely mechanical, and keys can also be electronic, mechanical or both. In one embodiment a cylinder collar contains batteries for supplying power to the cylinder, and may also have an LED and contacts for supplying emergency power.

An electronic lock for use with lockers assigned for transitory or permanent use, has a keypad for entering a preselected sequence of digits. Programmable for each use in the transitory mode, the lock shifts a latch to locked position on a first entry of a sequence chosen by the user, and retracts the latch to unlocked position when the same sequence is reentered by the user. A subsequent user of the locker when unlocked can enter any sequence of digits desired. In the mode of a longer term assigned locker, the electronic lock is programmed by, for example, a student, and the same combination is retained as long as desired. In this mode, the selected sequence is used only to unlock, with the latch or mortise being spring-biased. The construction of the electronic lock is modular, easily fitting on nearly all contemporary locker designs, retained by only a few screws. An outer housing on the outside of the locker door has an electrical plug-in connection through the door with an inner housing at the inside of the door, and the housing portions can be changed to opposite hand use. Power input ports preferably are included on the front of the outer housing to power the lock in the event of battery failure, and in addition, an audible beep occurs when batteries are low. An LED indicator can be included for status, as can an infrared reader for instant reprogramming of a large bank of lockers such as in a school.

Programmable digital electronic lock

An electronic lock for use with lockers has a recess or contacts for accepting an electronic ID chip as a 'key'. Upon receiving the current ID chip, the lock shifts a latch to unlocked position, with the latch or mortise being spring-biased. The construction of the electronic lock is modular, easily fitting on nearly all contemporary locker designs, retained by only a few screws preferably in the standard three-hole locker door prep layout. An outer housing on the outside of the locker door has an electrical plug-in connection through the door with an inner housing at the inside of the door, and the housing portions can be changed to opposite hand use. Power input ports preferably are included on the front of the outer housing to power the lock in the event of battery failure, and in addition, an audible beep occurs when batteries are low. An LED indicator can be included for status.

An electronic identification device includes a header piece with stored memory and terminals for interfacing with an electronic port of a reader device, with encoded data programmed into the memory. An identification card, identifying the holder, is attached to the electronic header piece and bears printed information relating to and identifying the intended holder.

Identification card and access control device

A mechanical lock and key, which may have a conventional cylinder with mechanical bittings, includes an electronic access control feature for preventing opening of the lock, even with the proper mechanical key, unless prescribed conditions are met. The lock cylinder, preferably in the cylinder plug, is fitted with a small ID or 'serial number' chip which is read when a voltage is applied. A connected device, also very small, is an addressable switch. The switch is connected to a solenoid capable of withdrawing a blocking pin, when the switch is activated and conveys voltage to the solenoid. The mechanical key has a key head with a battery, microprocessor and database. When the key is inserted into the lock, a one-wire bus connection conveys the lock ID to the microprocessor in the key, a comparison is made by the microprocessor to determine whether the lock is authorized to be opened, and if so, a code for the addressable switch, determined from the key database, is sent via the one wire bus to the switch, which causes the switch to conduct power to the solenoid, withdrawing the blocking pin and enabling opening of the lock. A record is made in the database as to each instance of opening of each lock which the key fits.

Mechanical/electronic lock and key

A mechanical key and lock cylinder with mechanical bittings include an electronic access control feature, with minimal modification and without affecting or interfering with the mechanical function of the key and cylinder. A small, low-profile memory cell is embedded in a recess or lateral hole through the key, with one cell terminal grounded to the key and the other having a contact extension. When the key is inserted into the keyway of the cylinder plug, the ground connection is made with the cylinder and the memory cell contact extension engages a spring-loaded contact of a connector unit which extends from the cylinder plug. An insulated wire carries the conductive path out of the lock cylinder. The key remains of very low profile, and the cylinder plug is modified only by a small longitudinal bore from front to rear. Existing mechanical locks and cylinders can easily be retrofitted with the electronic access control feature.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Yucel K Keskin