초록 ▼

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 an

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A system of locks and keys having electronic access features wherein certain keys are to be permitted access to certain locks as selected, comprising:a computer with a memory and a monitor, the computer having programming,a series of keys, each having an electronic ID chip with mea

[ We claim:] [1.] A system of locks and keys having electronic access features wherein certain keys are to be permitted access to certain locks as selected, comprising:a computer with a memory and a monitor, the computer having programming,a series of keys, each having an electronic ID chip with means for reading the ID chip by contact with the key,a series of locks, each having electronic access control features, including an electrically operated locking member, a microcontroller for making access control decisions, and connected memory, each lock being programmable for access by selected ones of the keys,a key reader, separate from the locks, with reader means for reading the ID chip on each key by inserting the key into the key reader so as to make electrical contact with the key, the key reader being connected to the computer so as to send ID information read from the key into the computer,means in the computer programming for (a) presenting on the monitor a matrix representing locks in the system on one axis of the matrix and keys of the system on the other axis of the matrix, (b) facilitating user selection of which key or keys in the system are to be permitted electronic access to which lock or locks in the system, by the user's making a positive indication on the matrix by use of a user input device, such that each location of a positive indication comprises an intersection of a row and column represented by a particular lock and key signifying that the key is to have access to that lock, and including provision for some keys having access to multiple locks and for some locks being accessible by multiple keys, as desired, (c) recording the user selections in computer memory, along with codes or ID numbers representing the locks and keys,a programming key for the system, having a key blade and having a programmable memory, the programming key being portable and insertable into the locks of the system, and the programming key including means for connecting to the computer when desired, and for downloading stored information from the computer into the programming key memory,the computer and programming having means for downloading data representing the recorded user selections of which locks are to be accessed by which keys, to the programming key memory when the programming key is connected to the computer, such that the programming key stores, for each lock in the system, which keys in the system should be capable of electronically accessing the lock, andmeans on the programming key for making electrical contact with locks in the system when the programming key is inserted into a lock, enabling data transfer between the programming key and the microcontroller of the lock so as to program the locks to grant electronic access to those keys selected by the user.