Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary locking mechanism which is preferably intended for lock cylinders. The inventive mechanism includes an electric motor, a locking bolt, an inertial rotating mechanism which converts the rotation of the motor into a rectilinear movement along the axis of the locking bolt, an elastic energy accumulator which is arranged in opposition to the backward retraction travel of the locking bolt and a rectilinear guide mechanism for the working extension/retraction travel of the locking bolt.

Abstract: A deadbolt lock has a housing and a deadbolt latch mounted to the housing. The deadbolt latch has a bolt that is moveable between an extended, locked position, and a retracted, unlocked position. An outside thumb-turn rotatably mounted to the housing. A motor-driven axial clutch is connected between the deadbolt latch and the outside thumb-turn. The bolt is movable by the thumb-turn only when the clutch is engaged. A microcomputer disposed within the housing. An electric motor is connected between the microcomputer and the clutch for engaging and disengaging the clutch. An electronic touch-key reader is disposed in the housing. The electronic touch-key reader is electronically connected to the microcomputer and is capable of reading a digital security code from an electronic touch-key applied thereto. The microprocessor actuates the electric motor to engage the clutch only when an authorized digital security code is read by the electronic touch-key reader.

Abstract: A mortise lockset apparatus (10) that includes a retractable bolt (20) movably supported within a case (12). A handle (18) is pivotally supported on a hub (16) supported in the case, the hub being operably connected to the retractable bolt. The bolt is retracted by turning the door handle. A lock-out mechanism (22) is configured to prevent the handle from being turned when the lock-out mechanism is in an engaged position. The handle lock-out mechanism also includes a cam (29) movably supported in the case and operably connected to a motor (30). A sliding stop (34) is movably supported in the case and is engageable with the handle hub to prevent the handle hub and the handle from turning. The sliding stop is also engageable with a cam surface (40) of the cam. The motor is configured to move the sliding stop by rotating the cam. The cam rotational axis (42) is disposed between diametrically opposed portions of the cam surface to minimize space requirements for the assembly.

Abstract: A door security system for a door having an electrically actuated lock. The lock is controlled by a lock controller having an audit trail memory. An entry code reader transmits entered access codes to the controller. The controller compares the entered access code to prestored access codes and actuates the lock in response to the comparison. The controller stores the entered access code and a time stamp in the audit trail memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lock arrangement having a lock (14) and including a first locking device (52) adapted to operate the lock to lock and unlock the lock. A second locking device (68) includes a member (32) moveable between a first and a second position wherein when the member (32) is in the first position the lock is locked and when in the second position the lock is unlocked. Generally the first locking device (52) is key operated and the second locking device (68) is driven by an electric motor (72). The first locking device (52) can operate the lock independently of the member (32) and regardless of its position and when used to lock or unlock the lock can decouple through a clutch mechanism (80) the second locking device (68) from controlling the lock.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronically tested high-security coder/decoder device, comprising a key (1) consisting of a mechanically produced code, a body with integrated interpretation and actuation unit (2) and an electronic processing device (3) connected thereto. The key (1) has at least one pressure generator and pressure sensor unit (12) with code producing pressure elements (121, 122, 12n) and with one pressure transmitting part each. The interpretation and actuation unit (2) is provided with a unit (22) that converts pressure values known as such to electrical signals, an authorization unit (23) and an exe (24). The conversion unit (22) has an input (221) and an output (22). The output (22) is connected to the input (311) of the central processing unit (31). The central processing unit (31) and the interface (32) cooperate to give the electronic processing unit (3).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention is in respect of a lock having a body and an actuator arrangement which is displaceable relative to the body between an inoperative condition and an operative condition. The actuator arrangement is capable of operating a device such as a locking mechanism or the like only when in its operative condition. The lock further includes non-mechanical key identification means. The lock further includes retaining means for retaining the actuator arrangement releasably in its inoperative condition. The retaining means is linked to the key identification means and operative in response to a signal received therefrom to permit displacement of the actuator arrangement to its operative condition. The actuator arrangement typically includes an inner member, an outer member and a coupling whereby the inner and outer member are coupled together to permit relative longitudinal displacement between the inner and outer member and inhibit relative rotational movement.

Abstract: A colored based lock and key, wherein the key includes a color indication incorporated thereon, and the lock includes a color sensor for identifying the color indication, so as to open the lock. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key includes a blank or blanks on which at least one, and preferably a plurality of colors are incorporated. The blank or blanks can be formed of metal, plastic, or any other material on which colors or color emitting or color reflecting materials can be incorporated by various methods. According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the lock includes at least one color sensor arranged to sense the color incorporated on the key or on a predefined sequence of keys, when the key or keys are inserted in the lock, or put across the lock or rotated in the lock, and further includes a decision mechanism activated by an electric signal generated upon identification of the color incorporated on the key, to permit opening of the lock.

Abstract: An electronic door security system employs an input console having three readers for enhanced security. A microprocessor processes inputs applied at each of the readers to selectively permit access through a secured door. Application of an input to any of the readers transforms the controller from a sleep mode to an active mode.

Abstract: A cylinder lock for use in a door lock, comprising an outer plug, an inner plug, a rotary cam adapted to move a deadbolt of the door lock, and a clutch adapted to engage for rotation the outer plug to the rotary cam. The cylinder lock further comprises an electronic blocking device (EBD) and a drive adapted to actuate the clutch upon an unblocking command from the EBD generated upon receiving therein an unblocking signal emitted from the outer side of the door, thereby enabling moving the deadbolt by rotation of the outer plug. The cylinder lock comprises an inner handle attached thereto at the inner side of the door, the EBD and the drive being entirely accommodated within the inner handle. The signal is emitted by an electronic key or panel and may be a mechanical vibration signal, a light signal, or a radio signal.

Abstract: An identification apparatus comprising an array of retractable conductive pins on a base component placed onto a primary device and in communication therewith. A set of shaped identifiers have a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of retractable pins pass, each identifier being uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a conductive plug or ‘cap’ fitted therein which blocks the passage therethrough of that particular pin thereby forcing said pin to retract into the base component to block further use of that pin by subsequently placed identifiers. Each retractable pin is in individual communication with the primary device such that, once one or more identifiers have been placed onto the pin array, the primary device can thereafter identify the placed identifiers so as to subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

Abstract: Public storage lockers are designed particularly for storage of bicycles, such as at a public transportation terminal. In a preferred embodiment the storage lockers are on-demand, lockable by a user who must unlock the locker using the same electronic key and who must unlock the locker before using the key for any other locker. The lockers are visually open, with a secure screen or mesh on the locker door and optionally on walls and top cover. This reveals that the bike locker is occupied and prevents the use of the locker for unauthorized, privacy-requiring activities. The bike enclosure has a floor wheel guide for conveniently loading the bike, and a special door latch mechanism which provides for security by including a latch bar in a fixed frame, while a latch bar lifter, operable to permit door opening when the lock is unlocked, is on the door.

Abstract: An assembly method for a vehicle anti-theft key having an embedded resistor pellet is provided. The resistor pellet includes a flange at one end which abuts one side of the key blade when the opposed end of the pellet is inserted into a through opening formed in the shank portion of the key blade. With the resistor pellet loosely positioned within the through opening, a second flange is attached to the end of the pellet that was inserted through the through opening, thereby capturing the pellet within the through opening by the two opposed flanges. In one embodiment, the second flange is formed in place by employing a polymeric molding process, such as a thermoforming injection molding process. A handle for the key is efficiently formed substantially simultaneously with the second flange using the same polymeric molding process.

Abstract: A cam assembly may be constructed with cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway, and having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within a centrally positioned keyhole of a housing, and rotated within the centrally positioned keyhole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the cylinder plug through an arc. A cam mounted either coaxially with the cylinder plug, or radially offset from the cylinder plug, is positioned within the housing to rotate with the cylinder plug as the key conformingly corresponding to the lock manually applies a rotational force to the cylinder plug rotates through the arc, while a member attached to the cam and eccentrically positioned relative to the keyway, drives the bolt between extended and retracted positions as the cylinder plug rotates through the arc.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an electronic touch key for electronic lock sets, and more particularly to an electronic key for use with a lock set. In an electronic key according to the invention, a cylinder plug associated with the lock set includes a fixed data contact pin, which is preferably flush with the face of a cylinder plug, to prevent tampering. The electronic key thus is designed to properly contact the fixed data contact associated with the lock set for proper operation. The present invention provides a construction which facilitates making the contact, and yet provides a durable and simple construction for the electronic key.

Abstract: An electronic access control device has a movable locking member. A locking mechanism is operable to control the locking member. A movement detector generates a first condition in response to movement of the locking member. A key detector generates a second condition in response to detecting a key. The locking mechanism increases resistance to movement of the locking member in response to the first condition, and decreases resistance to movement of the locking mechanism in response to the second condition.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical lock on the coin vault of a parking device is controlled by the electronic components of the parking meter. Combining the electro-mechanical lock with a standard mechanical lock provides additional security in that two devices must be employed to open the meter. This provides greater security for coin collection without the need to provide separate circuitry to control the lock. Additionally, the electro-mechanical lock can be triggered by a smart card which also triggers an audit of the meters activity, providing an audit trail for coin collection.

Abstract: An electronic security system for a parking meter includes a vault door having a spring-biased contact terminal for making breakable electrical contact with a housing hinge bracket contact terminal mounted in a vault opening. An electronic lock control circuit is able to communicate with a meter control (coin counting/auditing) circuit in the meter portion of the system through the vault door/housing hinge bracket contact terminals, thus eliminating a direct cable connection between the lock circuit and the meter circuit. The spring-biased contact may be substituted by equivalent breakable electrical contacts such as optocoupler contacts.

Abstract: A lock apparatus which can be locked or unlocked by an electronic key or mechanical key, includes a cylinder casing, a sleeve disposed rotatably inside the cylinder casing, a key cylinder disposed rotatably inside the sleeve and in which a mechanical key can be inserted, a tumbler disposed on the key cylinder and which the mechanical key can engage, a key cylinder lock actuator for locking or unlocking a rotation of the sleeve with respect to the cylinder casing and a control unit disposed on the key cylinder side for carrying out transmission and reception of electronic signal for verifying IDs. When, as a result of the ID verification, the ID of the control unit and the ID of the electronic key coincide with each other, the rotation of the sleeve with respects to the cylinder casing is released. Also, when the tumbler engages the sleeve, the key cylinder is rotatable with the sleeve by operating a key cylinder operating portion.

Abstract: An electronic chip functioned lock whose tongue piece revolving mechanism is either manually operatable with a mechanical key, or by an electronic chip attached key. The lock mechanism is connected to a computer for reading input information to confirm the code stored in the chip so as to avoid unauthorized entry, and to amend, store, or erase the data in case of need. The computer can further be interconnected to a local security system.

Abstract: An electronic chip functioned lock whose tongue piece revolving mechanism is either manually operatable with a mechanical key, or by an electronic chip attached key. The lock mechanism is connected to a computer for reading input information to confirm the code stored in the chip so as to avoid unauthorized entry, and to amend, store, or erase the data in case of need. The computer can further be interconnected to a local security system.

Abstract: The motor-driven lock has an inner part installed on a door of a room, an outer part installed on the door exterior of the room, and a latch. A tube-like releaser covers a barrel, and a part of which is integrated with an inner handle. Another part of the releaser is inserted in a loophole defined in a cover of the inner part of the lock and is connected to a linking tube for unlocking the latch. When using a magnetic card, a key, or a password the lock of the invention is lockable from an exterior of the room, and in addition to being unlockable from the exterior, it is also able to be unlocked from an interior of the room by rotating the releaser.

Abstract: A lock apparatus includes: a control unit carrying out transmission and reception of an electronic signal between the electronic key and the control unfit so as to perform ID verification; a rotating member disposed rotatably inside a casing; a lock actuator receiving a lock release signal from the control unit so as to release a lock on the rotating member to the casing; a key insertion hole disposed to the rotating member; a slider hole going through the rotating member; a slider inserted into the slider hole and disposed such that its inner end is protruded into the key insertion hole; and a check lever supported rotatably and in which one end thereof is an operating portion activating the transmission and reception of the control unit and the other end makes contact with the outer end face of the slider.

Abstract: An improved key fob and key combination allows the mechanical key to be removed from the key fob and given to a valet attendant. The key is provided with a mechanical latch which may be easily removed from the key fob. When the key is removed, secured areas on the vehicle are locked. Moreover, the vehicle has limited operation when the mechanical key is not received with the key fob. In a second feature of this invention, a locator function on the key fob provides an indication of an approximate direction to a vehicle in a parking area. The key fob relies upon RF transmissions from the vehicle to determine an approximate direction to the vehicle.

Abstract: A lock apparatus of the invention capable of being locked/unlocked by an electronic key, comprises: an electronic key having a circuit chip generating an electronic signal, and an insertion portion provided at an end thereof and comprised of a pair of opposing flat portions and slope portions on both sides so as to be formed in a tapered flat shape; and a rotating member having an insertion hole opening at an end face thereof and in which the insertion portion of the electronic key is to be inserted, an opening portion of the key insertion hole having a rectangular sectional shape corresponding to a cross section of the insertion portion and being larger than an end of the insertion portion, and an interior of the key insertion hole being formed in a tapered flat shape corresponding to the tapered flat shape of the insertion portion and having a slant wall as a side face.

Abstract: A mechano-electronically operated cylinder-key unit for locking including a cylinder unit and key. The cylinder unit having a cylinder portion, a pawl for operating a bar for locking/unlocking, an electrical energy generator for powering an electronic circuit provide in the cylinder unit, whereby a triggering member activates the electrical energy generator when a predetermined extent of insertion of the key into the cylinder is exceeded. The key is also provided with an electronic circuit whereby both electronic circuits are provide with a control logic for recognizing and allowing operation of the pawl.

Abstract: A mechanism for locking and unlocking an electronic safe lock barrel which is provided with a retaining long key and is fastened with a rotary mechanism located on the outside of the safe door. The lock barrel has a portion which is located in the inside of the safe door and is provided with a position confining slide sleeve. The position confining slide sleeve is fastened at the rear end with a motor having a rotary shaft which is engaged with a threaded sleeve capable of displacing back and forth. The threaded sleeve is provided with a retaining slot for retaining the retaining long key of the lock barrel so as to prevent the lock barrel from being turned by the rotary mechanism. The motor is operated by the circuit to enable the threaded sleeve to retain or release the retaining long key of the lock barrel, thereby controlling the locking and the unlocking mechanisms of the electronic lock.

Abstract: An electronic lock that can be pre-programmed or trained in the field to recognize ordinary flat metal keys by sensing their shape and comparing to a database is disclosed. The lock can be contained in standard configurations for door locks, communicates with external systems, provides control logic for querying and amending its database of allowed keys and rules, provides controlled access to logs of selected data, allows convenient but protected access to replacement batteries, can have all its electronics in the rotatable plug, can communicate and obtain power from devices in the adjacent door jam, can recognize special series key-blanks, can receive coded information entered using an unknown key that makes it useable, can be operated without a key to gain access with a code, can resist manipulation of the latching mechanism can unlatch with very low power requirements, and provides for integration of almost all mechanism in silicon.

Abstract: A process reliably detects the change of the locking state of at least one lock with a logic with memory and display attached to a key. The process includes determining a rotation of the key associated with the lock within the lock, detecting a single or multiple rotation in unlocking or locking direction of the lock and simultaneously determining whether the detected rotation occurs in unlocking or locking direction of the lock. A signal is generated that indicates the unlocking or locking of the lock. This signal is stored in the memory of the logic, and the signal is displayed. A device for implementing the process includes one or several markers mounted near the lock, one or several sensors non-rotatably connected with the key for detecting these markers, a logic attachable to the key with a memory in which data can be stored whereby the logic can process the signals received from the sensors, and a display for displaying the locking state.

Abstract: A lock system has a housing, a barrel rotatable in the housing, tumblers radially displaceable in the barrel and housing between an unlocked position permitting the barrel to rotate in the housing out of a center position and a locked position blocking rotation of the barrel in the housing and retaining the barrel in the center position, and an actuating element rotatable in the housing about the axis and juxtaposed with an inner end of the barrel. Lock members are operable by the element and a switch in the housing is operable by the barrel on displacement out of the center position to energize an electric motor that can rotate the element and thereby mechanically operate the lock members. A key fittable in the barrel is displaceable axially therein through an axial stroke between an outer position and an inner position.

Abstract: An electronic door unlocking system comprising an electromagnet within a door adjacent to a deadbolt to retract the deadbolt upon energization of the electromagnet and an associated spring to advance the deadbolt into locking orientation with the recess upon a deactivation of the electromagnet. Also provided is a key with a long part formed with a first computer chip at its free end and a short part spaced from the long part. A sensor assembly is provided in the door knob with an interior component with a second computer chip contactable with the first computer chip of the long part of the key. The sensor assembly has an exterior component with a plurality of apertures adapted to allow the passage of the long part therethrough. The interior and exterior components are spaced at a distance essentially equal to the difference of length between the long and short parts of the key.

Abstract: An electronic key for actuating a lock, in particular for use in locking systems in automobiles, is described. The housing of the electronic key has the shape of a thin wedge, the narrow end of the wedge being designed for insertion into the lock. The parts active for the actuation of the lock are also accommodated here. Moreover, the housing has a receptacle for a key bit for a mechanical lock.

Abstract: A cam assembly may be constructed with lock cylinder perforated by a centrally positioned keyway, and having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within a centrally positioned keyhole of a housing, and rotated within the centrally positioned keyhole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the lock cylinder through an arc. A cam is positioned within the housing to rotate with the lock cylinder as the key conformingly corresponding to the lock manually applies a rotational force to the lock cylinder rotates through the arc, while a member attached to the cam and eccentrically positioned relative to the keyway, drives the bolt between extended and retracted positions as the lock cylinder rotates through the arc. An electronic circuit containing a memory and a microprocessor, is mounted upon and supported by the cam to rotate with the cam through the arc.