Abstract: An electronic combination lock having a knob which has no divisions or markings relating to the numbers of the combination thereon. The rotation of the knob drives a generator, which produces electrical power. The power generated serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. A knob position detector indicates to the microprocessor the speed and amount of rotation of the knob. The timing capabilities of the lock provides the opportunity to set the minimum time that can be used in the entering of the combination. The lock waits a period of time, typically, two seconds between the entry of one element of the combination and the lock permitting the entry at the next element of the combination. The microprocessor will also keep a count record of all the failed attempts to open the lock since the last successful operation.

Abstract: A motor that is capable of both linear and rotational motion. One coil translates the motor along its axis for linear motion and a second coil causes the shaft to rotate. Coacting with the translate coil is a translate magnet where the north and south poles are oriented along the motor shaft. A segmented magnet where alternating north and south poles are located along the periphery of the magnet interacts with a rotation coil so that the interaction of the magnetic field of the segmented magnet and the magnetic field produced by the rotation coil cause the rotary magnet to rotate. Rotation of the rotary magnet, which cooperates with the shaft to which it is operably connected, causes rotation of the motor shaft.

Abstract: The electronic supervisor and subordinate lock system employs an electronic lock as a supervisor lock and at least one other electronic lock as a subordinate lock. The supervisor lock controls and/or authorizes the opening of one or more subordinate locks.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic lock having a shorting or shunt circuit designed to allow an authorized operator to open the electronic lock and which will prevent an unauthorized operator from opening the lock when authorized combination has not been entered.

Abstract: A self powered lock is powered by a manually driven generator. The data input to the lock is entered by rotating the dial and stopping and waiting a predetermined amount of time when a desired number is displayed on the lock display. The drive of the power generator, a stepper motor, is through a unidirectional clutch, such that the generator is only driven when the dial is rotated in a selected direction and remains stationary when the dial is rotated in the opposite direction. The data input, including entry of the combination, to the lock is provided by a stepper motor which generates a train of electrical pulses. The electrical pulses are used by the electronic controls of the lock to control the electronic controls including entering the combination. The data input pulses are generated by a stepper motor driven to act as a generator.

Abstract: A combination lock is described where the combination that is used to open the lock is generated on a separate computer system using information that is contained in the lock and a series of steps that combine selected items of the information contained in the lock and alter the results of the results of the combination of the information items. The lock incorporates a computer processor which performs the identical steps to generate an authorized combination after a combination is entered into the lock. When the two combinations match, the lock is enabled for opening. At least some of the information items used in the generation of the combinations change with each successful opening of the lock, rendering the combination generated by the computer system useable for only a single opening of the lock.