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: 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: 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 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 mechanism for locking the back cover of a combination lock to the lock housing is described having two sequentially and phased moveable parts, each having an aperture through which a locking member may be inserted, the apertures are disposed in parts moveable in parallel and adjacent planes and a portion of each aperture is at all times aligned with the other aperture such that a third member may extend through the apertures. The apertures have enlarged portions which will pass the third member and channel portions which prevent withdrawal of the third member while permitting movement of the moveable parts. The third member is carried by the back cover of the lock and can only be withdrawn by sequentially withdrawing from a first moveable part, shifting the moveable parts to a second position and withdrawing from the second moveable part.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dialing by an automatic dialer.

Abstract: A gear driven bolt withdrawal mechanism for an electronic lock is disclosed wherein an electromagnetic device such as an electromagnetic device displaces a partial gear into a position to be engaged by a manual drive. The partial gear, in turn, drives subsequent gears in a gear train to engage a gear with teeth on a rack attached to or a part of the bolt of the lock. The restoration of the bolt is ensured by a physical engagement between a portion of the drive cam and a portion of the bolt to force the bolt to its extended position upon locking; a displaceable slide is disposed in blocking relationship to the bolt whenever the bolt is fully extended to prevent end pressure from displacing the bolt without entry of a valid combination into the electronic controls of the lock.

Abstract: Interlocks are described that prevent the bolt of a bolt lock from being displaced to the unlocked position by the use of impact and inertial of the lock parts, heat and the displacement of the cover plate of the lock housing.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dailing by an automatic dialer.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock is provided with and incorporates the enhanced feature of covert entry detection and notification. Whenever the bolt of an electronic lock provided with this enhancement is retracted to its withdrawn or unlocked position and whenever the lock has not received an authorized combination enabling the movement of the bolt, movement of the bolt is detected and the electronics of the lock is powered for a time sufficient to record an indication of the covert entry in its non-volatile memory. Upon normal operation at a subsequent time, the indication of covert entry is read from the non-volatile memory and a visual indication is displayed to the operator to inform the operator that covert entry has occurred.

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.

Abstract: A lock is described which has the capability to generate or encrypt a close number which is then displayed to the operator of the lock to be used to verify the locking of the lock. This number must be reported to a central dispatch operation where it is compared with a number similarly generated using identical starting values and an identical encryption algorithm. Comparison of the two numbers, resulting in a compare equal will indicate that the lock has been locked since the lock encryption operation is dependent upon the repowering of the lock. The lock is repowered after it has been opened by rotation of the dial which will extend the bolt and through the rotation of the dial drive a stepper motor/generator to provide electrical power to the lock.

Abstract: An electronic lock is provided with a timer capability to delay the operability of the lock for a preset period of time following the proper and correct entry of a combination into the lock. This delay prevents the lock from opening until both the time has expired and an access code entered following the time delay. If the access code entered after the time delay is incorrect, a further time delay or penalty delay will prevent the operator from an immediate attempt to enter a second access code. If a second access code is entered after the penalty delay and also is incorrect, the entire lock operation resets and the operation of the lock must begin with the re-entry of the correct combination. The entry of a combination to operate the lock which is offset by a predetermined value from the authorized combination will indicate by alarm at a remote monitoring center that the lock is being opened and may be opened under duress to the operator.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system is disclosed which samples a plurality of output ports and lines from the microprocessor and the system electronics of an electronic lock to determine whether the bolt is extended, retracted, or the enabling stepper motor has been activated. The presence of a change key may be monitored and the efficacy of a change key controlled to only permit the changing of the combination of the lock when the central monitoring station approves such a change.

Abstract: To prevent the opening of an electronic combination lock by using a strong magnet to operate a stepper motor, a magnetic interlock is included in the lock structure. A magnetic pin is held in a retracted position by a small magnet when a strong attack magnet is positioned to attempt to open the lock, the magnetic pin is attracted from the holding magnet and extended to bridge the bolt and lock housing, blocking the retraction of the bolt.

Abstract: A bolt retraction mechanism is descrbied that is enabled by an electronic signal to a stepper motor which causes the lock to be openable. The lock is internally powered by a generator operable by the operator. The operation of the generator is separate from the lock operations.

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.

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.