Abstract: A process and security container that enable local protection and remote transportation of items found with the environment of a contemporary office, while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container. e container may be constructed with one or more sidewalls bearing a removable lid. The container may have a closed interior while the lid is in complete engagement with the sidewalls, and have an open interior able to removably receive items within the interior while the lid is dislodged from its complete engagement. A port is exposed through one of said sidewalls to receive data signals and a control stage with a non-volatile a memory, is mounted within the container and operationally coupled to a host computer to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. A microprocessor based host computer sited externally to the container, has a keyboard initiating formation of the data signals and a monitor driven by the host computer to visually display video images.

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. 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, operationally responds to digital data carried by the key that is in electronic conformance to data stored within the memory, by electrically energizing a release mechanism that is spaced-apart from the axis of rotation of the cylinder plug, to move from a deployed position preventing rotation of the cam relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.

Abstract: A process and security container that enable local protection and remote transportation of items found with the environment of a contemporary office, while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container. e container may be constructed with one or more sidewalls bearing a removable lid. The container may have a closed interior while the lid is in complete engagement with the sidewalls, and have an open interior able to removably receive items within the interior while the lid is dislodged from its complete engagement. A port is exposed through one of said sidewalls to receive data signals and a control stage with a non-volatile a memory, is mounted within the container and operationally coupled to a host computer to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. A microprocessor based host computer sited externally to the container, has a keyboard initiating formation of the data signals and a monitor driven by the host computer to visually display video images.

Abstract: A process and security container that enable local protection and remote transportation of items found with the environment of a contemporary office, while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container. The container may be constructed with one or more sidewalls bearing a removable lid. The container may have a closed interior while the lid is in complete engagement with the sidewalls, and have an open interior able to removably receive items within the interior while the lid is dislodged from its complete engagement. A port is exposed through one of said sidewalls to receive data signals and a control stage with a non-volatile a memory, is mounted within the container and operationally coupled to a host computer to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. A microprocessor based host computer sited externally to the container, has a keyboard initiating formation of the data signals and a monitor driven by the host computer to visually display video images.

Abstract: A lock may be constructed with a locking mechanism that uses either a cam assembly with a cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway or a cylinder plug. The locking mechanism may be equipped with a dual armature solenoid. With the dual action solenoid constructed with a single wire coil, the distal ends of coaxially aligned armatures engage opposite axially aligned detents to maintain the lock in its locked state, while application of a potential difference across the coil draws both armatures away from their corresponding detents and toward the bore of the coil, thereby placing the lock into its unlocked state.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mjechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.

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: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mjechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.

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: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.

Abstract: A lock may be constructed with a locking mechanism that uses either a cam assembly with a cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway or a cylinder plug. The locking mechanism may be equipped with a dual armature solenoid. With the dual action solenoid constructed with a single wire coil, the distal ends of coaxially aligned armatures engage opposite axially aligned detents to maintain the lock in its locked state, while application of a potential difference across the coil draws both armatures away from their corresponding detents and toward the bore of the coil, thereby placing the lock into its unlocked state.

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.

Abstract: An electronic security system includes an electronic lock mechanism and an electronic key, each of which is provided with a microprocessor controller and a memory storing data including an ID code and encryption key codes. The lock microprocessor may either change ID codes stored in its memory or encrypt a seed number to be used for determining access to the lock. The key can only be used to access the lock either once or for a limited number of successive times, and must thereafter be reprogrammed by a host computer to be loaded with either the proper ID code or the appropriate encryption key code for that lock. The electronic lock operates a solenoid which retracts a bolt-blocking mechanism that prevents the unlocking of the bolt even when a key having the correct mechanical key cuts is inserted into the lock. Power for operating the electronic lock as well as the solenoid is provided by a power supply within the key.

Abstract: An electronic security system includes an electronic lock mechanism and an electronic key, each of which is provided with a microprocessor controller and a memory storing data including an ID code and encryption key codes. The lock microprocessor may either change ID codes stored in its memory or encrypt a seed number to be used for determining access to the lock. The key can only be used to access the lock either once or for a limited number of successive times, and must thereafter be reprogrammed by a host computer to be loaded with either the proper ID code or the appropriate encryption key code for that lock. The electronic lock operates a solenoid which retracts a bolt-blocking mechanism that prevents the unlocking of the bolt even when a key having the correct mechanical key cuts is inserted into the lock. Power for operating the electronic lock as well as the solenoid is provided by a power supply within the key.

Abstract: An alphanumeric input terminal is provided which allows a user to enter a sequence of characters that is compared to a stored valid entry code to determine whether access should be granted. The terminal displays a random number which the user adjusts by a rotatable knob to obtain a desired character. The character is entered by pushing the knob. The entered character is no longer displayed and the terminal displays another random character which is similarly adjusted and entered. This prevents observation of the characters being entered since only one character is displayed at any one time. By initially displaying a random character for each entry position, the adjustment made by the user to reach the selected character is different every time. This prevents one from determining the selected character by observing the direction and extent that the user rotates the knob before entering the character.

Abstract: An electronic security system includes a controller for controlling access to a location through activation of a lock mechanism in response to coded data and command instructions read from a key or card containing an electronic memory. The key memory data includes information specific to the keyholder which is decoded and acted upon by the controller. The controller memory can be reduced in size while still allowing the use of a large number of keys, by distributing a larger amount of data to the key memories. The controller is also capable of writing and altering key memory data in real time to control the subsequent use of the key.