DE2557637A1 - Electronic lock with finter ring key - has element contg. electronic operating information moulded in hard insulating material - Google Patents

Abstract

The operating key is fitted to a finger ring with a recess on its outside accommodating element carrying two contact surfaces made of a hard metal. The element contains an electronic circuit moulded in a hard insulating material such as glass or enamel. The circuit connections terminate on the contact surfaces and the circuit contains electronic coding or key operation information. The visible part of the lock has a slightly embossed surface with a recessed part in the shape corresponding to the shape on the ring. The recessed surface is fitted with two spring loaded movable contact tips.

Description

Electronic locking device

The invention relates to an electronic locking device with a mechanical lock having a lock with a one The electronic one that carries out the evaluation and controls the mechanical locking Circuit arrangement is connected, and at least one key of the one to the Circuit arrangement can be coupled, the key information containing component having an unlocking signal in the electronic circuit arrangement triggers when the appropriate key interacts with the lock will.

Locking systems based on electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic Effect based, have become known in numerous variations. So it was already proposed a key information by arranging a predetermined Pole pattern of permanent magnets on a key, which then when they interact magnetically releases the lock with the lock. Such locking systems however, are relatively complicated in terms of their mechanics.

It is also known to provide key information by an optical Specify the pattern on the key, which is in the lock of a number of light-sensitive Elements, such as photodiodes, is scanned. The security of such Castle leaves something to be desired.

Another category of locking systems is activated the lock, i.e. the locking mechanism via a contactless control, which is initiated by the key information. So is from DT-PS 1 553 472 a locking system became known in which a receiver is arranged in the castle and the key provides a transmitter tuned to the receiver. The key is designed in the form of a fountain pen and also contains the power supply of the transmitter generator. The transmitter emits one of several different voltages Frequency and amplitude of the existing output signal, which is evaluated by the receiver will. However, such a device is associated with several disadvantages. Apart from that that a key in the form of a fountain pen is extremely impractical and also can easily be lost, there is also the possibility that the connector between generator and transmitter is destroyed or temporarily blocked. aside from that is the power supply not sufficient if used frequently, if the dimensions are to remain within reasonable limits. Furthermore, it is not to mention negligible weight as well as the relatively high cost of electronic Components.

It has also become known a locking device in which in the Lock part an electrical signal generator is arranged, the output of which is a The first electrical circuit housed in the key and one in the lock second electrical circuit controls. By means of one also housed in the lock part Comparison device, both electrical circuits are compared. If there is a match of the two circles, a switching signal is generated that initiates unlocking.

A disadvantage of this known device is the possibility that the circuit in the key can be identified by measuring it on the lock.

Finally, a key piece of information also became known through this specify that a certain voltage is impressed on the key, or on Key is arranged a predetermined electrical or electronic route, which results in a predetermined voltage drop. For this purpose, the Voltage in the key for example with the help of a differential amplifier, one Emitter follower or a Zener diode set. Also in this known device unauthorized opening of the lock cannot be avoided, as it is sufficient a simple device to be coupled to the lock with measurably variable Current and voltage values to be provided.

The invention is based on the object of a locking device to create, which avoids the disadvantages of the known device and a provides a practical, easy-to-use key as well as a proportionate one high security against unauthorized opening guaranteed.

In the case of a device of the type mentioned at the outset, this task is accomplished solved in that the key is a finger ring on which the key information containing component is arranged.

The invention is based on the knowledge that a ring, for example Wedding ring, signet ring, jewelry ring or the like in a special way as a carrier of key information, i.e. it can be used as a key. A finger ring is worn by a large number of people, so that one according to the Invention of coded finger ring without additional burden or impairment can be worn by the user without the risk of misplacing the ring becomes or is lost. The latter property in particular makes a finger ring excellent as a key.

According to the basic idea of the invention, can already be used Rework rings to include one containing the key information Component to be coded. The attachment of the component means in the same way when making new finger rings only a slightly increased effort, in particular, if, according to one embodiment of the invention, an enclosed stone is provided so that the component is arranged below the stone or embedded in the stone can be.

The advanced miniaturization of electrical and electronic Parts and components require only a small amount of space for attachment or introduction of the component in a recess of the stone or in a space between Ring setting and ring stone.

If the finger ring is only designed as a smooth hoop, according to A further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the finger ring on the inside or outside has a recess or a continuous opening, in which the component is inserted. Of course, the key information can do that containing component also outside of a conventional finger ring in suitable Way, although the embedding in the ring material is preferable is. According to a further embodiment, the component itself is preferably made of hard material Insulating material embedded, preferably glass or enamel.

In addition to the excellent security against a misplacing or a If a key is lost, the invention offers a high level of operating convenience. Of the Ring worn on a finger only needs to be near the lock or to be guided to a certain point of the lock on the door to activate the mechanical To cancel the lock, for example by activating a magnet like that is the case with all known electric door openers.

As far as the spatial dimensions allow, key information integrated into a finger ring in the form of conventional electronic circuits will. However, one may have difficulty in the key subordinate transmitter, which also has a naturally depleted battery needed. As already stated above, the known locking devices however, all more or less susceptible to unauthorized opening by means of suitable Scanning the circuit arrangement in the door lock.

Therefore, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the Component contains an electronic circuit that is part of a signal generator is, the complementary part of which is arranged on the castle. In this embodiment has been assumed from the idea that there is a signal generator or a transmitter can also be established by temporarily coupling two separate circles, from one in the key and the other in the lock part. First through galvanic or electromagnetic coupling is the signal generator or the transmitter assembled and able to emit an output signal with a given characteristic, identified by a recipient connected in the lock or with the lock able to become. It should be mentioned that the type of coding described here of a key is by no means limited to a finger ring as a key, rather Any carrier can be encoded using electronic components and as a key use.

Another security against unauthorized opening is through a Further Embodiment of the invention given, according to which the Äusqertunr'ssclialtung in the castle has a second signal generator and the output signals of both signal generators be given to a bridge circuit. The detection circuit compares the output signal of the first signal generator generated by coupling together the The circuit arranged in the key with the circuit arranged in the lock is built, with a target output signal of the second signal generator, so that only through a mixture of these two output signals that for key and lock characteristic detection signal arises, which is evaluated accordingly and used for Deregulation can be processed.

As mentioned, it is located in the electronic component of the key only, so to speak, a fragment of the first signal generator, which only works together with the second fragment is put together in the lock part to form the first signal generator. For an effective function, however, it is a prerequisite that the circuit fragment characteristic in the key component for the property of the first signal generator is or for its output signal. Hence another aspect of the invention provides before that the electronic circuit of the component determines the frequency and / or amplitude Is part of the first signal generator. For example is the electronic circuit an RC element in the component, which forms an oscillating circuit with an inductance in the lock part forms that when the two circuit fragments are brought together with a certain Frequency and amplitude oscillates, which is characteristic of the locking system.

An electronic locking device of the type described above is guaranteed a relatively high level of security against unauthorized opening, since the key information cannot be scanned from the outside and is a replica of the electronic circuit in the Schlissol due to the multitude of possibilities only upon submission of the circuit diagram is possible. Using a second signal generator also has the advantage achieved that the locking device according to the invention subsequently easily and quickly can be matched.

It is conceivable that the key, preferably in the form of a finger ring, assign several separate electronic circuits, which are attached to the lock part Circuits correspond so that several first signal generators when merging are formed by key and lock part. This increases the selectivity and thus increases the security of the locking device. It also can do this way a subdivision into main and sub keys can be made such that how Already known for mechanical locks, all locks with certain keys can be opened while other keys only have one or a restricted one Be able to operate part of the totality of the locks.

The coupling between the circuit fragments of the key and The lock part can, as already mentioned above, take place galvanically or electromagnetically. For the former case, an embodiment of the invention provides that preferably made of hard material electrical contacts of the component on the Outside of the ring are brought out that the lock correspondingly movably mounted contacts are provided, preferably contact pins, via which the electronic circuit of the component galvanically with the supplementary circuit on the lock to form the first signal generator is coupled.

In this embodiment it is necessary that the contacts on the key on the one hand and the lock part on the other hand must be brought into contact to bring together the circuit fragments of the first signal generator at least for a short time. A certain uncertainty of confirmation may be due to the possible contamination or corrosion the connection contacts must be given. However, this potential disadvantage can according to Another embodiment compensated for by the advantage that the movable Contacts on the lock at the same time a switch in the supply circuit between actuate a power source and the electronic circuit arrangement. this means relieves the power source and also enables the actuation of an acoustic and / or optical display device in the power supply circuit as an indicator for that a lock operation takes place. Of course, this display can also be used be installed in a remote location. In addition, it is easily possible to provide a display device of the type that attempts are made to use a wrong one Key or other manipulation of the lock to open it.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that positioning means are provided on the ring and on the lock to the correct position Bringing together the contact surfaces on the ring and lock. This happens for example by geometrical design of the key and an area of the lock part in such a way that the contact surfaces can only be brought together in one direction is possible, while in the other this is prevented. The provision of positioning means however, it can be circumvented if, according to the invention, the electronic circuit is constructed symmetrically in the ring.

As mentioned, galvanic coupling is not completely problem-free. Therefore, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the lock associated with the Circuit arrangement has an oscillator, at whose input one in the lock arranged impedance is connected that the electronic circuit in the Bautal has a second impedance that can be electrically or magnetically coupled to the impedance. The electronic circuit and the oscillator are dimensioned so that at eier coupling of the two impedances with inductive and / or capacitive effect the oscillator is changed in its vibration behavior, preferably at high frequency begins to oscillate or is interrupted in its high-frequency oscillation. The resulting output signal of the oscillator is an indication that whether a correct or a wrong key is used. Basically, of course a capacitive coupling is possible, but an inductive coupling is preferable in this case the impedances are preferably tiny ferrite antennas.

A higher security against elanipulations is with the erfindunsgemäße Locking device achieved in that a modulator on deii nclaltkreis in the component connected to the frequency of the circuit is a frequency or pulse pattern imprints. The energy absorbed by the circuit in the component feeds the modulator, the backwards the high frequency signal of the first signal generator a frequency or Impulse pattern impresses. This modulation is based on the one in the lock the oscillation of the oscillator tuned receiver recorded and transmitted to a detection device transfer. Thus, the oscillator, which in the present case acts as a transmitter fttngie *, when coupled with the circuit in the component, a transmitter voltage with a certain Frequency combination or a pulse pattern, so that both the type of modulation and the carrier frequency are specific to a key. The thereby achieved Selectivity is extremely high. It is therefore hardly possible to change the ID of the Key to be determined by measuring the lock, because this is a fixed unknown Frequency and a frequency or pulse pattern linked to it in an AND function are to be determined and the fixed transmitter oscillates only in the presence of the key.

There is a third possibility of storing key information according to a further embodiment of the invention in that the key information containing component has a magnetic pattern, preferably a striped pattern, that on the lock part a matching pattern of magnetic air gaps, preferably as a striped pattern, is provided, and that the electronic circuitry the characteristic induced by the interaction of the two pluses in a coil Evaluates voltage pulse. The key information can in this embodiment For example, be housed in a plate made of hard, rare material, which is connected to a finger ring, for example. There is a stochastic on the plate magnetic stripe pattern applied, with which a system of likewise stochastic arranged strips in the detection system of the lock part corresponds.

If the two patterns coincide, the total of the column becomes a maximum excited. One only leads. If the plate passes close to the detection system, a momentary one occurs maximum magnetic flux in the form of a pulse in a winding the detection device generates a characteristic voltage curve. on this is addressed by the electronic circuit in the lock and redeemed Unlocking signal off.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to drawings described in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows in perspective a finger ring with an inventive integrated key component.

Fig. 2 shows schematically part of a lock.

FIG. 3 shows a section through the lock part according to FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a circuit diagram for a power supply of an electronic Circuit arrangement in the castle.

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention Locking device.

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of the locking device according to the invention.

Fig. 7 shows parts of a key ring and a lock of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram for the embodiment according to FIG. 7th

A finger ring 1 made of a gold alloy or another metal alloy has a recess 20 on the outside, into which a component 21 is embedded, that on the surface with two contact surfaces 3 made of hard metallic material is provided. In the component 21 there is a circuit 2 (Fig. 5), which is shown in hard insulating material, for example glass or enamel, is embedded and its Connections lead to the contact surfaces 3, which are accessible from the outside. On the Structure of the circuit 2 of an identifier or key information for a Contains lock, will be discussed further below.

Fig. 2 shows the top view of a portion of a lock that raised, for example, is attached to a door. In the raised section 22 there is a somewhat sunk scanning surface 4 (see also FIG. 3) in which two Contact surfaces 23 of movable contact pins are arranged, one of which is shown at 6 in Fig. 3. As can also be seen from Fig. 3, stand the contact surfaces 23 slightly above the scanning surface 4, the contact pins be pressed with the aid of a spring 24 in the direction of the scanning surface 4. How to get out the comparison of the images according to FIGS. 1 and 2, corresponds to the OQellce the component in the form of the scanning surface in FIG. 4, so that both surfaces only / one Position can be brought into contact with one another in such a way that the contact surfaces 3 can come into contact with the contact surfaces 23 of the contact pins 24.

From Fig. 3 it can be seen that the contact pin 6 is a contact spring 25 actuated when it is pressed against the spring in the lock. About a Crosspiece 26 actuates the contact spring 25, another contact spring 27 of a switch 5 (see also Fig. 4).

It goes without saying that the other contact pin, not shown, is one parallel contact spring arrangement actuated. The contact switches 5 are in series with a supply circuit which is fed by a battery 7. Parallel to the terminals of the battery 7 are terminals 9 for the connection of an external Power source in case the battery runs out or otherwise fails. Finally, there is a visual display parallel to the terminals of the battery 7 10 and an acoustic indicator 11, which are put into operation as soon as the switch 5 are closed. With the contact spring 25 is also a circuit 8 (Fig. 3) connected, the contact surfaces 3 of the finger ring and 23 of the Contact pins 6 with a circuit 2, which is housed in component 21, in Connection is set /. This is shown schematically in FIG. 5, in which a dashed line Line 28 the separation between the parts, which indicates stationary a lock part are assigned and the circuit / which belongs to the finger ring 1.

Dic bc'i (1 <? 1 circuits 2 and 8 are structured in such a way that they additionally: 1; 'i1 tiflOn signal generator 14 result, as indicated by the dash-dotted line specified. The circuit 2 is a frequency and amplitude-determining part of the signal generator.

The release of the ring spanner 1 according to FIG. 1 is corresponding a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude at the output of the signal generator. The output signal is checked in an evaluation unit 12 by the output signal is first given to a niche device 13, in which the output signal of the Signal generator 14 mixed with an output signal of a second signal generator 15 will. The resulting signal is applied to a discriminator 16 and rectified.

Detection circuitry 17 samples the signal from the discriminator 16 based on predetermined data and controls a locking device when the test conditions are met 18, which releases the lock in the lock. If the key signal does not match with the test conditions, the detection device gives a signal to an alarm device 19th

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 can also be modified in this way that the signal generator 15 can be constructed like the signal generator 14, namely consisting of two separable circuits, with the frequency- and amplitude-determining component in the same key ring or one separate key ring is housed depending on the desired requirements to a locking system.

The block diagram according to FIG. 6 shows one possibility of a closing position with an electronic key, for example one similar to that in FIG. 1 shown, contactless actuation of a locking device. To this end a tiny ferrite antenna 30 is in a ring octen of an imitation key attached, their winding with a circuit, preferably in miniaturized Construction, is connected, which is also arranged in the ring, similar to the component 21 according to FIG. 1. Finally, a modulator 32 is connected to the circuit, which is also arranged as a miniaturized component in the ring.

A second ferrite antenna 33, a are assigned to a lock part Oscillator 34, a receiving device 35, a detection device 36, a Switching device 37 and an unlocking device 38. The circuit arrangement shown works as follows.

When the ferrite antenna 30 approaches the ferrite antenna 33 begins oscillating the oscillator circuit 34 at a high frequency.

The frequency of the oscillation is determined by the circuit 31. The energy absorbed by the circuit 31 feeds the modulator 32, the reverse impresses a frequency or pulse pattern on the oscillation frequency. Accordingly a frequency- or pulse-modulated oscillation appears at the output of the oscillator 34 as a key identifier. The receiving device 35 is matched to the key identifier and transmits the output signal to the detection device 36, which when correct Signal via the switching device controls the unlocking device. By the circuit arrangement according to Fig. 6 is selectivity achieved very high, as it is hardly possible to identify the key by measuring it on the lock to be determined because this is a fixed unknown sequence and an AND function with it linked frequency or pulse pattern is to be determined and the stationary transmitter in the form of an oscillator circuit only oscillates in the presence of the key.

A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 shown.

A plate 4i is attached to a ring 40, which is stochastically is preferably magnetized with a striped pattern. Assigned to the locking device is a detection system made from ferromagnetic embedded in plastic Lamellae 42, a U-shaped core 43 (Fig. 8) and one wound around the core 43 Coil 44 is made. The lamellas 42 are alternately connected to the core 43. An electronic circuit arrangement 45 is connected to the winding 44, which in turn is connected to a switching element 46, which is an unlocking device 47 of a lock controls. The pattern of the lamellae 42 corresponds to the stochastic one magnetic pattern of the plate 41, so that when the two patterns coincide Totality of the magnetic air gaps between the slats is maximally excited. If you now lead the plate 41 along the arrow 48 past the slats 42, a short-term maximum magnetic flux occurs in the form of a pulse, which generates a characteristic voltage curve in the winding 43. This is checked in the evaluating electronic circuit arrangement 45, which may be issues an opening command.

Claims (16)

R e p r u c e: U Electronic locking device with a a mechanical lock having a lock with a recess leading electronic circuitry controlling the mechanical locking is connected and at least one key that is connected to an arkie circuit arrangement Aiikoppelbaren, the key information containing component having a Unlocking signal in the electronic circuit arrangement triggers when the matching key is brought into interaction with the lock, characterized in that that the key is a finger ring (1) on which the key information is contained Component (21) is arranged. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the finger ring has a recess or a continuous opening on the inside or outside, in which the component is inserted. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the component is embedded in hard insulating material, preferably glass or enamel. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that when using a set stone or the like the component below of the stone is arranged or embedded in the stone. 5. Device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized characterized in that the component contains an electronic circuit (2, 31), is part of a signal generator, the supplementary part (14, 34) of which is assigned to the lock is. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the evaluation circuit on the lock has a second signal generator (15) and the output signals of both Signal generators are given to a detection circuit (13, 16). 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized and / that the electronic circuit (2 31) frequency or amplitude determining part of the first signal generator. 8.Vorrichtung according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that that preferably consisting of hard material electrical contacts (3) of the component (21) are led out on the outside of the ring (1) that the lock accordingly movably mounted contacts (6) are provided, preferably contact pins, over which the electronic circuit (2) of the component (21) galvanically with the complementary Circuit (8) coupled to the lock to form the first signal generator (14) will. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the movable Contacts (6) on the lock also have a switch (5) in the supply circuit Actuate between the power source (7) and the electronic circuit arrangement. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that in the Supply circuit an acoustic and / or optical klz, iron device (10, 11) is switched. 11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that that positioning means (20, 4) are provided on the ring (1) and on the lock for correct positioning Bringing together the contact surfaces (3, 23) on the ring (1) and on the lock. 12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that that the electronic circuit in the ring is symmetrical. 13. Device, in particular according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that that the circuit arrangement assigned to the lock has an oscillator (13), an impedance (33) arranged in the castle is connected to its input, that the electronic circuit (31) in the component one with the impedance electrical or has magnetically coupled second impedance (30). 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the Impedances are ferrite antennas (30, 33). 15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that that a modulator (32) is connected to the circuit (31) in the component, the the frequency of the circuit (31) impresses a frequency or pulse pattern. 16. Device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized characterized in that the component containing the key information is a magnetic Pattern (41), preferably a striped pattern, that a matching one on the lock I.uster of magnetic air gaps (42), preferably as a striped pattern, is provided is it and that the electronic circuit arrangement is due to the interaction characteristic voltage pulse induced by the two patterns (42, 41) in a coil (43) evaluates.