WO1998057016A1

WO1998057016A1 - Multi-way locking system

Info

Publication number: WO1998057016A1
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ji-Tae Kim
Original assignee: Kim, Jong-Hae
Priority date: 1997-06-10
Filing date: 1998-06-10
Publication date: 1998-12-17
Also published as: GB0005817D0; KR100214222B1; AU7789898A; KR19990000708A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-way locking mechanism for closing and opening of a lockable door by selecting to use one of three kinds of data control means comprising a keypad, a card and a keypad with card means at the user's choice for a maximum convenience of user and a higher security as nobody else recognizes what type of locking means among three methods is used for locking the lockable door. Further, the invention also relates to an electronic locking mechanism which is activated by the rotation power of a direct-current electric motor which provides an unlimited moving distance to the locking bar. In operating the system, it accommodates any of code numbers by keypad or digital code encoded in a common-used credit card of any conventional type, and it does not need to be connected with a high-cost computer network like the conventional arts. The invention also provides an advanced overriding art which is activated by digital card to avoid a critical drawbacks which arise from exposure of a master number in using a conventional keypad-operated locking device of the lockable door.

Description

Multi - way locking system

Background of the invention

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a multi-way locking mechanism for closing and

opening a lockable door using the combination with a keypad, a card reader

and a keypad with card reader means with an electronic locking machanism

which is activated by a rotation power of DC geared motor without any

limitation of the moving distance of the locking bar, and an overriding

mechanism by a digital card.

Description of related art

The lockable door of this kind such as a safe, an office furniture or a door,

which are operated by means of a dial, a keypad or a magnetic card coupled

to the key, are known in the art. However, the known arts have a number

of drawbacks as a computerized detection device, which can detects the dial

number and the master code number of keypad,is commercialized for an easy

access to the lockable door.

Further, keypad-operated safes or door lock in mostly installed as a locking device of the lockable door, however, this kind of the lockable door in

generally vulnerable to the possible exposure of a master code. If the user

forgets access code he employed, users reluctantly ask to manufacturer of

the lockable door to open with the manufacturer's master code.

Further, If the master code is exposed, all of the lockable door of the same

model can easily be exposed.

Particularly, a card system also has problem when users are in a situation

not to carry any cards when on a swimming,sauna, bathing or health center.

In an attempts to overcome these problems, it is desireable for a new art

of a overriding system which can be activated by user's common digital

card, and of a locking system which can be operated by a multi-way locking

and unlocking mechanism using combination with keypad, card reader and

card reader with keypad at user's choice for the convenience and improved

security.

In addition, the known art for locking mechanism activated by an electric

motor, effects a limited short moving distance between an axle of motor

and the connection point of arm for locking bar due to power problems

caused by the length of arm by which the arm is longer, the power is

weaker. Summary of the invention

A primary object of the present invention is to overcome all of the aforesaid

drawbacks of the prior arts by providing a multi-way locking and unlocking

system using combination with a keypad, a card reader and a keypad with

card reader.

Another object of the present art is to provide a powerful electric locking and

unlocking device operated by a geared motor, without any limitation of locking

distance and it's loss of power due to it's locking distance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new art of overriding

mechanism for overriding the locked door by using the user's personal card

for an added security and convenience of user.

Other object of the invention is to provide a multi- way locking and unlocking

system of the lockable door with an independent operation, and it does not

need to be connected with a high-cost computer network.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, the multi- way

locking and unlocking system for the lockable door according to the invention

is characterized in that it comprises, in combination with a lockable door

structure ; with a keypad means ; with a card reader means ; with a selection

of menu means ; with a central processing unit ; with a memory means ; with a electronic locking and unlocking means of the lockable door ; and

with position detection means of locking and unlocking of the locking bar of

the lockable door.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking and

unlocking mechanism comprises a geared motor and, a locking bar which is

sliding by the rotating movement of the geared motor, and the position

detection sensors which detecting the position of locking and unlocking of

the locking bar.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the unlocking

mechanism of the lockable door is provided with an improved emergency

unlocking mechanism, which comprises a card with digital code for overriding

of the lockable door, a memory means which is storing the overriding code

of the lockable door and a central processing unit which is controlling data to

unlock when overriding data come from the card reader means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the code for activating

the electronic locking and unlocking mechanism, which is entering by the

external keypad means is unlimited until the user activate the external menu

selection means for added security. According to a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, the

lockable door detects the identification of intruder by memorizing the code

data of user's card, which generating the opening data of the lockable door,

in the memory means consecutively by code numbers of cards.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become

clear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment in

conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawing

The figures in the drawing are briefly described as follows ;

Fig.l is a block diagram of the electronic activating circuit and elements

cooperating there with ;

Fig.2 is a schematic view of an electric lock according to another

embodiment of the invention, in its normal locked and unlocked

position.

Fig.3 is a detailed view of a direct-current electric motor to enable a locking

mechanism to activate, according to the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

Refering to Fig.l and 2, the preferred embodiment of multi-way locking,

and unlocking system according to this invention comprises, a card reader

means (1) for reading codes encoded in the card and for delivering

overriding, locking and unlocking signal by card ; a keypad means (2) for

registering the user's identification code of the lockable door by card . a

1st menu- selection means (3) with means for selecting to use one of three

locking means such as a keypad, a card-reader and a keypad with card

reader ; a 2nd menu- selection means (3a) for selecting an overriding

function of the lockable door ; a memory means (4) with means for

memorizing code datas for identifying user and operating the lockable door

; a direct-current electric motor (6) for powering the locking and unlocking

bar of the lockable door ; a locking bar (7) with means for controlling the

closing and opening of lockable door ; a position- detection device (8a,8b)

with means for detecting the position of a locking bar (7) ; a display means

(11) for displaying acceptance of the access code and function of the lockable

door ; and a central processing unit (5) with means for controlling each of

the aforesaid means of the system and for having a code- comparing capability deliver an operating code to the locking and unlocking means of

the lockable door when the user-generated activation code and user's

identification code are the same as a stored codes of the memory means.

As seen in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3, a locking and unlocking mechanism comprises

a direct- current electric motor (6) . a gear wheel(6a) of the electric motor

(6) ; a locking bar (7) ; a horizontal toothed wheel (7a) ; and a position

detection means(8a,8b) of a locking bar (7).

A position-detection means (8a,8b) attached on levers(8), comprises a

microswitch or an infrared receiver and transmitter sensor to detect the

position of a locking bar(7) which is supported by levers(8).

In the aforesaid description, a direct-current electric motor can be replaced

by a solenoid means to block and control a horizontal moving of locking

bar (7).

Additionally, the invention is also added by a detection sensor device (9),

for detecting security violations, a alarm device (10) for warning, and remote

control access means to control the lockable door in multi-way.

Referring to Fig.l in connection with Fig.2 and Fig.3, various operation of

the preferred embodiment are as follows ;

When users want to lock the multi-way locking system of the invention, at the beginning of the operation, the user decides to select a locking means

which user desires to use for closing and openning a lockable door.

When the user selects to use a keypad-operated means only this time, the

user can push a keypad button with any of user's personal security code

number at user's choice and then pushes the 1st menu-selection means(3)

to transmit a selection confirmation signal to the CPU (5), which enables

the codes entered by keypad means to activate the closing and openning of

a lockable door by keypad-operated way only. Then, the menu-selection

means (3) activates the CPU (5) to store access code, datas employed by

the user in the memory means (4), and to turn on an electric motor (6) for

a rectilinear displacement between the fordward and rear position of locking

bar to locking position until the position detecter means (8b) detects its

locking position.

The rotation of an electric motor gear wheel (6a) causes a horizontal moving

of a horizontal toothed wheel (7a) to close the lockable door.

When openning the lockable door, the user puts a keypad button to insert

user's stored access code numbers into a keypad means (2) which user

inserted when the user locked the lockable door. Then the user activates

the 1st menu- selection means, and then the CPU (5) checks whether an entering access code numbers are the same as those stored in the memory-

device (4). If datas identified match, the CPU turns on a electric motor (6)

for a reversal shift of the locking bar (7) to open the lockable door and the

reverse movement is to be stopped when the position detection means (8a)

detects the opening position of the locking bar.

Furthermore, when the user wants to use a card-operated means only, the

user inserts user's personal card into a card-reader(l), and puts the 1st

menu-selection means (3). Then menu- selection means (3) transmits a

selection confirmation signal to the CPU (5), which enables the codes

encoded on the user's card to store in the memory means (4) and activate

the opening and closing of the lockable door by a card-operated way only.

When opening the safe,the user inserts the user's personal card, which

user used to close the lockable-door, into a card-reader (l),and puts again

the 1st menu-selection means selector (3). Then the CPU(5) checks

whether an entering card data is the same as the one stored in the memory

means(4). If the data matches,the CPU activates to turn on electric motor

(6) for a reverse shift of the locking bar(7) to open the lockable door, and

openning movement of the locking bar (7) will be stopped when the position

detecter means (8a) detects when the locking bar is at the openning position. According to a preferred embodyment of the invention, in using a card

reader means, a magnetic card-reader is used by a magnetic card, IC card

reader by IC card,and non-contacted card-reader may be used by

noncontacted card and also, this inventive concept make the user's personal

credit and charge card as the key of the lockable door.

When the user decides to select to use a " card with keypad " means for a

more security, then the user inserts his personal card into a card-reader

means (1), and puts his random access code numbers into keypad, and

finally puts the 1st,, menu- selection means. Then the CPU (5) stores an

entering codes by card and keypad in the memory device (4), and activates

an electric motor to turn on the locking bar (7) to the closing position.

When opening the lockable door locked in the aforesaid means, the user

inserts user's card which user used for locking, and pushes registered access

code numbers which user used for locking, into a keypad means. Then the

user pushes the 1st menu-selsction means so that the CPU(5) checks

whether the read datas are same as those stored in the memory.

If datas match, the CPU activates an electric motor (6) to turn on to shift

reversely the locking bar (7) to open the lockable door.

Additionally, the invention may add a remotely-accessed control device such as IF or RF devices for locking and unlocking, or overriding the lockable

door for the added security coupled to the CPU(5) and memory means (4).

The operation of closing and opening the locking mechanism of lockable

door is controlled mainly by the CPU (5), which generally activates to

rotate a gear wheel (6a) mounted on the axis of electric motor (6) to move

a horizontal toothed wheel (7a) of locking bar(7) for a rectilinear or reverse

displacement between the forward and rear position of locking bar.

When locking bar(7) moves rectilinearly and reaches at the locking and

unlocking position, it's moving is stopped by the CPU (5), which is timely

transmitted a stop signal sensed by a position-detection means (8a, 8b).

When an electric motor rotates in a reverse or forward direction by the

CPU (5),a locking bar moves also in a reverse or forward direction,

following a reverse or forward displacement of it's toothed wheel(7a), and

the electric motor stops it's operation when the locking bar reaches at the

locking or unlocking position by a stop signal sensed by a position- detection

means(8a,8b),which transmits it to the CPU(5).

Therefore, there is no limitation of moving distance of the locking bar, and

the moving power of the locking bar is also uniform and stronger than a

conventional art which is moving by arms of a motor shaft. This system is also operatable by the control of the current time of electric

power supply to the electric motor (6) by CPU (5) instead of the controlling

of power the electric motor (6) by a position-detection means(8a, 8b), and

the gear system is for reducing the rotating speed of the electric motor(6)

can be installed outside of the electric motor(6) or inside of the electric

motor(6) at the designer's option.

If the user forgets the card or his personal code number which user used

in locking the lockable door, it is required an overriding method to open the

lockable door as follows ;

When the multi-way locking system of this invention is prepared at factory,

the memory means (4) coupled to the central processing unit (5) contains

a first overriding code numbers by keypad such as 0000 or 1111 at

factory, which is interchangeable by the user and to make the card reader

means (1) to store an overriding code data by card. To make an overriding

master card, user inserts any matching card of the card reader means into

the card and then enters the pre-arranged overriding code numbers by key

-pad and activates the 2nd menu-selection means (8a) located inside of the

lockable door. If the overriding code data from a keypad means (2) is

matching with the first overriding code such as 0000 or 1111, the central processing unit activates the encoded data of the said card to be memorized

in memory means as the overriding master card.

Whenever the user decides to open the lockable door with the overriding

master card, he just inserts the master card into the card reader means,

and activate the 1st menu-selection means (3) as a card opening method of

the system. The user can also change the first overriding code number of

keypad which is prepared by the manufacture by the following steps of ;

1st step for entering the first overriding code number by keypad at factory

; 2nd step for pushing the 2nd menu selection means for entering the first

code into the central processing unit to compare and identify with the code

stored in the memory means ; and 3rd step for entering the new overriding

code by keypad means and again pushes the 2nd menu- selection means to

confirm it.

Therefore, the owner of the lockable door only can change the code of

keypad for making an overriding card, and easily make a new overriding

master card with his personal card, and the owner can easily open the

lockable door with his overriding card whenever needed.

Therefore, this art of a multi-way locking mechanism provides an added

security to the user, as an intruder does not know which means of these three-way locking mechanism is used for closing the safe, and also the

maximum convenience to the user since the user is totally free to use one

of three- ways at his choice. The selection of this kind is also provided with

the most economical locking device which can identify the user's ID by his

credit and charge card since it does not need a special card and a costly

computer network just like that of the prior arts.

It is also clear that an electric motor's rotation power is additionally

reinforced by making the distance shorter between motor's axis and it's

gear wheel, and it causes a more powerful horizontal moving as a result to

obtain an efficient shift of locking bar, which is needed by a rather small

electric motor to control the locking mechanism.

It is much advantageous that an aforesaid interposition between a rotation

gear wheel of electric motor and a horizontal -type toothed wheel of locking

bar can drive an unlimited displacement in the forward and rear position of

locking bar.

It is also believed that a master code number of the conventional keypad

type of the lockable door which is vulnerable to an unwanted attempts in

case of emergency, has been improved as a master card system of this

invention. As described so far, this invention provides more added security and

convenience to the user than that of the prior arts.

It is understood that many modifications and variations can be made therein,

without departing from the spirit of the invention and from the scope of

the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is;

1. The multi- way electronic locking system of the lockable door which

comprising;

(a) a means for entering user's code data for locking and unlocking of the

lockable door comprising a card reader and a keypad ;

(b) a memory means for storing the user's identification code of the

lockable door ;

(c) a central processing unit to control the locking , unlocking and overriding

of the lockable door and having codes-comparing capability for delivering

an operating signal to the locking and unlocking means of the lockable

door when the user-generated activation codes are the same as the stored

code of the memory means ;

(d) an electronic locking and unlocking means for the lockable door coupled

to the central processing unit ,^* and

(e) a menu- selection means located outside of the lockable door for selecting

the locking and unlocking means of the lockable door in combination

with a keypad, a card or a card with a keypad by user's choice for

delivering code data from the said means for entering user's code to the

central processing unit to memorize in the said memory means and

activating the electronic locking and unlocking means of the lockable door.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a second menu-

selection means located inside of the lockable door for selecting the code

entered by a keypad means and a card reader means for memorizing in

the memory means, for activating the central processing unit for registering

the user's identification code to make an overriding card, and for changing

the pre-programmed overriding code number for making an overriding code

when the lockable door is opened.

3. The system according to claim 1 , where in the electronic locking and

unlocking means further comprises ;

(a) a locking bar having a horizontal toothed wheel ranning paralled with the

bar ;

(b) a supporting means having a first-end holder and an opposite-end holder

to hold the locking bar ,^┬░

(c) a position-detection means for detecting the opening and closing position

of the locking bar ; and

(d) an electric motor which is fixed on the lockable door having a gear wheel

at the shaft for moving the horizontal toothed wheel of the locking bar

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic locking and

unlocking means further comprises ;

(a) a locking bar having a blocking means to impede the passage of the bar ; (b) a solenoid means for blocking the passage of the locking bar :

(c) a supporting means having a first-end holder and opposite-end holder to

hold the locking bar;

(d) a position detection means for detecting the opening and closing position

of the locking bar ;

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic locking and unlocking

means further comprises ;

(a) a locking bar having a horizontal toothed wheel running paralled with the

bar ;

(b) a supporting means having a first-end holder and an opposite-end holder

to hold the said locking bar ,^'

(c) an electric motor which is fixed on the lockable door, having a gear wheel

at the shaft for moving the horizontal toothed wheel of the said locking

bar ; and,

(d) a control means for controlling the current time of electric power supply

to the said electric power supply to the said elecric motor for moving

the toothed wheel of the said locking bar.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for entering user's code data of

the lockable door further comprising at least two of card reader ;

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for entering user's code data of the lockable door further comprising at least two of keypad.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for entering user's code data of

the lockable door further comprising in combination of a keypad, a card

reader and a remotely control means.

9. The system according to claim 1, a method for overriding the electronic

locking and unlocking means of the lockable door by a common-used

bank card of user, which comprising the step of ;

(a) encoding a first code number of keypad at factory in a memory means of

the lockable door.

(b) inserting a card matching to the card reader system of the lockable door

into the card reader.

(c) entering the first code number of the keypad by user.

(d) confirming by 2nd menu- selection means located inside of the lockable

door.

(e) converting the card as an overriding card by encoding the code of the

card in a memory means by CPU, if the code number entered by user is

matching with the first code number which memorized at factory.

(f) changing the first code number by user by the steps of ; 1st step for

entering the first code number by a keypad ; 2nd step for confirming the

first code number by activating 2nd menu selection means located inside of the lockable door to compare and identify the code entered by user is

matching as the 1st code memorized in a memory means ; 3rd step for

entering a new code number by user with a keypad means ; and

4th steps for confirming it by activating the 2nd menu-selection means.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the card reader further comprises

any of magnetic card reader, IC card reader or contactless card reader for

reading access codes by card.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor means for

detecting security violation and a alarm means for warning.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a voice chip means for

generating voice message of statue of the lockable door.

13. The system according to claim 1, further comprises a external power in^┬¼

put terminal for supplying emergency power for operating the system from

outside of the lockable door.

14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a remote control

access means for locking, unlocking or overriding the lockable door from

remoted area.

15. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a second memory

means, coupled to the CPU, for storing the user's identification code by a

means for entering code for identifying the user of the lockable door.

16. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for

displaying function of the system operation of the lockable door.

17. The system according to claim 3, wherein a position detection means for

detecting opening and closing position of the locking bar further comprising

IF transmitter and IF receiver for detecting the position of the locking bar

with IF.

18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a fresh memory IC or

EEPROM for storing codes from a means for entering code even though

the power for operating the system is failed.

19. A method of locking and unlocking of the lockable door in three-ways at

the system in claim 1, a first way being receiving the entry data from a

card, a second way being receiving data from a keypad and a third way

being receiving the entry data from keypad with card which comprises the

steps of ;

(a) selecting the locking and unlocking means of the lockable door in three

means in combination with a keypad, a card and a keypad with a card by

user's choice.

(b) activating menu selection means for entering the code data which selected

by user's choice, to the central processing unit to control the locking and

unlocking means of the lockable door. (c) controlling an electronic locking and unlocking means for locking and

unlocking selection of the lockable door by means of a central processing

unit having a code- comparing capability for delivering an operating signal

to the said electronic locking and unlocking means, when user-generated

activation code and identification code as the same as the stored codes

the menu means.