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US 4,079,605 AGranted
Optical key reader for door locks
AssigneeSchlage Lock Company LLC
InventorVernon A. Bartels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical key reader for door locks is disclosed including optical scanning means for detecting a code pattern on a key unit when the unit is randomly oriented in an area near a given surface; the detected code being then compared by comparator means with a predetermined code which is stored in the reader. If a match is found in this comparison, the comparator means generates an actuation signal which is coupled to an electrically-actuatable securing means to cause the securing means to allow access through a door.
Claims17
An apparatus for controlling access comprising:
- actuatable securing means;
- a key unit having a code pattern thereon;
- means for storing a predetermined code;
- optical scanning means including a single coherent beam light source for detecting said key unit code when said key unit is three-dimensionally randomly oriented within a viewing area with respect to said light source, wherein said optical scanning means further comprises means for causing said beam to sweep a given area, photo-electrical detector means for detecting light reflected back from objects placed in the path of said beam, and data convertor means for outputting as an electrical signal a detected key unit code representing said key unit code pattern when said code pattern is detected by said optical scanning means;
- comparator means operatively coupled to said storing means and connected to said optical scanning means for detecting when said key unit code matches said predetermined code and including means for generating an actuation signal in response thereto;
- and
- means for coupling said actuation signal to said actuatable securing means, such that said securing means is actuated thereby.
4 more elements
An apparatus for controlling access comprising:
- actuatable securing means;
- a key unit having a code pattern thereon;
- memory means, including means for storing a plurality of predetermined codes;
- a surface;
- optical scanning means for optically detecting said key unit code when said key unit is positioned in a substantially spaced relationship to said surface, at a random orientation with respect thereto said optical scanning means comprising a single coherent beam light source, means for causing said beam to sweep a given area, photo-electrical detector means for detecting light reflected back from objects placed in the path of said beam, and data convertor means for outputting as an electrical signal a detected key unit code representing said key unit code pattern when said code pattern is detected by said optical scanning means;
- processor means connected to said optical scanning means and said memory means for determining if said detected key unit code matches one of said plurality of predetermined codes stored in said memory means, and including means for generating an actuation signal in response to the occurrence of a said match;
- and
- means for coupling said actuation signal to said actuatable securing means, such that said securing means is actuated thereby.
5 more elements
An apparatus for controlling access comprising:
- actuatable securing means;
- a key unit having a code pattern thereon, and further including a field sensitive circuit having at least one selected resonant frequency;
- means for storing a predetermined code;
- a surface;
- means for generating an electric field with respect to said surface such that as said key unit is three dimensionally randomly oriented with respect to said surface, said field generation means detects and outputs a code signal representative of the resonant frequency of said key unit;
- optical scanning means including a single coherent beam light source positioned with respect to said surface for detecting said key unit code pattern when said key unit is three-dimensionally randomly oriented with respect to said surface, wherein said optical scanning means further comprises means for causing said beam to sweep a given area, photo-electrical detector means for detecting light reflected back from objects placed in the path of said beam, and data convertor means for outputting as an electrical signal a detected key unit code representing said key unit code pattern when said code pattern is detected by said optical scanning means;
- comparator means connected to said optical scanning means and said electric field generation means for detecting when said key unit code pattern and the code represented by said resonant frequency on said key unit combine to match said predetermined code, and including means for generating an actuation signal in response thereto;
- and
- means for coupling said actuation signal to said actuatable securing means, such that said securing means is actuated thereby.
6 more elements
An apparatus for controlling access comprising:
- actuatable securing means;
- a key unit having a code pattern thereon;
- means for storing a predetermined code;
- a surface;
- optical scanning means for optically detecting said key unit code pattern when said key unit is positioned in a substantially spaced relationship to said surface, at a random orientation with respect thereto, said optical scanning means comprising a single coherent beam light source, means for causing said beam to sweep a given area, photo-electrical detector means for detecting light reflected back from objects placed in the path of said beam, and data convertor means for outputting as an electrical signal a detected key unit code representing said key unit code pattern when said code pattern is detected by said optical scanning means;
- comparator means connector to said optical scanning means and operatively coupled to said means for storing a predetermined code, for detecting when said key unit code matches said predetermined code, and means for generating an actuation signal in response thereto;
- and
- means for coupling said actuation signal to said actuatable securing means, such that said securing means is actuated thereby.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.