Tap-actuated lock and method of actuating the lock
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorRobert J. Salem
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromechanical lock detects a series of taps on a surface. After converting the taps into a series of electrical signals, processes the signals and compares the tap sequence with a pre-set code.
Claims10
Method of actuating a lock comprising the steps of detecting a series of sequential taps on a selected surface and generating an electrical signal for each detected tap to form a series of sequential electrical signals spaced in time from each other to correspond to the time intervals between the taps;
- determining the time intervals between each two successive electrical signals;
- grouping said electrical signals into a plurality of sets of successive electrical signals as a function of preselected parameters of said time intervals;
- comparing the number of electrical signals in each set with a preselected code;
- and enabling the lock to be actuated only when the number of electrical signals within each set corresponds to said preselected code.
Apparatus for actuating a lock comprising means for dectecting a series of sequential taps on a selected surface and generating an electrical signal for each detected tap to form a series of sequential electrical signals spaced in time from each other to correspond to the time intervals between the taps;
- means for grouping said electrical signals into a plurality of sets of successive electrical signals as a function of preselected parameters of said time intervals;
- means for comparing the number of electrical signals in each set with a preselected code;
- and means for enabling the lock to be actuated only when the number of electrical signals within each set corresponds to said preselected code.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.