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US 5,132,661 AGranted
Security system employing optical key shape reader
AssigneeUniversal Photonix, Inc.
InventorDouglas A. Pinnow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A security system which employs an optical key shape reader to photoelectrically derive an electrical signal from a shape characteristic of a key is disclosed. The system provides heightened security over standard key operated systems and is particularly well suited for use in motor vehicles.
Claims33
A security system comprising:
- means for photoelectrically deriving an electrical signal from a shape characteristic of a key, said shape characteristic being the cuts of varying depths on one edge of the shaft of the key, a single linear series of holes of varying diameter in the shaft of the key, or a single linear series of slots of varying heights in the shaft of the key;
- means remote from said photoelectrical means for comparing said electrical signal to one or more electrical signals stored in memory to determine whether they are the same;
- and
- means for enabling a function upon determining that said photoelectrically derived electrical signal is the same as said electrical signal stored in memory.
1 more element
A security system comprising:
- means for receiving key means;
- means for photoelectrically deriving a coded electrical signal from a single series of apertures of varying dimensions aligned in an axially extending row on the key means when the key means is inserted into said receiving means;
- means remote from said photoelectrical means for comparing said coded electrical signal to one or more coded electrical signals stored in memory to determine whether they are the same;
- and
- means for enabling a function upon determination that said photoelectrically derived coded electric signal is the same as said coded electrical signal stored in memory.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.