Electronic security system with novel electronic T-handle lock

A lock mechanism, comprising:

• a bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
• a bolt cam contacting said bolt and moving said bolt between said locked position and said unlocked position through rotation of said bolt cam;
• shaft means selectively engageable with said bolt cam for rotating said bolt cam;
• plug means connected to said shaft means for rotating said shaft means, said plug means having a keyway for insertion of key means for rotating said plug means;
• solenoid means for drawing said shaft means into active engagement with said bolt cam upon energization of said solenoid means so that said bolt cam may be rotated by said shaft means;
• and
• access means for selectively energizing said solenoid means;
• wherein said shaft means is passively engaged with said bolt cam so as to rotate without rotating said bolt cam when said solenoid means is not energized.

An electronic security system, comprising:

• a lock, including
• a bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position,
• a bolt cam contacting said bolt and moving said bolt between said locked position and said unlocked position through rotation of said bolt cam,
• shaft means selectively engageable with said bolt cam for rotating said bolt cam,
• plug means connected to said shaft means for rotating said shaft means, said plug means having a keyway for insertion of key means for rotating said plug means,
• solenoid means for drawing said shaft means into active engagement with said bolt cam upon energization of said solenoid means so that said bolt cam may be rotated by said shaft means, and
• access means for selectively energizing said solenoid means in response to received specific data,
• wherein said shaft means is passively engaged with said bolt cam so as to rotate without rotating said bolt cam when said solenoid means is not energized;
• and key means for operating said lock, comprising
• a handheld computer including means for storing encoded data, and
• an internal circuit board installed within said handheld computer for interfacing said handheld computer with said lock, including means for decoding said encoded data stored in said handheld computer into decoded data and means for generating said specific data for transmission to said lock based on said decoded data.

An electronic security system, comprising:

• electronic lock means, installed in a vending machine, said vending machine having internal memory circuitry which stores inventory information therein, for providing selective access to said vending machine, and including means for receiving data and means for transmitting data;
• interface means for coupling said internal memory circuitry of said vending machine to said electronic lock means and providing said inventory information to said means for receiving data;
• and
• electronic key means for operating said electronic lock means to access said vending machine, including memory means for receiving said inventory information from said means for transmitting data in said electronic lock means.