Electronic access control device

An electronic access control device capable of detecting a portable remote device for transmitting an electromagnet signal with an access code, the electronic access control device comprising:

• a first circuit comprising an oscillator and having a first circuit output signal;
• a second circuit temporarily enabled in response to the first circuit output signal, the second circuit having a second circuit output signal generated in response to a signal of radio frequency;
• a third circuit comprising a first processor temporarily enabled during the receipt of an electromagnetic signal, the circuit having a third circuit output signal comprising an input code obtained, at least in part, from the electromagnetic signal;
• a fourth circuit comprising a second processor temporarily enabled by the first processor prior to the second processor receiving the input code to compare the input code to an authorization code for authorizing operation of a device comprising a latch or alarm;
• and,
• a driver comprising an electronic circuit and having an output that is provided to the device if the input code matches the authorization code.

An electronic access control device capable of detecting a portable remote device for transmitting an electromagnet signal with an access code, the electronic access control device comprising:

• an oscillator having an output comprising a plurality of duty cycles;
• a circuit that is periodically enabled for a time t1 and disabled for a time t2 for sensing a signal via an antenna during at least one of the duty cycles;
• a portion of the circuit comprising a first processor that generates an input code obtained, at least in part, from an electromagnetic signal;
• a second processor temporarily enabled that compares the input code to an authorization code for authorizing operation of a device comprising a latch or alarm;
• and,
• a switch that is controlled upon sensing a signal via an antenna, enables the portion of the circuit as the input code is being received for a time t3 that is greater than the time t1.

An electronic access control circuit operating on current drained from a battery mounted about a device to be secured, the circuit comprising:

• an electronic circuit for sensing a signal of radio frequency and having an output that indicates detection of a portable remote device for transmitting an electromagnetic signal;
• a circuit comprising a first processor temporarily enabled that obtains an input code transmitted via the electromagnetic signal;
• a circuit portion that, in response to an input, increases the current drained from the battery;
• a second processor temporarily enabled that receives an input code from the electronic circuit and compares the input code to an authorization code for authorizing operation of a device comprising a latch or alarm;
• the electronic circuit capable of providing an output to the device if the input code matches the authorization code;
• and,
• wherein the circuit portion decreases the current drained from the battery after receiving the input code.

A method comprising the steps of:

• deactivating a circuit powered by a battery during a first time period wherein the circuit draws less than 100 micro-amps;
• enabling a portion of a circuit for a second time period;
• monitoring for a signal during the second time period;
• enabling a circuit for an extended time period that is greater than the second time period upon the sensing of a signal of radio frequency, wherein the circuit draws greater than 100 micro-amps;
• utilizing a first processor to process an electromagnetic signal received during the extended time period to obtain an input code, at least in part, from the electromagnetic signal;
• utilizing a second processor to compare the obtained input code to an authorization code by the first processor temporarily enabled in response to receipt of the input code for authorizing operation of a device comprising a latch or alarm;
• and,
• providing a signal to the device if the input code matches the authorization code.

A method comprising the steps of:

• periodically enabling and disabling a circuit comprising a first processor during each of a plurality of duty cycles wherein the circuit is enabled for a time t1 during each of the duty cycles;
• obtaining an input code transmitted via an electromagnetic signal;
• a second processor separate from the circuit temporarily enabled in response to receipt of the input code comparing the input code to an authorization code for authorizing operation of a device comprising a latch or alarm;
• sensing a signal via an antenna for enabling the circuit as the input code is being obtained for a time t2 that is greater than said time t1;
• and,
• providing a signal to the device if the input code matches the authorization code.

A method for operating a circuit on current drained from a battery comprising the steps of:

• sensing a signal of radio frequency and generating a signal to indicate detection of a device capable of providing an electromagnetic signal;
• receiving an input code transmitted by the electromagnetic signal obtained by a first temporarily enabled first circuit comprising a first processor;
• increasing the current drained from the battery;
• comparing the input code to an authorization code by a second processor temporarily enabled in response to receipt of the input code for authorizing operation of a device comprising a latch or alarm;
• providing an output to the device if the input code matches the authorization code;
• and,
• decreasing the current drained from the battery after comparing the input code.

A method comprising the steps of:

• deactivating a first circuit in a first device during a first time period;
• enabling a portion of the first circuit for a second time period by an oscillator signal;
• enabling an additional portion of the first circuit, sensing an electromagnetic signal sent from a remote second device and obtaining an access code during a third time period, wherein the third time period is longer than the second time period;
• processing in a first processor the electromagnetic signal to obtain an input code, enabling a second processor and sending the input code to the second processor;
• comparing in the second processor the input code to an authorization code for authorizing operation of a device comprising a latch or alarm;
• and,
• providing a signal to the device if the input code matches the authorization code.

An access control device consistently mounted about a device to be secured, the access control device comprising:

• a non-volatile memory containing a stored code communicated via a conductively connected communication means for communicating said code;
• a circuit generating a wake-up signal in response to pressing a key on a keypad;
• a first processor that is woke-up for a period of time in response to the wake-up signal and receiving an input code;
• and,
• a second processor shielded from external access compares the input code with the stored access code, and generates a signal to activate a lock actuator if the input code matches the stored access code, wherein the first and second processors enter a sleep mode after the period of time, the sleep mode enabling the first or second processor to operate at a lower power consumption rate than when the processors are awake.

An electronic access control device consistently mounted about a device to be secured, the access control device comprising:

• first and second controllers operatively connected to each other and separated from each other, wherein the second controller is shielded from external access and comprising a memory for storing a communication code;
• the second controller receiving a request and transmitting the communication code to the first controller;
• the first controller receiving an input access signal from a key or keypad, and comparing the input access signal to a stored access code to determine if the input access code is valid;
• the first controller sending the communication code to the second controller if the input access code is valid, wherein the second controller provides a signal to energize a circuit to access a lock.

For an electronic access control device consistently mounted about a device to be secured, a method comprising the steps:

• containing a communication code within a memory of a second controller separated from and operatively connected to a first controller, the second controller shielded from external access;
• receiving a request and transmitting the communication code from the second controller to the first controller;
• transmitting an input access signal from a key or keypad to the first controller;
• comparing the input access signal to a stored access code to determine if the input access code is valid;
• and,
• sending the communication code to the second controller if the input access code is valid, wherein the second controller energizes a circuit to access a lock.