US3596250A

US3596250A - Coded key switching system

Info

Publication number: US3596250A
Application number: US786338A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce S Sedley
Original assignee: H O BOHME Inc
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Inc; H O BOHME Inc
Priority date: 1968-12-23
Filing date: 1968-12-23
Publication date: 1971-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-27

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a switching system, and, more particularly, to such a system for controlling a plurality of electrical circuit apparatus by a coded key in the general form of a card.

Description

[72] Inventor lrneeS-Sellky [56] ReferencesCited In n m (3111- UNITED STATES PATENTS 3, P 3,215,903 11/1965 Barney 317/134 [221 P1164 DCC.23,1968

1 451 Patented 1111, 27.1911 :1 [m A; H o 3,450,950 6/1969 Tarrats 317/101 04) u u q 1 v w 'f 3,454,837 7/1969 Rhodes 317/134 end Huh-k, Cfl, Primary Examiner-Ralph D. Blakeslee 0 Attorneys-George J. Netter and Kendrick and Subkow 1541 comm KEY swrrcamc svsrw 1. Chi, 7 Draw It 317/l0l CE, 3 1 7/1 34 ABSTRACT: The present invention relates generally to a [5 1] Int. CL H046 1/32 switching system, and, more particularly, to such a system for [50] My! Sun! 70/264; contmlling a plurality of electrical circuit apparatus by :1

317/134, l0 l C; 340/149, 166, 167; 339/l8C coded key in the general form of: card.

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i g -46 l 1 0/0 1 rec/4v 1 .1 I

3 I? T; I #1 1/0/0 5mm I e h Winn-20mm SHEET 3 UF 3 AZTOC/V V5 corms xsv SWITCHING svsrr-zm BACKGROUND OF THE r vE noN It has become increasingly desirable in recent years to limit access to buildings, manufacturing establishments, or particular areas of such buildings or establishments, and the like. Certain known equipment for accomplishing thispurpose has consisted generally of electrical or electromechanical ap? paratus that is actuated-by a coded key device to unlock e n-' trance ways to areas desired to be maintained secure.

2 card,*there-is further provided cod ed magnetic information on the card identifying the holder of the card, which information is also read by the card reader and via additional circuitry a Such coded key devices have taken various. forms-apreferableone being that of a relatively thin card including magnetic coding information which actuates switching means of a similarcoded character to energize circuits for unlocking with an inner thin layer of ma'gnetizable material..ln use, the magnetizable layer is selectively magnetized in a coded manner for coacting with the locking control apparatus.

For' a more complete description of apparatus for controlling locking equipment and magnetic card key for operating such apparatus, reference can be made to U.S. Pat. application Ser'. No. 592,006, MAGNETICALLY OPERATED the entrance to a secured area. An especially advantageous 'card for this purpose includes outer nonconductive layers on which various information is provided, such as the name of the individual authorized to use the card, which .are laminated printed readout is obtained identifying the individual gaining access to the secured area, the time of such access and selected other pertinent'informationf When a card has coded information identifying an individual to whom access to the restricted area is to be denied and unlocking disabling apparatus of the invention has been programmed to reject or prevent entrance when that particular card is presented, the magnetic information identifying the individual on the card energizes corresponding disabling circuitry to prevent unlocking of the apparatus, thereby denying entrance to the individual presenting the card.

As a preferred fonn to be describe herein, the disabling apparatus includes a matrix where each crossover point of a row and column identifies, say, a personnel identification number of an individual to whom it is desired to deny access. A rejection pin .is connected to each crossover point of the matrix, correspondingto the card to be rejected, which, in a way that will be described later, establishes a circuit to disable the unlocking apparatus whenever the associated card/s is presented. Also, when a card is presented and an attempt is made to gain access with a card that has had its authorization revoked, the printout will identify the so presented card as a MECHANISM AND MAGNETIC CARD, by Bruce S. Sedley,

filed NOVA, I966. r As is disclosed in the above reference Cooley patent, such a key operated switch can be so constructed that a large number of cards issued to different individuals will permit access to the secured area. It is additionally desirable that when cards are lost, stolen, or it becomes necessary or advisable to revoke the ability of certain individuals .from' gaining access to the secured area, that the equipment can be quickly and easily modified to accomplish this. And, it is a primary utility of the present invention to provide means for preventing operation of the unlocking apparatus to the entrance of a secured area by a card that had previously been coded to permit such access.

It is,- therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide in apparatus for controlling the unlocking of a mechanism by a coded key, means for disabling such unlocking apparatus for operation with certain preselected coded keys.. 4 I A further object of the invention is the provision in card key tion of the invention.

control switching systemQof a selectively modifiable programmer for disabling operation of the system when presented with a card having a certain predetermined code.

A further object of the invention is the provision of tip paratus as in the above object in which the programmer includes a circuit matrix, each crossover point of which represents a reject code, such that on effecting a predetermined circuit connection aspect at one or more of these crossover points, the unlocking circuit apparatus is made inoperative when presented with a card key having the corresponding l'jOC!COd-' Other objects and advantages of the present invention'will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains upon reference to the following description of a preferred embodirnent, considered in conjunction with the'accompanying drawings. u

' SUMMARY or THE INVENTION In accordance with the practice of the'present invention,

' there is provided an electrically operated locking-and un' locking mechanism associated with an entrancedoor'to an area that is desired to be maintained secure. A card, including magnetically coded areas, is received within a magnetic card reader, which, when the card includes coded information corresponding to that which has been preprogrammed into the reader, provides electric signals to actuate the unlocking apparatus. In addition to the basic unlocking apparatus of the reject card.

The rejection pins are so constructed that they canbe quickly and easily added to the program matrix for any number of desired different rejections, and just as quickly removed, thereby reinstating any given card.

' I DESCRIPTION OF'TI-IE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the area to which access isto be controlled is illustrated generally by a door 10, identified by the marking RESTRICTED AREA, which door is usually maintained locked, An electrically operated mechanism 11 is associate with the door, which, upon actuation, in a manner that will be more fully described, unlocks the door, permitting access to the area. Such unlocking means are well known in.the art, conventionally utilizing a solenoid to move a latch from locking to unlocking relation.

Also, mounted closely adjacent the door 10 is a card reader 12. Insertion of a properly coded key card into a receiving a slot 13 of the card reader feeds energizing pulses along cabling (illustrated schematically by dashed line 14) to processing equipment 15 which can be located at any desired remote location. Assuming proper coding of the card and that authorization for use of the particular card presented has not been revoked in accordance with the present invention, then a signal is provided via cabling 16 to energize the unlocking 'mechanism 11.

In its major constructional aspects, the equipment 15 includes operation initiation means such as the ON-OFF switch 17; an ACCESS signal light 18 which is energized whenever access to the restricted area is made; a VOID signal light 19 which is energized whenever a revoked or reject card is presented; day and

hour indicators

20 and 21, respectively; a card identification number indicator 22; and a manually adtempt to gain access, i.e., employee identification number, day

and hour of card presentation. Of particular importance to the present invention is the inclusion'o'f a rejection or voiding matrix 25 which, in a manner that will be more fully described herein, can be selectively actuated to reject or void any given cardorcards. Other than the parts of the apparatus particularly relating to rejecting of cards, the various functions and equipment of for accomplishing these functions are generally to be found in the prior art. A disclosure of one such system is to be found in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,100,389, entitled SECURITY BOOTH, by MaIrieeJ. Noregaard,

issued Aug. 13, I963. As already alluded to, that portion of'the equipment .15 which accomplishes rejection of a: predetermined card (or cards) includes 'as a fundamental part the matrix'25. Specifically, this matrix comprises a sheetlike, insulative substrate 26 having rectangular areas 27 removed, giving it an overall lattice appearance. On one side of the substrate (FIG. 3 the vertical or columnar parts are provided with conductive layers 28 having extensions 29 at each junction with a row. Onthe opposite side (FIG. 4), there are provided conductive layers- 30 on each row of he substrate having extensions 31 at each column. Accordingly, the matrix consists of a set of separate' conductive elements, one for each column, and a further set of conductive elements, one for each row.

For a purpose that will be made clear later, a connective attitude between a given column conductor'28 and row conductor 30 is selectively accomplished by a-diode connection pin 32. Each such pin 32 includes a hollow, open-ended tube 33, within which are carried a pair of U-shapcd electrodes 34 arranged along opposite innersides of the tube. The electrodes end, whereas the electrode arms extend outwardly of the other tube end and are formed into hooks 35. A diode 36 is disposed centrally within the tube 33 between the electrodes 34. One diode terminal 37 faces outwardly from the same open end of the tube as the hooks 35. The other diode terminal 38 is relatively long, extending from the other. open end of the tube and secured within a first ferrule 39 by, say, solder 40. A second ferrule 41 slidingly received about the first ferrule 39 is -resiliently linked to 42.

the diode 36 by a compression coil spring 'l'o'produce a connective aspect at a crossover'point of the matrix,- a diode connection pin 32 is forced onto the crossover f in such manner that the hooks 35 extend through the removed areas 27 to the opposite side of the substrate (FIGS. 3 and ,4). Rotation of diode connection pin causes the hooks to securely .engage the row connectors. As shown best FIG. 6, the terminal 37 simultaneously contacts .the columnar conductor 28 in the region of the crossover at the same time that hooks 35 grip the associated row conductor 30, with good electrical connection insured by the resilient exertion of spring 42. An

1 electric circuit path is now established form the row conductor 30, hooks 35, electrodes 34, ferrule 4], spring ,42, terminal provided to a striker relay 45 which in turn provides power to the striker or unlocking mechanism 11 to permit opening of the door to the restricted area. Simultaneously with presentation of a correctly coded card and operation of the circuit 44, an access signal such as the light 19 is provided and the printer 24 prints outinforrnation as to of presentation of the card, personnel identification, as as any other pertinent data.

In addition to the'convention unlockingdiscussedin the preceding, the corresponding decimal equivalent signals of the information provided by a card 42 on which it has been determined to base the rejection of a given card, i.e., personnel number, for example, are electrically connected to corresponding rows (or columns) of the rejection matrix 25. in-

dividual leads are connected to the respective column conductors of the matrix and thence to a void relay 46. Accordingly, when a signal is provided to the particular row conductor corresponding to a part of a code indicating rejection and a diode pin 32 is in operative relation to the corresponding crosso'ver with an appropriate column conductor, then a signal is' made available through the matrix to actuate the void relay 46, points of which are in the power supply to the striker relay 45 and are opened by actuation of the void relay, thereby disabling operation of the striker 11 and denying access to the card holder. Simultaneously, a circuit path exists through the matrix to energize the void light 19 and cause the printer 24 to identify on the printed readout that the attempted entry has 3 been rejected. One form of identifying such voided entry atv:lfosshar,portionscommonly extend outwardly-from one-tube" area is to be denied for a card presented including,

tempt is to provide a printed readout in color, for example.

- Turning now to FIG. 7 and a detailed circuit schematic of the card rejection apparatus of this invention, operation will be described for the situation where access to the restricted say, a personnel identification number of 1000. It is to be understood that operation'is the same for any other number, or number,

.. .each .number.havingone,oras many-digits-as the'sys'tem'is designed to accommodate. Moreover, although the matrix 25 is depicted as comprising 100 columns and 100 rows, the matrix may be constructed with any desired number of rows and columns and still be within the spirit'of the invention.

Assuming that a card 42 including the personnel number 1000 has been-presented to the equipment and, accordingly, binary signals equivalent to the decimal 1000 are fed into binary-coded-decirnal (BCD) decoders 47-50, providing a through connection to the appropriate decimal output line. More particularly, a through connection is provided from the plus terminal of a DC power source 51 to the "0" output line, which in turn is connected to one of the normally open points 00" of a relay 52 also identified as the 00" relay. The relay 52 coilhas one side connected to the DC plus terminal through decoder 48 and its other side directly to the negative DC terminal. The remaining contact of the "O0" relay points is connected directly to a row conductor of the matrix, also identified as 00."

, v 4 Decoder 49 establishes a circuit from one side of void relay of relay The other contact of relay a corresponding "1000" relays 52 and 53 are energized closing contact points 00" Reference is now made to the function block diagram of and 1000." With a diode pin connected in the matrix at the crossover of "O0" row and 1000" column, void relay 46 is now energized effecting disabling of the unlocking mechanism as already described while lighting the void light signal. Also, as has been described, other contact points of the void relay 46 (not shown) may actuate the printer to show that an attempt has been made to gain unauthorized access to the restricted area.

As a further and advantageous aspect of the invention, the matrix 25 can be formed into a drum or cylinder. Not only does this conserve space generally, but the enclosed region an output signal is can accommodate certain of the collateral circuit apparatus.

I r L Although the invention has been described in the particular context of denying access to specified individual. it would be within the spirit of the in invention to invert the function achieved, i.e., deny access to all but those for whom diode pins 32 are inserted in the matrix.

Still further, the technique and system of this invention can be utilized to accomplish other and fundamentally different results. For example, instead of an entry admission card, the

. card could be a credit card which-is verified with a remotely located credit office. That is, if credit is to be denied to a particular credit card holder, a rejection pin is inserted in a master control matrix, and on interrogation a signal indicating credit denial is generated.

What I claim is:

l. in a locking system adapted to be operated by keys having different information coded thereon; said locking system including a key receiving station, reading means for sensing the information coded on a key presented at said key receiving station, decoding means for converting sensed information from such a key into an electrical signal, and access control means responsive to such a signal; the improvement comprising: a key verification circuit operatively connected between said decoding means and said access control means for disabling said access control means when a key having a predetermined code thereon is presented at said key receiving station; said key verification circuit comprising separate circuit means corresponding to the code on every key which is adapted to operate said locking system; and void means for operating any of said circuit means, at any time, independently of the other circuit means, to disable said access control means when a key having a code correspondingly to said circuit means is presented at said key receiving station.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, and further comprising means for restoring each of said circuit means to its original conditionat any time, whereby said key verification circuit will not disable said access control means when a key having a code corresponding to such circuit means is presented at said key receiving station.

3. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said key verification circuit comprises a voiding circuit which, when closed, disables said access control means; and whereineach of said separate circuit means comprises normally open switch means; and wherein said void means comprises separate means for selectively closing each of said nonnally open circuit means.

4. The improvement according to claim 3, wherein said normally open switch means comprises separate conductors and wherein said void means comprises a conductor adapted to connect said first and second conductors.

5. The improvement according to claim I, wherein said key verification circuit comprises: a substantially planar insulative substrate having opposite surfaces; substantially parallel rows of conductive material on one surface of said substrate and substantially parallel columns of conductive material on the opposite surface of said substrate; the intersections of said rows and said columns of conductive material comprising said circuit means; and means for selectively establishing electri 12 connection between any one of said rows and any one of said columns at substantially the intersection thereof.

6. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said key verification circuit comprises a matrix of rows and columns of conductive material; and wherein said circuit means comprise the intersections of said rows and columns.

' 7. The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said rows of conductive material lie on one side of an insulative substrate and said columns of said conductive material lie on the other side of said substrate; and wherein each of said void means comprises; a diode having first and second terminals, at least one hooklike electrode electrically connected to the first diode terminal, and spring means relating the diode and electrode such that when the hooklike electrode is electrically connected to one of said rows or columns of conductive material on one side of said matrix substrate, the diode second terminal is resiliently urged into contact with the intersectin column or row of conducting material on the other side of sai substrate.

8. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein each of said separate circuit means comprises normally closed circuit means; and wherein each of said void means comprises mean for selectively opening each of said normally closed circuit means.

9. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein each of said key receiving stations comprises means for receiving a card having informatjgn magnetigglly coded thereon; and

em sat means for sensing said information comprises means for sensing magnetically coded information on such cards.

10. in a locking system adapted to be operated by key cards having different information magnetically coded thereon; said locking system including a card receiving station, reading means for sensing the magnetic information coded on a card presented 'at' said key receiving"s'tationfdeco'di ng iii canister converting sensed magnetic information from such a card into an electrical signal. unlocking means responsive to such a signal, and disabling means operatively associated with said unlocking means to selectively disable said locking means; the improvement comprising: a code voiding circuit operativcly connected between said decoding means and said unlockingmeans for actuating said disabling means when a card having a predetermined magnetic code thereon is presented at said key receiving station; said code voiding circuit comprising: a substantially planar insulative substrate having opposite surfaces; substantially parallel rows of conductive material on one su 'face of sad substrate and substantially parallel columns of con ductive material on the opposite surface of said substrate; and further comprising electrode means for selectively establishing connection between one of said rows of conductive material and one of said columns of conductive material at the intersection thereof to complete a circuit through said code voiding circuit and actuate said disabling means to disable said unlocking means.

Claims

1. In a locking system adapted to be operated by keys having different information coded thereon; said locking system including a key receiving station, reading means for sensing the information coded on a key presented at said key receiving station, decoding means for converting sensed information from such a key into an electrical signal, and access control means responsive to such a signal; the improvement comprising: a key verification circuit operatively connected between said decoding means and said access control means for disabling said access control means when a key having a predetermined code thereon is presented at said key receiving station; said key verification circuit comprising separate circuit means corresponding to the code on every key which is adapted to operate said locking system; and void means for operating any of said circuit means, at any time, independently of the other circuit means, to disable said access control means when a key having a code correspondingly to said circuit means is presented at said key receiving station.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, and further comprising means for restoring each of said circuit means to its original condition at any time, whereby said key verification circuit will not disable said access control means when a key having a code corresponding to such circuit means is presented at said key receiving station.

3. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said key verification circuit comprises a voiding circuit which, when closed, disables said access control means; and wherein each of said separate circuit means comprises normally open switch means; and wherein said void means comprises separate means for selectively closing each of said normally open circuit means.

5. The imProvement according to claim 1, wherein said key verification circuit comprises: a substantially planar insulative substrate having opposite surfaces; substantially parallel rows of conductive material on one surface of said substrate and substantially parallel columns of conductive material on the opposite surface of said substrate; the intersections of said rows and said columns of conductive material comprising said circuit means; and means for selectively establishing electrical connection between any one of said rows and any one of said columns at substantially the intersection thereof.

7. The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said rows of conductive material lie on one side of an insulative substrate and said columns of said conductive material lie on the other side of said substrate; and wherein each of said void means comprises; a diode having first and second terminals, at least one hooklike electrode electrically connected to the first diode terminal, and spring means relating the diode and electrode such that when the hooklike electrode is electrically connected to one of said rows or columns of conductive material on one side of said matrix substrate, the diode second terminal is resiliently urged into contact with the intersecting column or row of conducting material on the other side of said substrate.

9. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein each of said key receiving stations comprises means for receiving a card having information magnetically coded thereon; and wherein said means for sensing said information comprises means for sensing magnetically coded information on such cards.

10. In a locking system adapted to be operated by key cards having different information magnetically coded thereon; said locking system including a card receiving station, reading means for sensing the magnetic information coded on a card presented at said key receiving station, decoding means for converting sensed magnetic information from such a card into an electrical signal, unlocking means responsive to such a signal, and disabling means operatively associated with said unlocking means to selectively disable said locking means; the improvement comprising: a code voiding circuit operatively connected between said decoding means and said unlocking means for actuating said disabling means when a card having a predetermined magnetic code thereon is presented at said key receiving station; said code voiding circuit comprising: a substantially planar insulative substrate having opposite surfaces; substantially parallel rows of conductive material on one surface of sad substrate and substantially parallel columns of conductive material on the opposite surface of said substrate; and further comprising electrode means for selectively establishing connection between one of said rows of conductive material and one of said columns of conductive material at the intersection thereof to complete a circuit through said code voiding circuit and actuate said disabling means to disable said unlocking means.