Digital lock system having electronic key card

Claim 2

An electronic lock system operative in response to more than one key code and comprising: key means adapted for use with an associated lock means and having a multistage electronic data memory operative to store an electrically alterable multiple bit key code and means for conveying said key code serially from said electronic data memory to said lock means in response to a command signal; lock means adapted for operation with said key means and including a multiple bit electronic data memory having at least two different predetermined groups of bit positions for storing respective key codes; means for applying a key code from said key data memory to said lock data memory for storage therein; a least first and second decoder means each having a plurality of inputs for receiving a respective key code defined by said different predetermined groups of bit positions and each operative to provide an output signal in response to receipt of said respective key code; and logic means for receiving said output signals and operative to provide a utilization signal in response thereto.

Claim 3

An electronic lock system according to claim 1 wherein said lock data memory is a shift register having different predetermined groups of bit positions respectively coupled to the inputs of each of said decoder means.

Claim 4

An electronic lock system according to claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said key code from said key data memory to said lock means includes; means coupled to said key data memory for providing light signals representing said key code; and means operative in response to said light signals for providing electrical signals representing said key code to said lock data memory.

Claim 5

An electronic lock system comprising: key means adapted for use with an associated lock means and having an electronic data memory therein with a plurality of interconnected stages operative to store a multiple bit key code and means for coupling said key means to an associated lock means by which said key code can be conveyed serially from said electronic data memory in response to a command signal; lock means adapted for operation with said key means and including receptacle means for said key means in operative association therewith; an electronic data memory for storing a key code received from said key data memory; at least two decoder means each having a plurality of inputs coupled to different predetermined bit positions of said lock data memory and each operative to provide an output signal in response to receipt of a respective code from said lock data memory represented by corresponding bit positions of said lock data memory; and logic means operative in response to each of said output signals from said decoder means to provide a utilization signal.

Claim 6

An electronic lock system comprising: key means adapted for use with an associated lock means and having an electronic data memory therein with a plurality of interconnected stages operative to store a multiple bit key code and means for coupling said key means to an associated lock means by which said key code can be conveyed serially from said electronic data memory in response to a command signal; lock means adapted for operation with said key means and including receptacle means for said key means in operative association therewith; an electronic data memory for storing a key code received from said key data memory; at least two decoder means each having a plurality of inputs coupled to different predetermined bit positions of said lock data memory and each operative to provide an output signal in response to receipt of a respective code from said lock data memory represented by corresponding bit positions of said lock data memory; and logic means operative in response to each of said output signals from said decoder means to provide a utilization signal.

Claim 7

An electronic lock system comprising: a key adapted for use with an associateD lock and including a first multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit key code; a second multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit received enable code; comparator means coupled to said first and second data memories and operative to compare said key code with said enable code and to provide a command signal upon correspondence between said codes; and encoder means operative in response to said command signal to provide a coded output signal; a lock adapted for operation with said key and including an electronic data memory for storing a multiple bit master code; means for receiving said coded output signal from said key; means operative to compare said coded output signal with said master code and to provide a signal indication upon receipt of a coded output signal from said key corresponding to said master code; and logic means operative in response to said signal indication to provide a utilization signal.

Claim 8

An electronic lock system comprising: a key adapted for use with an associateD lock and including a first multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit key code; a second multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit received enable code; comparator means coupled to said first and second data memories and operative to compare said key code with said enable code and to provide a command signal upon correspondence between said codes; and encoder means operative in response to said command signal to provide a coded output signal; a lock adapted for operation with said key and including an electronic data memory for storing a multiple bit master code; means for receiving said coded output signal from said key; means operative to compare said coded output signal with said master code and to provide a signal indication upon receipt of a coded output signal from said key corresponding to said master code; and logic means operative in response to said signal indication to provide a utilization signal.

Claim 9

An electronic lock system according to claim 5 wherein said lock includes means for providing said enable code to said second data memory of said key.

Claim 10

For use in an electronic lock system wherein a lock includes a data memory for storing a master code and logic means for comparing said master code with a coded output signal received from a key and for providing an output indication upon correspondence between said master code and said key code, a key comprising: a first multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit key code; a second multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit received enable code; comparator means coupled to said first and second electronic data memories and operative to compare said key code with said enable code and to provide a command signal upon correspondence between said codes; and encoder means operative in response to said command signal to provide said coded output signal to said lock.

Claim 11

For use in an electronic lock system wherein a lock includes a data memory for storing a master code and logic means for comparing said master code with a coded output signal received from a key and for providing an output indication upon correspondence between said master code and said key code, a key comprising: a first multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit key code; a second multistage electronic data memory each stage being operative to store a respective bit of a multiple bit received enable code; comparator means coupled to said first and second electronic data memories and operative to compare said key code with said enable code and to provide a command signal upon correspondence between said codes; and encoder means operative in response to said command signal to provide said coded output signal to said lock.

Claim 12

An electronic lock system comprising: a key adapted for use with an associated lock and including decoder means operative to receive self-clocking data from said lock and to provide in response thereto a clock signal and a received data code; a first multistage electronic data memory operative in response to said clock signal to store said received data code therein; a second multistage electronic data memory operative to store a first key code; comparator means for receiving said first key code and said received data code and for providing a trigger signal upon correspondence therebetween; a third multistage electronic data memory operative to store a second key code; clock means operative in response to said trigger signal to provide a second clock signal to said third memory to cause readout of the second key code contained therein; and encoder means operative in response to data from said third data memory and to said second clock signal to provide a self-clocking output code to said lock; a lock adapted for operation with said key and including an electronic data memory for storing a master code; means for receiving said output code from said key; and logic means operative to compare said output code with said master code and to provide an output signal indication upon correspondence between said output code and said master code.

Claim 13

An electronic lock system comprising: a key adapted for use with an associated lock and including decoder means operative to receive self-clocking data from said lock and to provide in response thereto a clock signal and a received data code; a first multistage electronic data memory operative in response to said clock signal to store said received data code therein; a second multistage electronic data memory operative to store a first key code; comparator means for receiving said first key code and said received data code and for providing a trigger signal upon correspondence therebetween; a third multistage electronic data memory operative to store a second key code; clock means operative in response to said trigger signal to provide a second clock signal to said third memory to cause readout of the second key code contained therein; and encoder means operative in response to data from said third data memory and to said second clock signal to provide a self-clocking output code to said lock; a lock adapted for operation with said key and including an electronic data memory for storing a master code; means for receiving said output code from said key; and logic means operative to compare said output code with said master code and to provide an output signal indication upon correspondence between said output code and said master code.

Claim 14

An electronic lock system according to claim 8 wherein said third electronic data memory is operative to retain the code stored therein even after readout of said code.

Claim 15

An electronic lock system according to claim 8 wherein said clock means includes counter means operative in response to said second clock signal to increment to a predetermined final count and to provide a stop signal to said clock means to discontinue said second Clock signal after a predetermined number of counts.

Claim 16

An electronic lock system according to claim 10 including gate means for coupling the code contained in said third electronic data memory to said encoder means, said gate means being enabled by the trigger signal from said comparator means.

Claim 17

In an electronic lock system which includes a key circuit operative to store a key code, and a lock circuit operative to receive said key code and to provide an output signal upon receipt of a key code which corresponds with a master code stored in said lock circuit, means for energizing said key circuit including a transformer having a primary coil coupled to and physically associated with said lock circuit and a secondary coil coupled to and physically associated with said key circuit; and rectifier means included in circuit between said secondary coil and the power inputs of said key circuit for application of energizing power to said key circuit.

Claim 18

In an electronic lock system which includes a key circuit operative to store a key code, and a lock circuit operative to receive said key code and to provide an output signal upon receipt of a key code which corresponds with a master code stored in said lock circuit, means for energizing said key circuit including a transformer having a primary coil coupled to and physically associated with said lock circuit and a secondary coil coupled to and physically associated with said key circuit; and rectifier means included in circuit between said secondary coil and the power inputs of said key circuit for application of energizing power to said key circuit.

Claim 19

The invention according to claim 12 including a battery connected to the power inputs of said key circuit and operative to provide power thereto in the absence of interconnection of said key circuit with said lock circuit.

Claim 20

The invention according to claim 12 wherein said rectifier means includes first and second diodes each connected between a respective end of said secondary coil and one power input of said key circuit; and filter means connected between said diodes and the power inputs of said key circuit.

Claim 21

An electronic lock system comprising: a key having a structural member adapted for coupling with an associated lock; an electronic data memory within said structural member and having plural interconnected stages each operative to store a bit of a multiple bit key code; and means operative to provide light signals representing said key code; lock means adapted for operation with said key and including a receptacle for receiving the structural member of said key; means operative in response to said light signals to provide corresponding electrical signals representing said key code; and logic circuitry receiving said corresponding electrical signals and operative to compare said key code with a stored master code and to provide an output indication upon correspondence between said key code and master code.

Claim 22

An electronic lock system comprising: a key having a structural member adapted for coupling with an associated lock; an electronic data memory within said structural member and having plural interconnected stages each operative to store a bit of a multiple bit key code; and means operative to provide light signals representing said key code; lock means adapted for operation with said key and including a receptacle for receiving the structural member of said key; means operative in response to said light signals to provide corresponding electrical signals representing said key code; and logic circuitry receiving said corresponding electrical signals and operative to compare said key code with a stored master code and to provide an output indication upon correspondence between said key code and master code.