U.S. patent number 3,732,542 [Application Number 05/035,061] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-08 for electronic identification key actuated control system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to R. B. Phinizy. Invention is credited to Robert A. Hedin.
United States Patent |
3,732,542 |
Hedin |
May 8, 1973 |
ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION KEY ACTUATED CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
An electrical control system includes a controlled device, a key
for generating electrical signals representative of actuating and
identification information, means for selecting identification
information desired to be voided and means responsive to the
generation of voided identification information to prevent
operation of the controlled device. Sensing means are provided for
sensing the actuating information and providing an output control
signal for actuating the controlled device, and gating means gates
voided identification information to the means responsive to the
generation of the voided signals to prevent the sensing means from
actuating the controlled device.
Inventors: |
Hedin; Robert A. (San Pedro,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Phinizy; R. B. (Anaheim,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
21880389 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/035,061 |
Filed: |
May 6, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.31; 346/52;
340/5.32; 340/5.65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C
9/27 (20200101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07C
9/00 (20060101); H04q 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/149A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pitts; Harold I.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical key system for actuating a controlled device
comprising a plurality of electrical keys constructed on an
insulative carrier, each of said plurality of keys having a
preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit
paths representative of key actuating information and preselected
electrical circuit patterns representative of key identification
information, said plurality of keys including at least one group
with all of the keys in said group of keys having the same
actuating information to actuate the controlled device, said
identification information associated with each of said keys in
said group being unique for each key so as to identify each key
from other keys of said group having identical actuating
information,
a receptacle having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical
circuit paths for receiving one of said electrical keys which has a
corresponding electrical circuit pattern hereon so that the
placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit
patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with
one another,
a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to
be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with
the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical
output indications at the receptacle representative of the key
actuating information and the key identification information,
means for selecting key identification information to be voided so
as to render at least one key of said group which has actuating
information associated therewith which is normally operable to
actuate said controlled device and which key is identified with the
selected voided identification information inoperative to effect
actuation of the controlled device,
means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key
information upon placement of a key having voided identification
information associated therewith into said receptacle and providing
an output control signal for rendering the key associated with the
voided selected key information inoperative to actuate the
controlled device,
gating means responsive to said key identification information for
gating the voided selected key identification information to said
means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key
information to prevent actuation of the controlled device by a key
having the correct actuating information and voided identification
information associated therewith, and
sensing means for sensing the key actuating information for a
preselected actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing
signals representative of a matching relationship to actuate the
controlled device in response thereto or a mismatching
relationship,
said sensing means actuating the controlled device only when the
preselected actuating pattern is sensed and no voided selected key
identification information is gated by said gating means.
2. An electrical key system as defined in claim 1 including
recording means connected to be responsive to the electrical output
indications representative of the key identification information
for recording same as a "Good" or "Bad" key and the identification
of same.
3. An electrical key system as defined in claim 2 wherein the
recording means comprises a printer.
4. An electrical key system as defined in claim 3 wherein the key
and receptacle include a circuit path for generating an electrical
signal at the receptacle indicative of the correct positioning of
the key in the receptacle.
5. An electrical key system as defined in claim 1 including alarm
means connected to be responsive to the output control signal from
the means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key
information and/or the signal from the sensing means indicative of
a mismatching relationship.
6. An electrical key system comprising a key controlled device, an
electrical key constructed on an insulative carrier and having a
preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit
paths representative of key actuating information and a preselected
electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths
representative of key identification information,
a receptacle mounted for the key controlled device and having a
plurality of insulatively spaced electrical circuit paths for
receiving an electrical key having a corresponding electrical
circuit pattern thereon so that the placement of the key into the
receptacle positions the circuit patterns for the key and the
receptacle in electrical contact with one another,
a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to
be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with
the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical
output indications representative of the key actuating information
and the key identification information when the key and receptacle
and conductively coupled to one another,
means for selecting key identification information in a preselected
code to be voided so as to render keys identified with the selected
information inoperative,
means for converting the key identification information of a key
placed in said receptacle to the same preselected code as the
selected voided key identification information,
means responsive to the generation of voided selected key
identification information which has been converted to the same
preselected code as the selected voided key identification
information and providing an output control signal representative
of void relationship for rendering the key having the voided
identification information inoperative to actuate the controlled
device,
gating means for gating the voided selected key identification
information associated with a key placed in said receptacle to the
means responsive to the generation of voided signals to render the
key controlled device inoperative,
means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected
actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals
representative of a matching relationship or a mismatching
relationship,
means for combining the matching and mismatching signals and
providing an output actuating signal to allow the key to operate
the key controlled device only when the preselected actuating
pattern is sensed and no key identification output control signal
representative of a void relationship is present, and
printing means connected to be responsive to the electrical signals
representative of the key identification information of any key
inserted into the receptacle in an attempt to operate the key
controlled device.
7. An electrical key actuated controlled system for a controlled
area having two doors normally closed and each having an electrical
key receptacle mounted on opposite sides of each door for operating
an associated door latch, said electrical key system comprising a
plurality of electrical keys constructed on an insulative carrier,
each of said plurality of keys having a preselected electrical
circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of
key actuating information and a preselected electrical circuit
pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key
identification information, said plurality of keys including at
least one group with all of the keys in said group of keys having
the same actuating information to actuate the controlled device,
said identification information associated with each of said keys
in said group being unique for each key so as to identify each key
from other keys of said group having identical actuating
information,
a receptacle having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical
circuit paths for receiving one of said electrical keys having a
corresponding electrical circuit pattern thereon so that the
placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit
patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with
one another,
a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to
be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with
the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical
output indications representative of the key actuating information
and the key identification information,
means for selecting key identification information to be voided so
as to render at least one key of said group which has actuating
information associated therewith which is normally operable to
actuate said controlled device and which key is identified with the
selected voided identification information inoperative,
means responsive to the generation of voided selected key
identification information upon placement of a key having voided
identification information associated therewith in said receptacle
and providing an output control signal representative of a void
relationship for rendering the key inoperative,
gating means for gating the electrical output indication
representative of the voided selected key identification
information to the means responsive to the generation of void key
identification information to render the key associated with the
electrical output indication representative of the voided
identification information and which also includes correct
actuating information inoperative to actuate the controlled
device,
means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected
actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals
representative of a matching relationship to actuate the controlled
device in response thereto or a mismatching relationship,
means responsive to the signals representative of a matching
relationship and providing an output actuating signal to allow the
key to be operable for operating the door latch only when the
preselected actuating pattern is sensed and a signal indicative of
a matching relationship is present and no control signal
representative of void identification information is present,
means connected to be responsive to the key identification
information for recording the key identification information of
each key positioned in a receptacle and the manner of use of the
key at the selected door, and
means for controlling the sequence of information signals when more
than one key is employed at the same time to allow the latter
mentioned means to be responsive only to the first key
employed.
8. An electrical security system for producing a system output
signal for actuating a security device controlled jointly by
actuating control information and identification control
information, comprising:
means for generating coded electrical actuating signals
representative of actuating control information,
means for generating coded electrical identification signals
representative of identification control information,
means for selecting coded identification signals to be voided,
means responsive to predetermined coded actuating signals for
establishing said system output signal, and preventing the
establishment of said output signal when the coded actuating signal
is other than said predetermined coded actuating signal, and
means responsive to the generation of said voided coded
identification signals for establishing an identification output
signal which cooperates with said means responsive to predetermined
coded actuating signals to prevent the establishment of said system
output signal upon the generation of said predetermined coded
actuating signals,
said means for generating coded electrical actuating signals and
said means for generating coded electrical identification signals
comprising a key having said actuating control information and said
identification control information associated therewith, said means
responsive to the generation of said voided coded identification
signals establishing said identification output signal which
prevents establishment of the system output signal when the
particular key has associated therewith the information represented
by said predetermined coded actuating signals together with said
voided coded identification signals.
Description
This invention relates to an electronic identification key actuated
control system and more particularly to a system capable of voiding
out keys used for actuating the system and recording the user of
the key and whether or not a proper key was employed in an attempt
to actuate the system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There have been systems employed heretofore for monitoring and
controlling the entrance and exits or the controlled accesses of a
building, area, room, or the like. These systems for controlling
the access consist of having guards to monitor and control the
entrance so as to identify individuals by means of passes or the
like. To eliminate the need for guards for monitoring and
controlling entrances and exits, mechanical devices that recognize
particular keys for allowing access to a controlled area were
developed. In addition to the mechanical devices, magnetic cards
and punched hole I.D. cards have been developed so as to unlock the
controlled access door or the like to allow the user to enter or
exit the controlled area. These systems in general have proven to
be very expensive, complex and unreliable. In addition under
certain conditions these prior art systems have proved to be
inconvenient and have a limited capacity. At the present time there
is a need for an inexpensive key actuated electronic identification
and control system for monitoring and controlling entrances, exits,
etc. without resorting to cards and mechanical devices. In any such
system, an individual must not only be provided with the means for
gaining access to the area such as a key to unlock a door, for
example, but also some means must be built into the system for
identifying the key that is employed or attempted to be used
relative to the key owner.
Generally, in order to void out or render a particular piece of
control actuating information invalid it would be necessary to
change the control information lock and issue new keys or record
members that are operable with the new control information. It is
sometimes necessary to provide new control actuating information
for a record member or a key when one of the keys are lost or an
individual is no longer classed within the group of individuals
having access to a controlled area or the like. This may occur, for
example, when an employee previously having had access to an area
has been discharged. If a key is provided that not only includes
control actuating information for gaining access to an area but
also the identification information, the I.D., of the user of the
key, the "I.D." information may be void or rendered invalid without
affecting the remaining keys that are used in the system. It is
also advantageous in such key actuated systems to produce some
record and/or alarm when a key is employed for the purposes of
entering into a controlled area. It would be advantageous in such a
system to be able to record the key identification information at
the time it is attempted to be used as well as the particular point
of use. Thus when a key having improper control actuating
information or unlocking information is employed, a record of such
an improper attempt to gain access to an area can be recorded by
recording the "I.D." information. In the same fashion when a proper
entry is made through the use of a key having the correct control
actuating information a similar record may be produced. The
provision of a key actuated control system having the
aforementioned characteristics will have a tremendous value in
maintaining the security of a controlled access area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a relatively inexpensive, electronic
identification key actuated control system for controlling the
entrance and exit to and from a controlled access such as a door or
the like. The improved electronic identification key actuated
control system of the present invention not only controls the
accessability of the entrance and exit automatically through the
control actuating or unlocking information that is provided with
each key but also produces a record of the individual gaining
access or attempting to gain access through the controlled area.
The control system of the present invention utilizes a key
containing not only the desired control actuating information
capable of unlocking the controlled access but also a unique
identification number for the key relative to the user so that a
record is automatically produced identifying the one attempting to
use the key irrespective of whether or not the key is a valid one
by recording the "I.D." number, the point of use of the key, as
well as the time of use for the purposes of controlling the
security of such a controlled area. For this purpose, the control
system of the present invention advantageously employs an
electronic key of the type disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,392,558 in
the name of Robert A. Hedin and Alfiero F. Balzano granted on July
16, 1968. When a key of this type is employed for unlocking or
gaining access to a controlled area, the unlocking or control
information is recorded with the unique identification number
identifying the individual to whom it was issued and this control
and I.D. information may be sensed along with the control actuating
information and the accessability to the controlled area may be
controlled not only by means of the correct or proper control
actuating information but also through means for rendering
individual keys or groups of keys invalid by simply rendering the
I.D. information invalid. The system further includes means for
printing out the unique identification number or "Key I.D." along
with the means for recording the time and date of use and point of
use of the key. The point of use may have reference to a controlled
area having a front door and a back door so that the system has the
ability to identify the door that is being used and whether an
entrance or an exit is being made from the selected door. The
system of the present invention may also provide an alarm that is
rendered operative when an improper key such as a key having
improper control actuating information recorded thereon and/or I.D.
numbers that are considered as void or invalid. The alarm may
comprise either a visual alarm or an audible alarm or both. The
system of the present invention further has the ability to
recognize when two or more keys are inserted at the same time at a
multiplicity of controlled access and controlling the operation of
the keys in an inexpensive and reliable fashion.
More specifically the present invention is directed to an
electrical key system for controlling the access to an area wherein
the electrical key is constructed on an insulative carrier and has
preselected electrical circuit patterns of open and closed circuit
paths that are representative of the control actuating information
and also a similar electrical circuit pattern representative of the
key identification information. The coaction between such an
electrical key and a receptacle adapted for use with such a key
produces groups of signals corresponding to the pattern of open and
closed circuit patterns that may be identified in the binary system
of notation, for example, for representing the control actuating or
unlocking information as well as the key I.D. information. The
system further includes the means for selecting key identification
information to be voided so as to render the keys having matching
identification numbers inoperative. Such means may consist of a
simple patch board in which the selected I.D. numbers may be
selected on the basis of the common decimal system of notation. The
voiding means for selected I.D. numbers is arranged with means for
comparing the key identification information signals generated and
the selected key I.D. numbers to be rendered invalid and providing
the output control signal representative of a matching relationship
for rendering the key inoperative for gaining access to or from the
controlled area. This arrangement is employed in combination with a
logical network for sensing the control actuating or unlocking
information for determining whether or not the particular key is a
proper key for the controlled area. In the event a "bad key" signal
is generated as a result of the recognition of an improper
actuating information or improper I.D. number, the control device
or lock is not actuated. In the event no improper or "bad key"
information is detected the control actuating information is
allowed to operate the controlled device and access is gained to
the controlled area by the key user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the present invention may be more fully
appreciated when considered in the light of the following
specification and drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block-schematic diagram of an electronic identification
control system embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a key of the type capable
of use for the present invention and illustrating the relationship
of the control actuating information with respect to a receptacle
for such a key.
FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of the key of FIG. 2A but
illustrates the relationship of the control identification
information as recorded on such a key and its relationship to the
receptacle.
FIG. 3 is a block-schematic diagram of a key actuated system of the
type embodying the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic identification key
actuated identification-printing control system of the type
illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 5a and 5b form a schematic-block diagram for the electronic
identification system illustrated in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a decimal patch panel of
the type employed in the system of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the detailed organization of the
relationship of the decoded identification information and its
relationship with a patch panel of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the printer of the type
employed in the system of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an individual printing code
wheel for the printer of FIG. 8 and illustrating its relationship
to the I.D. decoding network.
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical record produced
by the printing system of FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment for
voiding I.D. information; and
FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment for voiding
I.D. information of the type of FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Now referring to FIG. 1 the basic concept of the electronic
identification control system will be described. Although the
electronic control system of the present invention is particularly
adaptable for controlling a lock or electric latch by means of an
electric key the system will be described in conjunction with FIG.
1 as it may be employed with means for generating the control
actuating information along with the control identification
information associated with the actuating information for operating
a controlled device. For this purpose, the block 10 is identified
as a means for generating the control actuating information and is
associated with a block 12 further identified as the means for
generating the control identification information. This information
will be entered into the system either at the same time for
sequentially in accordance with the specific means employed for
implementing the elements 10 and 12. It will be recognized that the
means 10 and 12 may comprise an electric key of the type disclosed
in the aforementioned U. S. Pat. No. 3,392,558. It will also be
recognized by those skilled in the art that the pattern of
information signals provided by the elements 10 and 12 may be
generated by other well known means such as by means of push
buttons, magnetic cards or the like.
The system illustrated in FIG. 1 further includes control
identification voiding selection means 13 for selecting certain
identification of "I.D." numbers to be rendered invalid for
operating the controlled device 14. The selected I.D. numbers are
compared by means of the I.D. compare 15 which receives signals
from the voiding selecting means 13 and the control identification
generating means 12. An output signal is provided from the I.D.
compare 15 only when a matching relationship between the generated
I.D. number and the selected I.D. number is sensed. When such a
matching or "bad" key signal is provided, it is coupled to an
inhibit gate 16 at the inhibit input terminal thereof. The output
terminal of inhibit gate 16 is connected directly to the controlled
device 14. It will be recognized that the means for selecting an
I.D. number to be voided may be implemented by many well known
arrangements such as patch panels, a series of switches or the
like. The means for generating the control actuating information is
associated with the control actuating information sensing element
17. Since the control actuating information may comprise signals of
two different kinds, the sensing element 17 may comprise logical
circuits for examining the information signals to determine whether
the correct actuating information or improper information has been
generated. Stated differently, the sensing unit 17 determines
whether good or bad control information has been generated for
operating the controlled device 14. When the generated control
actuating information is in terms of binary coded signals the
signals can be grouped into signals of different kinds, for
example, all the binary bits representative of the binary 1's will
be grouped together and the binary 0's will be grouped together.
The binary 1's may be considered as TRUE information, while the
binary 0 may be considered as FALSE information. Accordingly, the
element 17 comprises a conventional AND gate 17A and a conventional
OR gate 17B for examining the binary information signals of the two
kinds. For example the TRUE information or the binary 1's that are
required for actuating the control device 14 are grouped as input
signals to the AND gate 17A. In the same fashion, the FALSE
information associated with the correct or proper control actuating
information is grouped and characterized as the input signals to OR
gate 17B. Accordingly, when the correct information has been
generated at the unit 10, all of the input signals to the AND gate
17A will be in the TRUE state, while all of the signals at the
input to the OR gate 17B will be in the FALSE state. Under these
conditions, then, no output signal is provided from OR gate 17B
while an output signal is generating from AND gate 17A indicative
of the correct control actuating information. The output circuit
from the AND gate 17A is coupled to the remaining input for the
inhibit circuit 16. The output circuit for the OR gate 17B is
coupled in common with the output circuit for the I.D. compare 15
to the inhibit input of gate 16. It should now be recognized that
in the absence of an inhibit signal from either the OR gate 17B or
the I.D. compare 15, that when the correct control actuating
information has been sensed by the AND gate 17A, a TRUE signal will
be applied to the controlled device 14 to operate it. In the event
an inhibit signal appears at the inhibit gate 16 the controlled
device 14 will not be operated as no output signal will be provided
from the gate 16. It will also be recognized that the signal
applied to the inhibit input of gate 16 may be coupled to an alarm
for signalling that either invalid control actuated information has
been generated or that invalid I.D. information has been
generated.
With the above system organization in mind, the specific operation
of the system may now be better appreciated. Assuming that the
controlled device 14 is actuated only when the control actuated
information is represented by the group of signals 0110, the system
can then be examined in detail. It will first be assumed that no
I.D. numbers are selected to be voided. Under these conditions,
then, no inhibit signal is provided from the I.D. compare unit 15.
For the correct actuating information 0110, the two binary 1's are
grouped as the two inputs to the AND gate 17A. In the same fashion
the two binary 0's are grouped as the two FALSE inputs to the OR
gate 17B. Under these conditions, the logical conditions of the AND
gate 17A have been satisfied and therefore an output signal is
produced from the AND gate 17A. The output signal from the AND gate
17A is transmitted through the inhibit gate 16 to operate the
controlled device 14. At this same time the input signals to the OR
gate 17B are both FALSE and no output signal is produced therefrom.
It will be recognized that the logical condition for producing an
output signal from the OR gate 17B requires at least one true
signal to appear at one of the input circuits for the OR gates
17B.
If now the information generated by the control actuating
information element 10 is 0111, it will be recognized that the same
two binary 1's that represented the correct information 0110 will
be coupled to the AND gate 17A. The remaining two binary bits then
01 are coupled to the OR gate 17B. When this information is sensed,
a true signal will be provided from the AND gate 17A as well as
from the OR gate 17B, since one of the signals at the input to the
OR gate is a binary 1. Since both of these signals appear at the
input to the inhibit gate 16, the output from the OR gate will
inhibit the signal from the AND gate and no signal will be provided
from the gate 16 or stated differently, a FALSE signal will be
maintained so that the device 14 will not be operated. In the same
fashion then any other improper group of control signals generated
by the unit 10 will be inhibited and prevent the operation of the
controlled device 14.
In the system of FIG. 1, it can now be assumed that along with a
correct actuating information 0110 that the I.D. information 01 is
generated by the element 12. It will be further assumed that the
voiding selection means 13 has selected the I.D. information 01 to
be voided. Since the signal from the units 12 and 13 are identical,
this identification will be signalled by the I.D. compare unit 15
and the signal will appear at the inhibit input to the inhibit gate
16. At this same time it will be recognized that a TRUE signal will
appear at the other input to the gate 16 since the correct control
information 0110 has been generated by the element 10. This TRUE
signal, however, will be inhibited and the FALSE signal will be
maintained at the output of the inhibit gate 16 to prevent the
operation of the controlled device 14. It should be appreciated
that the void selection means 13 can be adapted to void out any
I.D. number associated with the control actuating information to
further restrict the accessability or the operation of the control
device depending upon the requirements for the system.
The above description with regard to the control system was broadly
described with respect to the means for generating the control
actuating information and the control identification information
for the purposes of the concept involved in this invention. In a
specific implementation of the present invention, the signal
provided by the elements 10 and 12 may be provided by a key system
of the type disclosed in the aforementioned Hedin et al. U.S. Pat.
No. 3,392,558. It will be recalled that the control actuating
information for such a key is arranged in terms of a pattern of
open and closed circuit paths arranged on an insulative carrier.
When such a key is employed with the system of the present
invention, then, a single key may be arranged with a group of open
and closed circuit paths for representing the control actuating
information and a group of open and closed circuit patterns for
representing the control identification information. All of this
information may be represented on one side of the key, which, as
disclosed in the aforementioned patent, is a printed circuit card;
or one type of information may be recorded on one side of the key
while the other type is recorded on the opposite side of the
key.
In FIG. 2, the control actuating information is diagrammatically
represented on one side of the key 20 while the "I.D." information
is represented in FIG. 2B on the opposite side of the key 20.
Referring initially to FIG. 2A, the arrangement for generating the
unlocking or control actuating information will be examined. It
will be recalled that the key 20 is constructed of a substrate or
insulative carrier 20A. On the one face of the carrier 20A there is
deposited the preselected circuit pattern comprising the control
actuating information. As illustrated in FIG. 2A the circuit
pattern consists of a common circuit segment identified as 20C and
extending from the right-hand edge of the carrier 20A inwardly to a
common segment extending transverse thereto and arranged adjacent
the opposite edge of the carrier 20A (the left-hand edge as
illustrated) and terminating in a conductive segment arranged
paralled to the segment 20C and identified as the segment 20I. As
illustrated in FIG. 2A there are three conductive segments arranged
between and parallel with the segments 20C and 20I. These three
segments are merely illustrative of a plurality of such paths that
may be utilized for generating the control information. The
segments reading from the top to the bottom as illustrated in FIG.
2A are further identified as the segments 20X, 20Y and 20Z. The
segments 20X and 20Z are connected in circuit relationship with the
segment 20C, while the segment 20Y has an open circuit or an
electrical discontinuity with the common segment 20C. This control
actuating information then, may represent the binary bits 101 for
the segments 20X, 20Y and 20Z respectively. Alternatively, this
same circuit pattern may be considered to represent the binary bits
010 depending upon the selection of an open or closed circuit path
for representing the binary bit 0 or 1.
As is more fully described in the aforementioned Hedin patent, such
a key 20 is employed with a receptacle for receiving the key 20 in
a conductive circuit relationship therewith. The receptacle 22,
illustrated in FIG. 2A, is illustrated with a plurality of
insulatively spaced conductive segments arranged to receive the key
20. The conductive segments are identified in FIG. 2A as the paths
22C, 22X, 22Y, 22Z and 22I, reading from the top to the bottom as
illustrated. These segments are spaced apart in accordance with the
spacing of the conductive segments on the insulative carrier 20A so
that when the key is inserted into the receptacle 22, the
conductive segments 20 and 22 overlie or are in electrical
engagement with one another. To produce the output signals from
such a key system a source of voltage is connected to the common
segment 22C for the receptacle 22. Accordingly, the engagement of
the key segment 20C with the common segment 22C applies voltage to
the key 20 and all of the segments connected thereto, namely, the
segments 20X, 20Z and 20I. If, then, the key is considered to
represent the control actuating information 101 when it is inserted
into the receptacle 22, the voltage pattern derived from receptacle
22 will be 1011. This pattern corresponds to the pattern of open
and closed circuits for the segments 20X, 20Y, 20Z and 20I. The
segment 20I is recorded on the key 20 to signal that the key has
been correctly placed within the receptacle 22 and therefore the
last binary 1 signal represents the "key-in" condition.
Now examining FIG. 2B, the opposite side of the key 20 or the side
recording the I.D. information will be examined. The same general
layout of circuit patterns will be found on the opposite side of
the key with the common segment being identified as the segment
20CI and arranged thereon in the same general fashion as the common
segment 20C. The information bearing segments comprise the
remaining segments on this side of the key and are identified as
the signals 20XI, 20YI and 20ZI reading from the top to the bottom.
It will be noted that the segments 20XI and 20ZI include electrical
discontinuities or open circuits while the segment 20YI is
electrically connected to the common segment 20CI. Accordingly, the
I.D. information derived from the receptacle 22, when the same
notation as for the control actuating information is utilized, will
be 010. It will be recognized that the information generated in
this fashion may be directly employed in the control system
illustrated in FIG. 1.
Now referring to FIG. 3, the generalized system diagram for an
electronic identification key actuated control system embodying the
invention discussed hereinabove and adapted for producing a printed
record of the attempts to obtain access to a controlled area. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, the controlled area may consist of a room in
a building, or a building having two accesses or two doors, such as
those identified as doors A and B. One of the most common
arrangements for a controlled area or building is the provision of
a front door and a back door allowing access thereto. The system
disclosed in FIG. 3, as distinguished from the previous
embodiments, also includes the ability to control not only the
access into an area but also controls the ability to enter and
leave the area by means of the key actuated system and to record
the entry or exit along with the point of entry as well as the
chronological date with respect to the point of use. A further
feature of the system of FIG. 3 is that in the event that two keys
20 are inserted into the door receptacles 22 at the same time, a
multiplexing arrangement allows one key to be essentially voided
out and the first key inserted to be operative, and the one key
being operative after the first key is removed from its receptacle
22.
As mentioned hereinabove, the points of entry into a controlled
area are identified as the two doors A and B. On the opposite sides
of the doors A and B there is a receptacle 22 for receiving a key
20 for controlling the traffic in both directions through the door.
A key 20 is illustrated arranged in the receptacle 22 that is
further defined as the "in" receptacle for the door A. The output
signals from the two receptacles 22 for the "A" door are connected
in parallel circuit relationship to the electronic sensing control
circuit and an electrical latch A further identified as a block 30.
The latch A is considered to hold the door A locked except when
operated by the proper key. Certain of the electrical lead wires
from both of the receptacles 22 for the door A are connected to the
unit 30 by means of a cable 31. The additional lead wires from the
receptacles 22 are arranged with a cable 32 and connected to a
control unit 33. The control unit 33 will be described more fully
hereinafter.
The door B is arranged in the same general fashion as door A and
includes a pair of "in" and "out" receptacles 22 having their
output lead wires connected in parallel circuit relationship to an
individual electronic sensing control circuit and electrical latch
B further identified as an element 34 for controlling the
operability of the door B. The selected lead wires from the
receptacles 22 are arranged within a cable 35 and connected to the
electronic sensing control circuit and electrical latch 34. The
remaining lead wires are arranged within a cable 36 and connected
to the control unit 33 along with a cable 32 for the door A. The
control unit 33 includes the control identification selection means
13 illustrated as a patch panel 13 for selecting the I.D. numbers
to be voided or rendered inoperative for operating either latch A
or latch B. The selected voided signals are employed along with the
signals derived from the cables 32 and 36 and arranged in a circuit
arrangement as mentioned hereinabove. In addition, there is
illustrated in FIG. 3 a printing unit 37 which is responsive to the
signals derived from the system for printing out the I.D. numbers
of the keys inserted into any one of the receptacles 22 and any
other desired relevant data such as the point of use of a key;
i.e., door A or door B or whether an entry or an exit was made, and
the time and date of use of the key. The date and time may also be
digitally displayed on the front panel of the control unit 33 as
diagrammatically represented by the elements 38 and 39. In addition
an alarm arrangement may be provided for indicating when a "bad
key" is attempted to be used and an audio and visual alarm is
provided on the control panel 33. The audio alarm is represented by
the element 40, while the visual alarm is represented by the
element 41.
The system of arrangement of FIG. 3 includes an inexpensive relay
multiplexing system which allows the printer unit 37 to record the
I.D. number of keys 20 that may be inserted in the doors A and B at
the same time. It will be noted that the lead wire 42 arranged with
the door A is connected to the input voltage line for the
receptacle 22. The lead wire 42 is arranged in series circuit
relationship with the normally closed contact 43 for the relay 44.
The relay winding 45 for the relay 44 is connected in circuit
relationship with the receptacles 22 for the door B. The relay
winding 45 is connected to the "key-in" segments of the receptacles
22 for door B for signalling the placement of a key within a
receptacle 22. Accordingly, upon the placement of a key 20 within a
receptacle 22 for the door B, the "key-in" lead wire 46 will have
voltage applied thereto and the relay winding 45 will become
energized and, in turn, cause its contact 43 to assume an
open-circuit condition. Accordingly, with a key in door B the power
will be removed from door A and therefore the system will operate
as if door A does not exist. In the same fashion, the "key-in" lead
wire 47 for door A is connected to the key-in segments for the
receptacles 22 at door A and to a relay coil 48 for the relay 49.
The relay contact 50 for the relay 49 associated with the winding
48 is arranged in a normally closed circuit relationship with the
"key-in" segments for the receptacles 22 at door B. Specifically,
the relay contact 50 is connected with the lead wire 51 for
supplying voltage to the receptacles 22 for the door B. The
operation of this latter mentioned arrangement is identical to the
one previously described so that when a key 20 is placed in either
one of the receptacles 22 for door A before any key is inserted in
the receptacles 22 for door B, the relay winding 48 will become
energized so as to operate or open its contact 50 and thereby
remove power from the receptacles 22 of door B. It will be
recognized that when the key is removed from the receptacle 22 that
the corresponding relay winding is deenergized and its associated
contact returns to its normally closed condition and applies
voltage, once again, to the controlled receptacles 22 rendering any
key placed therein later in time operative in the system.
Before examining the detailed operation of the system of the type
represented by the system diagram of FIG. 3, a more detailed block
diagram of the system will be described as an aid in understanding
the detailed system diagram to be described. The block diagram of
FIG. 4 is of the general type of the block diagram of FIG. 1 for a
system capable of producing all of the functions described in
connection with the system of FIG. 3. It is assumed that the keys
20 are to be employed in the system so that the insertion of a key
20 into a receptacle 22 will provide the key I.D. information as
well as the key actuating information to be processed by the
system. The key I.D. information is identified by the block 55.
While the key actuating information is identified by the block 56.
The key I.D. information is coupled to a unit identified as the key
I.D. decoding logic 57. In addition, as implied in connection with
FIGS. 2 and 3, the key further signals the point of use of the key
and such information is represented by the block 58 identified as
the I.D. of point of use of the key. It will be recalled that this
information represents the point of use or the door at which the
key is used and whether an entry or an exit is made in accordance
with the system diagram of FIG. 3. The I.D. information represented
by the unit 58 is coupled to a point of use decoder 59 which
decodes the information into a decimal system and is applied to the
printing unit 37 for printing out the point of use information. The
I.D. voiding select means is represented by the block 13 and is
coupled to the I.D. compare unit 15 along with the information from
the I.D. decoding logic unit 57 for providing a matching signal on
the lead wire 60 when voided I.D. numbers are detected so as to
inhibit the operation of the controlled device 14. The lead wire 60
is connected to the key actuating sensing unit 17. The sensing unit
17 has its output connected to the controlled device 14 for
operating same in accordance with the sensed I.D. information, as
previously described. The printer 37 is arranged with a printing
control unit 61 that receives the key-in signal appearing on lead
wire 62 as well as the decoded point of use or door I.D.
information on lead wire 63 and the decoded I.D. information on
lead wire 64.
Briefly, then, the operation of the system is such that with the
selection of an I.D. number to be voided and a key inserted into a
receptacle, the key I.D. information, the key actuating information
and the key-in information is generated. With these information
signals, the decoding circuits become operative to convert the I.D.
information into the same coded notation as the code for the
selected voided I.D.'s to allow the compare unit 15 to be operative
thereon. If a key having a voided I.D. number is employed then a
matching signal will be produced on the lead 60 to cause the
inhibit signal to be provided from the sensing unit 17 to prevent
the operation of the controlled device 14. At this same time, the
I.D. number will be printed out at the printer 37, along with the
identification of point of use of the key or the door at which the
key is inserted. If no voided I.D. number is detected the key
actuating information will be sensed and if the correct information
is present, the controlled device 14 will be operated as described.
It is important to note that at all times a key I.D. number is
introduced into the system that the key I.D. number is printed out
-- that is whether or not the key operates the controlled device
14.
Now referring to FIG. 5, the detailed block logic diagram for a
system of the type exemplified by FIGS. 3 and 4 will now be
examined in detail. The printing unit 37 employed in the system is
a conventional commercially available printer. The printer is
available from the Datatotal Company, 31 Park Road, New Shrewsbury,
N.J. This printer is a 12-column printer and is arranged with a
commutating printing wheel having the digits to be printed arranged
on the outer periphery of each wheel. The code wheels for the
Datatotal printer are coaxially arranged for printing all the
information on one line at the same time. The code wheels are
independently controlled for selecting the character on the wheel
to be printed in a particular column. The hammer is actuated after
all the code wheels are rotated to the desired position at which
time all the characters are recorded on paper. A typical record
produced by such a printing unit 37 is illustrated in FIG. 10. It
will be noted from examining FIG. 10 that the printed out
information may consist of the day of the year, identified by its
numerical relationship based on 365 days in a year rather than
identifying the month and day of the month. In the same fashion,
the time of day is recorded on a 24 hour basis. The remaining
columns record the printed out key I.D. information.
Briefly, then, the printing unit 37 will be considered prior to
describing its organization into the system of FIG. 5 with
reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
The printing code wheels are identified in FIGS. 8 and 9 by the
reference numeral 70. The code wheels 70 are provided with the
conductive segments 70C on one face thereof illustrated as the face
70A and arranged in a spaced apart relationship and aligned with a
character to be printed that is arranged on the outer periphery of
the wheel 70. Accordingly, for each of the digits 0 - 9 arranged on
the periphery of a code wheel 70, there is arranged on the face 70A
a conductive segment 70C. The code wheels 70 are provided with a
conductive arm 70B individual to each code wheel 70 that is
electrically engageable with conductive segments 70C as the wheels
70 are rotated. The rotation of the code wheels 70 is maintained
until the desired numeral to be printed out is positioned opposite
the hammer 71. When one of the arms 70B engages a segment 70C
adjacent the correct number to be printed out in a particular
column on the paper 77, the decoded I.D. signal in decimal notation
is coupled by means of the corresponding segment 70C, arm 70B to
the print control to arrest the rotation of the individual code
wheel. As illustrated in FIG. 8, this signal is coupled back to the
inhibit input terminal of the inhibit gate 94 so that the pulses
applied at its other terminal are not coupled to the associated
solenoid stepper and the print wheel remains in position. When the
inhibit signal is removed, the pulses coupled to the gate 94 appear
at the output of the amplifier 95 to actuate the associate stepper
motor 80 or 81 until the next character to be printed is located.
When all of the print wheels 70 are correctly positioned, the
hammer mechanism 71 is actuated and allows the printing out of the
information or the transfer of the characters from the code wheel
70 to the paper 72 in conventional fashion. As illustrated in FIG.
8, the hammer 71 appears as an elongated hammer extending opposite
all of the code wheels 70 to strike each of the code wheels
simultaneously. The hammer 71 is controlled by a solenoid 72 for
moving it against the code wheels 70 upon energization of the
solenoid 72 and allowing it to move back to its normal position in
response to the de-energization of the solenoid 72.
If the I.D. information that is coded on the key 20 is represented
in a numeral system of notation other than a decimal system, then,
for the purposes of this invention some means of decoding or
converting the I.D. information into the decimal system must be
provided in order to most economically control the code wheels 70.
For this purpose, the I.D. information may be arranged in terms of
the binary coded decimal system and therefore the decoder 57 will
convert the binary coded decimal signals into decimal signals. In
making such a conversion, then, the output of the decoder 57 will
have 10 output terminals each representative of one of the decimal
digits 0 through 9 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Each one of these
decimal output indications is connected to the corresponding
contact 70C for a code 70 as mentioned hereinabove.
Now referring to FIG. 5, the detailed block-logical diagram of the
control system will be examined. It should be recognized that FIG.
5 basically covers the logic for controlling the printer and the
voiding out of the selected I.D. numbers. The logic with respect to
sensing the control actuating information on the key 20 may be
identical to that illustrated by the block 17 in FIG. 1. The
idication of an improper key or bad key signal from such a logic
circuit 17 is combined with a bad key I.D. signal into the system
of FIG. 5, as will become apparent hereinafter. The system of FIG.
5 can be best considered in terms of the three broad sections as
delineated therein, namely, a power oscillator section, a decoding
section and a void section. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, a key 20
is illustrated in proper position in the receptacle 22 at door A
without reference to an entry or an exit. With respect to door B no
key is considered as being entered into a receptacle 22.
POWER/OSCILLATOR SECTION
The power oscillator section includes an oscillator 90 that
provides a pulse train for operating the stepper motors 80, 81 and
a stepper motor 91 for the code wheel 92 utilized for printing out
the door identification information. The oscillator 90 has its
output connected as one of the signals for the two-input AND gate
93. The output of the AND gate 93 is connected directly to a
triggering input to the inhibit gates 94 each arranged with an
amplifier 95 connected to the individual stepper units 80 and 81.
The oscillator 90 output is connected to the elements 94 by means
of the lead wires 97 which are connected in parallel circuit
relationship with one of the inputs for each of the gates 94. The
lead wire 97 is also connected to an inhibiting gate 98 as one
input thereof and the inhibiting circuit is connected to an
amplifier 99 connected to control a stepper motor 91. The remaining
signals or the inhibiting signals applied to the inhibit gates 94
and 98 are derived from the arms 70B for the printing code wheels
70 and the arm 92B for the printing code wheel 92. These signals
are applied directly to the inhibit input for the respective
inhibit gates. Specifically, the arm 70B for the code wheel 70
arranged in the upper portion of FIG. 5 is connected by means of
the lead wire 100 to the inhibit gate 94. The corresponding arm 70B
for the other printer code wheel 70 is connected by means of the
lead wire 101 to the corresponding gate 94. The arm 92B for code
Wheel 92 is connected by means of lead wire 102 to the inhibit gate
98.
As mentioned hereinabove, the receptacle 22 is constructed for
providing a "key-in" signal for signalling the presence of a key
being correctly positioned in a receptacle 22. The key-in signals
are provided on the lead wire 47 for door A and lead wire 46 for
door B. The lead wires 46 and 47 are coupled as inputs to an OR
circuit 103. The output of the OR circuit 103 is connected as an
input to the AND gate 93 by means of the lead wire 103A and is also
connected as one input for the AND gate 104 by means of the lead
wire 103B. The AND gate 104 is a four-input AND gate and another
input signal therefore is derived from the arm 92B of the printing
code wheel 92 appearing on lead wire 102 and coupled to AND gate
104 by means of lead wire 102A. The remaining two inputs to the AND
gate 104 are derived from the two code wheels 70 and are coupled
thereto by the lead wires 100A and 101A. These signals then
indicate the presence of a key in the receptacle and the fact that
the two code wheels 70 and the code wheel 92 are in a position to
have the characters printed out. Accordingly, the output of the AND
gate 104 is connected to a delay circuit 105 which in turn is
connected to a one-shot multivibrator circuit 106. The one-shot
multivibrator circuit is of conventional construction and provides
a pulse in response to the output signal from the AND gate 104. The
output from the one-shot circuit 106 is applied through an
amplifier 107 which in turn is coupled to the printing solenoid 72
for actuating the printing hammer 71. It should now be recognized
that the signal from the amplifier 107 will energize the solenoid
72 and thereby cause the hammer to strike the printing code wheels
70 and 92 and print out the characters at which the code wheels
have been arrested.
THE DECODE SECTION
It will be recognized that the decode section illustrated in FIG. 5
is arranged with only two decimal decades merely to simplify the
illustration of the invention. It will be recognized that any
number of decimal decades can be utilized depending upon the
requirements of the system. In FIG. 5, although only two decimal
decades are illustrated for the purpose of decoding, there is
indicated four such decades representative of the units, tens,
hundreds, thousands decimal decades. It will be recalled that the
I.D. information on the key 20 may be arranged in accordance with
any code. The I.D. information for use with the printing unit 37,
however, is arranged in accordance with the binary coded decimal
system based on the 8-4-2-1 notation. Since the code wheels 70 and
92 print out in the decimal system, the decoding network 57 is
employed to convert the four binary coded decimal bits to the
decimal coded signal. The binary coded decimal signals are derived
from the receptacles 22 and coupled to the decoding unit 57. The
decoding unit 57 per se may be of conventional construction.
The decoding unit 57 is illustrated as a pair of decoding units 57U
and 57T for decoding the binary bits representative of the unit and
tens decimal digits respectively. The circuits for the decoders 57U
and 57T as well as the input circuit organization and the output
circuit organization are identical and therefore only one of these
units need be examined. The decoding unit 57U, then, will be
described in detail. The four input signals representative of the
binary coded decimal I.D. information from the receptacles 22 for
the doors A and B are coupled to individual inputs for the
respective OR circuits 110. Each OR circuit 110 is arranged to
receive the binary bit of the same significance from the
receptacles 22 at doors A and B. Accordingly, these inputs are
simply identified as the A and B inputs for each of the OR circuits
110. It will be recognized that at any one time only one such bit
will appear in response to the placement of a key 20 into a
corresponding receptacle at doors A and B in accordance with the
above-described multiplexing arrangement. The output signals from
the OR circuits 110 are connected directly as inputs to the decoder
57U along with its inverted version which is inverted by means of
the individual inversion circuits 111 coupled to receive the output
from an individual OR circuit 110 and provide an input signal to
the unit 57U. The input signals to the decoding signal 57U
represent the true and false signals representative of the I.D.
information on the key 20. These signals can be stated in logical
terms as the signal A and the signal A for each binary bit. The
decoding unit 57U then converts the binary coded decimal signals
into a decimal indication represented by an output signal on a
single lead wire from the decoder 57U. It will be noted that the
output signals from the decoder unit 57U are 10 in number and are
identified as the decimal digits 0 - 9, reading from top to bottom.
Essentially then if the binary bits applied to the decoder 57U
represent the decimal digit 3, all of the output circuits from the
unit 57U will be in a FALSE state or low voltage state with the
exception of the one represented by decimal digit 3 which will be
in a TRUE state, or high voltage state. The output signals from the
decoding unit 57U are each coupled directly to the segments 70C of
the print code wheel 70. In addition, these same decimal signals
are connected directly to the decimal patch panel or the means for
selecting the I.D. numbers to be voided, generally represented by
the reference numeral 13. The relationship of the decoded output
signals with respect to the voiding selection means 13 will be
discussed hereinafter.
The decoding network illustrated adjacent the power oscillator
section is employed for providing the information relative to the
point of use of a key. The point of use of a key for this purpose
includes the identification of both an entry or an exit through a
particular door. This information is printed out by means of the
printing code wheel 92 for the printer 37 coacting with the
decoding unit 112. The decoding unit 112 receives the signals
representative of the door I.D. logic along with the signals
identifying a "bad key" being tried at door A or door B. The door
I.D. logic consists of the two input OR circuits 113 and 114 having
individual inverters 115 arranged with their output circuits and
providing the inverted version of the input signals to the OR
circuits as the input of the decoder 112 along with the TRUE signal
from the OR circuits 113 and 114. The two inputs to the OR circuit
113 may comprise the signal representing that a key has been
inserted in one of the receptacles 22 for door A or door B.
Accordingly, when one of these signals is TRUE, a TRUE output will
be produced and coupled into the decoder 112. In the same fashion,
the two inputs for the OR circuit 114 represent the A-out or B-out
signals. These signals indicate that an exit is being made at
either door A or door B. These latter signals are also applied as a
TRUE signal from OR circuit 114 and the FALSE version thereof.
The "bad key" signal derived from the I.D. compare 15 and the bad
key signal from the sensing unit 17 are connected together as an
input to the amplifier 116 which is responsive thereto. The bad key
signal is also provided with an inverter 117 to provide the
inverted version thereof so that both the TRUE and FALSE bad key
signal is coupled to the decoding network 112. The eight output
terminals representative of the decimal digits 1 - 8 provide a
unique output signal from the decoder 112. These output signals are
connected to the respective contacts 92C for the printing code
wheel 92. The decoding unit 112 in response to the signals applied
thereto provides a unique signal at one of the eight outputs to
signal the entry or exit from a particular door as well as whether
or not a good or a bad key has been tried in door A or door B. For
this purpose, the following logical table will relate a true output
signal from each of the eight output circuits from the decoding
unit 112 to the particular use of a key:
Output 1 true means good key entering door A
Output 2 true means good key exiting door A
Output 3 true means good key entering door B
Output 4 true means good key exiting door B
Output 5 true means bad key tried in door A entrance
Output 6 true means bad key tried in door A exit
Output 7 true means bad key tried in door B entrance
Output 8 true means bad key tried in door B exit
THE VOID SECTION
The key I.D. numbers to be voided are voided by means of the
decimal patch panel which is of well-known construction. The patch
panel is shown in more detail in FIG. 6 wherein the four decimal
decades representative of the units, tens, hundreds and thousands
are illustrated. Each decade has a pluggable circuit connection for
each of the decimal digits 0-9, as illustrated. Accordingly, for
any number to be voided a patch cord need only be inserted into the
pluggable circuit connection representative of the number. For
example, if the I.D. number 3,000 is to be voided a patch cord need
only be placed into the position 3 in the thousands column of the
panel. To integrate this selected number with the logical circuitry
for signalling the void number, a further group of pluggable
connection are arranged adjacent the patch panel as illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6. Four such pluggable circuit connections are
illustrated for representing the units, tens, hundreds and
thousands decades. Accordingly, to effect the selection of the I.D.
No. 3,000 the remaining end of the patch cord that has been
connected to the three position under the hundreds column will be
connected to the column identified as TH or thousands. These four
pluggable elements identified as U-T-H-TH are connected with a
logical network consisting of an inhibit circuit 120 and an AND
circuit 121. The pluggable connection identified as the thousands
is connected directly as an input to the inhibit circuit 120. The
remaining three pluggable connections are connected directly as the
three inputs to the AND gate 121. The output of the AND gate 121 is
connected in common with the inhibit circuit 120 which in turn is
connected to the OR circuit 122. The output of the OR circuit 122
is applied to an amplifier 123 which provides a signal indicative
of a "bad key" or a voided I.D. number.
It may be necessary to select any number of I.D. numbers to be
voided and for each such individual number a group of four
pluggable connections must be provided on the patch panel along
with the associated logic. For this purpose, then, additional
inhibit circuits 120 and AND circuits 121 are connected in the
identical fashion with the individual auxiliary pluggable
connections wherein the output lead wires from these auxiliary
circuits are all connected as individual inputs to the OR gate 122.
These elements function independently of each other and for the
purposes of voiding out individual I.D. numbers.
The combination of the inhibit circuit 120 and the AND gate 121 are
of a unique circuit configuration even though they appear to be
illustrated in FIG. 3 as conventional inhibit-AND circuits. The
unique circuit configuration can be best appreciated by examining
the details of these circuits as illustrated in FIG. 7. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, the inhibit circuit 120 essentially consists
of a resistor 120I having one terminal connectable to a source of
voltage (+E) but not normally connected thereto. The AND circuit
121 consists of a plurality of diodes corresponding to the number
of input circuits defined for the AND circuit. As illustrated,
three inputs are provided to the AND circuit 121 and accordingly
three diodes, identified as the diodes 121A, 121B and 121C, are
arranged for defining the three inputs to the AND gate 121. For
this purpose the anode electrodes of the diodes 121A, 121B and 121C
are all connected in common while the cathode electrodes are
connected as the input terminals to the AND gate 121. The common
connection for the diodes 121A, 121B and 121C is connected in
common with the remaining terminal for the inhibit resistor 120I.
The output lead wire which is illustrated in FIG. 5 as the output
lead wire from the inhibit gate 120 is connected to the common
junction between the resistor 120I and the diodes of the AND gate
121 further illustrated as connected as one of the inputs to the OR
circuit 122.
In the conventional logical circuit, power is applied thereto in a
static condition so that the circuit will be operative in response
to the signals applied thereto. In this particular arrangement in
order for the logical network comprising the combination of the
inhibit circuit 120 and the AND circuit 121 to be powered, the
input terminal for the resistor 120I must be connected to a source
of power. If this terminal is not connected to a source of power,
neither the inhibit circuit 120 nor the AND circuit 121 will be
operative. In the particular application illustrated in FIG. 7, in
order to power the circuit a patch cord must be connected to the
thousands (TH) terminal as illustrated and accordingly the network
will only be activated when the opposite end of the patch cord is
connected to a TRUE or positive voltage signal from the decoder 57.
Under these conditions, then, it is always necessary in order to
derive an output from the inhibit circuit 120 and AND gate 121 to
have the patch cord or source of power applied to the inhibit
resistor 120I.
Since the inhibit circuit 120 merely consists of the resistor 120I,
if power is applied to this resistor and no input signals are
delivered to the AND gate 121 an output signal will be delivered to
the OR gate 122. In the particular application in which this
circuit is used, for example, if it is desired to void out a group
of numbers beginning with 3,000 through 3,999, it merely becomes
necessary to use a single patch cord plugged between the 3 in the
thousands column of the patch panel and the thousands plug
connected to the resistor 120I. In this instance, then, the TRUE
signal from the decoder 57 will appear at the output of the inhibit
120 when the I.D. numbers falling within the range of 3,000-3,999
to signal a bad key.
Another aspect of the logical network comprising the inhibit
circuit 120 and the AND gate 121 is that irrespective of the number
of inputs to the AND gate 121, if at least one of the input signals
to the AND gate 121 is TRUE the circuit will be operative as the
circuit configuration is such that the other inputs are considered
to be floating or as if they were not in circuit relationship with
the activated input. In a specific example, if it is desired to
void out a group of numbers beginning with 3,100-3,199, it is
necessary to use two patch cords, one from the decimal 3 in the
thousands column to the thousands plug for powering the network and
one from the decimal digit 1 in the hundreds column of the patch
panel to the H plug leading into the AND gate 121 and in particular
the diode 121A. Under these conditions, a bad key will be signalled
at any time that a key having an I.D. number falling within the
range of 3,100-3,199 is attempted to be used. Even though the
conditions for the normal AND circuit are not met at the inputs to
the hundreds and tens, the diodes 121B and 121C do not effect the
circuit relationship of the resistor 120I and the diode 121A and a
bad key signal will be generated.
It is also important to note that the AND circuit 121 will function
as a TRUE AND circuit when all of its inputs receive a TRUE signal.
If, for example, it is desired to void out the I.D. number 1,234,
then a patch cord will be connected between the 1 in the thousands
column to the plug identified as TH, a patch cord from the digit 2
in the hundreds column to the H plug and a patch cord from the
digit 3 in the tens column to the T plug and yet another patch cord
from the 4 in the units column to the U plug. As mentioned
hereinabove, the circuit will only be operative when it is powered
and accordingly it becomes powered only for those digits having
numerical value of 1,000 and less than 2,000 but voids only the
number 1,234. To void such a number with the aforementioned logical
circuit then, it is required that each of the four inputs to be
TRUE and only under these conditions will a bad key signal be
delivered to the OR circuit 122.
In considering the operation of the unique logical network it
should now be recognized that power must be applied to the one
thousands plug or the free end of resistor 120I for the circuit to
be operative. Accordingly, if it is desired to void out a group of
numbers beginning with 300 through 399, it is necessary when using
the patch panel for 10,000 I.D. numbers to use two patch cords for
this arrangement in order that the circuit may operate properly.
Under these conditions the circuit is plugged in as if the
information was 0300 but using only two patch cords. The 0 digit
from the thousands column is plugged into the TH plug, while the 3
digit in the hundreds column is plugged into an H plug. It is
necessary to plug in the thousands plug in order that the circuit
may be powered and the selection is actually affected by the
hundreds patch cord. It must, of course, be recognized that if the
key numbers are small and it is required to void out a hundred
numbers such as between 300 and 399, the thousands column may be
omitted from the patch cord and accordingly the floating end of the
resistor 120I would be connected to the H plug and only two inputs
would be provided for the AND gate 121.
With the above structure in mind the operation of the system
illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described in detail. It will be
assumed that a key 20 coded in accordance with FIG. 2 is inserted
into the receptacle 22. Specifically, the key 20 will have the key
control actuating or unlocking information recorded thereon in a
preselected pattern of open and closed circuits and also control
identification information recorded in the same fashion. For the
purposes of the system embodied in FIG. 5, the I.D. information
will be considered as represented in binary coded decimal systems
based on the 8-4-2-1 notation. With the insertion of the key 20
into the receptacle 22, the contact on the receptacle for sensing
the insertion of the key will be activated from the voltage source
and a TRUE signal will appear on line 47 at the input of the OR
gate 103. The output of the OR gate 103 will also be TRUE and a
TRUE signal will then appear at the input of the AND circuit 93.
This key-in signal then gates the oscillator pulse train provided
by oscillator 90 through the AND circuit 93 to the inhibit circuits
94 and their associated amplifiers 95 thereby coupling the train of
pulses to the solenoid steppers 80 and 81 for the code wheels 70.
This will cause the code wheels 70 to be stepped or rotated an
increment corresponding to the spacing of the characters to be
printed on the wheel with each pulse that is received. As long as
the steppers 80 and 81 receive a signal from the oscillator 90 the
wheels 70 will be incremented. At this same time the oscillator
output from the AND gate 93 is coupled to the inhibited circuit 98
and its associated amplifier 99 to the stepper 91 for the print
code wheel 92. This code wheel 92 is stepped from position to
position in the same fashion as the code wheel 70.
With this action occurring, the information derived from the key 20
indicating the control actuating information or unlocking
information and the control identification information is applied
and sensed by their respective networks. Considering, first, the
application of the I.D. information to the decoding unit 57, it
will be noted that since the key 20 is inserted in the receptacle
22 for the door A that all of the A signals applied to the OR
circuits 110 that correspond to a closed circuit condition will be
in a TRUE state and the open circuits will be FALSE. This pattern
of binary bits is applied to the respective decoding units 57U and
57T along with their inverse state as derived from the inverters
111 wherein they are decoded to provide a decimal output signal at
one of their output terminals. These signals then are applied to
the conductive segments 70C for the code wheels 70. As, for
example, if the I.D. number represented on the key 20 is the
decimal digit 30. The code wheel 70 associated with the units
decoder 57U will provide an output signal when the code wheel 70 is
rotated so that the contact 70C is adjacent to the numeral 0 on the
periphery thereof whereby the arm 70B engages it and thereby
transfers the output signal from the 0 terminal of the unit 57U to
the lead wire 101 and to the inhibit input of the inhibit circuit
94 associated therewith. This, then, will inhibit the pulses from
the oscillator 90 from being applied to the amplifier 95 and the
stepper 81 whereby the rotation of the code wheel 70 for the units
digit is arrested.
At this same time a TRUE output signal will be provided at the
digit 3 output circuit from the decode unit 57T. In the same
fashion, when the code wheel 70 associated with the tens decoder is
rotated so that the contact 70C opposite the decimal digit 3
engages its arm 70B, the TRUE indication from the decoder 57T will
be transferred to the inhibit circuit 94. This circuit is through
the segment 70C, arm 70B and lead wire 100 to the inhibit input of
the inhibit circuit 94 thereby preventing the pulses from the
oscillator 90 from triggering the amplifier 95 and energizing the
stepper 80 thereby arresing the rotation of the code wheel 70 for
the tens decimal digit. It should be noted at this point that
before any indication of the validity or invalidity of the I.D.
number is signalled that the code wheels are in position to print
out the I.D. numbers. Accordingly, with the present invention, the
I.D. numbers recorded on the key 20 will be printed out by the
printer 37 at all times thereby recording the fact that the key
having a certain I.D. number has been employed for the purposes of
gaining access to or exit from the controlled area.
If it is assumed that it is desired to render the I.D. No. 300
invalid this is accomplished by inserting a patch cord into the
decimal patch panel at the decimal position 3 in the hundreds
column and the opposite end is plugged into the connection
identified as the H contact on the panel. At the same time a patch
cord is connected between the 0 decimal digit in the units, tens
and thousands in the column and the U, T and TH plugs for the patch
panel. This will void out all keys having the I.D. number 0300
only. Under these conditions, then, since the key 20 inserted into
the receptacle 22 has the binary coded decimal information
representing the decimal digit 300 recorded thereon, the
application of these binary bits to the decoders 57U and 57T will
provide a TRUE output signal at the 0 terminal of the decoder 57U
and 57T and 57H and the three terminal at the decoder 57H. This
will cause a FALSE signal to appear from the inhibit circuit 120
and applied to the OR circuit 122 providing the bad key output
signal from the amplifier 123. This voided I.D. number signal will
appear as an input signal to the amplifier 116 arranged with the
decoder 112. At this same time then even assuming that the control
actuating information for unlocking the system is correct, the door
will not be operated. At this time, also, the decoder 112 will
operate on the signals appearing at its input circuits. At this
time then a signal will appear on the A input for the OR circuit
113 and decoded by the unit 112. This will result in a TRUE signal
appearing at output number 5 indicative that a bad key was tried in
door A entrance. Accordingly, when the printing code wheel 92 is
stepped to the decimal 5 position, the TRUE signal will be
transferred by means of the segment 92C, the arm 92B and the lead
wire 102 to the AND gate 104 and to the inhibit input for the gate
98 for inhibiting the coupling of the pulse train from the
oscillator 90 to the stepper 91 and thereby arresting the rotation
of the print code wheel 92.
At this point, all of the code wheels for the printer 37 are in
condition to be struck by the hammer 70. Examining the input logic
for the solenoid 72 for the hammer 71 it will be seen that the
logical input conditions for the AND gate 104 are now satisfied. In
this respect the inhibit signal from the two code wheels 70
appearing on the lead wires 101 and 101A are both in the TRUE
state, as well as the key-in signal on lead wire 103B and the
signal from the code wheel 92 appearing on lead wire 102A.
Accordingly, the output signal from the AND circuit 104 is applied
through the delay circuit 105 to trigger the one-shot multivibrator
106 and a pulse appears at the output of the amplifier 107 that is
applied directly to operate the solenoid 72. This causes the hammer
71 to strike the code wheels and record the sensed information on
the paper or record member 77. The paper 77 is then advanced to the
next position (not shown) and prepared to to print out the next
group of information.
In addition to the above-described arrangement for voiding out key
I.D. numbers, an arrangement for voiding out before the decoding
operation can be utilized with the patch panel of the present
invention. Two equivalent arrangements are illustrated in FIGS. 11
and 12. It will be assumed that the illustrated elements 10 provide
the binary coded decimal information in the 8-4-2-1 notation. In
FIG. 11 each binary bit is connected to an individual switch 130 as
illustrated. The other terminals of the switches 130 are connected
in common to provided the "void" or bad key signal. If the system
is assumed to have one thousand I.D. numbers and the group in the
800's & 900's (800-999) is to be voided, switch 130 connected
to the 8 bit will be closed. This covers the two hundred numbers
since the 8 bit is used to represent 8 and 9 in the 8-4-2-1 binary
notation. In the same fashion, if all I.D. numbers from 400 to 799
are to be voided, switch 130 connected to the 4 bit need only be
closed.
The same groupings can be voided out employing the binary 8-4-2-1
patch panel 13' of FIG. 12. In this arrangement the binary bits
from the element 10 are connected to the corresponding bits on the
patch panel. The system is activated by a patch cord connected
between the panel 13' and the four plugs identified as the plugs 8,
4,2 and 1. A cord connected between the 1's, as illustrated, will
produce a bad key signal for all the numbers between 100 and
199.
It should be noted that the recording of the time at which a key is
employed may be recorded in a conventional fashion by the printer
37 and/or displayed at the control unit 33. As illustrated in FIG.
5, a timing motor 200 may be employed to pulse a one-shot
multivibrator 201 to provide the pulses to step an individual code
wheel as explained hereinabove.
It should now be recognized that the present invention has advanced
the state of the art through the provision of an improved,
inexpensive key actuated printing security system for controlling
and recording key information and voiding selected key information
for rendering it invalid in the system.
* * * * *