GB2356014A - An electronic time lock for a security enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic time lock (4) for a security enclosure (2), the electronic time lock (4) comprising audio response means (56), and the audio response means (56) being such that it provides a speech message consequent upon an input of command data, and the speech message being relevant to the command in the command data.

Description

2356014 AN ELECTRONIC TIME LOCK FOR A SECURITY ENCLOSURE This invention

relates to an electronic time lock for a security enclosure. The security enclosure may be, for example, a safe or a strong- room.

Electronic time locks for security enclosures are known. The electronic time lock provides a user with a variety of possible options. It often happens that users incorrectly select an option. Some of the known electronic time locks have a visual display of selected options but often operators do not look at the selected display, for example because they are in too much of a rush, or because the display is not located at a conveniently viewable position. Incorrectly selected options cause delay and may compromise security.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided an electronic time lock for a security enclosure, the electronic time lock comprising audio response means, and the audio response means being such that it provides a speech message consequent. upon an input of command data, and the speech message being relevant to the command in the command data.

The electronic time lock of the present invention is thus such that it provides an audible speech message consequent upon an input of command data. An operator is 2 thus conveniently able to hear this speech message. It is not necessary f or the operator to bend down and try and look at a visual message. Even if the operator is in a hurry and moving away from the electronic time lock, the operator can still hear the speech message. If the speech message corresponds to the message that the operator was expecting, then generally the input of command data will have been the correct and intended input. If the speech message is not what the operator was expecting, then generally the operator will have made a false input of command data. The false input of command data can be such that it is blocked by the electronic time lock and subsequently replaced by a new input of command data, or the electronic time lock may be such that the false input of command data is over-ridden by a subsequent input of command data. Irrespective of how the false input of command data is corrected, the operator is able conveniently to hear the speech message and then take appropriate action.

The electronic time lock may be one in which the speech message is relevant to the command in the command data by being a speech message which-is a spoken equivalent to the command in the command data. Thus, for example, if the command in the command data is to cause a door of the security enclosure to open, then the speech message may be "open door". If the command in the command data is to shut the door of the security enclosure, then the speech message 3 may be "close door". As an alternative or in addition to a simple speech message as mentioned above, the speech message may be relevant to the command in the command data by being a speech message which is an instructional message. Thus, for example, the instructional message could be "wrong input - try again" or "correct input - now go to next desired function".

Generally, the speech message will be generated consequent upon the input of the command in the command data.

The electronic time lock may be one in which the audio response means contains a plurality of the speech messages with each one of the speech messages being appropriate for one of a plurality of the inputs of command data, and in which the audio response means provides the appropriate speech message for the command data being input.

The electronic time lock will usually include function keys for inputting the command data into the electronic time lock. Depression of the function keys can then be arranged to cause generation of a speech message appropriate for that key.

The audio response means may be a plug-in audio response means for plugging into the remainder of the electronic time lock. Other arrangements for the audio response means may be employed so that, for example, the audio response means may be a built in part of the electronic time lock.

4 The electronic time lock may be one in which the audio response means includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and a speech processor, and in which the speech processor is operatively connected to the DRAM in order to keep the DRAM functional. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the audio response means may be a PROM (Programmable Read only Memory). A PROM does not require a speech processor to keep it functional.

Apart from the provision of the audio response means, the electronic time lock of the present invention may otherwise be constructive and arranged to operate as for known ele.ctronic time locks.

The present invention also extends to a security enclosure when provided with the electronic time lock. As indicated above, the security enclosure may be a safe or a strong room.

The security enclosure may comprise an inner compartment fixed within an outer compartment, the inner and outer compartments each having their own door. One or both doors may then be arranged to operate under the control of the electronic time lock. Alternatively, if desired, the security enclosure may be one without an inner compartment.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by, way of example and -with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a security enclosure in the f orm of a safe with its door open, the door being provided with an electronic time lock; Figure 2 shows the safe of Figure 1 with its door closed; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part of the electronic time lock shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a block circuit diagram of audio response means forming part of the electronic time lock shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a security enclosure in the form of a safe 2 which is provided with an electronic time lock 4. The safe 2 has a body portion 6 and a door 8. Figure 1 show a door 8 in an open position, whilst Figure 2 shows the door 8 in a closed position.

The inside of the door 8 is provided with the majority of the electronic time lock 4. The electronic time lock 4 has control means in the form of a control unit 10 which is programmable by a programming device (not shown). The programming device is separable f rom the electronic time lock 4 so that the programming device is removable af ter the control unit 10 has been programmed to a user's requirements. The control unit 10 and the programming device have recognition codes which, unless cleared, prevent the programming device from programming the control 6 unit 10. The programming device may operate in any generally known programming mode.

The saf e 2 includes a rotatable handle 12 and a key operated lock part 14 which is operated by means of a key 16.

The control unit 10 is such that it is able to cause the electronic time lock 4 to carry out a plurality of functions such for example as locking the door 8 for predetermined periods of time, and opening the door 8 for predetermined periods of time.

The control unit 10 has a control panel 12 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The control panel 12 has a plurality of function keys 18. As shown in Figure 3, there are the following function keys 18:

(a) a Monday function key; (b) a Tuesday function key; (c) a Wednesday function key; (d) a Thursday function key; (e) a Friday function key; (f) a Saturday function key; (g) a Sunday function key; (h) a close 1/2 day function key; (i) a change function key; (j) a lock function key; (k) a cancel function key; and (1) a delay function key.

7 The above mentioned function keys will readily be identified from the appropriate shortened wording above the various keys as shown in Figure 3. As also shown in Figure 3, there is a programmer input socket 20 for enabling the programming device to be connected to the control unit 10.

The electronic time lock 4 may also be provided with a light sensor. When the door 8 is open, various lights on the control unit 10 will be on. However, when the door 8 is closed, the control unit 10 will not be visible.so there is no need to have these lights on. Thus, when the door 8 is closed, it becomes dark inside the safe 2 and the light sensor senses the absence of light. The light sensor then switches the light off. As the door 8 is opened, the light sensor senses the light from the surrounding environment and it allows the lights as required on the control unit 10 to come on. Thus the light sensor is effective to conserve power.

As can be seen from Figure 1, a safe bolt part 22 of the safe 2 includes a housing 24, a sliding bolt 26 and a pivoting arm 28. A housing 30 is provided for containing one or more batteries for use in the event of a mains power failure. The various electrical connections between the control unit 10 and the housings 24, 30 are made via ribbon cables 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 as shown.

As can be seen from Figure 2, when the door 8 is closed, essentially the only part of the lock 4 that is visible is a liquid crystal display means 42 having a 8 display panel 44. The display panel 44 gives appropriate visual messages to a user and thus facilitates maintaining and controlling progress during opening and closing sequences of the lock 4. The liquid crystal display means 44 is connected to an electrical cable 46 as shown.

As shown in Figure 4, a microphone 48 forms part of an audio response means 56. The audio response means 56 also comprises a speech processor 58 which receives input from a dual 4-way OR gate 60. Data is input into the gate 60 via lines 62 as shown.

The audio response means 56 also includes four interconnected pairs of DRAMs 62 and data switches 64. Data out from the switches 64 is via a dual 4-way OR gate 66 as shown. Input into the data switches 64 is via lines 68 from the function keys 18 on the control unit 10.

As shown in Figure 4 via the brackets 70, 72, the speech processor 58 is connected to the DRAMs 62 in order to refresh the address and to control the DRAMs 62 in order to keep them live. For simplicity of illustration, only one of the DRAMs 62 and the switches 64 with their appropriate connections have been shown in detail, and the other DRAMs and the data switches 64 with their appropriate connections have been shown in broken lines.

The audio response means 56 is such that it provides a speech message consequent upon an input of command data. The speech message is relevant to the command in the command data. More specifically, the speech message is 9 relevant to the command in the command data by being a speech message which is spoken equivalent to the command in the command data. Thus, for example, if a function key is pressed to open the door 8, then the speech message that will be heard may be "open door".

The speech message is generated consequent upon the input of a command via the function keys 18. The audio response means 56 is such that it contains a plurality of the speech messages with each one of the speech messages being appropriate for one of the plurality of the inputs of command data. The audio response means 56 provides the appropriate message for the command data being input. This is effected by appropriately connecting the function keys to the speech processor so that the appropriate speech message is always obtained from the speech processor 58. The appropriate message may then be output via line 74 to an amplif ier 76 and from the amplifier 76 to the speaker 48.

When an operator operates one of the function keys 18, the appropriate speech message is automatically heard via the speaker 48. The operator is thus able immediately and conveniently to be informed if the correctly intended command has been given. If an incorrect command has been given, the operator can equally quickly and conveniently be informed. Corrective action can then be taken as appropriate.

It is to be appreciated that -the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, f or example, the speech message may be given in any suitable and appropriate language. The messages may be of any suitable and appropriate duration, for example up to 7 - 8 seconds long. If desired, the speech message may include instructions for correcting a previously made mistake. Alternatively, the speech message may simply tell the operator what command has been input and the consequences of that action. The speech message may also give a speech message of a low battery or the need for some other type of repair. The audio response means 56 is shown in Figure 1 as a plug-in auxiliary unit to the control box 10. but it may alternatively be formed as an integral part of the control box 10 if desired.

Claims (11)

1. An electronic time lock for a security enclosure, the electronic time lock comprising audio response means, and the audio response means being such that it provides a speech message consequent upon an input of command data, and the speech message being relevant to the command in the command data.

2. An electronic time lock according to claim 1 in which the speech message is relevant to the command in the command data by being a speech message which is a spoken equivalent to the command in the command data.

3. An electronic time lock according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the speech message is relevant to the command in the command data by being a speech message which is an instructional message.

4. An electronic time lock according to any one of the preceding claims in which the speech message is generated consequent upon the input of the -command in the command data.

5. An electronic time lock according to any one of the preceding claims in which the audio response means contains a plurality of the speech message with each one of the 12 speech messages being appropriate for one of a plurality of the inputs of command data, and in which the audio response means provides the appropriate speech message for the command data being input.

6. An electronic time lock according to any one of the preceding claims and including function keys for inputing the command data into the electronic time lock.

7. An electronic time lock according to any one of the preceding claims in which the audio response means is a plug-in audio response means for plugging into the remainder of the electronic time lock.

B. An electronic time lock according to any one of the preceding claims and including a. DRAM.(Dynamic Random Access Memory) and a speech processor, and in which the speech processor is operatively connected to the DRAM in order to keep the DRAM functional.

9. An electronic time lock substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A security enclosure when provided with an electronic time lock according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A security enclosure according to claim 10 and which is in the form of a safe or a strong-room.