WO1990010134A1

WO1990010134A1 - Key or card security device

Info

Publication number: WO1990010134A1
Application number: PCT/FR1989/000068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc-François ANGELUCCI
Original assignee: Angelucci Marc Francois
Priority date: 1989-02-22
Filing date: 1989-02-22
Publication date: 1990-09-07
Also published as: JPH03504032A; KR920700341A; EP0412969A1

Abstract

The top-security device comprises a grid (1) with numerous holes or slots (2, 3), the entrances of which are sealed by flaps or shutters (4) provided for composing a code before insertion of the key or card (6) into the correct hole or slot (2). The hole or slot (2) consists of means (10, 11) sensitive to the introduction of the correct key or card (6), which when placed in the correct position, trigger the opening/closing or the locking/unlocking of the protected part, as for example a door (16). The other holes or slots (3) may be only decoys, with means for detecting the insertion of an object which are connected to an alarm (21) and/or deactivating means. Application: the building sector, safe boxes, vehicles, electric and electronic materials and the like.

Description

Key or card security device

The present invention relates to a code locking assembly, high security, which is presented as a kind of panel or control block, from which a signal or signals or order (s) leave to feed one or more lock (s) ) or electric motor (s) or other actuator (s) which will cause blocking (s) or unblocking of the part or parts to be protected such as: doors, windows, shutters in the field of buildings, as well as chests, furniture, or even in the field of vehicles of all mechanical (s) or electrical (s), or even digital (s) bodies. The invention also applies in the field of electrical or electronic equipment; in this case, it allows either blocking or unblocking mechanical parts such as levers, keyboards, etc., or cutting off one or more electrical or electronic circuits preventing, for example, penetrate the program (s) of a computer or terminal, and it still applies to many other fields such as telephones, clocks, cameras, etc.

Although it provides sufficient security by itself, this device can, as required, be coupled with all kinds of alarm or monitoring systems, programming clocks or even with devices making it possible to neutralize one or more intruders.

More particularly, this invention can be considered as an improvement of the previous French patent n ° S301496 / 2539795 in the name of the Applicant, supplemented by the French Addition Certificate n ° 8316313/2155139, which already describes a safety device for closing and opening doors, windows and the like, the device comprising a grid with a plurality of holes or slots, each capable of receiving a key. At least one of the holes or slots is associated with means sensitive to the introduction of the appropriate key and connected to locking / unlocking control means, while all the other holes or slots of the grid are devoid of such means. At least part of the holes, other than that or those provided for the effective control of opening / closing or blocking / unblocking, are associated with means sensitive to the introduction of any object and connected to means alarm. Reference is also made to the European patent, corresponding N ° 0 1 16 001 in the name of the Applicant.

With such a safety device, not only must you have the appropriate key, but you must also insert it into the "right" hole and this in a good way, if not in all other cases, it will be impossible to cause biocage / unlocking of the closing / opening of the protected part. It is therefore understood that the greater the number of holes or slits, the lower the chances of being able, by chance alone, to provoke the action to be controlled by the device.

In addition, to make it even more difficult the attempts consisting in forcing the device while trying to introduce an object (or even the right key) successively into all the holes of the grid, the aforementioned sensitive means lead to the triggering of an alarm, and possibly other protective actions, in the case of such maneuvers.

The documents cited above also provide, as a complementary arrangement for the "bad" holes, electrical contacts activated by valves which normally block the inputs of all the holes, these contacts being added to other internal electrical contacts, and all these contacts being placed on electrical circuits leading to the alarm. The valves thus cause the triggering of the alarm, whatever the shape and the depth of introduction of the object with which one would try to force the device.

Furthermore, with regard to the or each "good" hole (or the "good" slot) of the grid, the aforementioned documents provide for contacts or electrical contact pads, capable of being actuated by the introduction of the suitable key in this hole (or slot).

Based on this state of the art, the present patent application proposes to further greatly improve the type of device considered here, in terms of safety and reliability, in particular by assigning the valves an additional and new function, and also by providing sensitive means other than pads or electrical contacts.

To this end, the invention relates to a key or card, or key and card security device, comprising a plurality of holes and / or slots capable of each receiving a key or card, at least one of the holes and / or fentςs being associated with means sensitive to the introduction of the suitable key or card and connected to opening / closing or blocking / unlocking control means, while the other holes or slots may be devoid of such means, but are preferably connected to alarm and / or neutralization means of the opening system. ture / closing or biocage / unlocking, flaps or flaps associated with electrical means being provided in addition to the entrances of all the holes and / or slots and which can also be connected to an alarm and / or to means for neutralizing the system , the device being characterized in that the said flaps or flaps are provided to serve as coding means by successive actuation of these flaps or flaps, in association with means for identifying the code thus issued, in order to give an authorization for the command opening / closing or blocking / unlocking.

Thus, the flaps or flaps are used here for programming a kind of code, and it is only after execution of such a preliminary coding maneuver that the introduction of the "good" key or card, in the "good "hole or" good "slot will be effective in causing the system to open or unlock. Otherwise, an alarm and / or a neutralization of the system will be put into operation, the neutralization being able to be caused instantly, from the first incorrect touch of a flap or flap.

It is understood that the coding, ensured by the actuation of valves or shutters determined according to a programmed sequence, is added to the "combination" specific to the key and to the fact that only one or more holes are the right ones, to increase still considerably the overall security, and thus provide a very high security device. In particular, thanks to the invention, even possession of the "correct" key, and possible knowledge of the "correct" hole (s), does not make it possible to obtain the opening / closing or locking / unlocking action. . In addition, starting from the basic principle of a grid with multiple holes, the overall security of the system will be greater the higher the number of holes, since the multiplication of holes is naturally accompanied by a multiplication valves and, therefore, coded combinations achievable using these valves.

This set of valves also allows the authorized user of the device to program a personalized code, the first time the device is used, and, if necessary, to modify the code later, while the key itself may not be personalized which leads to simplification and savings in terms of manufacturing without compromising security, and above all avoids the multiplicity of keys for use. sator.

While cooperating with each other for the formation of the code, the flaps or flaps retain their individual function of controlling the introduction of any object into a hole or a slot. To this end, said flaps or flaps are advantageously associated with delay means, provided so as to only trigger the alarm and / or neutralization after a certain period of time, so as to allow the formation of the code by actuation of these flaps or flaps in the desired order, then the introduction of the key or card into the "correct" hole or the "correct" slot for recognition by the normally authorized user, without triggering inadvertently I alarm or neutralize.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device comprises at least one key or card in which one or more openings or notches or the like are provided, while the "good" hole (s) or "good" slots are provided with emitting means and light ray receivers or the like, with an arrangement corresponding to that of the key or card openings or notches. The emitting means are, for example, light-emitting diodes, and the assembly allows an optical recognition of the "good" key or card by eliminating the risks of wear or breakdowns generated by the electrical contacts previously used.

Preferably, the aforementioned transmitting and receiving means are arranged on a preferably tubular guide, provided behind the entry of the hole or of the slot, to receive the key or the card, and at any place from which is disposed at least a sensitive means ensuring the electrical supply of said transmitting and receiving means, this sensitive means itself being actuated by the introduction of the key or card into the hole or the slot. Thus, the supply of photoelectric transmitters and receivers may not _. s be permanent, the electric current being released in these components and in the associated circuits only at the time of authorized use of the device, which leads to a significant reduction in the consumption of electrical energy by the device, and makes it possible to reduce the importance of the preferably autonomous energy source, such as battery (ies) or battery (ies), rechargeable or not, which powers this device.

Although an advantage of the present invention is simplicity of the key or card belonging to the device, the advantage of keys having certain characteristics can appear in various cases of application. The following specific provisions may be retained:

- double key composed of a hollow external element and an internal element, which must be brought into a predetermined relative position (angular and / or axial);

- Rod key preferably cylindrical provided with a rotating head, avoiding visual recognition of the correct angular position of introduction by a person other than the authorized user. It should be noted that, in the case of flaps or flaps which are erased by a movement directed towards the inside of the corresponding holes or slits, the actuation of these flaps or flaps for coding is easily achievable by means of the key or card itself, pushed towards the entry of the holes or slots. In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, as non-limiting examples, some embodiments of this key-operated safety device or card;

- Figures 1 and 2 are front views of two grids, of different configurations, usable in the safety device object of the invention;

- Figure 3 is an overall view, very schematic, of a safety device according to the invention, the grid being seen in profile and in section, and a particular application being illustrated; _ Figure shows in more detail, in longitudinal section, a hole in this grid with the corresponding key inserted into the hole;

- Figure 5. is a cross-sectional view of this hole, along V-V of figure; - Figures 6 and 7 show particular keys, usable with a security device according to the invention.

The safety device shown in the drawing comprises, as a visible and accessible part from the outside for its control, a grid 1 which can be of any shape, for example rectangular as shown in FIG. 1, or circular as shown in FIG. 2. The grid 1 is placed on the object to be opened or unlocked, such as a door, or in a fixed position near or at a distance from this object. This grid 6 1 has multiple holes or slots 2,3, arranged in a grid or in any other distribution. FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, 2,3 circular holes, suitable for receiving a preferably cylindrical shank key, while the figure indicates elongated slots 2.3. adapted to receive a portable flat element called a "card", constituting here the equivalent of a key. Combinations of holes and slots, capable of receiving keys and / or cards, are also possible.

For the explanation of the use of the device, one distinguishes here the "good" hole (s) (or slots) 2, which are known to the usual user and where the introduction of a suitable key (or card) causes or authorizes an opening / closing or blocking / unlocking action. The other holes (or slots) 3 do not allow, except in special cases, opening / closing or blocking / unblocking, that any object or even the "correct" key (or card) is introduced into it. We will return below to the internal provisions relating to these holes (or slots) 2, 3.

According to an essential aspect of the invention, the holes (or slots)

2.3 of grid 1 are all provided, at their entrances, with flaps or shutters

<V, in particular pivotally mounted, or any similar means, which in normal position close these holes (or slots) 2, 3. The valves or flaps are provided here for programming and composing a kind of personalized code, introduced by a particular sequence using these flaps or shutters like keys on a keyboard, and consisting, for example: in actuating the ciapet twice. of the first hole then three times the valve of the fourth hole, and finally once the valve of the fifth hole. Coding is therefore characterized by the definition of valves to be actuated in a certain order, and possibly several times in succession for the same valve. Each valve or shutter is associated with a means such as electrical contact 5, connected by an electrical connection to an internal electronic circuit C which identifies the code thus composed, which compares this code to that initially programmed, and which. depending on the result of the comparison, can: either give an authorization for the opening / closing or blocking / unlocking control, or not authorize this command, and if necessary trigger an alarm and / or neutralization of the opening / closing or blocking / unlocking system.

In the case of normal use of the device, immediately after the preliminary operation consisting in forming the code by means valves or shutters 4, the user introduces his key 6 in the "good" hole 2, to effectively cause the opening / closing or blocking / unlocking action previously authorized. FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate the means used here, in the case of an optical recognition of the "good" key 6 and of the correct insertion position of this key 6.

To this end, each hole 2 or 3 of the grid 1 comprises, behind its inlet provided with the valve or flap 4, a preferably tubular guide 7 delimiting a cylindrical or other housing. The guide 7 comprises, 0 on its periphery, pairs of orifices 8, 9 disposed opposite one another at the extremi¬ ties of a diameter, one of the orifices 8 receiving a light emitter, such that a light-emitting diode 10, while the other corresponding orifice 9 allows the mounting of a photoelectric receiver 1 1. The opto-electronic components can, in a variant, be located -5 ^* remotely and connected by optical fibers at the periphery of the guide 7. A source ^" of electrical energy, such as pole (s) or battery 12, preferably rechargeable, supplies all the transmitters 10 and receivers 1 1 by appropriate circuits 13. A means electric sensitive 1 is disposed in the guide 7 located behind the inlet of the hole 2, and ^ is connected (in a manner not shown) to the circuits 13. so as not to supply the latter, therefore the transmitters 10 and receivers 1 1, only from the moment when the key 6 is introduced into the hole 2. The electric sensitive means 14 can be a contact, placed at the bottom of the guide 7 and actuated when the key 6 is fully inserted into the hole. The key 6 itself comprises, as shown in particular in Figure 4, a preferably cylindrical rod pierced with diametrical traver¬ santes openings 15 whose axial and angular arrangement corresponds to that of the transmitter 10-receiver 11 pairs carried by the guide tubular 7 of the "good" hole 2. Thus, the introduction of this key 6 into the hole 2, 0 _in an appropriate angular position, allows the transmission of light rays between the emitters 10 and the receivers 11 associated through the openings 15. A boss may be provided at the end of the key 6, to act on the contact 14 and cause the power to the transmitters 10 and receivers 1 1. -5 The key 6 is thus recognized, and the device can then cause the desired opening / closing or blocking / unlocking action. FIG. 3 illustrates, by way of example only, the possible application of the device when blocking / unblocking a door 16. Recognition of the key 6 (resulting from the composition of the code using flaps or flaps 4) here causes the supply of one or more electric motors 17, which for example move vertical bars 18 or other members, from top to bottom or from bottom to top or in any desired direction, these bars 18 being able to directly lock or unlock the door 16, and / or block or unlock locks 19 and / or a lock 20.

The device can also include an alarm 21, supplied by the energy source 12, which is triggered in the event of a false operation

10 or attempt to force the device, at the same time as the system is neutralized. In particular, the alarm 21 can be triggered in the event of a false maneuver or an attempt to force the device. Thus, alarm 21 and / or neutralization can be triggered:

- in the event of non-composition of a code or composition of an ^ inaccurate code using valves 4, even if the "correct" key is used, and especially when touching a valve that does not is not the one to be action¬ born first:

- in the event of the insertion of any object, or even of the "good" key, in a hole 3 other than the "good" hole (s) 2; - In the event of introduction, into a "good" hole 2, of a key which is not suitable.

The detection of the introduction of objects into holes 3 other than the "good" hole (s) is ensured by the electrical means 5 associated with the valves 4 placed at the inputs of these holes 3, as well as by emitter pairs 5 10- receiver 1 1 carried by the tubular guides 7. Thus, the alarm 21 is triggered in particular if a malicious person:

- use any object, instead of the "right key", to force the device,

- ignores the obligation to compose the code using the valves ^ 4, or does not know the right way to compose this code,.

- Possibly has the "correct" key, or even the code, but is not aware of the "correct" hole (s), or the correct angular position for inserting the key.

This device includes a time delay, giving the user ^ the time necessary to compose the code using the valves 4, and "to introduce the key 6 into the" good "hole 2, before possibly triggering alarm 21 or deactivation of the system. tion can be, by itself, a kind of code if it is expected to differ from one hole to another.

Normal use of the device may include the introduction of the same key 6 in two distinct positions in the same "good" hole 2, or in two "good" separate holes 2, to cause either the action of opening or unlocking, either the opposite closing or locking action.

It follows from the above that a cylindrical key, very simple and economical, is sufficient for the implementation of the invention, without disadvantages for safety. Ultimately, this key can be of a unique model, the personalization of each device resulting from the programming of the code to be composed using the valves 4, as well as from the definition of the "good" hole (s) 2 .

However, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, more complex keys can be considered.

In the case of FIG. 6, the key is double and it consists, on the one hand, of a hollow external element 22 and, on the other hand, of an internal element 23. This key becomes usable only after engagement of the internal element 23 in the external element 22, forming a sort of sheath, at a correct depth and in an angular position reJam e such that openings 24 of the external element 22 coincide ec des corresponding openings 25 of the internal element 23, to allow the passage of light rays.

In the case of FIG. 7, the key consists of a preferably cylindrical rod 26, provided with openings, and a rotating head 27, possibly removable and provided with angular position markers. This last figure shows, moreover, that it is possible to replace the through openings of the key by all kinds of notches, grooves, grooves 28, etc. playing the same role, in cooperation with the light rays emitted in the or the grid holes.

The overall operation of the device can be either controlled simply by timers and simple electrical components, or managed for example by at least one microprocessor or similar with read or live memory, the latter solution being advantageous for programming. and modification of the code composed using flaps or flaps 4.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited only to the forms execution of this security device which have been described above, by way of examples; on the contrary, it embraces all of the variant embodiments and applications respecting the same principle. In particular, we would not depart from the scope of the invention:

- by renouncing the concept of "grid", while retaining the principle of multiple holes or slots, provided with valves or the like at their entrances;

- by replacing the optical recognition means in the holes by any other means, in particular mechanical, electromechanical, magnetic or ultrasonic, while retaining valves or the like allowing the composition of a code;

- by replacing the flaps or flaps by equivalent means, always arranged at the entrances of the holes or slots, in particular in the form of electric or sound fields or radiation, emitted by appropriate components and always allowing the composition of a code, in particular by approaching the key or card;

- by making any adaptations according to the intended applications, and by adding any auxiliary provisions, such as means capable of permanently or temporarily retaining the key or card if the "correct" sequence is not respected;

- by modifying the initial programming sequence of the device, the personalized code can be programmed not only using flaps or flaps, but also by inserting the key or card into one of the holes or slots with a specific position or orientation.

Claims

1 - Security device with key or card, or key and card, comprising a plurality of holes and / or slots (2,3) capable of each receiving a key or card (6), at least one holes and / or slots (2) being associated with means (10, 11) sensitive to the introduction of the suitable key or card (6) and connected to means (17 a. 20) for opening control / closing or blocking / unblocking, while the other holes or slots (3) can be devoid of such means, but are preferably connected to alarm means (21) and / or neutralization of the opening / closing system and / or blocking / unblocking, flaps or flaps (4) associated with electrical means (5) being provided in addition to the inputs of all the holes or slots (2,3) and which can also be connected to an alarm (21 ) and / or to means for neutralizing the system, characterized in that said flaps or flaps (4) are provided to serve as coding means by actuation successive ent of these flaps or flaps (4), in association with means of identification (C) of the code thus issued, in order to give an authorization for the command to open / close or block / unblock.

2 - Key or card security device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is designed to allow the programming of a personalized code, composed using valves or flaps (4), at first use of this device.

3 - Security device with key or card according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said flaps or flaps (4) are associated with delay means, designed to trigger the alarm (21) and / or the neutralization only after a certain period of time, so as to allow the formation of the code by actuation of these flaps or flaps (4), then the introduction of the key or card (6) in the "correct" hole or the " good "slot (2), by the normally authorized user. - Key or card security device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one key or card (6) in which one or more openings (15) or notches ( 28) or the like, while the "good" hole (s) or "good" slots (2) are provided with means emitting (10) and receiving (11) of light rays or the like, with an arrangement corresponding to that of the openings ( .15) or notches (28) in the key or card (6).

5 - Key or card security device according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmitting means (10) and receivers (1 1) above are arranged on a preferably tubular guide (7), provided behind the entrance to the hole or slot (4) intended to receive the key or card (6), and in which is disposed at least one sensitive means ( 14) ensuring the electrical supply of said transmitting means (10) and receivers (1 1), this sensitive means (14) being itself actuated by the introduction of the key or card (6) into the hole or the slot ( 2, 3).

6 - Key safety device according to claim 4 or 5, charac¬ terized in that it comprises a double key composed of a hollow external element (22) and an internal element (23), to be brought into a predetermined relative position, such that openings (24) of the external element (22) coincide with corresponding openings (25) of the internal element (23), to allow the passage of the light rays emitted in the or the holes (2).

7 - Key security device according to claim 4 or 5, charac- téπsé in that it comprises a preferably cylindrical rod key (26) provided with a rotating head (27), the rod (26) being provided openings or notches (28) or the like to allow the passage of the light rays emitted in the hole or holes (2), and the rotating head (27) being able to be provided with angular position markers.

8 - Key or card security device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is designed to allow the programming of a personalized code not only by means of flaps or flaps (4 ), but also by introducing the key or card (6) into one of the holes or slots (2,3) with a determined position or orientation.

9 - Key or card security device, or key and card, comprising a plurality of holes and / or slots (2, 3) capable of each receiving a key or card (6), at least one holes and / or slots (2) being associated with means (10, 11) sensitive to the introduction of the suitable key or card (6) and connected to means (7 to 20) for opening / closing control or blocking / unblocking, while the other holes or slots (3) can be devoid of such means, but are preferably connected to alarm means (21) and / or neutralization of the opening / closing system and / or blocking / unblocking, characterized in that there are arranged, at the entrances of all the holes or slots (2,3), components capable of emitting electric or sound fields or radiation, allowing the composition of a code, in particular by approaching the key or card (4).