EP0147276A1 - Coded control devices - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a portable box (2) capable of transmitting, in response to the pressing of a push button (1), a control signal (S) coded according to a code recorded in said box. Timing means (8) are provided for automatically neutralizing the code when a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined instant, which therefore makes the housing inoperative.

Description

The invention relates to devices intended to provide controls, preferably door openings, using coded signals.

It is more particularly aimed, among these devices, at those which comprise on the one hand a portable box suitable for transmitting coded signals corresponding to a code previously recorded in this box and on the other hand a receiver mounted on the member to be controlled and arranged so as to receive said coded signals, to compare them with a previously recorded reference and to provide the desired command when this comparison reveals an identity between the received coded signal and the reference.

It relates more specifically to the transmitter boxes of these control devices.

In certain circumstances, the person in charge of a specific room or apparatus, access to which is controlled by a lock which can itself be controlled by a code device of the above type, may be eager to authorize this access to a third party for only a limited duration, this duration depending on the application envisaged and which can vary to a large extent, being for example a quarter of an hour for the operation of a predetermined device or a day for the availability of a hotel room.

With the current embodiments of the transmitter boxes of the type in question, the box assigned to the control of the lock is entrusted to each user temporarily authorized at the start of the authorization period and this case must be handed over by this user to the person in charge at the end of this period.

The drawback of the formula is that the lock considered remains operable by the wearer of said housing beyond the authorized duration if it does not relinquish this housing at the end of this duration.

This inconvenience can be serious in some cases.

The object of the invention is, above all, to eliminate this drawback.

To this end, each transmitter unit of the type in question is essentially characterized, according to the invention, in that it comprises timing means capable of automatically and definitively neutralizing the code which is recorded therein at the end of a given time T ₁ elapsed from a predetermined time t, which is in particular that of the registration of this code.

• - en plus du code ci-dessus, "d'ordre 1", au moins un autre code d'ordre i (i étant un entier au moins égal à 2), correspondant à une commande distincte, est enregistré dans le boîtier et chacun de ces autres codes est associé à des moyens de temporisation propres à le neutraliser au terme d'un temps T_i différent de T₁ écoulé à partir d'un instant t_i prédéterminé, instant de préférence confondu avec l'instant t₁,
• - dans un dispositif de commande selon l'alinéa précédent, les moyens d'élaboration des signaux codés de commande sont tels que chacun des signaux élaborés par ces moyens à un instant donné soit porteur des divers codes valides à cet instant et soit habile à assurer toutes les commandes asservies individuellement à ces divers codes et seulement ces commandes-là,
• - le boîtier comporte des moyens d'affichage propres à indiquer à chaque instant désiré l'état neutralisé ou non de chaque code enregistré,
• - le boîtier selon l'alinéa précédent comporte des moyens associés à chaque code enregistré pour indiquer au moins approximativement à chaque instant désiré la durée restante séparant cet instant de l'instant futur de neutralisation dudit code.

In preferred embodiments, use is also made of one and / or the other of the following arrangements:

• - in addition to the above code, "of order 1", at least one other order code i (i being an integer at least equal to 2), corresponding to a separate command, is recorded in the box and each of these other codes is associated with timing means capable of neutralizing it at the end of a time T _i different from T ₁ elapsed from a predetermined instant t _i , instant preferably confused with instant t ₁ ,
• - In a control device according to the preceding paragraph, the means for developing the coded control signals are such that each of the signals produced by these means at a given time is carrying the various codes valid at this time and is able to provide all the commands slaved individually to these various codes and only these commands,
• the box includes display means suitable for indicating at any desired instant the neutralized state or not of each recorded code,
• - The box according to the preceding paragraph comprises means associated with each recorded code to indicate at least approximately at each desired instant the remaining time separating this instant from the future instant of neutralization of said code.

The invention includes, apart from these main provisions, certain other provisions which are preferably used at the same time and which will be more explicitly discussed below.

In what follows, we will describe preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing in a manner of course not limiting.

The single figure of this drawing schematically shows a code control device established according to the invention.

It is proposed to provide, by simply pressing a push button 1 included in a portable pocket box 2, any coded electrical control such as, for example, unlocking the lock of a door (not shown) possibly followed by the automatic opening of this door.

• - une source de courant électrique 3,
• - une mémoire 4 propre à enregistrer un code C correspondant aux signaux de commande codés à émettre S,
• - un circuit électronique 5 relié à ladite mémoire 4 et propre à élaborer lesdits signaux S, lesquels se présentent généralement sous la forme de suites codées d'impulsions électriques,
• - un organe 6 propre à émettre vers l'extérieur du boîtier 2 les signaux S ainsi élaborés, l'émission en question étant de préférence effectuée par des ondes électromagnétiques ou ultrasonores,
• - et un dispositif électronique 7 agencé de façon telle que chaque enfoncement, schématisé par la flèche F, du bouton-poussoir 1, provoque la lecture du code enregistré en 4, la transmission du signal codé S correspondant à l'émetteur 6 et donc l'émission de ce signal S.

To this end, it is understood that said box:

• - a source of electric current 3,
• a memory 4 capable of recording a code C corresponding to the coded control signals to be transmitted S,
• an electronic circuit 5 connected to said memory 4 and suitable for producing said signals S, which generally take the form of coded sequences of electrical pulses,
• a member 6 capable of transmitting the signals S thus produced towards the outside of the housing 2, the transmission in question preferably being carried out by electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves,
• - And an electronic device 7 arranged in such a way that each depression, shown diagrammatically by the arrow F, of the push button 1, causes the reading of the code recorded in 4, the transmission of the coded signal S corresponding to the transmitter 6 and therefore the emission of this signal S.

The current source 3 may be a battery or one of the components of a transformer of which another component would be a loop surrounding the location where the box 2 must be located to ensure the emission of the signals S.

For its part, the lock to be controlled is associated with a receiver comprising means suitable for receiving the signals S and for transforming them into electrically exploitable signals, a memory in which a reference code R has been recorded, means for comparing with the code R the code C carried by each received signal S and means for transmitting an electrical control signal E each time there is identity between the two codes C and R, and said lock is itself arranged so as to be able to be actuated by said control signal E.

With such an assembly, when the correct code C, that is to say corresponding to the code R recorded in the receiver, has been recorded in the memory 4 of the housing 2, it suffices to press the button 1 to ensure the 'emission of a coded signal S, and therefore to unlock the lock if the housing is located close enough to it and oriented properly.

Such coded control remains possible as long as the electronic circuit 5 is able to develop coded signals S and the lock to be unlocked is able to receive these signals, to identify them and to use them.

The essential object of the invention is to automatically put an end to this possibility of ordering at the end of an authorization or validation period of predetermined duration T _{1 in} order to make impossible the coded orders in question by the carrier of the box 2 considered beyond said period.

To this end, the housing 2 incorporates timing means capable of automatically neutralizing the code C in question at the end of the period considered, the which begins at a predetermined time t.

This instant t ₁ is preferably that of the recording of said code in the memory 4, which instant generally coincides with that at which the box is entrusted to the authorized user.

But the instant t ₁ in question at which the period of validity of the box 2 begins could also be later than another predetermined duration Ti at the time of the recording of the code in the memory.

The timing means in question have been shown diagrammatically in the drawing by the block 8 supplied from the source 3 and suitable for attacking (arrow g) the memory 4 for the purpose of neutralizing this memory.

This neutralization is ensured in particular by erasing the code C recorded in the memory, or by breaking the link (arrow h) by which this memory instructs the processing circuit 5.

Consequently, after the time T _{1 has} expired, the box 2 can no longer transmit coded signals S and its carrier can no longer unlock the lock controlled by these signals.

Said housing has therefore become inoperative.

As soon as this box is handed over to the person responsible for the lock to be monitored, the appropriate code C can again be recorded at any desirable time in the memory 4 of this box, which again makes it suitable for unlocking said lock for the duration T ₁ above from a new instant t _l .

Many improvements can be made to the above case and in particular the following.

Firstly, it can be precious for the user of the box 2 to know at each instant whether it is still valid or, better still, how long separates said instant from the end of the period of validity.

The first information can be very simply obtained by displaying on the box an all-or-nothing validity signal, such as the lighting of an indicator light 9 or the appearance of a contrasting sign on a background. neutral, produced using liquid crystals.

To save the energy of the source 8, this display can be ensured only in response to the pressing of a verification push button 10 associated with an appropriate switch 11.

The second information can be given by displaying on the unit an evolving validity signal, that is to say capable of changing from the start to the end of the validity period, preferably progressively.

Such an evolving signal can be constituted for example by a series of contrasting points generated by liquid crystals on a neutral background, points the erasures of which follow one another step by step over time, or even by a digital display.

According to another improvement making it possible to assign different validation durations to the housing 2 as a function of different locks to be controlled by the number of n (n being an integer greater than 1 and in particular equal to 2), the number of codes stored in the memory 4 of the housing 2 and suitable for instructing the electronic circuit 5 is equal to n, these codes Ci (i being an integer between 1 and n) are recorded simultaneously in the memory 4, their respective validity periods T _i are different and begin at times t _i which may themselves be different but are preferably combined.

In the drawing, the arrow g 'symbolizes the neutralizations of the various codes C _i of order i greater than 1 at the end of the various delays T _i determined by the circuit -8 and the arrow h' symbolizes the instruction of the processing circuit 5 by these various codes, stored in memory 4.

Such multiple code registration can be exploited in several ways.

This is how recourse can be had respectively to n parallel paths for developing separate coded signals S _i of order i coded respectively according to the codes C _i , channels which can be used simultaneously by pressing the bou tone 1, each signal Si of order i being suitable for controlling the locks selectively slaved to the code Ci of the same order as this signal.

If therefore at a given time the number of valid codes is equal to j (j being an integer between 1 and n), each press on button 1 results in the emission of a beam of j signals Si and the lock receiving all of these signals is effectively unlocked if, and only if, the code associated with it is one of the j codes valid at the instant considered.

According to another formula, the multiple recording in question results in the emission, for each press of the button 1, _ of single signals coded j times, j varying from 0 to n according to the instant of said press, signals specific to unlock each of the locks of different types, each type i lock being sensitive to those of said signals, which are coded n + li times or more.

• - les serrures d'ordre 1 ne sont déverrouillables que par les signaux codés au maximum, c'est-à-dire n fois et elles cessent d'être déverrouillables à la fin de la durée T₁ la plus courte,
• - les serrures d'ordre 2 sont déverrouillables par les signaux codés n ou n-1 fois et cessent d'être déverrouillables à la fin de la durée T₂,
• - et ainsi de suite, les serrures d'ordre n étant déverrouillables le plus longtemps, savoir par tous les signaux précédents et étant les seuls à pouvoir l'être encore par ceux codés par le seul dernier code d'ordre n.

Under these conditions, if the durations T _i increase when the index i increases from 1 to n,

• - the locks of order 1 are unlockable only by the signals coded to the maximum, that is to say n times and they cease to be unlockable at the end of the shortest duration T ₁ ,
• - the locks of order 2 are unlockable by the signals coded n or n-1 times and cease to be unlockable at the end of the duration T ₂ ,
• - And so on, the locks of order n being unlockable the longest, namely by all the preceding signals and being the only ones able to be unlocked by those coded by the only last code of order n.

The housing 2 can be arranged in such a way that each depression of the push button 1 ensures the emission of a single coded signal S.

It can also be arranged in such a way that this emission is systematically renewed, for example once per second, as long as the push button remains pressed.

The various data relating to the codes, to the periods of validity of these codes and possibly to the instants of taking effect of these validities, if these instants differ from the instants of delivery of the boxes to authorized carriers, can be permanently recorded in these boxes, and in this case the person responsible for said boxes must only reactivate this data when the boxes are delivered to their carriers.

According to a variant, the data in question are not permanently saved in the boxes and are introduced there by the person in charge using a programmer.

Said data may themselves have been previously recorded, at least in part, in said programmer, or they may be directly composed on this programmer using a keyboard or in any other desirable manner.

In the case of prior registration in the programmer, it may be advisable to protect the latter against unauthorized uses.

To this end, the programmer is arranged in such a way that each of its implementations requires the prior composition of a secret code or even the use of a special key coded in any desirable manner.

Means inviolable by the user can be provided to modify the start and / or the end of each validation period recorded in the box.

This box can also be arranged in such a way that it is suitable for reading the various information recorded therein, and this using a reading device specially designed for this purpose and available only from the person responsible for the boxes.

This reading allows the responsible manager to take stock of the respective authorizations of the various boxes, either individually during the presentation of each box, or globally after assembly of the set ble of distributed boxes.

To supplement the information of the person responsible, a special mark can be assigned to each code making it possible to identify the wearer of the box receiving this code.

Each box can also be arranged so as to assign to each coded signal emitted by it a special mark identifying this box, a mark which can be used for recording and / or display purposes by the locks then specially arranged accordingly and / or by the above-mentioned reading device.

Each box can be arranged in such a way that each code recorded in its memory can be easily neutralized by voluntary external intervention, even before the expiration of the corresponding validation period. This external intervention can be the pressing of a push button provided for this purpose, or even the tearing of a clean part to cut an electrical connection.

As a result of which, and whatever the embodiment adopted, there is finally obtained a coded control device whose constitution, operation and advantages result sufficiently from the above.

As is obvious, and as already follows from the foregoing, the invention is in no way limited to those of its modes of application and embodiments which have been more especially envisaged; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (9)

1. Portable box comprising means (1, 3-7) suitable for developing and transmitting control signals S coded according to a code previously recorded in this box (2), characterized in that it comprises timing means ( 8) capable of automatically and definitively neutralizing said code at the end of a given time T ₁ elapsed from a predetermined time t. 2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the instant t ₁ is that of recording the code in the box. 3. Housing according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, in addition to the above code, "of order 1", at least one other order code i (i being an integer at least equal to 2), corresponding to a separate command, is recorded in the box (2) and in that each of these other codes is associated with timing means (8) capable of neutralizing it at the end of a time T _i different from _T1 elapsed from a predetermined time t _i . 4. Housing according to claim 3, characterized in that the processing means (4, 5) of the coded control signals are such that each of the signals produced by these means at a given time carries the various codes valid at this time and be able to insure all the commands slaved individually to these various codes and only these commands. 5. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises display means (9) suitable for indicating at any desired instant the neutralized state or not of each recorded code. 6. Box according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means associated with each recorded code to indicate at least approximately at each desired instant the remaining time separating this instant from the future instant of neutralization of said code. 7. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged in such a way that each code recorded in it is easily neutralizable by voluntary external intervention. 8. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged so as to be suitable for reading the information recorded therein using an external device. 9. Code control device comprising at least one portable box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises an external programmer making it possible to introduce into the box the data relating to the codes and periods of validity. of these codes, programmer himself protected by security means against unauthorized uses.

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