JP3313804B2 - Key and locking device using it - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key having a novel structure and a locking device for locking and unlocking with the key.
In particular, the present invention relates to a locking device that determines the key based on an electric / magnetic principle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Locking devices that lock and unlock with a mechanical key having a key pile have been generally used.
With the progress of electronic technology in recent years, a magnetic detection type locking device that operates by decoding key information magnetically recorded on a so-called magnetic card, and by optically decoding a bar code corresponding to key information 2. Description of the Related Art A locking device of an optical reading system that operates has been developed, and a locking device having various functions in consideration of usage and simplicity has been developed.

[0003]

However, in the above-described locking device of the magnetic detection type, the effect that the magnetic card corresponding to the key is excellent in portability is recognized, but the magnetic recording for recording key information magnetically is performed. Since the medium is easily damaged and read by a commercially available card reader or imitation using a magnetic tape or the like is easy, there is a problem in reliability. In addition, a malfunction may occur depending on the positioning accuracy of the magnetic head built in the locking device, and there is a problem that maintenance management becomes complicated.

In the above-mentioned locking device of the optical reading system, there is a problem in reliability because the bar code is easily affected by dirt and the like, and further, there is a problem in that the bar code is misused because it is easily copied. .

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has a high reliability which is an original function,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a key having a novel structure that can be easily used by a user and a locking device using the key.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a locking device according to the present invention has a shape representing key information.
As well as a non-conductive insulating material
Locked using a key buried in the material and formed into a flat plate
Or a locking device for unlocking. This locking device
Is a coil provided so that the key passes through the hollow part.
Self-excitation that generates an oscillation signal in cooperation with the
When the key passes through the vibration circuit and the hollow part of the coil,
Eddy current generated in a metal body by the magnetic field
The flow changes based on the shape of the metal body,
The impedance and inductance of the
A frequency detection circuit that detects a change in the frequency of the accompanying oscillation signal,
A detection circuit for detecting a change in the amplitude of the oscillation signal;
The characteristics of the change of the frequency signal output from the number detection circuit;
The characteristics of the change in the amplitude signal output from the detection circuit
Determines the authenticity of the key as the key information of the genus, and
Judgment system that outputs a signal for locking or unlocking based on
And a control circuit.

[0007] The key according to the present invention is a key for locking the locking device.
A key for locking or unlocking, representing key information
Non-conductive insulating metal body with shape and material
Characterized by being embedded in the material and formed into a flat plate
You.

[0008]

The above-mentioned key having such a structure has excellent mechanical strength, and can be made lightweight, thin and small.

On the other hand, in the locking device, a self-excited oscillation circuit that generates an oscillation signal in cooperation with the coil magnetically detects the shape and material characteristics of the metal body embedded in the key,
At the same time, it outputs an oscillation signal having a frequency and an amplitude corresponding to these shapes and materials. Therefore, the determination control circuit determines the type and authenticity of the key by comparing the change in the frequency and the amplitude as a feature parameter with reference feature data stored in advance in the storage memory.

[0010]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a detection sensor 2 for detecting an inserted key 1. First, key 1
Is a card-like flat plate having a length of several centimeters to several tens of centimeters and a thickness of several millimeters,
A metal plate 3 of a predetermined shape and material representing key information is integrally molded with non-transparent plastic. Therefore, the metal plate 3 is fixed and buried so that it cannot be seen from the outside.

Next, the detection sensor 2 includes a base 4 formed of an insulating material such as plastic, a coil 5 provided on the base 4, and a core 5 for preventing the coil 5 from being affected by external magnetism. 6 and 7. Here, a slit-shaped hollow hole 4 a for inserting the card-shaped key 1 is formed in the base 4, and a flange portion orthogonal to the insertion direction of the key 1 and facing each other at a predetermined interval W is provided. 4b,
4c is formed integrally with the outer wall. The coil 5 is formed by winding a wire between the flanges 4b and 4c.
7 is tightly fitted to cover the coil 5. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the core 7 is detached from the flange portions 4b and 4c for convenience of explanation.

Next, a circuit configuration of an electric circuit to which the detection sensor 2 is connected will be described with reference to FIG. The electric circuit includes a feature extraction circuit 8 for extracting feature information of the shape and material of the metal plate 3 when the key 1 is inserted into the hollow portion 4a;
It has a judgment control circuit 9 for discriminating the shape and material of the metal plate 3 from the characteristic information and for judging the authenticity of the key 1 based on the result of the discrimination.

First, the feature extraction circuit 8 includes capacitors C1, C connected in series with each other at both ends 5a, 5b of the coil 5.
2, and one end 5b of the coil 5 is connected to a predetermined voltage source _VEE , and the other end 5a is connected to a non-inverting input contact of the comparator 10. The comparator 10 operates with a predetermined power supply voltage V _DD and power supplied from the ground, and its inverting input contact is connected to the voltage source V _EE , and the output contact is connected to the load resistance R R.
It is connected to a predetermined voltage power supply V _CC1 via L and to a common connection point P of the capacitors C1 and C2 via a feedback resistor Rf.

The circuit comprising the comparator 10, the resistors RL and Rf, the capacitors C1 and C2 and the coil 5 constitutes a Colpitts type self-excited oscillator.
An oscillation signal Q having a frequency and amplitude determined by the circuit constant of the tuning circuit composed of C2 and the coil 5 is generated at the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 10, and a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density corresponding to the switching current flowing through the coil 5 is generated. appear. Since this magnetic field is generated in the hollow hole 4a of FIG. 1, the key 1 passes through the magnetic field by being inserted into the hollow hole 4a.

Here, when the metal body 3 of the key 1 passes through the magnetic field of the coil 5, the inductance and impedance of the coil 5 change under the influence of the eddy current generated in the metal body 3, and the coil 5 and the capacitor C1 are changed. , C2, the amplitude and frequency of the oscillation signal Q change. Note that the inductance (L) of the coil 5 theoretically changes according to the following equation.

[0017]

(Equation 1)

The amplitude of the oscillation signal Q is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the portion affected by the magnetic flux when the metal body 3 crosses the magnetic field, and the larger the cross-sectional area, the smaller the amplitude. Is a specific frequency corresponding to the material (permeability) of the metal body 3. Further, if the metal body 3 is a material having a higher magnetic permeability than air, the frequency becomes lower as the cross-sectional area increases, and conversely, if the metal body 3 is a material having a magnetic permeability lower than air, The frequency increases as the cross-sectional area increases.

The oscillation signal Q thus generated is
The frequency detection circuit 11 is always input to the frequency detection circuit 11 and the detection circuit 12, the frequency detection circuit 11 detects a frequency change of the oscillation signal Q and outputs frequency data Df indicating the frequency, and the detection circuit 12 outputs the amplitude amplitude of the oscillation signal Q. And outputs amplitude data Dh indicating the amplitude. These data Df and Dh are supplied to a determination control circuit 9 having an arithmetic function such as a microprocessor. The frequency detection circuit 1
A known detection circuit such as a diode detection circuit for detecting the envelope amplitude of the crossing signal can be applied to the detection circuit 12. The decision control circuit 9 has an A / D converter built therein, and the frequency data Df and the amplitude data Dh
Is processed as digital data to identify the shape and material characteristics of the metal body 3 on the basis of these data Df and Dh. Further, this identification result is stored in a storage memory built in the judgment control circuit 9 in advance. The authenticity of the key 1 is determined by collating the reference feature data stored in the key.

Further, an actuator M in a locking mechanism 13 for performing locking (unlocking) and unlocking (unlocking) operations is connected to the output of the judgment control circuit 9 via a driving power supply circuit. Display means 14 is connected to display whether the locking mechanism 13 is in the locked state or the unlocked state, and to display a warning when a proper key is not inserted. In this embodiment, as the display means 14, a liquid crystal display provided on a display panel mounted on a door or the like is applied.

Next, the operation of the locking device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 3, in order to clarify the principle of the present invention, a case where the metal body 3 embedded in the key 1 is circular, which is the most basic shape, will be described. Therefore, when the key 1 is inserted into the hollow hole 4a of the detection sensor 2, as shown in FIG. 3A, the circular metal body 3 passes through the hollow portion of the coil 5 along the direction A. I do.

When the metal member 3 is not inserted into the hollow portion of the coil 5 as before a certain time t1, the inductance is uniquely determined by the inductance of the coil 5 when the metal member 3 is not affected by the magnetic field. An oscillation signal Q having a constant frequency and amplitude is generated (see FIG. 3B). Accordingly, the amplitude data Dh output from the detection circuit 12 has a constant amplitude H0.
[See FIG. 3 (c)], the frequency data Df output from the frequency detection circuit 11 also has a constant frequency [see FIG. 3 (d)].

Next, as shown at a certain time t2, when the tip of the metal body 3 reaches the tip of the coil 5, an eddy current is generated at the tip by the influence of the magnetic field. Impedance changes,
The frequency and amplitude of the oscillation signal Q begin to change. here,
When the magnetic permeability of the metal body 3 is higher than that of air, the amplitude of the amplitude data Dh decreases as shown in FIG.
The frequency of f also decreases. Further, as the metal body 3 advances into the hollow portion of the coil 5, the generation of the eddy current gradually increases, and the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillation signal Q are changed according to the change.
The amplitude of the amplitude data Dh and the frequency of the frequency data Df change.

Then, as shown at time t3, the metal body 3
When the central portion of the coil coincides with the central portion of the coil 5, the eddy current generated in the metal body 3 becomes maximum, and the oscillation signal Q and the amplitude of the amplitude data Dh become the bottom value H1 as shown in FIG.
At the same time, the frequency of the frequency data Df becomes lowest.

Next, as the metal body 3 gradually comes off from the coil 5 as in the period between the time points t3 and t4, the oscillation signals Q and
The amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df return to the original state.

Then, as shown at time t4, the metal body 3
When the rear end of the coil 5 overlaps the rear end of the coil 5, the oscillation signal Q
And the amplitude H2 of the amplitude data Dh approaches H0, and at the same time,
The oscillation signal Q and the frequency data Df also have the same frequency as at the time point t2.

Next, when the metal body 3 is completely removed from the coil 5 at time t5, the metal body 3 is no longer affected by the magnetic field, so that the oscillation signal Q, the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df
At the time t1.

As described above, the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df indicate the shape (particularly, cross-sectional area and diameter) and characteristics of the material of the metal body 3 with high accuracy. Then, the judgment control circuit 9
Determines that the true key 1 has been inserted if the changes in the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df match the reference feature data registered in advance. If the locking mechanism is in the locked state before the key 1 is inserted, the unlocking operation is commanded to the actuator M and the display means 14 is displayed to indicate that the unlocking operation is being performed. , Conversely, key 1
If the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state before is inserted, a locking operation is instructed to the actuator M and the display means 14 is displayed to the effect that the locking operation is being performed.

Further, in FIG. 3, the metal body 3 having the most basic shape has been described as an example, but as shown in FIG.
The key 1 to which the more complicated metal body 3 is applied is the coil 5
4 will be described. FIG.
(B) As shown in (c), at time t6 before the metal body 3 is inserted into the coil 5, the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df have certain amplitudes and frequencies. As the first peak 3a of the metal body 3 gradually passes through the coil 5, the amplitude of the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data D
When the frequency of f changes and the cross-sectional area of the peak 3a crossing the coil 5 becomes maximum, a valley having the lowest amplitude and frequency occurs at t7. Furthermore, the second peak 3 of the metal body 3
When b passes through the coil 5, the values of the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df change according to the cross-sectional area, and when the cross-sectional area of the peak 3b crossing the coil 5 becomes maximum, the valley as shown at t8. Occurs. Further, the third peak 3 of the metal body 3
When c passes through the coil 5, the values of the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df change in accordance with the cross-sectional area, and when the cross-sectional area of the crest 3c crossing the coil 5 becomes maximum, a valley as shown at t9. Occurs. Further, the fourth peak 3 of the metal body 3
When d passes through the coil 5, the values of the amplitude data Dh and the frequency data Df change according to the cross-sectional area, and when the cross-sectional area of the peak 3d crossing the coil 5 becomes maximum, a valley as shown at t10. Occurs.

As described above, even when the metal member 3 having a complicated shape is applied, the characteristics of the shape and the material can be detected with high accuracy. Therefore, the use of the metal member 3 having a complicated shape has complicated key information. The key 1 can be realized, and copy and forgery can be prevented.

According to this embodiment, a key having excellent mechanical strength can be provided, and a highly accurate locking device having an extremely simple structure can be provided. Further, this key can provide the user with simplicity, and in combination with the use of this key, a highly reliable locking device can be provided.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 5, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

First, a key 1 used in this embodiment is a card-shaped one in which a metal body 3 having a shape representing key information is integrated by plastic molding, as shown in FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that a plurality of sets of flange portions 4b ₁ and 4c opposed to each other at a predetermined interval are provided on the outer wall of a plastic base 4 having a hollow hole for inserting the key 1.
_{1 ~4b n,} 4c _n are integrally formed, n pieces of coils 5 ₁ to 5 _n is wound between each pair of flanges. Furthermore, the coil 5 ₁ to 5 _n each is, feature extraction circuit 8 shown in FIG. 2
It is connected to the n-number of feature extraction circuit 8 ₁ to 8 _n equal configuration when all amplitude data Dh ₁ ~Dh _n and frequency data Df ₁ ~Df _n is outputted from the feature extraction circuits 8 ₁ to 8 _n The locking mechanism 13 and the display unit 14 are supplied to the judgment control circuit 9, and further connected to the output of the judgment control circuit 9.

[0034] Such locking apparatus having the arrangement, each coil 5 ₁ to 5 _n and the feature extraction circuit 8 ₁ to 8 _n that a connection relationship
This corresponds to substantially providing n circuits shown in FIG. Therefore, a magnetic field is generated each independently from each coil 5 ₁ to 5 _n, the in these fields metal body 3 of the key 1 is adapted to pass. Then, the the impedance and inductance of each of the coil 5 ₁ to 5 _n by eddy current generated in the metal body 3 changes, amplitude data Dh ₁ each ～Dh _n when the metal body 3 passes in each field The frequency data Df _{1 to} Df _n are shown in FIG.
As described in the above, it changes according to the shape and material characteristics of the metal body 3.

The judgment control circuit 9 determines the amplitude data D
By programming process changes in h ₁ ~Dh _n and frequency data Df ₁ ~Df _n, identify the shape and material of the metal body 3, further the identification result, characteristics of the reference that is previously registered in the storage memory If they match the data, it is determined that the true key 1 has been inserted. If the locking mechanism is in the locked state before the key 1 is inserted, the unlocking operation is commanded to the actuator M and the display means 14 is displayed to indicate that the unlocking operation is being performed. , Conversely, key 1
If the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state before is inserted, a locking operation is instructed to the actuator M and the display means 14 is displayed to the effect that the locking operation is being performed.

[0036] Thus, according to this embodiment, and detects the features of the shape and material of the metal body 3 with a plurality of coils 5 ₁ to 5 _n, be identified with higher accuracy the metal body 3 Becomes possible. Furthermore, by changing and adjust the width and arrangement interval of the coil 5 ₁ to 5 _n, or detected with particularly high accuracy the main part of the respective parts of the metal body 3, the position of the uneven portion indicating a key information It is possible to perform higher-level determination, such as determining whether the key 1 is true or false from the relationship.

Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 in these figures.
The same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. First,
The difference from the locking device shown in FIG.
Wound n pieces of coils 5 ₁ which is wound to 5 _n, a flange portion 4b ₁ respectively corresponding wire to a single, 4c ₁ ~4b _n, 4c
It is constituted by winding continuously for _n .
That is, all the coils 5 ₁ to 5 _n are electrically connected in series, wherein the first and the distal end of the n-th coil 5 _1, 5 _n is equal to the feature extraction circuit 8 shown in FIG. 2 Connected to the extraction circuit. Therefore, this embodiment has a circuit configuration shown in FIG.

In the locking device having such a configuration,
When the key 1 is not inserted, the impedance and inductance of the coil 5 ₁ to 5 _n and the capacitor C1, C2
The frequency and amplitude of the oscillation signal Q are determined by the circuit constant determined by the capacitance of the oscillation signal Q. On the other hand, when the metal body 3 in the key 1 progresses gradually in these coils 5 ₁ to 5 _n, coil 5 ₁ to 5 due to the eddy current generated in the metal body 3 due to the influence of the magnetic field of the respective _Since the impedance and inductance of _n change, the amplitude and frequency of the oscillation signal Q change according to the shape and material of the metal body 3. And this oscillation signal Q
Frequency data Df representing information on the amplitude change and frequency change of
And the amplitude data Dh are output from the frequency detection circuit 11 and the detection circuit 12
And the judgment control circuit 9 outputs these data D
By identifying the shape and material of the metal body 3 based on f and Dh, and comparing this identification result with reference characteristic data stored in a storage memory in the determination control circuit 9,
The authenticity of key 1 is determined. Then, the locking mechanism 13 and the display unit 14 are controlled based on the result of the determination.

[0039] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to detect a characteristic of the shape and material of the metal body 3 by electrically connected coils 5 ₁ to 5 _n. Further, since this detection processing is performed by one feature extraction circuit, the circuit scale can be reduced, and the circuit adjustment is easier than in the case where a plurality of feature extraction circuits shown in FIG. 5 are used. And the like.

In the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the rectangular key 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not limited to this. Can be formed.

Further, the metal body 3 embedded in the key 1 is not limited to a single metal material, and each part of the metal body 3 may be formed of a different kind of metal material.
When formed of a plurality of types of metal materials in this manner, key information can be extracted from the above-described frequency data Df, so that a more sophisticated and reliable key and a locking device using the key can be realized.

Since the amplitude of the oscillation signal Q changes depending on the cross-sectional area of the metal body 3 when it crosses the magnetic field, not only the side surface of the metal body 3 is made uneven, but also the thickness is made uneven. It may be shaped.

Alternatively, a hole may be formed in an arbitrary portion of the metal body 3 to form a shape having an annular portion.

As described above, the key information can be specified by the shape and the material of the key, so that a key which is extremely complicated and contains a large amount of information can be realized, and further, in combination with the locking device. It is possible to realize a system having a high security function.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, first, a novel key is formed by embedding a metal body having a shape and material representing key information in an insulating material having non-conductivity and forming a flat plate. With this structure, a key that is excellent in mechanical strength, lighter, thinner and smaller can be realized, and simplicity can be provided to the user. Further, since a key that is extremely complicated and includes a large amount of information can be realized, a key having an excellent security function capable of preventing duplication, forgery, and the like can be provided.

On the other hand, in the locking device, a self-excited oscillation circuit that generates an oscillation signal in cooperation with a coil magnetically detects the shape and material characteristics of a metal body embedded in a key. An oscillation signal having a frequency and amplitude corresponding to the shape and material of the metal body is output, and the determination control circuit determines the type and authenticity of the key using the change in the frequency and amplitude as a characteristic parameter. Information can be detected with high accuracy. Therefore, in combination with the novel key of the present invention, an excellent function is exhibited when a system having a high security function is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a key and a detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an overall configuration of a locking device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation principle of the locking device of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for further explaining the operation of the locking device of one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of a locking device of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of a locking device of still another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a locking device according to still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Key, 2 ... Detection sensor, 3 ... Metal body, 4 ... Base, 4a
... hollow _{hole, 4b, 4c, 4b 1,} 4c 1 ~4b n, 4c
_n ... flange, 5,5 ₁ to 5 _n ... coil, 6 ... core, 8, 8 ₁ to 8 _n ... feature extraction circuit, 9 ... judgment control circuit, 10 ... comparator, 11 ... frequency detecting circuit, 12: detection circuit, 13: locking mechanism, 14: display means, C1, C2 ...
Capacitor, RL, Rf: resistance, M: actuator.

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-60-59276 (JP, A) JP-A-59-202581 (JP, A) JP-A-5-10924 (JP, A) JP-A-3-126748 (JP) (U, U) 3-5562 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E05B 19/00 E05B 49/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Gold having a shape and material representing key information
Embedded in a non-conductive insulating material and flat
Locking or unlocking using the key formed in
The coil provided in such a manner that the key passes through a hollow portion.
When, self-oscillation generates an oscillating signal by cooperation of said coil
A circuit, when the key passes through the hollow portion of the coil,
A magnetic field generated in the coil generates the metal body.
The eddy current may change based on the shape of the metal body.
And the impedance and inductance of the coil
Frequency change of the oscillating signal accompanying the change of
Frequency detection circuit, and a change in amplitude of the oscillation signal.
A detection circuit that outputs the signal and a change in the frequency signal output from the frequency detection circuit.
Characteristics and the change of the amplitude signal output from the detection circuit.
And the authenticity of the key as the key information of the metal body.
To lock or unlock based on the determination result.
A locking device , comprising: a determination control circuit that outputs a signal . 2. The locking or locking of the locking device according to claim 1.
A key for unlocking a non-conductive metal body having a shape and material representing the key information.
Embedded in an insulating material having electrical properties and
And a key characterized by: