931results about "Mechanical controls" patented technology

A workspace security system having processors, sensors, and actuators for local and remote monitoring, control, and automation of physical and environmental security, safety, efficiency, and productivity. The system includes passive and active access authentication devices and active or passive unlocking and lockdown of office furniture components, work sites, and facilities. The system may include multilevel authentication credentials, automatic lockdown of office furniture and other components based on the proximity of credentials, and video or other imaging systems to detect and record motion.

A safety sensing system for a compartment of a vehicle is operable to detect an occupant within the vehicle compartment. The system may be operable to sense ambient conditions in the vehicle compartment, and may generate a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. The system may actuate indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person or animal detected in the compartment. Optionally the system may open the vehicle compartment in response to a detection of an occupant and the sensed conditions. The safety system includes a false trigger protection means that limits or reduces false detections of a person or animal within the compartment.

A system and apparatus for securing an item using a biometric lock where a matching fingerprint allows a user access to the item secured. In one embodiment, the item is a container with an aperture. More specifically, the container is a handbag, luggage, briefcase, computer bag, storage container, shipping container or gun holster. In one embodiment, the biometric lock apparatus is self contained and is applied to the item being secured. More specifically, the self contained biometric lock is a padlock, bicycle lock, or an independent lock with a shackle applied to an item. In one embodiment, the biometric lock is divided into multiple components, one component being a biometric key containing a sensor where a user inserts the key into another component of the lock and applies a finger to the sensor to read a matching fingerprint and unlock the mechanism. In one embodiment, the systems and apparatuses include utilizing an unlocking apparatus that contains a generator whereby the swiping of a fingerprint over a sensor simultaneously moves a thumb roller which activates the generator to power the device, and a fingerprint is initially installed through the use of an external computer and a secondary power source.

An access control system, has at least one door to a secured area, each door having a strike plate, a host computer, at least one door control module coupled to the host computer, one door control module for every door; and at least one door reader coupled to the at least one door reader coupled to the door control module to activate the strike plate to release the door. The access control system further has at least one electro-mechanical key to independently actuate a lock that corresponds to the door(s). A master keying device to rekey the lock that corresponds to door(s). The host system records information selected from the group consisting of time of entry, place of entry, identification of entered party, and/or any combination thereof. In addition, a door knob and mechanical locking mechanism selectively latches and unlatches the locking mechanism and can be actuated with a mechanical key; and circuitry to actuate the locking mechanism to selectively latch so that the door can open, the circuitry actuated by an electrical signal transmitted by an electrical key, the electrical signal communicated by an electrical contact extending through the mechanical locking mechanism. The circuitry is powered by a battery, which can be removed without disturbing or actuating unlocking mechanism. The contact is an insulated electrical wire that extends through the locking mechanism to the circuitry. All of the circuitry discussed can be integrated onto a single, monolithic piece of silicon in a multi-chip or single-chip format. A master rekeying device has input/output circuitry to receive and transmit electrical signals, circuitry coupled to the input/output circuitry to record a list of security passwords in order to check passwords against the list and a memory to store data; and the input/output circuitry also receives and transmits electrical signals to a host computer.

The invention relates to an external door handle for the side door, rear door or boot of a motor vehicle, said door handle being fitted with a flap (1) that retracts automatically when the handle is used. The flap is fitted with a sensor (5) which detects the presence of a hand opposite said flap. When the flap is not in use, it is closed in such a way as to be perfectly flush with the external surface (2) of the door and it is held in position by a spring recall system. An actuation device, which is controlled by a computer, is designed to retract the flap at the appropriate moment in order to provide access to the door opening control (8). Said flap system can be connected to an electric-or mechanical-type-opening control. The inventive handle affords the advantage of being very practical to use and having a value-enhancing style and appearance.

A wireless fire alarm door unlocking system includes a remote alarm panel interface to receive information from a central alarm panel interface over an RF channel. The central alarm panel interface monitors an output from an alarm control panel and, when an alarm condition is asserted, initiates an unlock signal that is sent to the remote alarm panel interface. It in turn causes the door with which it is associated to unconditionally release to allow unimpeded entrance and exit. The system also monitors the status of the remove alarm panel interface and raises an alert in the event of a malfunction. The interface may be implemented as a hardware and software modification to an access control system or as separate components that coexist with an access control system on a non-interfering basis.

A cartridge for use in a dispensing system is disclosed. The cartridge includes a body having an exterior and a plurality of bins. A plurality of lids are movably attached to the body and are configured to cover a bin. A release mechanism is movable along an axis. A plurality of latches are movably attached to the body. Each latch is configured to secure the respective lid when in a first position and to release the respective lid when in a second position. The release mechanism will not cause a latch to move to the second position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a first direction. The release mechanism will cause a single latch to move to the second position while leaving the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a second direction.

The present invention provides for a handle set for a lock with a latch, the handle set having an authentication circuit and actuator in the interior handle that allow access to authenticated transponders. The present invention also provides a device and method for transmitting a rotational movement and force in an electronic lock, wherein the transmission takes place in a coupled state and not in a decoupled state and wherein the transmission of force does not damage an actuator that requires little energy to change between the coupled and decoupled states. A coupling cartridge of an electronic lock can easily be handed. The electronic lock can be retrofitted in installed mortise locks and used with cylindrical locks. The electronic lock can include a security feature that prohibits the electronic lock from changing between the coupled and decoupled states.

A locking and latching system of modular construction in which some of the components of the system are pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The modular construction of the lock and latch system can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The modular components can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.

An electronic lock incorporating one or more shape memory metal wire segment as its electromechanical transducer. An electronic control circuit injects electrical current into the shape memory metal wire, causing it to heat up and contract. A gate is positioned by the action of the shape memory metal wire(s) to either allow or block the movement of a locking bolt that affect locking or unlocking. Millions of operational cycles are achieved by limiting the stretching of the shape memory metal wire at low temperature to small percentages of its total length. The design lends itself to miniaturization, with commensurate reduction in power consumption, that is useful to the evolution of future electronic locks.

A system for opening and closing a garage door is provided. The system includes a vehicle communication module mounted to a vehicle, and a garage communication module, the vehicle communication module and the garage communication module preferably performing Bluetooth™ communication. On the basis of the communication of a vehicle identifier and engine state information, a garage door can be automatically opened and closed.

A manhole security cover includes a manhole cover body comprising a non-metallic RF signal transmissive material. The manhole cover body is seatable on a manhole frame to cover a manhole opening. In the seated position, the first side is accessible from outside the manhole, the second side is disposed within the manhole, and the peripheral edge portion engages a manhole cover support surface on the manhole frame. A manhole cover tamper sensor is responsive to a predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. A transmitter is operatively connected to the manhole cover tamper sensor and configured to generate a radio frequency manhole cover tamper signal when the manhole cover tamper sensor detects the predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. An antenna is operatively coupled to the transmitter to radiate radio frequency energy through the manhole cover body to a receiver located outside of said manhole.

Accessing interior compartments for storage or other purposes is improved by the use of one or more active material components. Activating one or more active material components carries out one or more of the following functions: opening or closing the compartment (which may include cinching a closure) and/or latching or unlatching a closure from a frame. Activation may result from a remote trigger signal. A method is provided for controlling access to an interior compartment that may be carried out by a controller operatively connected to various active material components that unlatch the closure from the frame, close the closure and cinch the closure to the frame, respectively.

A drive mechanism for door hardware, such as a pushbar exit device, includes a driver for moving a component of the door hardware, a controller for controlling the operation of the driver, a sensor for detecting motion of the moving component and a spring connected between the driver and the door hardware component. The spring allows the driver to move for a period of time after the component has stopped moving. The controller monitors the sensor and moves the component until the sensor indicates that the driven component has stopped moving. The sensor produces an output signal and the controller detects an inflection point in the output signal when the component stops moving while the driver is still operating.

The invention relates to a lift-type folding door window in mutually non-interfered electronic and manual modes, comprising a folding door panel, a door lock, a door lock operating mechanism, an electronic mechanism and a control circuit which are mounted on a doorframe. The lift-type folding door window in mutually non-interfered electronic and manual modes is characterized in that the electronic mechanism mainly comprises a motor, an electromagnetic clutch, a weighting block, a rotating wheel and an open ring cord, the rotating wheel is mounted in a corner region at the upper part of the doorframe, the open ring cord winds around the rotating wheel to form anti-sliding transmission match, one end of the open ring cord is connected with a driving point of the folding door panel, the other end of the open ring cord is connected with the weighting block, the motor is in transmission connection with the rotating wheel through the electromagnetic clutch, and the door lock operating mechanism is internally provided with a manual lock stem and a traction electromagnet. When the door is opened, a traction electromagnet coil is energized to open the door lock, then, the coil of the electromagnetic clutch is energized to combine the clutch, and finally the motor rotates positively to open the door window. When the door is closed, the clutch is combined, and then, the motor rotates reversely to close the door window. In the invention, the lift-type folding door window varying with the working state of a switch or a remote controller is automatically switched between the electronic and manual modes without mutual interference so as to bring extreme convenience to users.