Code lock and method for actuating a code lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a combination lock (1) comprising a code input device (3) for entering an authorization code (C1 to C4) consisting of a number of characters, wherein the authorization code (C1 to C4) includes encrypted authorization data (A, B) which is decrypted by the combination lock (1) and checked for access authorization, wherein the combination lock (1) performs an opening action upon confirmation of access authorization. Essentially, the authorization code (C1 to C4) includes at least one event code (E1 to E4) and, in conjunction with the opening action, the combination lock (1) transmits event data (V1 to V4) derived from the event code (E1 to E4) via a data communication device (10) to a data receiving device (11) to trigger an event (T1 to T4) or to switch an electrical device on or off.

Description

field of technology

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a code lock according to claim 1.

[0002] The invention further relates to a code lock according to claim 3. State of the art

[0003] A locking system with multiple combination locks operating according to the aforementioned method is known in the prior art and is described, for example, in DE 10 2015 118 627 A1. In the combination lock or locking system described therein, a user is given an authorization code upon check-in at a hotel or youth hostel equipped with the locking system. The authorization code is preferably a multi-digit sequence containing several code elements, some of which are authorization data. The authorization data enables the user to open at least one lock.

[0004] US Patent 5,850,753 A1 discloses a door lock that can be opened by entering a code via a keypad. A hotel room door locked with this door lock can be opened by a guest by entering a guest code or by a service employee by entering a service code. Depending on which of the two codes is entered, the keypad lock can be used to control the function of a telephone, a television, or an air conditioner. This document discloses the preamble of claims 1 and 3. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of further developing the aforementioned locking system in a way that is advantageous for use and of specifying suitable code locks or methods for operating a code lock.

[0006] The problem is solved by the invention specified in the claims.

[0007] First and essentially, it is proposed that the authorization code, which is preferably a sequence of digits, not only contains the authorization data that can trigger an opening action of the combination lock, but also includes an event code. The event code can be selected from a set of, for example, ten possible event codes. This event code is determined by a code evaluation unit of the combination lock when determining the locking authorization. A combination lock according to the invention also has a data communication device with which data can be transmitted to a data receiving device. The combination lock is battery-operated. The combination lock is configured such that event data is generated from the event code upon recognition of the locking authorization, or optionally after recognition of the locking authorization. This is achieved essentially by decrypting the event code, if it is encrypted.The event data is then transmitted from the data communication device to the data receiving device via a data transmission link. This link is a radio link. Both the data communication device and the data receiving device each have a radio module between which the event data can be transmitted. The data receiving device has the means to evaluate the event data in such a way as to trigger an event. Events can include, for example, the switching on, changing, or off of electrical devices such as lighting, heating, or alarm systems. However, the event can also be a sensory signal, particularly one that can be detected acoustically or visually.

[0008] The aforementioned German patent application DE 10 2015 118 627 A1 describes how the authorization code can contain additional time information. The authorization code of the present invention can contain such time information, which is used for the same purpose as described in DE 10 2015 118 627 A1.

[0009] The authorization code according to the invention is provided by an administrative unit and transmitted to a user as a sequence of digits. This sequence, i.e., the authorization code, can contain lock identification information, for example, in the form of multi-digit number or character strings, which are, however, stored in encrypted form within the authorization code. The lock identification information identifies one or more locks that can be operated and, in particular, opened with the authorization code.

[0010] Furthermore, the code lock can obtain information about an authorization period from the authorization data, which is transmitted in encrypted form. Preferably, the authorization data also contains information about at least one second authorization code, which is accepted by the code evaluation unit if the locking authorization of the first authorization code is established, wherein the second authorization code has a smaller number of digits or characters, as described in DE 10 2015 118 627 A1. The code lock can also include a transponder reader with which an individual identifier of a transponder can be read. The code evaluation unit is able to verify the individual identifier of the transponder for locking authorization. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1abs 1d schematically shows the structure of four authorization codes for a lock, which include different event codes E1 to E4, Fig. 2 schematically shows a code lock with data receiving device 11. Description of the embodiments

[0012] A locking system according to the invention has a plurality of independent code locks 1 and at least one in the Figure 2 The administration unit designated by reference number 9 does not need to establish a direct data transmission connection with one of the code locks 1 to transmit access authorization information. The authorization codes C1 to C4 are generated by the administration unit 9 and contain authorization data A and B, which grant access to a defined number of locks, in particular one or only two locks.

[0013] In the Figures 1a to 1bThe authorization codes C1 to C4 shown are assigned identical authorization data A and B, so that authorization codes C1 to C4 are able to close the same lock or the same number of locks. In the exemplary embodiment, the authorization data A and B contain the digits 97 and 61975.

[0014] In addition to the authorization data A and B, which are identical in the example, the authorization code C1 to C4 contains event codes E1 to E4. The event codes E1 to E4 are different from each other and can be encrypted within the authorization code C1 to C4. These event codes are 53, 28, 34, and 76.

[0015] The locking system according to the invention has a decentralized administration unit 9, which can be a computer, in particular one that is connected to the internet and that can provide a web interface. The locking system includes a plurality of combination locks, such as those used, for example, in the Figure 2The diagrams are shown schematically. Each of the code locks 1 has a numeric keypad 3, via which an authorization code C1 to C4 can be entered. The code lock 1 also has a code evaluation unit 6, which may be a microcontroller connected to storage peripherals. A transponder reader 5 is also provided to read the individual identifier of a transponder 2, as well as the data from information stored in a data memory of the transponder 2. Optical indicators, for example LEDs 4, may be provided to show the user that a transponder 2 in use or an authorization code C1 to C4 entered via the numeric keypad 3 grants access.

[0016] Furthermore, the code lock 1 can have electromechanical means or be connected to electromechanical means to perform an opening action, for example, retracting the bolt of a door lock. For this purpose, an electric motor or an electromagnet may be provided, for example. It may also have a coupling that connects a door handle to a latch or bolt retraction mechanism, so that a latch or bolt can be retracted after the door handle is operated. The [unclear text] in the Figure 2 The illustrated fitting element, which can be attached to the outside of a door leaf, can be connected via a cable connection to an electromechanical locking mechanism that includes a latch and / or a bolt.

[0017] Reference numeral 10 represents a data communication device that interacts wirelessly with a data receiving device 11 via a radio link.

[0018] If the code evaluation unit 6 recognizes access authorization data A, B in an authorization code C1 to C4 entered via the numeric keypad 3, the code evaluation unit 6 determines event data V 1 to V 2 from the event codes E 1 to E 4 also contained in the authorization code C1 to C4, which are transmitted via the radio link to the data receiving unit 11.

[0019] The data receiving device 11 is able to generate events T 1 to T 4 from the event data V 1 to V 2.

[0020] For example, if the code evaluation unit 6 recognizes the event code E 1 in the authorization code C 1, the event data V 1 is transmitted via the data communication unit 10 to the data reception direction 11, which then triggers the event T 1, which for example switches on the light or which switches on a heater.

[0021] For example, if the code evaluation unit 6 recognizes the event code E 2 in the authorization code C 2, the event data V 2 is transmitted via the data communication unit 10 to the data reception direction 11, which then triggers the event T 2, which for example switches off the light or a heater.

[0022] For example, if the code evaluation unit 6 recognizes the event code E 3 in the authorization code C 3, the event data V 3 is transmitted via the data communication unit 10 to the data reception unit 11, which then triggers the event T 3, which can trigger an alarm.

[0023] For example, if the code evaluation unit 6 recognizes the event code E 4 in the authorization code C 4, the event data V 4 is transmitted via the data communication unit 10 to the data reception unit 11, which then triggers the event T 4, which can switch off an alarm.

[0024] The event codes E1 to E4 can be single-digit numbers or multi-digit sequences. In this example, the event codes are two-digit numbers. The event data V1 to V4 can be multi-digit designations derived from the event codes, in particular plain text designations. However, the event codes E1 to E4 can also be used unchanged as the event data V1 to V4.

[0025] The data receiving device 11 can include a microcomputer or microcontroller capable of recognizing event data V1 to V4. Events T1 to T4, corresponding to event data V1 to V4, can be stored on a storage medium. Events T1 to T4 are electrical or electromechanical events triggered by the data receiving device 11, for example, by transmitting data or switching information to other devices. These other devices can be electrical equipment such as lighting, heating, or alarm systems.

[0026] According to the invention, time information is encoded in the authorization codes C1 to C4, as described in DE 10 2015 118 627 A1. The triggering of the event depends on when the authorization codes C1 to C4 were entered. For example, an event such as "Lights on" can only be triggered if the code is entered within a defined time window, for example, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of this time window, the event is not triggered.It can also be provided that the same event code E1 to E4 triggers different events T1 to T4, wherein, for example, a first event is triggered when the authorization code C1 to C4 is entered within a first time window, for example, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a second event, different from the first, is triggered when the authorization code C1 to C4 is entered at a different time, for example, within a time window between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. According to the invention, this time information is contained in the authorization code C1 to C4, and wherein the authorization code C1 to C4 additionally contains time information about an authorization period, and the combination lock only transmits event data V1 to V4 if the current time of a clock in the combination lock 1 is within the authorization period.For this purpose, the code lock 1 has a clock to provide a current time, whereby the authorization code C1 to C4 contains at least time information about an authorization period and the code lock 1 only transmits event data if the current time of the clock of the code lock 1 is within the authorization period that is encoded in the authorization code C1 to C4.

Claims

1. Method for operating a code lock (1), comprising a code input device (3) for inputting an authorization code (C1 to C4) consisting of a number of characters, wherein the authorization code (C1 to C4) contains encrypted authorization data (A, B) which are decrypted by the code lock (1) and checked for a locking authorization, wherein the code lock (1) performs an opening action when a locking authorization is established, wherein the authorization code (C1 to C4) contains at least one event code (E1 to E4) and the code lock (1), concurrently with the opening action, transmits event data (V1 to V4) obtained from the event code (E1 to E4) via a data communication device (10) to a data receiving device (11) for triggering an event (T1 to T4), characterized in that the code input device (3) is a numeric keypad, that the code lock (1) is battery-operated, and that the data communication device (10) and the data receiving device (11) each comprise a radio module, wherein after inputting a numerical sequence as the authorization code (C1 to C4), the event data (V1 to V4) obtained therefrom are transmitted via a radio link to the data receiving device (11), which evaluates the event data (V1 to V4) and triggers the event (T1 to T4), and wherein the code lock (1) has a clock for providing the current time, wherein the authorization code (C1 to C4) contains time information about an authorization period and the code lock (1) only transmits event data (E1 to E4) if the current time of the clock of the code lock (1) lies within the authorization period.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the events (T1 to T4) are the switching on, switching over, or switching off of an electrical device, for example a lamp, a heater, or an alarm device, or that the event (T1 to T4) is the switching on or switching off of an alarm or an optical or acoustic signal.

3. Code lock (1) with a code input device (3) for inputting an authorization code (C1 to C4) consisting of a number of characters and with a program-controlled code evaluation device (6) for checking the locking authorization of encrypted authorization data (A, B) contained in the authorization code (C1 to C4), wherein the code evaluation device (6) performs an opening action if the authorization data (A, B) have a locking authorization, with a data communication device (10) for transmitting event data (V1 to V4) to a data receiving device (11) for triggering an event (T1 to T4), wherein the code evaluation device (6) is configured to obtain the event data (V1 to V4) from event codes (E1 to E4) contained in the authorization code (C1 to C4), characterized in that the code input device (3) is a numeric keypad, that the code lock is battery-operated, and that the data communication device (10) and the data receiving device (11) each comprise a radio module, wherein the code lock is configured to transmit, after inputting a numerical sequence as the authorization code (C1 to C4), the event data (V1 to V4) obtained therefrom via a radio link to the data receiving device (11), which comprises means to evaluate the event data (V1 to V4) such that the event is triggered, and wherein the code lock (1) has a clock for providing the current time, wherein the authorization code (C1 to C4) contains time information about an authorization period and the code lock (1) only transmits event data (E1 to E4) if the current time of the clock of the code lock (1) lies within the authorization period.

4. Method according to claim 1 or code lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the data receiving device (11) comprises means for triggering events (T1 to T4) by evaluating the event data (V1 to V4).

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