Optical key for a security system, as well as combination of an optical key and a security system

Abstract

Optical key 512 for a security system, comprising optical input and out ports 514, 516 and a key-side scrambler 518 for scrambling an N-channel optical input signal into a scrambled N channel optical output signal. The optical input port comprises N input terminal groups with input terminals. The optical output port comprises N output terminal groups 517 with each an output terminal. The key-side scrambler comprises N optical conductors 521, each having one proximal scrambler terminal group 522 with a proximal scrambler terminal, and one distal scrambler terminal group 524 with N distal scrambler terminals. The key-side scrambler 518 further comprises a selector assembly 529 with N selectors 530, which are arranged to switch between N different configurations. In each configuration a predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group 524 is enabled to provide an optical throughway from the relevant proximal scrambler terminal to the output terminal of the associated output terminal group 517.

Description

[0001] Title: Optical Key For A Security System, As Well As Combination Of An Optical Key And A Security System

[0002] The invention relates to an optical key for a security system, with an optical input port, an optical output port, and a key-side scrambler.

[0003] An optical key of this type is used to lock and / or unlock and / or gain access to a building, a room, a gated area, a cabinet, a safe, a strongroom, a vehicle, or any other type of space, or to secure a device, such as a vehicle or production facility, against unauthorized operation.

[0004] An optical key of this type is known from NL-2016919, which discloses a key, called external key, for an anti-theft system of a vehicle. The external key has a scrambler with N optical conductors, N being an integer and at least 4. The anti-theft system has a control circuit with a test signal generator, another scrambler, called an internal key, and a comparison unit. The comparison unit is configured to compare an internal signal from the control circuit with an external signal from the external key, and to provide an unlocking signal to vehicle if the internal signal and external signal match.

[0005] A disadvantage of the known optical key is that each optical key fits on one anti-theft system only.

[0006] The invention aims to solve at least one of these problems, or at least to provide an alternative. In particular, the invention aims to provide an optical key which can be used to operate more than one security system.

[0007] This aim is achieved by an optical key according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] An optical key for a security system comprises an optical input port, an optical output port, and a key-side scrambler for scrambling an N-channel optical input signal into a scrambled N channel optical output signal, wherein N is an integer with a value of at least 4.

[0009] The security system comprises a lock-side scrambler and a key receptacle. The key receptacle comprises an optical test signal output port which is optically connectable to the optical input port of the optical key, and an optical test signal input port which is optically connectable to the optical output port of the optical key.

[0010] The optical input port of the optical key comprises N input terminal groups with each at least one input terminal. The optical output port of the optical key comprises N output terminal groups with each at least one output terminal.

[0011] The key-side scrambler comprises N optical conductors, each of the N optical conductors having one proximal scrambler terminal group at a proximal end of the relevant conductor and one distal scrambler terminal group at a distal end of the relevant conductor, wherein each of theproximal scrambler terminal groups comprises at least one proximal scrambler terminal and each of the distal scrambler terminal groups comprises N distal scrambler terminals.

[0012] Each of the N input terminal groups is associated with one of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups, wherein the one or more input terminals of the relevant input terminal group is, or are, optically connected to the relevant optical conductor via the proximal scrambler terminals of the relevant proximal scrambler terminal group. Each of the N output terminal groups is associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups.

[0013] The key-side scrambler further comprises a selector assembly. The selector assembly comprises N selectors, each associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups, wherein each of the N selectors is arranged to switch between N different configurations, wherein in each configuration a predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group is enabled to provide an optical throughway from the relevant proximal scrambler terminal, through the relevant optical conductor and the relevant predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals to the at least one output terminal of the associated output terminal group.

[0014] The cooperation between the selector assembly and the distal scrambler terminals enables the setting of different scrambler configurations. In this way, a universal optical key is provided which is configurable to scramble an optical test signal in a way that corresponds to the scrambling or descrambling of the lock-side scrambler of a specific security system.

[0015] Another advantage of the optical key is that it is more safe to use in areas with a risk of combustion and / or explosion, such as chemical plants. An electronic key might cause sparks when inserted in, or extracted from, a key receptacle. This might initiate fire and in certain circumstances even an explosion. Even the presence of a battery in an electronic, or opto-electronical key is not desirable in specific vulnerable situations. A fully optical key solves these problems.

[0016] In an embodiment, each of the N optical conductors comprises N optical conductor fibres and each of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups comprises, in particular consists of, N proximal scrambler terminals, wherein each of the N optical conductor fibres of the relevant optical conductor extends from one of the proximal scrambler terminals to one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group. Providing N optical conductor fibres for each of the optical conductors, enables the distribution of relevant channel of the optical test signal to all distal scrambler terminals of the same optical conductor.

[0017] In particular, each of the N optical conductors consists of N optical conductor fibres. In particular, each of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups consists of N proximal scrambler terminals. In particular, the predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevantdistal scrambler terminal group which is enabled to provide an optical throughway in each configuration is a different one from the other ones in the other configurations.

[0018] In particular, each of the N input terminal groups consists of one input terminal, which is optically connected to all N proximal scrambler terminals of one of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups. One input terminal being optically connected to all N proximal scrambler terminals of one of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups implies that each input terminal is optically connected to one of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups which is different form the proximal scrambler terminal groups to which any of the other input terminals is optically connected to. The optical connection enables having just one input terminal per terminal group, by distributing the optical signal which is entered into the relevant input terminal to the N proximal scrambler terminals. More in particular, the optical connection is provided by an optical splitter.

[0019] In an embodiment, each of the N selectors comprises one optical thoroughfare to enable the optical throughway from one of the N optical conductor fibres of the relevant optical conductor via the relevant distal scrambler terminal of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group to the at least one output terminal and to block an optical throughway from the other ones of the N optical fibres of the same optical conductor. Such a selector in combination with the N optical conductor fibres results in a simple optical switch.

[0020] In an embodiment, each of the N individual selectors is rotatably mounted in a housing of the optical key. This enables a compact arrangement of each individual selector.

[0021] In an embodiment, each of the N individual selectors is separately controllable by a user. This provides a simple way of enabling a maximum number of possible combinations of settings of the selector assembly.

[0022] In an embodiment, each of the N output terminal groups comprises, in particular consists of, either one or N output terminals. One output terminal per output terminal group results in a more simple interface between the optical key and the key receptacle. N output terminals enables a direct link between each time one distal scrambler terminal and one output terminal.

[0023] In particular, each selector is configured to enable a light through-way from the relevant predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals to one of the N output terminals of the relevant output terminal group. This enables a simple design of the selectors.

[0024] In an embodiment, the optical input port and the optical output port are provided at one and the same side of the optical key. This enables a simple key receptacle with the optical test signal output port and the optical test signal input port arranged in a compact manner.

[0025] In an embodiment, the optical input port of the optical key functions as output port which is optically connectable to the optical test signal input port of the key receptacle and the opticaloutput port of the optical key functions as input port which is optically connectable to the optical test signal output port of the key receptacle. This enables light to travel through the optical key in a reverse direction, i.e. from the optical output port to the optical input port.

[0026] In an embodiment, the N input terminal groups each consists of one input terminal, and the optical test signal output port has one corresponding optical test signal output terminal per input terminal. In an embodiment, the N input terminal groups each consists of N input terminals, and the optical test signal output port comprises, in particular consists of, N optical test signal output terminal groups with each N optical test signal output terminals.

[0027] The invention further relates to a combination of an optical key as defined above and in the claims and a security system. The combination comprises a collector unit, comprising

[0028] N collector input terminal groups with each N collector input terminals,

[0029] N collector output terminals, and

[0030] N2collector conductors.

[0031] Each collector input terminal of all collector input terminal groups is connected via one of the N2collector conductors to one of the N collector output terminals, such that each of the N collector output terminals is connected with one collector input terminal of all of the N collector input terminal groups.

[0032] Each of the N collector input terminal groups is associated with one of each of the N distal scrambler terminal groups, such that each collector input terminal in the relevant collector input terminal group is connected, or connectable, to one distal scrambler terminal of the associated distal scrambler terminal group.

[0033] The collector unit reduces the N2distal scrambler terminals back to N collector output terminals.

[0034] In an embodiment, the collector unit is integrated in the security system, such that the optical test signal input port of the key receptacle comprises all of the N collector input terminal groups, and wherein each collector input terminal of one collector input terminal group is optically connectable to one distal scrambler terminal via one of the output terminals. By integrating the collector unit in the security system, the optical key can be designed relatively simple and compact.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the collector unit is integrated in the optical key, such that the optical output port of the optical key comprises all of the N collector output terminals, and wherein each collector input terminal is optically connected to one distal scrambler terminal. This reduces the number of optical output ports of the optical key to N.

[0036] In an embodiment, the collector conductors are optical conductors, in particular optical fibres.In an embodiment, the security system further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a lock, a production facility control, and an engine control module.

[0037] In an embodiment, the security system comprises a control. In particular, the control comprises an opto-electrical or optical circuit. In particular, the control comprises a comparison unit for comparing the signal coming from the scrambler in the optical key with the lock-side scrambler.

[0038] In an embodiment of the security system, the optical test signal input port of the key receptacle comprises, in particular consists of, N optical test signal input terminals. In another embodiment, the optical test signal input port of the key receptacle comprises, in particular consists of, N2optical test signal input terminals.

[0039] In the context of this invention, the terms scrambler and scrambled are to be interpreted in that at least two of the proximal scrambler terminals are each connected to a distal scrambler terminal which has a different position or channel number than the relevant proximal scrambler terminal.

[0040] The lock-side scrambler is configured to either scramble an optical or electrical copy of the optical test signal in the same way as the optical key scrambles the optical test signal, or to descramble the N channel optical output signal coming from the optical key back to the original test signal. In the first case, both scrambled test signals are compared to each other by a comparison unit of the security system to establish whether these are the same. In the second case, the descrambled signal is compared with the original optical test signal by the comparison unit to establish whether these are the same. The term configured defines both hardware and software solutions, e.g. hardware wiring by conductive wires or traces and / or electronic components on a printed circuit board, or software implemented in a programmable computer chip.

[0041] As each of the N selectors is each associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups, that is each with a different one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups, the same is true the other way around. Each of the N distal scrambler terminal groups is associated with a different one of the N selectors.

[0042] In view of the ease of the reader, the terms input port and output port are used throughout this specification. However, light is able to travel in both directions through the optical key.

[0043] Therefore, the optical input port of the optical key may also be referred to as first optical port, or optical I / O port and the optical output port of the optical key may also be referred to as second optical port, optical O / l port.

[0044] The phrase that each terminal of a certain group is optically connected, or connectable, to one other terminal, implies that all terminals of that group are connected, or connectable, to a mutually different other terminal. The phrase optically connected includes a variant where oneterminal is connected to another terminal via an optical conductor, such as an optical fibre, and a variant wherein the relevant terminals coincide.

[0045] The invention, its effects, and advantages will be explained in more detail on the basis of the schematic drawing, in which:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows an optical key and a security system with a lock for a door,

[0047] Fig. 2 shows an example of a 5-channel optical key,

[0048] Fig. 3 shows an example of a 5-channel lock-side scrambler which matches the optical key of fig. 2,

[0049] Fig. 4 shows a first embodiment of a combination with the lock-side scrambler of fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows an example of a 5-channel lock-side descrambler which matches the optical key of fig. 2,

[0050] Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a combination with the lock-side scrambler of fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows a 5-channel optical key, with a selector assembly, and a collector unit, Fig. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of an 8-channel optical key,

[0051] Fig. 9 show the 8-channel optical key of fig. 8, a matching key receptacle, and a collector unit,

[0052] Fig. 10 shows a partly cut-away plan view of the 8-channel optical key of fig. 8,

[0053] Fig. 11 shows enlarged detail XI of fig. 9, and

[0054] Figs. 12 and 13 each show part of the optical fibres of the collector unit of fig. 9.

[0055] The figures show an optical key, a security system, and a combination of these, according to the invention. The combination is denoted in fig. 1 in its entirety by reference number 1. The combination 1 comprises a security system 2 with a lock 3, and a control, in this embodiment an electro-optical circuit 4 to control the lock. The lock 3 comprises an electro-mechanical device 5 which operates a bolt 6. The electro-mechanical device 5 is connected to the electro-optical circuit 4 via a cable 7. The electro-optical circuit 4 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) with digital, optical and / or electronic components, which are not described or shown in detail, for controlling the electro-mechanical device 5, and an electro-optical control unit 10. The lock 3 is positioned in a door (not shown), or door frame (not shown). The bolt 6 engages with a hole in the other one of the door or door frame in a known manner.

[0056] The security system 2 of this embodiment is configured with N channels, and comprises an optical key 12. The optical key 12 is operatively connectable with the electro-optical control unit 10 via a cable 13 which has 2*N light conductive fibres (not shown in detail). This enables the insertion of the optical key 12 in a key receptacle, in this embodiment a dedicated key hole 11, e.g. in thehousing of the lock 3, while the electro-optical control unit 10 is integrated within the electro-optical circuit 4. This means that the electro-optical control unit 10 is permanently connected to the electro-optical circuit 4, where it enables and disables vital connections which run through the electro-optical circuit 4 , so that it is difficult to tamper with the electro-optical control unit 10 with affecting the proper working of the electro-optical circuit 4.

[0057] Referring to figure 2, a simplified version of the optical key 12 is shown for a system with five channels. Figure 2 does not show the selector assembly for the sake of explaining the scrambling in general. The optical key 12 comprises an input port 14, an output port 16, and an keyside scrambler 18. The input port 14 comprises five input terminal groups, which each one input terminal aO, al, a2, a3, a4, the output port 16 comprises five output terminal groups, with each one output terminal bO, bl, b2, b3, b4, and the key-side scrambler 18 comprises five conductors 20, in this embodiment five light conductive fibres. The five light conductive fibres 20 each connect one of the input terminals aO, al, ..., a4 with one of the output terminals bO, bl, ..., b4 in a scrambled manner. In this example, aO is connected to b2, al is connected to b4, etc. In this way, a maximum of 119 different keys can be configured, because 5 channels correspond to 51=120 different combinations, while a combination wherein all conductors 20 connect an input terminal with the same output terminal is not desirable and thus excluded from the system. In an analogous manner it can be derived that the eight-channel system of figure 4 allows for 40,319 different key combinations.

[0058] The electro-optical control unit 10 is shown schematically in more detail in figure 4. Please note that in the circuits of fig. 4 and 5, 'A' connects to 'A', 'B' connects to 'B', and 'TS' connects to 'TS'. The 'GO' and 'FAIL' lines connect the electro-optical control unit 10 with the electro-optical circuit 4. The electro-optical control unit 10 comprises a power supply 22, a clock control 24, a clock 26, a test signal generator 28, a key-side digital to light converter 30, a lock-side digital to light converter 32, an internal key 134, a key-side light to digital converter 36, a lock-side light to digital converter 38, an all on detector 40, a comparison unit 42, and a fail counter 44.

[0059] Referring to figure 3, the internal key 134 of this embodiment is shown for a five-channel system. The reference numbers of the internal key 134 are the same as those of the optical key 12 plus 100. The internal key 134 comprises an input port 114, an output port 116, and a lock-side scrambler 118. The input port 114 comprises five input terminals aO, al, ..., a4, the output port 16 comprises five output terminals bO, bl, ..., b4, and the lock-side scrambler 118 comprises five light conductive fibres 120. The five light conductive fibres 20 each connect an input terminal aO, al, ... with an output terminal bO, bl, ... in a scrambled manner. The scrambled manner of the internal key 134 is in this embodiment identical to that of the optical key 12.The test signal generator 28 is configured to provide an N-channel test signal, in this embodiment a five-channel test signal, to both the optical key 12 and the internal key 134. In this embodiment, the digital test signal is converted to light pulses at converters 30 and 32, before it is transmitted to the keys 12, 134. It is noted that optical key 12 is shown in figure 4 as part of the overall circuit. It is clear however, that the optical key 12 is positioned in reality at a distance from the circuit 10, as shown schematically in figure 1.

[0060] The comparison unit 42 of this embodiment is connected to the key-side light to digital converter 36 at 'A', and with the lock-side light to digital converter 38 at 'B'. It is configured to compare an internal signal from the internal key 134 of the electro-optical control unit 10 with an external signal from the optical key 12.

[0061] In operation, an optical key 12 is entered in the respective key hole 11 in the housing of the lock 3. This triggers a power on signal to the power supply 22. The clock control 24 controls the clock 26 to provide a series of pulses to the test signal generator 28 for a five-channel test signal. The test signal is split, and converted into light pulses at the key-side digital to light converter 30, and the lock-side digital to light converter 32. The light pulses from the key-side digital to light converter 30 are send through the cable 13 to the optical key 12. Here the signal is scrambled, and returns to the electro-optical control unit 10 via cable 13. At the same time, the internal light pulses are send through the internal key 134 which scrambles the test signal in the same way as the optical key 12. The light pulses are converted back to digital signals by the key-side light to digital converter 36, and the lock-side light to digital converter 38. Both the internal and the external digital scrambled signals arrive at the comparison unit 42. The comparison unit 42 provides an unlocking signal (GO) via the fail counter 44 to the electro-optical circuit 4 if the internal signal and external signal are identical. The unlocking signal results in an electrical current from the electro-optical circuit 4 through the cable 7 to the electro-mechanical device 5 for withdrawing the bolt 6.

[0062] The fail counter 44 of this embodiment is configured to count the number of fail signals, and to send a signal to the reset logic 46 of the electro-optical control unit 10 for the first and second subsequent fail signals. A timer (not shown) is included in this embodiment so that a second and third try can only be done after waiting for a predetermined amount of time, e.g. 1 minute, respectively 5 minutes. If the fail counter 44 counts a third fail signal, it blocks both the electro-optical circuit 4 and the electro-optical control unit 10 in a semi-permanent manner. That is, the blocking can only be undone by an authorised operator with a secret unlocking code. As an alternative, the blocking is permanent by causing a high current through the electro-optical circuit which destroys all or part of the electronic components. Accordingly, a new electro-optical circuit 4 with embedded electro-optical control unit 10 needs to be installed.The all on detector 40 of this embodiment is configured to send a blocking signal to the electro-optical circuit 4 and the electro-optical control unit 10 if there is a signal on all five channels coming from the optical and / or internal key 134. If someone tries to tamper with the electro-optical circuit 4 by entering a false key that causes all channels to lit, this is detected by the all on detector 40 that sends a corresponding signal to the reset logic 46.

[0063] Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an electro-optical control unit 110. The same or similar components as in the previous embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals, and are not described all in detail. The main difference with the embodiment of figure 4 is that the internal key 234 of this embodiment is a mirror of the optical key 12. In other words, it provides input terminal-output terminal connections which are the same as the output terminalinput terminal connections of the optical key. As an example, if the optical key 12 connects input terminal aO with output terminal b2, then the internal key 234 connects input terminal a2 with output terminal bO. In other words, the lock-side scrambler 218 of internal key 234 is designed to descramble the N-channel test signal as scrambled by the key-side scrambler 18. The internal key 234 matching the optical key 12 of fig. 2 is shown in fig. 5, wherein the reference numbers of the internal key 234 are the same as those of the internal key 134 plus 100.

[0064] The input port 14 of the optical key 12 of this embodiment is operatively connectable via a key-side digital to light converter 30 to the test signal generator 28. The output port 16 of the optical key 12 is optically connectable to input port 214 of the internal key 234. The output port 216 of the internal key 234 is optically connected to a lock-side light to digital converter 38. The test signal generator 28 is operatively connected via an N-channel delay 46 to the comparison unit 42 for providing a copy of the eight-channel test signal as the internal signal.

[0065] In operation, the key-side scrambler 18 of the optical key 12 scrambles the N-channel test signal, which scrambled signal is descrambled by the lock-side scrambler 218, if the optical key 12 matches the internal key 234. Accordingly, the original test signal arrives at the comparison unit 42 via both the scramblers 18, 218, and the N-channel delay 46. The function of the N-channel delay 46 is to ensure that both signals arrive at the same time at the comparison unit 42. If the signals actually match, than the electro-optical circuit 4 is released. Otherwise, one of the fail mechanisms kicks into action, as described in relation to the first embodiment.

[0066] Fig. 7 schematically discloses two embodiments of an optical key 312, 412 with a collector unit 313. The optical key 312 comprises an optical input port 314 with N input terminal groups 315, an optical output port 316 with N output terminal groups 317, a key-side scrambler 318 for scrambling an N-channel optical input signal into a scrambled N channel optical output signal. In the shown embodiment, N=5.Each of the N input terminal groups 315 of the optical input port 314 has one input terminal aO, al, a2,a3, a4. Each of the N output terminal groups 317 of the optical output port 316 has N output terminals S0.0, S0.1, S1.0, Sl.l, S4.4 (note that all output terminals are visible in the figure, but the reference signs are only indicated for the output terminals which are active in the shown embodiment, as will be explained below). A key receptacle (see figs. 1 and 9) of a security system has an optical test signal output port 319, with N optical test signal output terminals 320, which is optically connectable to the optical input port 314 of the optical key 312 such, that each of the N optical test signal output terminals is optically aligned with one of the input terminals aO, al, a2,a3, a4. The key receptacle further has an optical test signal input port (see below) which is optically connectable to the optical output port 316 of the optical key 312.

[0067] The key-side scrambler 318 comprises N optical conductors 321. Each of the N optical conductors 321 has one proximal scrambler terminal group 322 at a proximal end of the relevant conductor 321 and one distal scrambler terminal group 324 at a distal end of the relevant conductor 321. Each of the proximal scrambler terminal groups 322 of this embodiment comprises N proximal scrambler terminals and each of the distal scrambler terminal groups 324 of this embodiment comprises N distal scrambler terminals. Each of the N optical conductors 321 of this embodiment comprises N optical conductor fibres. Each optical conductor fibre terminates with one of the proximal scrambler terminals of the relevant proximal terminal group 322 at its proximal end and with one of the distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal terminal group 324 at its distal end. Figure 7 shows four of the fibres of each optical conductor 321 as dashed lines and one of the fibres as solid line, as will be discussed below.

[0068] Each of the N input terminal groups 322 is associated with one of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups 322, wherein the one input terminal aO, al, ... of the relevant input terminal group 322 is optically connected to all N optical conductor fibres of the relevant optical conductor 321 via an optical splitter (not shown) to the proximal scrambler terminals of the relevant proximal scrambler terminal group 322. Each of the N output terminal groups 317 is associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups 324.

[0069] The key-side scrambler 318 further comprises a selector assembly 329. The selector assembly 329 comprises N selectors 330, each associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups 324. Each of the N selectors 330 is arranged to switch between N different configurations, wherein in each configuration a predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group 324 is enabled to provide an optical throughway from the relevant proximal scrambler terminal 322, through the relevant optical conductor 321 and the relevant predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the distalscrambler terminal groups 324 to a corresponding one of the output terminals SO.2, SI.4, S2.0, S3.1, S4.3 of the associated output terminal group 317.

[0070] Each of the N selectors 330 of this embodiment comprises one optical thoroughfare (indicated by an open circle in fig. 7) to enable the optical throughway from one of the N optical conductor fibres of the relevant optical conductor 321 via the relevant distal scrambler terminal of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group 324 to the related one of the output terminals and to block an optical throughway (indicated by a hatched circle in fig. 7) from the other ones of the N optical fibres of the same optical conductor 321. In this way, each selectors 330 in combination with the optical conductor 321 functions as an optical switch. The configuration as shown in fig. 7 results in an optical throughway for light coming from the optical test signal output port 319, entering the input terminals aO, al, .... and exiting at one of the output terminals of the output terminal groups 317. While the light does enter all optical conductor fibres of each optical conductor 321, it only exists from one optical conductor fibre at its distal scrambler to the output terminal of the relevant output terminal group 317, as the relevant selector 330 offers only one thoroughfare to one distal scrambler terminal in each configuration.

[0071] The shown configuration of the selector assembly 329 results in input terminal aO being optically connected to output terminal S0.2, input terminal al being optically connected to output terminal SI.4, etc., as shown in fig. 7 with the solid lines for the optical conductor fibres, which are actively able to transmit light thanks to the optical thoroughfare of the relevant selector. The dashed lines indicate optical conductor fibres where light is inserted at the input terminal, but does not enter an output terminal because the relevant selector is closed for that optical conductor fibre. The light that does exit each output terminal of the optical output port 316 enters the optical test signal input port, as will be explained below in more detail, so that it can be processed by a security system, such as one of the above disclosed security systems. As a result, the combination of the optical conductors 321 with the selector assembly 329 functions as the key-side scrambler 318, while the selector assembly enables different scrambler settings.

[0072] A security system which is configured to receive the optical key 312 further comprises the collector unit 313. The collector unit 313 of this embodiment has N collector input terminal groups 340 with each N collector input terminals, N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b(N-l), and N2collector optical fibres 344. As N=5 in this embodiment, the collector unit 313 has five collector input terminal groups 340 with each five collector input terminals, five collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b4, and twenty-five collector optical fibres 344.In this embodiment, the N collector input terminal groups 340 function as optical test signal input port of the key receptacle and the collector input terminals of the collector input terminal groups 340 thus function as optical test signal input terminals.

[0073] Each collector input terminal of one collector input terminal group 340 is optically connectable to one distal scrambler terminal of one distal scrambler terminal group 324 via one of the output terminals S0.0, S0.1, S1.0, Sl.l, S4.4 when the optical key 312 is inserted into a key receptacle, such as the key receptacle 11 of fig. 1

[0074] Each collector input terminal of all collector input terminal groups 340 is optically connected via one of the N2collector optical fibres 344 to one of the N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b4, such that each of the N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b4e is optically connected with one collector input terminal of all of the N collector input terminal groups 340. The collector unit reduces the number of N2distal scrambler terminals back to N collector output terminals. One light to digital converter 336 is provided at each of the N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b4.

[0075] The collector unit 313 collects all signals of corresponding output terminals S0.0, S0.1, ..., S1.0, Sl.l, ...., S4.4 at one collector output terminal bO, bl, .., b4. That is, the signals of all N, in this embodiment four, Sn.O output terminals is collected at bO, the signals of all four Sn.l output terminals is collected at bl, the signals of all four Sn.2 output terminals is collected at b2, the signals of all four Sn.3 output terminals is collected at b3, and the signals of all four Sn.4 output terminals is collected at b4 (with n=0....4).

[0076] The combination of the optical key 312, with the selector assembly 329, and the collector unit 313 results in a similar scrambling as disclosed above for key 12. In fact, with the shown configuration of the selector assembly 329 the scrambling in figure 2 and figure 7 is the same, in that input terminal aO is connected to collector output terminal b2, al is connected to b4, etc. Thus, when a test signal generator, such as the test signal generator 28 of fig. 4 or fig. 6, generates a test signal which is converted to an optical test signal and exits the security system at the optical test signal output port 319, as explained above, light is inserted into the input terminals aO, al, ...., a4 of the optical input port 314 of the optical key 312, is scrambled by the optical key 312 with selector assembly 329, and directed to the light to digital converters 336 provided at collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b4, where the scrambled test signal is converted back to an electric signal to be compared by the comparison unit 42 in the embodiment of the security system of fig. 4, or is descrambled by the lock-side scrambler 234 in the embodiment of the security system of fig. 6.

[0077] The second embodiment of the optical key 412 is disclosed by the same figure 7. The main difference with the first embodiment is that the collector unit 313 is integrated in the optical key 412 instead of being part of the security system. In this embodiment, an optical output port 416 ofthe optical key 412 comprises all of the N collector output terminals bO, bl, b4. In fact, the N collector output terminals bO, bl, b4 of this embodiment function as the N output terminals of the N output terminals groups, wherein each of the N output terminals groups consists of one output terminal. In this embodiment, each collector input terminal is optically connected to one distal scrambler terminal.

[0078] Thanks to the integration of the collector unit 313 in the optical key 412, the number of optical output ports of the optical key is reduced to N, which enables a simpler key receptacle wherein the optical test signal input port only consists of N optical test signal input terminals.

[0079] Fig. 8 discloses an exploded view of an optical key 512 which is configured to scramble an N-channel test signal. In the shown embodiment, N=8. Elements of the optical key 512 which resemble those of the optical key 312 are denoted with the same reference numbers plus 200.

[0080] Referring also to fig. 10, the optical key 512 comprises a housing of which only one side 500 is shown in the figures. The side 500 of this embodiment is a circular end face of the optical key 512. The optical key 512 comprises an optical input port 514 with N input terminal groups 515, an optical output port 516 with N output terminal groups 517, a key-side scrambler 518 for scrambling an N-channel optical input signal into a scrambled N channel optical output signal.

[0081] The optical input port 514 and the optical output port 516 of this embodiment are both provided at the same circular side 500. The N input terminal groups 515 of the optical input port 514 are provided at a centre of the circular side 500, and the N output terminal groups 517 of the optical output port 516 are provided concentrically around the optical input port 514.

[0082] Each of the N input terminal groups 515 of the optical input port 514 of this embodiment has one input terminal, comparable to the input terminals aO, al, a2,a3, a4 of the previous embodiments. Each of the N output terminal groups 517 of the optical output port 516 has N output terminals, comparable to the output terminals S0.0, S0.1, ..., S1.0, Sl.l, ...., S4.4 of the optical key 312, except that with N being eight, the total number of output terminals equals to sixty-four (eight times eight). In figure 10, the output terminals are visible as holes which are all provided with a number 1-8, except for the output terminal group wherein part of the optical output port 516 is cut away to show the relevant selector.

[0083] Figure 9 shows the optical key 512, together with a part of a security system 502. The security system comprises a base 504, a key receptacle 511, and further housing parts and electronic components which are not shown for this figure. The base 504 supports N light emitting diodes 506 and N light to digital converter 536 (see fig. 11). Each of the N light emitting diodes 506 is electronically connected to a test signal generator, such as the test signal generator 28 of figure 4 or 6, and optically connected to test signal optical fibres 508.The key receptacle 511 of the security system 502 has an optical test signal output port 519, with N optical test signal output terminals 520, which are all configured to receive an optical test signal from one of the N light emitting diodes 506 via the test signal optical fibres 508. Each of the N optical test signal output terminals 520 is optically connectable to the optical input port 514 of the optical key 512 such, that each of the N optical test signal output terminals 520 is optically aligned with one of the input terminals. The key receptacle 511 further has an optical test signal input port 550, with optical test signal input terminals 551, which is optically connectable to the optical output port 516 of the optical key 512. The arrangement of the optical test signal output terminals 520 and the optical test signal input terminals 551 is a mirror-image of the input terminal groups 515 and the output terminal groups 517 of the optical key 512.

[0084] The key receptacle 511 of this embodiment has a part-annular ridge 542 and the optical key 512 has a part-annular groove 543 which matches the part-annular ridge 542. This enables the optical key 512 to be inserted in the key receptacle 511 in one unique orientation, at the same time aligning all input and output terminals of the optical key 512 and the key receptacle 511 with each other.

[0085] The key-side scrambler 518 comprises N optical conductors 521. Each of the N optical conductors 521 has one proximal scrambler terminal group 522 at a proximal end of the relevant conductor 521 and one distal scrambler terminal group 524 at a distal end of the relevant conductor 521. Each of the proximal scrambler terminal groups 522 of this embodiment comprises N proximal scrambler terminals and each of the distal scrambler terminal groups 524 of this embodiment comprises N distal scrambler terminals. Each of the N optical conductors 521 of this embodiment comprises N optical conductor fibres. Each optical conductor fibre terminates with one of the proximal scrambler terminals of the relevant proximal terminal group 522 at its proximal end and with one of the distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal terminal group 524 at its distal end. Reference is made to the embodiment of fig. 7 for an explanation of the orientation and connections of the optical conductor fibres. As visible in figs. 8 and 10, the N optical conductor fibres of each optical conductor 521 originate from a common point, where the optical conductor 521 splits into the N optical conductor fibres. In other words, the proximal scrambler terminals of one proximal scrambler terminal group 522 coincide.

[0086] The key-side scrambler 518 further comprises a selector assembly 529. The selector assembly 529 comprises N selectors 530, each associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups 524. Each of the N selectors 530 is arranged to switch between N different configurations, wherein in each configuration a predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group 524 is enabled to provide an opticalthroughway from the relevant proximal scrambler terminal group 522, through the relevant optical conductor 521 and the relevant predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals to a corresponding one of the output terminals of the associated output terminal group 517.

[0087] Each of the N selectors 530 of this embodiment comprises one optical thoroughfare (indicated by an open circle in fig. 8 and a hatched circle in fig. 10) to enable the optical throughway from one of the N optical conductor fibres of the relevant optical conductor 521 via the relevant distal scrambler terminal of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group 524 to the related one of the output terminals and to block an optical throughway (indicated by an open circle in fig. 10) from the other ones of the N optical fibres of the same optical conductor 521. In this way, each selector 530 in combination with the optical conductor 521 functions as an optical switch, as explained in more detail in relation to the previous embodiments.

[0088] In the shown embodiment, each of the N individual selectors 530 is rotatably mounted in the housing of the optical key 512 by means of a pivot axis 532. Each of the N individual selectors 530 is separately controllable by a user.

[0089] The security system 502 of this embodiment further comprises the collector unit 513. The collector unit 513 has N collector input terminal groups 540 with each N collector input terminals 541. The collector unit 513 further of this embodiment has N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b7 and N2collector optical fibres 544. Figures 9, 11, 11 and 13 only show part of the optical fibres 544, a different part in each figure, in order to increase the intelligibility of the drawings.

[0090] As N=8 in this embodiment, the collector unit 513 has eight collector input terminal groups 540 with each eight collector input terminals 541, eight collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b7, and sixty-four collector optical fibres 544.

[0091] In this embodiment, the N collector input terminal groups 540 function as the optical test signal input port 550 of the key receptacle and the collector input terminals 541 of the collector input terminal groups 540 thus function as the optical test signal input terminals 551.

[0092] Each collector input terminal 541 of one collector input terminal group 540 is optically connectable to one distal scrambler terminal 524 via one of the output terminals of the N output terminal groups 517 of the optical key 512, when the optical key 512 is inserted into the key receptacle 511 and the part-annular ridge 542 and part-annular groove 543 engage each other.

[0093] Each collector input terminal 541 of all collector input terminal groups 540 is optically connected via one of the N2collector optical fibres 544 to one of the N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b7, such that each of the N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b7 is optically connected with one collector input terminal 541 of all of the N collector input terminal groups 540.One light to digital converter 536 (see fig. 9) is provided at, and integrated with, each of the N collector output terminals bO, bl, b7. The relevant light to digital converter 536 and collector output terminals bO, bl, b7 are arranged such, that light that comes in from any of collector optical fibres 544 that is attached to the relevant collector out terminal bO, bl, b7 is processed by the same light to digital converter 536. The output of the light to digital converter 536 is processed in a manner similar to the embodiment of figure 4.

[0094] Figs 12 and 13 show each part of the collector optical fibres 544 to improve the understanding of the optical connections between the collector input terminals 541 and the N collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b7. Fig. 12 shows that the signals of each time one collector input terminal 541 of all N collector input terminal groups 540 is collected at one collector output terminal b7 by means of N of the N2collector optical fibres 544. Fig. 13 shows that the signals of the N different collector input terminals 541 of one collector input terminal group 540 is distributed over N different collector output terminals bO, bl, .., b7 by means of N of the N2collector optical fibres 544.

[0095] The combination of the optical key 512, with the selector assembly 529, and the collector unit 513 results in a similar scrambling as disclosed above for key 12, albeit in this embodiment for an 8-channel test signal. The selectors 530 enable the setting of different scrambler settings.

[0096] Several variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims. The features of the above described preferred embodiment(s) may be replaced by any other feature within the scope of the attached claims, such as the features described in other embodiments, and in the following paragraphs.

[0097] In a variant of the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the internal key and the optical key are placed in a different order, while the rest of the circuit is comparable to that of fig. 6. Thus, the internal key is operatively connected to the test signal generator and is operatively connectable to the input port of the external key. The lock-side scrambler is designed to scramble the N-channel test signal. The key-side scrambler is designed to descramble the N-channel test signal as scrambled by the lock-side scrambler into the external signal. The test signal generator is operatively connected to the comparison unit for providing a copy of the N-channel test signal as the internal signal.

[0098] Embodiments within the scope of the attached claims can be implemented using standard optical and electronic components, including but not limited to a clock generator, flip-flops, logic gates, and laser diodes and drivers.

[0099] In the shown embodiments, the comparison unit checks whether the internal and external signal are identical. In an alternative, the signals match in another way, e.g. a '1' of the externalsignal corresponds to a '0' of the internal signal while a '0' of the external signal corresponds to a '1' of the internal signal.

[0100] In an embodiment the electronic circuit is a motherboard, provided with a CPU, or the CPU itself, a disk drive, a memory, or a power unit.

[0101] In an embodiment, the lock requires an extra key, such as a mechanical key and / or a key code. Both the extra key and the external key according to the invention have to match in order for the lock to open. In particular, the anti-theft system of the current invention prevents the extra key to operate the relevant part of the lock mechanism.

[0102] In an embodiment, the bolt or latch is operated by a user engaging a knob, or physical key, instead of by the electro-mechanical device. Operating the knob is enabled or disabled through the anti-theft system according to the invention.

[0103] In an embodiment, the security systems comprises a production facility control. Connecting the optical key that matches the lock-side scrambler with the key receptacle enables the user to start the production facility as a whole, certain processes of the production facility, and / or to change certain settings for one or more processes. In a variant, the security system comprises both the lock and the control for the production facility, such that the optical key can both lock and unlock the facility and engage the production facility control.

[0104] In an embodiment, the security system comprises an engine control module. This ensures that an engine of a vehicle can only be started and / or operated after the optical key that matches the lock-side scrambler engages the key receptacle. In a variant, the optical key operates a lock of the relevant vehicle too.

[0105] In an alternative embodiment, each optical conductor consists of one optical fibre with one proximal scrambler terminal, wherein the relevant selector is configured to switch the optical fibre to a selected one of the N distal scrambler terminals. Preferably, the N distal scrambler terminals are predetermined points in a housing of the optical key and each selector is configured to move a distal section of the relevant optical fibre towards these predetermined points.

[0106] Preferably, each of the N input terminal groups consists of one input terminal which is optically connected to the one proximal scrambler terminal of the one optical conductor fibre of the optical conductor.

[0107] In an embodiment, N light to digital converters are provided at each collector output terminal.

[0108] In an embodiment, the N selectors in the selector assembly are interconnected and are jointly controllable via one of the selectors, are via a further selector control.The lock-side scrambler is one of an optical, electrical, or logical scrambler. An advantage of an optical scrambler is that it does not generate, and is not affected by, electro-magnetic field. An electrical scrambler enables simple connections with electronic components of the security system. A logical scrambler, i.e. an electronic or digitally programmable scrambler, enables the setting of different scrambler configurations in the security system, e.g. to periodically change the scrambling and thus also the required setting for the optical key.

[0109] In an embodiment, more components of the control of the security system are optical. This implies that the digital to light converters and light to digital converters are in a different position than in the electro-optical control units of figs. 4 and 6. In particular these converters are further away from the optical key. In such an embodiment, a test signal by the digital test signal generator is directly converted in an optical signal, which is subsequently optically split and fed to the optical key, internal key and / or delay. The internal and external optical signal are optically fed to the all on detector and / or an optical comparison unit and light to digital convertors are provided after the all on detector an / or after the optical comparison unit. In an embodiment, all components of the control of the security system are optical.

[0110] In an embodiment, the collector conductors of the collector unit are electrical conductors, such as electric wires or electronic or logical wiring. This means that the collector unit is electronical instead of optical. That is that light to digital convertors are provided at the collector input terminal group and that electrical wires or an electronic or digital component configured or programmed to collect the input from the collector input terminal is provided instead of collector optical fibres.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Optical key for a security system (502), comprising an optical input port (514), an optical output port (516), and a key-side scrambler (518) for scrambling an N-channel optical input signal into a scrambled N channel optical output signal, whereinN is an integer with a value of at least 4,the security system (502) comprises a lock-side scrambler (134) and a key receptacle (511), the key receptacle (511) comprising an optical test signal output port (519) which is optically connectable to the optical input port (514) of the optical key (512), and an optical test signal input port (550) which is optically connectable to the optical output port (516) of the optical key (512),the optical input port (514) of the optical key (512) comprises N input terminal groups (515) with each one or more input terminals (aO, al, ...),the optical output port (316, 516) of the optical key (312, 512) comprises N output terminal groups (317, 517) with each at least one output terminal (S0.0, S0.1, ..., S1.0, Sl.l, S4.4),the key-side scrambler (518) comprises N optical conductors (521), each of the N optical conductors (521) having one proximal scrambler terminal group (522) at a proximal end of the relevant conductor (521) and one distal scrambler terminal group (524) at a distal end of the relevant conductor (521), wherein each of the proximal scrambler terminal groups (522) comprises at least one proximal scrambler terminal and each of the distal scrambler terminal groups (524) comprises N distal scrambler terminals,each of the N input terminal groups (515) is associated with one of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups (522), wherein the one or more input terminals (aO, al, ...) of the relevant input terminal group (515) are optically connected to the relevant optical conductor (521) via the proximal scrambler terminals of the relevant proximal scrambler terminal group (522), andeach of the N output terminal groups (517) is associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups (524), andthe key-side scrambler (518) further comprises a selector assembly (529), which comprises N selectors (530), each associated with one of the N distal scrambler terminal groups (524), wherein each of the N selectors (530) is arranged to switch between N different configurations, wherein in each configuration a predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group (524) is enabled toprovide an optical throughway from the relevant proximal scrambler terminal, through the relevant optical conductor (521) and the relevant predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals to the at least one output terminal (S0.0, S0.1, S1.0, Sl.l, S4.4) of the associated output terminal group (317, 517).

2. Optical key according to claim 1, wherein each of the N optical conductors (521) comprises N optical conductor fibres and each of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups (522) comprises N proximal scrambler terminals, wherein each of the N optical conductor fibres of the relevant optical conductor (521) extends from one of the proximal scrambler terminals to one of the N distal scrambler terminals of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group (524).

3. Optical key according to claim 2, wherein each of the N input terminal groups (515) consists of one input terminal (aO, al, ...) and each of the one input terminals is optically connected to all N proximal scrambler terminals of one of the N proximal scrambler terminal groups (522).

4. Optical key according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the N selectors (530) comprises one optical thoroughfare to enable the optical throughway from one of the N optical conductor fibres of the relevant optical conductor (521) via the relevant distal scrambler terminal of the relevant distal scrambler terminal group (524) to the at least one output terminal and to block an optical throughway from the other ones of the N optical fibres of the same optical conductor (521).

5. Optical key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each of the N individual selectors (530) is rotatably mounted in a housing of the optical key (512).

6. Optical key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each of the N individual selectors (530) is separately controllable by a user.

7. Optical key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each of the N output terminal groups (317) comprises N output terminals (S0.0, S0.1, ..., S1.0, Sl.l, ...., S4.4).

8. Optical key according to claim 7, wherein each selector (330) is configured to enable a light through-way from the relevant predetermined one of the N distal scrambler terminals to one of the N output terminals (S0.0, S0.1, ..., S1.0, Sl.l, ...., S4.4) of the relevant output terminal group (317).

9. Optical key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the optical input port (514) and the optical output port (516) are provided at one and the same side (500) of the optical key (512).

10. Optical key according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the optical input port (514) of the optical key (512) functions as output port which is optically connectable to the optical test signal input port (550) of the key receptacle (511) and the optical output port (516) of the optical key (512) functions as input port which is optically connectable to the optical test signal output port (519) of the key receptacle (511).

11. Combination of an optical key (512) according to any one or more of the preceding claims and a security system (502), the combination comprising a collector unit (513), comprisingN collector input terminal groups (540) with each N collector input terminals (541), N collector output terminals (bO, bl, ..), andN2collector conductors (544), whereineach collector input terminal (541) of all collector input terminal groups (540) is connected via one of the N2collector conductors to one of the N collector output terminals, such that each of the N collector output terminals (bO, bl, ..) is connected with one collector input terminal (541) of all of the N collector input terminal groups (540), andeach of the N collector input terminal groups (540) is associated with one of each of the N distal scrambler terminal groups (524), such that each collector input terminal (541) in the relevant collector input terminal group (540) is connected, or connectable, to one distal scrambler terminal of the associated distal scrambler terminal group (524).

12. Combination according to claim 11, wherein the collector unit (513) is integrated in the security system (502), such that the optical test signal input port (550) of the key receptacle (511) comprises all of the N collector input terminal groups (540), and wherein each collector input terminal (541) of one collector input terminal group (540) is optically connectable to one distal scrambler terminal via one of the output terminals.

13. Combination according to claim 11, wherein the collector unit (313) is integrated in the optical key (412), such that the optical output port (416) of the optical key (412) comprises all of the Ncollector output terminals (bO, bl, ...), and wherein each collector input terminal is optically connected to one distal scrambler terminal.

14. Combination according to any one, or more, of claims 11-13, wherein the collector conductors are optical conductors, in particular optical fibres (544).

15. Combination according to any one, or more, of claims 11-14, the security system (2) further comprising at least one of the group consisting of a lock (3), a production facility control, and an engine control module.

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