Locking mechanisms may be used to secure or restrict access to a variety of types of objects. For example, a locking mechanism may be used to lock, secure or restrict access to a cabinet or safe, a door, a gate, a desk, etc. The locking mechanism may be operated, for example, using a key, a rotating numeric dial, or a numeric keypad.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a directionally-controlled locking system is disclosed. The directionally-controlled locking system includes an actuator for controlling actuation of a locking mechanism. An electronic control system controls the actuator. A directional input device is operable to receive directional inputs from a user where the directional inputs form an access code stored in a memory of the electronic control system and used for controlling the actuation of the locking mechanism.
For a more complete understanding of the present application, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a directionally-controlled locking system that may be used with a variety of types of containers, enclosures, gates, doors, or other types of devices where secured access and control is desired. According to one embodiment, a locking system includes an actuator for controlling actuation of a locking mechanism. An electronic control system controls the actuator. A directional input device is operable to receive directional inputs from a user where the directional inputs form an access code stored in a memory of the electronic control system and used for controlling the actuation of the locking mechanism.
With reference now to the Figures and in particular with reference to
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In some embodiments, device 22 may comprise arrows or other directional indicators to identify or indicate a particular direction. In some embodiments, device 22 does not contain (i.e., is devoid of) any alphanumeric characters and/or symbols. For example, device 22 may be configured having directional indicating arrows (or even without arrows) and without having any alphanumeric characters to provide an additional level of security. As an example, consider a keypad having numeric or alphanumeric characters imprinted thereon. Regardless of a position or orientation of the keypad relative to a user, a user would be able to identify and locate a particular character and depress that character as part of a secure code or password. However, with embodiments of the present invention, an additional level of security may be obtained based on the position or orientation of device 22 relative to a user. As an example, consider that when a user of system 10 creates or otherwise inputs an access code to be stored in a memory module of the electronic control system of the container 20 for unlocking the container, the user orients the container 180 degrees from what would be considered the front of the container 20. The access code may be, for example, L-R-L-L-D-U (where L refers to left, R refers to right, D refers to down, and U refers to up directional inputs). However, if an unauthorized user attempts to open container 20 and believes he/she knows the access code, the orientation of the container relative to the unauthorized user must be correct for the L-R-L-L-D-U access code to work. For example, if the unauthorized user attempts to unlock container 20 from the perspective from the front of the container 20 using the L-R-L-L-D-U access code, the access code will not be accepted (e.g., the inputs would be opposite than what would be required to unlock the container 20). Thus, embodiments of the present invention enable an additional layer of security over alphanumeric character-based systems.
Directional input device 22 may be used on a variety of different types of storage-type units or lockable devices such as, but not limited to, safes, lock boxes of various sizes, file cabinets, utility closets, etc. Directional input device 22 may also be used on access control systems for gates, doors, etc.
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In some embodiments, system 10 may be configured to provide audio and/or visual feedback of directional inputs using input device 22. For example, in response to a receiving a directional input (e.g., any direction or a particular direction), system 10 may provide an audio and/or visual feedback to the user. The audio feedback may comprise a particular frequency of “beep” or tone emitted by a speaker 70 (e.g., different frequency of beep tones for different directions, a different quantity or series of tones for different directions, etc.), and the visual feedback may comprise a multi-color LED 72 emitting a certain color corresponding to receipt of a particular directional input.
As described above, directional input device 22 receives one or more directional inputs that are converted to corresponding electronic signals transmitted to electronic control system 50. The directional inputs are analyzed by system 50 to determine whether the particular inputs entered/received correspond to the input needed to disengage the locking mechanism. If so, control system 50 causes the actuation of actuator/motor 54 to disengage the locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the reverse procedure may be used to lock container 20 (e.g., requiring the needed directional input to engage the locking mechanism).
In some embodiment, (e.g., where the storage unit is completely sealed, such as safes or lock boxes), system 10 may also comprise an interior light (via LED). The interior light may be illuminated in response to the correct entry sequence/code being input to system 10.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62244258 | Oct 2015 | US |