The invention relates to a key switch according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1, which is designed to be installed in an elevator cabin of an elevator system for example, and to a method, according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 14, for initializing a drive device using such a key switch.
Drive devices, such as elevator systems, moving walkways and escalators, are often provided with key switches.
In some countries, there are regulations which stipulate that an elevator cabin must be able to be operated by the fire department using a special key in the event of an emergency (for example when there is a fire). The elevator controller can be changed over to a special mode (emergency mode), for example, using this key.
Other drive devices in turn have key switches which are operated by service staff in order to be able to change over from normal operation to a service mode.
Drive devices which are controlled using key switches are also known. For example, a penthouse apartment can be reached with the elevator if a key switch was previously operated with the corresponding key.
Key switches are often very expensive especially since there is often the desire to be able to operate the elevator with the same key as the front door. If a plurality of people require a key, the entire key system has to be correspondingly planned and designed using a locking plan.
Another disadvantage of the previous key switches of this type is that the elevator system is more expensive as a result of the use of identical key switches at a plurality of points. Even if the elevator system has to be modified, for example because keys have been lost, all key switches have to be replaced with identical new key switches.
If a plurality of functions have to be able to be controlled by key switches nowadays, one key switch has to be installed for each function, which requires a very large amount of space. In addition to the costs, another point also plays an important role. The key switches typically have a cylinder which has a certain overall depth on account of the electromechanical elements. An analysis of existing key switches has revealed that this depth is between 50 and 60 mm (sometimes up to 90 mm). However, only a small overall depth is available in drive devices in particular. The large overall depth is also rather disruptive in solutions which have to satisfy aesthetic demands.
Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a key switch which is more convenient to produce and can be used in a flexible manner and whose installation depth is smaller than in conventional solutions.
Nevertheless, an at least equivalent degree of security to that in previous apparatuses should be provided. In addition, the apparatus is intended to comply with the corresponding local rules and regulations.
The invention should also temporally restrict release for a function. For example, the cleaning staff may be allowed access only from 16:00 to 22:00.
The object is achieved by means of the features of claim 1 and by means of the features of claim 14. Advantageous exemplary embodiments and developments of the invention are outlined by the dependent patent claims.
The key switch according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that it has key recognition means for recognizing a key with a key bit and a key receptacle for inserting, guiding and positioning the key bit. The key recognition means operate contactlessly and scan at least one part of the key bit which has been inserted into the key receptacle. The corresponding scanning means provide actual values for a key which is currently inserted in the key receptacle. Memory means are provided in order to store comparison values for a key in an initialization phase. An electronic comparator is provided, which comparator compares actual values with comparison values and effects release if the actual values and comparison values match.
The method according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that, in order to initialize a drive device using a key switch having key recognition means for recognizing a key with a key bit and having a key receptacle for inserting the key bit into the key receptacle, the following steps are carried out:
Thanks to the novel invention, a new key switch need not be used in the cabin if the elevator system has to be modified since only one new key can be stored with the novel invention.
If a plurality of functions have to be able to be controlled by key switches, only one central unit for all functions is required with the invention.
As a further advantage, mechanical lock opening tools (also burglary tools) which are customary nowadays become ineffective since their mechanical shape, configuration and method of operation are reliably recognized by the key recognition means according to the invention and do not effect release.
Further details and advantages of the invention are described below using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which:
As already indicated at the outset, the present patent application relates to key switches as are used in elevator systems, in escalators or in moving walkways. The key switch denotes a system or a unit which allows a particular group of people, for example fire department employees, the police, tenants or the like, to transfer the drive device to a desired mode, for example an emergency mode) or to trigger a special journey, for example. A mechanical key which is also referred to as a key here is used for this purpose. The invention can also be used with intelligent keys as long as these keys contain a key bit having recognizable features which distinguish the key from other keys.
Mechanical features, for example small depressions 13.2 and/or grooves 13.3, may be provided on the key bit 13.1. However, the key bit 13.1 can also have one or two comb-like edge(s), as is often conventional.
Details of the invention are now described using an exemplary embodiment which is shown in
However, the key switch 15 may also be arranged at another location in an elevator cabin and/or outside the elevator cabin, for example beside shaft doors.
According to the invention, a key switch 15 having key recognition means for recognizing a key 13 with a key bit 13.1 is fitted in the elevator cabin. The key switch 15 comprises a key receptacle 16.2 for inserting the key bit 13.1. According to the invention, the key recognition means 30 operate contactlessly and have, for this reason, corresponding scanning means 32 for scanning at least one part of the key bit 13.1 which has been inserted into the key receptacle 16.2. The scanning means 32 provide actual values for a key 13 which is currently inserted in the key receptacle 16.2. A corresponding state is shown in
The elements of the key switch 15 according to the invention are described in more detail below.
The key cylinder 16.3 has a window 16.4 which is indicated in
In order to prepare the key recognition means 30 for use, at least the comparison value for a key 13 is predefined and stored in a so-called initialization phase. Release is effected after scanning and comparison only when the same key 13 or a copy of this key 13 is used after the initialization phase.
The inventive principle of contactlessly scanning (recognizing) a key 13 is described in
However, the invention also functions with scanning means which generate the image (actual value) on a point-by-point basis or in steps. For example, it is possible to use a light-emitting diode or a laser which guides light onto the key bit 13.1, which light is then received by a detector after reflection. However, the functional principle remains the same.
In one particularly preferred embodiment, an algorithm which compares images or patterns is used.
The key recognition means 30 effect release by emitting an electrical pulse or by outputting a digital “1” or a digital “0”, for example. This pulse or this digital value can be recognized and processed further by another component of an elevator controller, for example.
The key recognition means 30 can be initialized. The initialization process can be carried out at the factory or in situ. Comparison values VW1-VW3 for one or more keys 13 are stored in the initialization phase. These comparison values VW1-VW3 are stored in the memory 31.
There are preferably possible ways of deleting or editing comparison values or of adding new comparison values. In order to protect these changes, a special authentication process may be provided. During authentication (in an authentication phase), a master key, for example, is scanned after being inserted into the key receptacle 16.2. The corresponding comparison value VW* for the master key can be stored in a protected memory area (which can be written to only once). It is possible to change to a modification mode (management mode) only when the image of the master key is recognized. However, it is also possible to enter the modification mode (management mode) by manually inputting a code via the control panel 10. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to read a chip card in order to carry out an authentication process.
If the comparison values differ from the image in a defined tolerance range, the natural wear and tear or aging of the scanned key bit can be compensated for by adaptively correcting the comparison values without reducing the reliability and security of the system.
The invention provides numerous advantages which emerge from the description. The fact that the overall depth can be considerably smaller than in conventional key switches is particularly worth mentioning. In addition, the invention provides numerous possibilities for adaptation to the respective situation in situ. Further keys can simply be scanned and thus allowed. Keys which have been lost can simply be deleted from the memory.
It is also possible, without any problems, to register keys from different manufacturers and of different designs in the key recognition means 30 and thus to operate the key recognition means 30 using these keys. For example, a tenant of a building can register his garage key in order to operate an elevator using the garage key in future. Another resident in the same building can register and use his front door key, for example.
The solution shown is considerably more convenient and more flexible than previously known solutions since only one device can be used for a plurality of locking means/functions and not one locking cylinder for each function. Even self-manufactured keys can be detected and stored.
The level of security can be increased as desired if, for example in order to trigger a function, a plurality of keys have to be read in a determined (or undetermined) order. For example, release in order to reach the penthouse apartment: 1. car key=release, 2. apartment key=call input etc.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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07121464.7 | Nov 2007 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2008/065894 | 11/20/2008 | WO | 00 | 11/18/2010 |