JPS6016549B2 - electronic key - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic key, and more particularly to an electronic key that locks or unlocks a locked object by keying in, for example, a certain number of digits of numerical information.

Generally, for example, to open or close a door,
A lock that locks or locks the door by inserting a key into the lock provided on the door and rotating the lock is in practical use.

However, a lock that is locked or unlocked with a key has a problem that if the key is lost, the lock cannot be locked or unlocked. Therefore, recently, electronic keys have been proposed that are equipped with a keyboard and open or close the door by keying in a specific numerical code (hereinafter referred to as a PIN) consisting of a combination of a certain number of digits. has been done. However, such electronic keys, which are locked by entering a specific PIN number consisting of a combination of multiple digits, cannot be used if the PIN number is known to a third party who is not allowed to open the door. If it is stored away, there is a problem in that it loses its function as an electronic key. Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to enable the PIN number for unlocking the door to be a PIN number of arbitrary digits, and to make it possible to use a PIN number of any digits. By providing an electronic key that allows only a specific person who knows the password to easily update the password using numerical keys, and that even if the password is known to a third party, the confidentiality of the password is maintained. be.

To summarize this invention, by inputting a numerical code consisting of a combination of arbitrary digits using the numerical keys and then pressing the lock L key, the password of the first register is stored in the second register. to lock the
To unlock the unlocked state, operate the numerical keys and enter the password to store it in the first register.When the lock L key is pressed again, the contents of this first register and the locked state are stored. This electronic key compares the set and memorized password when the key is pressed, and when the two match, an unlock command signal is derived.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

The configuration of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. The operation panel 1 has numeric keys (abbreviated as N keys in the explanation of FIG. 2 below) 11, which serve as numerical information input means for inputting numerical values 0, 1, . . . 9, and a password key. A clear key 12 is used to clear incorrect inputs, and a function key is used as a state setting input means for instructing locked objects to be locked or unlocked (in the explanation of Fig. 2 below, the country key is used). ) 13 and a display lamp 14 for displaying the setting status. This key input information from the operation panel 1 is given to the control section 2. The control unit 2 includes a transfer control circuit 21 and an arithmetic comparison circuit 22.
including. In connection with the control section 2, a display register (X register) 31 serving as a first storage means and a register (Y register) 32 serving as a second storage means are provided.
The register 31 has a storage area for multiple digits, and the number of digits corresponds to the maximum number of digits of the password. For example, if your PIN is 4
If it is a digit, it includes 4-digit storage areas X4, X3, It shifts the numerical value to the upper digits and stores the most recently input numerical value in the lower digits. The password is displayed on a numerical display 4 provided in association with the register 31. Further, the register 32 is a register for temporarily storing the contents of the register 31, and the same register as the register 31 is used. Furthermore, when the numerical key 11 is operated for the first time, the control section 2 sets a flag (Fn; for example, a flip-flop) 51 that specifies that numerical information is input.

In other words, a logic "1" is stored in the flag 51. Further, when the four key 13 is pressed, the control section 2 sets a flag (for example, flip-flop FI) 52 indicating whether the mirrored lock is in a locked state or an unlocked state. This flag 52 constitutes a setting state storage means. By setting this flag 52, a lock command signal is derived and given to the casting to be chained. In this embodiment, a door is used as an example of the object to be locked. Therefore, the lock command signal is given to the door opening/closing drive control circuit 6 for driving the opening/closing of the door 7 as the object to be locked. In response, the electronic key is placed in the locked state and the door 7 is closed. Also, flag 52
The output is given to a display lamp 14 for displaying the setting status. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of this embodiment, and in particular, FIG. 2 a is a flow chart showing the order of operations when the numerical keys 11 are operated.
FIG. 2b is a flowchart showing the sequence of operations when the function key 13 is operated, and FIG. 2c is a flowchart showing the operation when the clear key is operated.

Next, the specific operation of this embodiment will be described below based on the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 and the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the details of the setting mode for setting the electronic key to the locked state when the door 7 is opened will be explained.

Let us now explain the case where the password for setting the electronic key to the locked state is, for example, a four-digit number "1234". When the numerical key 11, that is, the wind key 11 is operated, step (hereinafter abbreviated as Sp) 1 is entered, and the numerical value "1" of the four-digit password "1234" is keyed in. At this time, in Sp2, it is determined whether the flag Fn is 1 or not. In this case, since the numerical value "1" is entered for the first time, it is determined that the flag Fn is not set, and the process proceeds to Sp3. At Sp3, logic "0" is stored in all digits of the register 31. That is, register 3
Clear all 1. Further, in Sp4, the contents of the register 31 are shifted to the left by one digit, that is, shifted to the upper digit, and then the process proceeds to Sp5. In Sp5, register 31
Numerical information "1" input by operating the numerical key 11 is stored in the storage area XI of the lower one digit. In response, the number "1" is displayed on the display 4. Then, at Sp6, logic "1" is stored in the flag Fn. Next, when the aforementioned numeric key 11 is operated to return to Sp1 and the second digit number "2" is input, it is determined in Sp2 that the flag Fn=1, and the process proceeds to Sp4.

At Sp4, the contents of the register 31 are shifted left by one digit and the process proceeds to Sp5. At Sp5, the numerical value "2" input using the numerical key 11 is stored in the storage area X of the first digit of the register 31.
Stored in I. Similarly, when the number 3 is pressed,
The number "12" that had been stored in register 31 until then
are sequentially shifted to the left and stored, and when the number 4 is pressed in the same way, the four digits of the number "1234" are finally stored in the register 31. In this way, the password number "1234" is stored in the register 31, and the series of operations ends. As mentioned above, after setting the PIN number, if the park key 13 is pressed, the process advances to Sp7.

Next, in Sp8, it is determined whether the flag F=1, but since the flag F has not been set yet, the process advances to Sp9. In Sp9, it is determined whether the field key 11 is operated and a key input is made. At this time, since the flag Fn is set to logic "1" in Sp6 as described above, it is determined that the flag Fn is logic "1" and Spl
Proceed to o. In Splo, the password "1234" stored in the register 31 described above is transferred to the register 32 and stored therein, and the process proceeds to Spll. In Spll, a logic "1" is stored in the flag F. At this time, since the flag F is set, the door opening/closing drive control circuit 6
A lock command signal is given to the electronic key, the electronic key becomes locked, and the door 7 is closed. Furthermore, in Sp12, the register 31 is all cleared and the flag Fn is also reset. Here, in Sp9, when the flag Fn is not set, that is, when all the digits of the register 31 are all "0", press the country key 13 to set all "0" in the register 32. To prevent this, Spll is made to skip. In this way, the series of operations for locking the electronic key is completed. In the above explanation, we explained the case where the PIN number is updated when changing the electronic key from the unlocked state to the locked state. If there is no need to update the PIN, you can lock the electronic key by pressing the wind key 113 without inputting the PIN to be updated using the numeric keys, and the preset PIN is stored in the register 32. It will be retained.

As described above, the electronic key has been placed in the locked state. Next, the operation when placing the electronic key in the unlocked state will be described.

To unlock the electronic key, operate the numeric key 11 and enter the password "1" set during the lock operation described above.
234'', but its operation was explained in detail in the previous explanation, so its explanation will be omitted here.

Next, press the country key 13 to proceed to Sp7, and further,
In Sp8, it is determined that the flag F indicating that the electronic key is in the locked state is logic "1", and the
Proceed to step 13. In Sp13, the password stored in the register 31' is compared with the password stored in the register 32, and if they match, it is determined that the person has been previously permitted to enter, and the process proceeds to Sp14. . At Sp14, the flag F is cleared and the process proceeds to Sp12 described above. Here, based on the fact that the flag F is cleared, the door opening/closing drive control circuit 6 is activated. command signal is given,
The electronic key becomes unlocked and the door 7 is opened. At Sp12, the password stored in the register 31 is cleared, and the flag Fn is also cleared. In this way, a series of operations for unlocking the electronic key is completed. As mentioned above, compare the PIN entered when the electronic key was locked with the PIN entered when the electronic key was unlocked.
When the two match, the electronic key becomes unlocked and the door 7 is controlled to open.

Next, an explanation will be given of the operation when the password is inputted incorrectly when the electronic key is unlocked.

At this time, the operations from Spl to Sp7 are the same as described above. At Sp8, the PIN was entered incorrectly and the contents stored in the register 31 and the contents stored in the register 32 do not match, so the S
p15 - Sound the advance buzzer (not shown in Figure 1) to notify the staff. Then, in Sp12, register 3
1 and resets the flag Fn to complete the series of operations. Next, with reference to FIG. 2c, a description will be given of the operation for correcting a case where an incorrect password is entered using the numerical keys 11.

Even if an incorrect password is entered using the numerical keys 11, the password is stored in the register 31 and a logic "1" is stored in the flag Fn, as shown in FIG. 2a. At this time, if the C key 12 is pressed before the plate key 13 is pressed, Sp16 is reached, and the process advances to the next Sp17. At Sp17, the contents of the register 31 are cleared, and
Flag Fn is also cleared and returns to the initial state. This C
The key 12 is used to clear information on erroneous inputs even if the key is operated accidentally when keying in a password in either a locked state or an unlocked state. As mentioned above,
According to this embodiment, the PIN number for unlocking the door can be updated, so even if the PIN number is known to a third party, the secrecy of the PIN number can be maintained again. It can maintain its function as a key.

Furthermore, when the electronic key is locked, an indicator lamp lights up, so you can clearly see whether it is securely locked. In addition, although the above-mentioned example explained the case where a four-digit numerical value was used as a password, it goes without saying that it is not limited to this and a desired number of digits may be set.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the unlocked state is set, the buzzer sounds when an incorrect PIN is entered, but this is because the PIN is entered incorrectly a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times). It may also be possible to make a buzzer sound. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to lock or unlock a door is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a car engine start key as another application example.

Furthermore, the keyboard may be attached to a timer for setting the time of a video tape recorder or cassette, and the keyboard may be used as a keyboard for setting the time of the timer. As described above, according to the present invention, the PIN number for unlocking the door can be any number of digits, and only a specific person who knows the previous PIN number can use the PIN number to unlock the door. The electronic key allows you to easily update your PIN using the numerical keys, and even if your PIN is known to a third party, you can keep it secret and still function as a key. can get.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of this embodiment. In the figure, 1 is an operation panel, 11 is a numerical key, 13 is a function key, 14 is a display lamp,
2 is a control unit, 21 is a transfer control circuit, 22 is an arithmetic comparison circuit, 31 is a display register, 32 is a register, 4 is a display device,
51 and 52 indicate flags. ￥′Box Takayuki

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An electronic key for changing a locked object from a locked state to an unlocked state by inputting certain numerical information, the electronic key comprising: numerical information input means for inputting the numerical information; ,
a first storage means for storing the numerical information input from the numerical information input means; a numerical display for displaying the numerical information stored in the first storage means; a second storage means for temporarily storing numerical information about the locked object; a state setting means for setting information representing the locked or unlocked state of the locked object;
The numerical information stored in the first storage means and the numerical value stored in the second storage means are determined based on the information indicating the locked state of the locked object set in the state setting means. and control means for comparing the locked object with the locked object and unlocking the locked object in response to a match.
electronic key. 2. The control means causes the numerical information of the first storage means to be stored in the second storage means based on the information representing the unlocked state set by the state setting means, and the locked state is set by the state setting means. An electronic key according to claim 1, which is adapted to lock an object. 3. The state setting means includes a setting state storage means for storing information representing a locked state or an unlocked state of the locked object; and a setting state storage means for storing information representing a locked state or an unlocked state of the locked object; 3. The electronic key according to claim 1, further comprising setting state display means for displaying whether the object is in the locked state or in the unlocked state.