 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a security system comprising a plurality of
locking assemblies associated with each door structure of each of a
plurality of rooms such as in a hotel. Each of the locking assemblies is
actuated by presenting a preset code wherein the code may be changed at a
central location such as the hotel office by an adequate computer facility
connected to each of the locking assemblies and associated keyless entry
activating means by a conventional telephone line.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Security and the provision of adequate locking facilities for each room,
door or closure in a hotel or like environment is to particular
importance. Typically, in a conventional hotel, motel, etc., a
conventional key is provided for each "guest" so as to provide free access
to an assigned room wherein the key operates a locking structure
associated with the room door in the normal manner. The same or identical
key is then given to the next occupant. Security problems arise with such
conventional systems in terms of unauthorized entry through the tampering
of such locks. In addition, hotel keys are frequently lost or
misappropriated thereby frequently requiring the propietors of the hotel
to change the lock of a given door in order to insure that unauthorized
entry is not easily accomplished if such "lost" key was in fact stolen.
In order to overcome problems associated with the above type conventional
locking structures utilized in hotels, etc., the prior art includes
attempts to devise more elaborate security systems. Particularly, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,763,676 to Schachter, and 3,842,629 to Pazer et al are both
directed to a remotely programmable lock structure provided for use with a
key which itself may be altered to vary the "code" necessary to open a
given locking facility. More particularly, the systems and structures
disclosed in the aforementioned patents are particularly adapted for the
application to hotels, security areas, and the like, wherein it is
desirable to periodically change the configuration of the key which will
open one or more locks. For example, in the case of hotels, room keys are
frequently lost, stolen or copied presenting substantially risks of theft
to hotel guests. Both economic and practical considerations preclude the
manual changing of lock combinations in an effort to prevent such theft.
It is also acknowledged that certain electronic systems wherein the key
consists of a card having a magnetic punched hole or embossed code thereon
have also been proposed but frequently, such systems are not suitable for
hotel operations. This is based on the questionable belief that power is
generally required to release the door latch thereby presenting both
practical and safety problems in case of a power failure.
The U.S. patent to Hogan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,422 discloses an electronic
locking arrangement including a strike latch for locking engagement with a
latch bolt of a door. Stop means are provided to inactivate the strike
latch and maintain it in its locking position while mechanical puller
means disengages he stop mean in response to electronic actuating means.
Accordingly, based on the above, the prior art is replete with security
systems which attempt to overcome certain problems associated with the
security arrangement and associated locking assemblies used in
conventional, modern-day hotel facilities. However, there is still a need
for a security system which is capable of totally being controlled,
operated and programmed from a remote location, such as a hotel office
using computer facilities and processing hardware which is currently
available. Each locking assembly associated with each hotel room door, or
other closure, may be controlled and programmed for authorized entry only
through the presentation of a preset code. Also, security utilizing a
preferred system of the type described hereinafter is enhanced in that
attempted unauthorized entry or tampering with the activating means of the
present invention can be indicated by an alarm means associated with the
computer and/or independent thereof. An automatic monitoring of each of
the locking assemblies and associated activating means of the subject
security installation may be momentarily checked to determine the
attempted point of unauthorized entry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards a security system of the type
specifically adaptable for use in hotels wherein a plurality of doors
serve as closures to prevent unauthorized entry into individual rooms.
Further, the security system of the present invention is particularly
adaptable for enhancing security by means of programming in a different
preset code after an occupant has vacated and prior to a new occupant
occupying the leased room or facility.
More specifically, an actuating means comprises an actuating plate
including a plurality of finger operated switches each representative of a
different digit, preferably from 1 through 0, wherein a preset code may be
applied to the activating means by depressing the designated finger
button. For example, a code "567" assigned to a guest in a hotel has been
precoded into an activating means by means of a centrally located computer
facility interconnected to a processor means. The designated preset code
of 567 would then be disclosed to the new occupant who may then press
successively the buttons 5,6,7 on the actuating plate so as to position a
lock, associated with a given closure door, into an unlocked position.
Authorized entry is thereby accomplished. However, after the occupant has
vacated the room, the central control facility, including the computer,
may be activated as by a keyboard to the extend of "feeding in" to the
activating means, by the processor means, such as a microprocessor,
another preset code such as 123. The new preset code would then be
disclosed to the next occupant of the room thereby enhancing the security
of unauthorized entry to this room. Any other previously used preset code
would not activate the lock assembly associated with the door or closure
to provide entry.
Further, the system of the present invention includes an alarm structure
which may be built into the computer or alternately, which may be a
separate audible alarm located in the hotel office or at a control console
for an operator of the system. Such an alarm system could be activated,
through conventional telephone lines, when tampering was being performed
at the activating plate or the lock itself or a wrong code was being
attempted for entry into the activating means.
The activating means of the present invention may be generally of the type
manufactured by Essex-Tec Corporation of Carpinteria, Calif. and sold
under the trademark "Keyless Entry". However, the system of the present
invention differs from the type of digital access control entry system of
the type set forth above in that the activating means associated therewith
is interconnected by a low voltage conductor to the microprocessor. The
microprocessor is specifically structured to be capable of storing a given
preset code which allows activation or positioning of a lock between a
door locked and a door open position when the preset code is properly fed
to the activating plate. Further, the microprocessor and activating means
may be powered by a conventional power source possibly using a step down
transformer of predetermined voltage so as not to overload the
microprocessor or activating means itself. Also, the components of the
system are interconnected to the central processing unit by conventional
telephone lines thereby eliminating the necessity of partially rewiring a
hotel facility.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,
combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified
in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention
will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,
reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a representative door or like closure
incorporating the activating assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the various components of the
subject security system and their relation to one another.
FIG. 3 is a front plan view along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of
the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIG. 1, the security system of the present invention is
designed to be used in combination with a door or like closure 10 of a
multi-unit facility such as a hotel, motel, etc. Accordingly, the closure
or door 10 has associated therewith an activation means generally
indicated as 12 including an activating plate 14 (FIG. 2) positioned in an
exposed location adjacent door 10. With reference to FIG. 3, the
activating plate 14 includes a plurality of finger operated switches in
the form of buttons 16 wherein the number of buttons are preferably equal
to the numerals or digits 1 through 0.
A central control facility 13 may be located in a hotel office as indicated
and further includes computer and data storage equipment such as 17
activated or controlled by a keyboard 15 and generally interconnected to
each activating means 12 of each of a plurality of doors 10 by
conventional telephone lines 30 and 30'.
This of course eliminates installation modifications of existing hotel
facilities in that naturally each room therein is interconnected to a
central switchboard or at least a central telephone facility also located
in the hotel office herein designated at the central control facility 13.
The activating means 12 including the activating plate 14 is connected by
a low voltage conductor 18 to a microprocessor unit 20. Both the
microprocessor and the activating means 12 are of course electrically
powered and are connected to a conventional electrical power source by an
outlet socket 22 wherein a connector plug 24 may be connected to the
socket 22 in a conventional manner. Electrical conductor 26 serves to
supply current flow to the microprocessor and eventually to the activating
means 12 by means of the low voltage conductor 18. Further, with regard to
the plug 14, a step down transformer may be utilized for the purpose of
providing low voltage current to the microprocessor and activating means
based on their respective operating characteristics. In an preferred
embodiment, a power backup may be connected to the microprocessor and
includes a battery source 22' interconnected to the microprocessor through
takeoff conductor 26' as clearly shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, due to the
interconnection of the activating means 12 and the lock 21 by means of
conductor 18 to microprocessor 20, any power failure in the hotel facility
will not disable the system in that an electrical power source in the form
of battery 22' may be used as an alternate power source in emergency
situations at least for purposes of unlocking the door or closure 10.
The telephone indicated in FIG. 2 as 28 is representative of any
conventional telephone facility found in each of the rooms of a given
hotel wherein, as set forth above, a telephone line 30 interconnects the
entire system including the activating means 12 and microprocessor 20 to
the central control facility 13 such as at the hotel office. Similarly,
the conductor 19 may in turn direct the computer and keyboard to any other
common or conventionally known control facility such as a console through
the telephone line 30.
For purposes of clarity, only a single door or closure 10 is shown and
associated with respective activating means 12, microprocessor 20, and
locking assembly including lock 21. However, each of the plurality of
rooms in the hotel of course include the activating means 12, lock 21, and
microprocessor 20, which are interconnected to the central control
facility 13 by each of the plurality of telephone lines interconnecting
the rooms to the hotel office as designated by 30'.
With regard to the microprocessor, it is specifically structured to be
capable of storage of a preset code wherein each preset code is determined
or defined by sequential numbers ranging from 1 to 0. For example, a code
123 may be assigned to a given door or closure 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
Access or authorized entry to the door 10 may be accomplished by an
occupant or guest of the hotel having first been informed of the preset
code "123" then applying the code to the activating plate 14 by
sequentially depressing the finger activated switches or buttons 16,
1,2,3. This in turn will activate or position lock 21 in its unlocked mode
or position by means of interconnection with conductor 18' between the
activating means 12 and lock 21. The lock 21 may be of any conventional
electronically controlled or activating locking structure capable of being
activated by low voltage current, wherein once the lock 21 is positioned
in its unlocked mode, the door may be opened.
The computer means 17 and associated activating or control keyboard 15 are
cooperatively structured such that each of the doors 10 having an
activating means 12 and locking assembly 21 can be programmed or provided
with a "new" preset code upon the arrival and occupancy of a new "guest"
into the room of the hotel. In addition, the computer facility 17 may also
have connected thereto a printer 40, of substantially conventional design
such that if desired, a hard copy can be printed from the computer for
purposes of billing and/or periodic monitoring of various codes assigned
to various rooms or door closures 10.
Through utilization of the present system, it should therefore be apparent
that certain services which are common in present day hotel facilities and
which frequently result in delay and time wasted by the guest, can be
eliminated. This includes but is not limited to the ability of a guest to
make a reservation, relate to the hotel facility his credit card number
and at that time receive a designated room and preset activating code for
the room. This would allow a guest to totally bypass waiting in line for
"check in" or "registration" which is frequently extremely time consuming
especially during certain times of the day when guests frequently arrive
or leave.
It will thus be seen that the important features of the above described
invention and those made apparent from the description provided herein are
efficiently obtained and since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above description as shown in
the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in
a limiting sense.
It is therefore to be understood that the following claims are intended to
cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein
described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a
matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
