EP0207118A1

EP0207118A1 - Method of reading information from a carrier

Info

Publication number: EP0207118A1
Application number: EP86900195A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Leslie Victor Herriott; John O'connell; Roy S. Jefferies
Original assignee: Lowe and Fletcher Ltd
Current assignee: Lowe and Fletcher Ltd
Priority date: 1984-12-21
Filing date: 1985-12-11
Publication date: 1987-01-07
Also published as: GB2169342B; WO1986003797A1; GB2169342A; GB8506264D0; AU5209586A; JPS62501222A; GB8432550D0; NO863361D0; NO863361L

Abstract

Une serrure est dotée d'ergots (24) actionnés par une clé (25) et des organes suiveurs (28, 29; 38, 39) en contact avec la clé et déplacés par des saillies (26, 27) sur la clé pendant son introduction. Le déplacement des organes suiveurs est détecté par des dispositifs électroniques (34, 44) qui envoient des signaux à un microprocesseur pour l'identification de la clé.A lock is provided with lugs (24) actuated by a key (25) and follower members (28, 29; 38, 39) in contact with the key and moved by projections (26, 27) on the key during its introduction. The movement of the follower members is detected by electronic devices (34, 44) which send signals to a microprocessor for identification of the key.

Description

Title: Metho_d of reading information from a carrier^,

Description of Invention

From one aspect, the present invention relates to a reader for reading information from a key having formations which represent the information. In GB 2,055,951, there is disclosed a cylinder lock mechanism comprising pin tumblers, one of which is operatively associated with a limit switch to provide an electrical signal in response to movement of the one tumbler into a predetermined position. The key has a notched profile which displaces the one^" tumbler during insertion of the key.

The limit switch disclosed in GB 2,055,951 will not reliably provide an electrical signal which accurately represents the formations of the key. The limit switch must be so positioned that it does not obstruct movement of the tumbler throughout the range of travel which corresponds to the largest variation in width of the key, otherwise insertion of the key into the lock mechanism and withdrawal of the key will be obstructed. Thus, the contacts of the micro-switch must be just closed when the tumbler reaches one limit of its range of permitted travel. Owing to variations in dimensions of the key and of components of the lock, in consequence of manufacturing tolerances, or owing to wear, the key may fail to move the tumbler through its full range of permitted travel and thereby fail to operate the limit switch as is necessary to produce an electrical signal representing accurately the formations of the key. Furthermore, if the tumbler is moved rapidly towards the position in which it closes the contacts of the switch, contact bounce may occur, resulting in inaccurate representation of the intended information by the electrical signal.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination comprising an information carrier and a reader for receiving the carrier, the information carrier having a plurality of formations representing information and the reader having a contact element for contacting said formations in succession as the carrier is applied to the reader, signalling means for responding to movement of the contact element by providing an electrical output signal representing said information and transmitting means for transmitting motion from the contact element to the signalling means, characterised in that the transmitting means is arranged to amplify motion of the contact element and impart the amplified motion to the signalling means. The formations of the carrier of a combination according to the first aspect of the invention can be small, producing small movements of the contact element which, in consequence of the amplification, result in considerably larger movements being imparted to the signalling means. Thus, in a case where the carrier is a key having a shank with a generally

J Q rectangular transverse cross-section, the formations which are engaged by the contact element can be in the major faces of the shank, the minor faces of the shank being notched for operation of conventional tumblers in a known manner. Accordingly, the formations can represent information which differs from that information represented by notches which operate the tumblers.

1 According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of reading information from an information carrier having formations which represent the information, wherein an information-bearing part of the carrier is introduced into a passage defined by a receiving member, a contact element engages said formations in succession as the carrier is introduced

20 into the passage and is thereby caused to execute repeated movements in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the carrier, the magnitude of each such movement being determined by the corresponding formation, and wherein a respective signal representing each of said movements is produced during execution of the movement and before the

25 movement is completed.

In a method in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, accurate representation in said signal of information borne by the carrier is not dependent on each movement of the contact element caused by a corresponding formation being the maximum movement which can be

30 executed by the contact element. Moderate differences between the movements of the -contact element produced by different formations on one carrier or by the formations of different carriers will not affect the accuracy with which the signal represents the information borne by the carrier.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a reader defining a passage for receiving an information carrier and comprising a contact element movable between a first position in which the contact element is just withdrawn from the passage and a second position in which _₃_- / B85/0 571

the contact element protrudes into the passage, signalling means for responding to movement of the contact element by providing an electrical output signal and transmitting means for transmitting motion from the contact element to the signalling means, the reader being characterised in that the transmitting means is arranged to amplify motion of the contact element and to impart the amlϊfϊed motion to the signalling means.

There is also provided, according to the present invention, a method of reading information from a carrier having a plurality of formations representing said information, wherein the carrier is moved past a contact element, the contact element engages the formations in succession, the contact element is caused to execute repeated movements, the magnitude of each movement being dependent on the corresponding formation, the movements of the contact element are amplified, the amplified movements are imparted to signalling means and wherein the signalling means responds to the amplified movements by providing an electrical signal representing the information.

The carrier may be a key and the reader may be a lock having a member which can be moved by the key.

The reader may comprise an electronic processor which processes the information read from the carrier, for example compares the information read from the carrier with stored information. The reader may incorporate or be in communication with a memory in which there is stored information identifying an acceptable key or in which there is stored several alternative sets of information identifying alternative acceptable keys. In a case where the reader is a lock having a key-receiving member, the provision of the transmitting means enables the signalling means to be separated from the contact element and precautions can conveniently be taken against foreign matter from outside the lock reaching the signalling means. For example, the signalling means may be in an hermetically sealed enclosure.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock defining a keyway and comprising a contact element engageable with a key when inserted into the keyway and signalling means operatively associated with the contact element for providing an electrical signal in response to movements of the contact element, which movements are substantially smaller than the smallest dimension of the keyway. Examples of locks and keys embodying the invention and which are used in methods according to the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

FIGURE I shows diagrammatically the lock and a bolt device which is to be controlled by the lock;

FIGURE 2 shows a cross-section of the lock in a plane containing an axis of the lock, and showing the shank of a key present in the lock;

FIGURE 3 shows a cross-section on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2;

FIGURE h shows a cross-section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2; FIGURE 5 shows parts of the lock, as viewed in the direction of arrow V of Figure 3;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a cross-section of an alternative lock in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the lock;

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of certain components of a further alternative lock and of a key intended for operating the lock.

FIGURE 8 shows a cross-section of a further alternative lock in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the lock;

FIGURE 9 shows the same cross-section of the further alternative lock of Figure 8, in -a different operative position;

FIGURE 10 shows a cross-section of the further alternative lock in a vertical plane containing an axis of the lock; and

FIGURE 1 1 shows a cross-section of the further alternative lock in a plane parallel to the cross-section of Figures 8 and 9. The lock 10 shown in Figures I to 5 of the drawings comprises an outer housing 1 1 comprising a generally cylindrical and relatively short outer end portion 12, defining an axis 13 of the lock, an intermediate porton 14 which is off-set radially with respect to the axis 13 and is longer than the outer end portion and an inner end portion 15 which is also considerably longer than the outer end portion. From the inner end portion 15, there protrudes a driving member \6 which, when the key is present in the lock, is movable angularly relative to the outer housing 1 1 about a cylinder axis 17 parallel to but off¬ set from the lock axis 13.

The driving member 16 is intended for operating an associated device. In the example illustrated, the associated device comprises a body 18 which may be fixed on or in a door, for example, and in which there is mounted for 7 __s^-

reciprocation a bolt 19 which can protrude from the body 18 to lock the door in a closed position. The device comprises a cam 20 disposed in an opening in the bolt and keyed to the driving member 16 for rotation therewith. Typically, at least an end portion of the driving member remote from the housing I I is of non-circular cross-section and engages in a complementary opening in the cam.

The lock 10 further comprises a key-receiving member 21 which defines an elongate keyway along which the cylinder axis 17 extends. The cross- sectional shape of the keyway in a plane perpendicular to that axis is approximately a rectangle. The radially outer surface of the key-receiving member is generally cylindrical and this member is received in a cylindrical opening defined by the outer housing 1 1 , thereby being mounted for rotation relative to the outer housing about the cylinder axis 17. The outer housing is trapped between a circlϊp 22 on an inner end portion of the member 21 and a flange 23 at the outer end of the same member. The driving member 16 is integral with or is fixed with respect to the key-receiving member.

A number of tumblers are provided for restraining rotation of the key- receiving member 21 relative to the outer housing 1 1, when the correct key is absent from the keyway of the lock. These tumblers may be disc tumblers or pin tumblers and may be arranged in a known manner. By way of example, there are shown in the drawings four pin tumblers, two of which are identified by the reference numeral 24. The inner end portion 15 of the outer housing constitutes a tumbler housing in which respective parts of the tumblers are received and which contains springs biasing the tumblers to respective locking positions in a known manner.

The key shank 25 has a generally rectangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis 17 and is a sliding fit in the keyway. End portions of the tumblers project through respective openings in the key- receiving member 21 into the keyway to engage respective formations 51 on an edge of a key shank when the latter is present in the keyway. These formations are arranged to hold the tumblers in respective releasing positions.

The key shank has further formations which represent data identifying the key. In the example illustrated, these further formations are provided at the major faces of the key shank and are circular recesses with gently inclined sides, as can be seen in Figure 3. The further formations are arranged in rows extending along the key shank, that is in a direction parallel to the cylinder axis 17 when the key shank is in the key slot. In the example illustrated, there is on one major face of the key a first row of recesses 26, called herein the clock track, and a second row of recesses 27, called herein the data track. The recesses 26 of the clock track are arranged at a uniform pitch along the key shank. The recesses 27 occupy certain only of a number of sites along the data track which are at half the pitch of the recesses of the clock track. The recesses 27 represent in binary form a number identifying the key.

I o The other major face of the key may be provided with a clock track and a data track similar to or identical with those shown in Figure 2. The recesses 26 of the clock track shown in Figure 2 may be spaced somewhat further apart than shown in the drawings, recesses of the clock track on the other major face of the key occupying positions corresponding to those of

15 gaps between the recesses 26. Similarly, recesses of a data track on the other major face of the key may be off-set along the track with respect to the recesses 27.

The lock 10 Includes reading means for reading data from the data tracks of the key. The reading means includes a contact element for each 0 data track and, since in the example illustrated there are two data tracks on the key shank, two contact elements 54,55 are provided. The contact elements are mounted in the key-receiving member at opposite sides of the key slot for reciprocation towards and away from each other. The contact elements are adapted to roll on the key, when the key is being inserted Into 5 and when the key is being withdrawn from the keyway. Penetration of each contact element into the keyway is limited by engagement of the contact element with the key-receiving member.

There is associated with the contact element 54 a respective follower 28 guided by the key-receiving member for reciprocation towards and away 0 from the keyway and bearing against the follower at the side thereof remote from the keyway. Each follower has a length such that, when the corresponding contact element rests in a recess in the key shank, the follower extends to, but not beyond, the circumference of the key-receiving member. In this position, the follower does not inhibit rotation of the key-receiving 5 member about the cylinder axis 17.

A follower 29 corresponding to the follower 28 Is associated with the contact element 55. It will be noted that the followers are guided for reciprocation along respective paths which are transverse to the direction of movement of the tumblers 24. The distance through which the followers reciprocate, that is the distance which each contact element can project into the keyway, is substantially less than the minimum dimension of the keyway.

For each of the followers 28 and 29, there is mounted in the intermediate portion 14 of the outer housing a respective lever 30, 31 which can pivot independantly of the other lever about a respective axis parallel to the cylinder axis 17. One end portion of each lever bears against the corresponding follower, or, when the key-receiving member is rotated, against the circumference of the key-receiving member. The opposite end 0 portion of each lever extends into a further housing component 32 which is mounted on the intermediate portion 14 of the outer housing, between the outer end portion 12 and the inner end portion 15. This housing component 32 contains signalling means for providing an electrical signal representing movement of the levers 30 and 31.

A single signalling means is operatively associated with the levers 30 and 31. This signalling means comprises a source 33 of radiation or of a field and a sensor 34 responsive to incident radiation from the source 33 or changes in the field associated with the source 33 to provide an electrical output signal. The source is preferably a source of light, which term is used 0 to embrace ultra-violet, visible and infra-red light. In the example illustrated, the source 33 is an infra-red-emitting diode and infra-red radiation can be transmitted from that diode along a rectilinear path which is parallel to the cylinder axis 17 to the sensor 34.

_- The levers 30 and 31 are provided with respective obstructing elements

35, 36 for interrupting the transmission of radiation from the diode 33 to the sensor 34. The obstructing element 35 is mounted in the housing component 32 for reciprocation along a path which is perpendicular to the cylinder axis 17 between an obstructing position shown in Figure 3 and a position in which

«_n it is clear of the transmission path between the diode 33 and the sensor 34. The obstructing element is urged by a spring 37 towards its obstructing position and can be moved from its obstructing position by the lever 30, when the contact element 54 is forced out of a recess in the key shank.

The obstructing element 36 is adjacent to the element 35 and is

^g. arranged in substantially the same manner, but moves in the opposite direction from its obstructing position.

When the keyway of the lock is vacant and also when the contact elements 54 and 55 both occupy recesses in the key shank, the obstructing elements 35 and 36 collectively block the transmission of infra-red radiation from the diode 33 to the sensor 34. Movement of either one of these elements out of its recess in the key shank causes the associated obstructing element to move from its obstructing position so that infra-red radiation from the diode 33 is incident on the sensor 34 and the latter provides an electrical pulse representing movement of that follower.

Signals provided by the sensor 34 are fed along leads not shown to a data processor 52 which may be incorporated in the lock 10 or in the associated device which is controlled by the lock.

A further pair of contact elements and associated followers, 38 and 39, are provided in the key-receiving member 21 for engagement with the key shank in the recesses of the clock tracks. These followers are provided with respective levers 40, 41 and obstructing elements 42, 43 arranged in a similar manner to those of the followers 28 and 29. The obstructing elements 42 and 43 provide an operative association between the followers 38 and 39 and a single sensing means 44 comprising a further infra-red-emitting diode and sensor. Clock pulses from the sensor of the sensing means 44 also are fed to the microprocessor. These clock pulses are used to control the times at which the microprocessor accepts information from the sensor 34, thereby ensuring that the speed at which the key shank moves past the followers does not affect the information read from the key.

It will be understood that alternative forms of sensing means may be provided. For example, each sensing means may comprise a permanent magnet and a Hall effect device or other device which responds to changes in a magnetic field by providing an electrical output signal. In this case, the obstructing elements would be formed of magnetic material and arranged to change the magnetic field to which the Hall effect or other device is subjected. Furthermore, each sensing means may be arranged to establish an electrostatic field which is disturbed by movement of the corresponding obstructing element. In a further alternative arrangement, each sensing means may comprise a pressure-sensitive device, the corresponding obstructing element being arranged for exerting pressure on the device.

It will be noted that the sensing means are spaced from the keyway of the lock. The sensing means 44 is spaced from the cylinder axis 17 in the same direction as the sensing means 33, 34 is spaced from that axis. In many applications of the lock, the risk of foreign matter entering the lock, via the keyway or otherwise, and contaminating the sensing means will be negligible. __?^-

Ingress of foreign matter to the sensing means may be eliminated by sealing the sensing means in an enclosure. For example, the housing component 32 may be contained in a sealed enclosure, that enclosure having flexible parts which accommodate movement of the levers. Alternatively, the diode 33 and

_ sensor 34 may be contained in a flexible envelope, the obstructing elements

35 and 36 being arranged to flex the envelope in such a manner as to interrupt the transmission of radiation from the diode 33 to the sensor 34. Such an envelope may be in the form of a tube with the source occupying one end portion of the tube and the sensor occupying the opposite end portion of

. « the tube.

The microprocessor to which there is fed data which is read from the key is used to control operation of the lock 10 and of the associated device. For controlling such operation, there is provided in the example illustrated a solenoid 45 having a plunger 46 which can enter an opening 47 in the bolt 19

. c- to restrain longitudinal movement of the bolt. The arrangement may be such that, when the bolt is in a projected position in which it locks the associated door, the plunger 46 normally occupies the opening 47 and the bolt can be released only by a signal from the microprocessor to the solenoid 45. Such signal would be required before rotation of the cam 20 by the key-receiving

-Q member 21 can retract the bolt. Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that the plunger 46 is normally held out of the opening 47 but can be projected into that opening upon receipt by the solenoid of a signal from the microprocessor. This signal may be provided only when there is inserted into the keyway something from which the data appropriate for operation of the

25 lock Is not read within a predetermined interval, for example 0.5 seconds. In this case, a shutter 9 is provided in the key-receiving member 21 normally to close the keyway, to be opened by introduction of a key into the keyway and to provide an electrical signal to the microprocessor when the shutter is moved.

It will be noted that, since the cam 20 provides a mechanical

30 connection between the bolt 19 and the key-receiving member 21 , rotation of the key-receiving member relative to the outer housing 1 1 is prevented when the plunger 46 occupies the opening 47 in the bolt. Alternatively, the plunger 46 may be arranged to engage the key-receiving member 21 directly to restrain rotation thereof.

35

When a key is introduced into the keyway of the key-receiving member 21 , a signal is provided to the microprocessor by the shutter (If provided) and the clock tracks and data tracks then move past the followers. Successive bits of information are read from the data tracks by the sensing means 33, 34 at intervals determined by the clock tracks. During reading, the followers protrude momentarily from the circumference of the key-receiving member but the latter is not rotated. As the key shank moves into its fully-inserted position, it moves the tumblers 24 into respective releasing positions and the followers 28, 29, 38 and 39 come to rest in respective recesses in the key shank. The key-receiving member is then free to rotate relative to the outer housing 1 1 and the user can drive the key-receiving member and the bolt 19 by means of the key. The levers 30,31 do not participate in such rotation.

It will be noted that, during insertion of the key, the cycle time of each of the obstructing elements 42 and 43 is twice the Interval between successive signals provided by the sensing means 44.

Immediately a predetermined number of bits has been passed to the microprocessor from the sensor 34, the number represented by those bits collectively is compared with a number stored in a memory associated with the microprocessor. The microprocessor is thereby able to decide whether operation of the lock and associated device should be permitted and to provide or not provide a signal to the solenoid 45, accordingly. The microprocessor may perform additional functions. The number read from the key may be stored for subsequent retrieval. The time i which the key is used also may be stored.

It will be noted that the pivots of the levers 30, 31 , 40 and 4! are so positioned that the levers amplify the movement derived from the recesses of the key shank, each obstructing element being moved through a distance which is greater than the depth of the recesses in the key shank. The depth of each recess in the key shank is preferably substantially smaller than is the thickness of the key shank and therefore substantially smaller than the minor dimension of the keyway. With the arrangement shown, the movement of each follower is no greater than one third the minor dimension of the keyway.

The outer housing I I, including the housing component 32, occupies a space which may be substantially the same as that occupied by a known pϊn- tumbler lock cylinder. Accordingly, the lock illustrated in the accompanying drawings may be substituted for a known cylinder lock and used for substantially the same purpose.

In a further alternative arrangement, the solenoid 45 may be used to control the tranmϊssion of drive from the key-receiving member 21 to the bolt 19, for example in the manner proposed in EP 94592. Means for transmitting drive may be settable in a selected one of driving and non- driving conditions by means of a pair of electromagnets, an appropriate one of which is energised briefly to change the condition of the driving means, under the control of the microprocessor. A mechanical arrangement holds the driving means in the selected condition until one or other of the electro¬ magnets is again energised. Alternatively, a single electromagnet may be provided for changing the condition of the driving means. In either case, it is preferred that the driving means will remain in the condition into which it has been set, without energisation of the solenoid being continued.

In Figure 6, there is illustrated a modified lock, certain parts of which are similar to or identical with parts of the lock hereinbefore described with reference to Figures I to 5. In Figure 6, such corresponding parts are represented by like reference numerals with the prefix I and the preceding description is deemed to apply to the lock of Figure 6, except for the differences hereinafter mentioned.

The lock of Figure 6 has a single follower 128 for the data track of the key and a single follower 138 for the clock track of the key. These followers are mounted in the key receiving member 121 for reciprocation relative thereto along respective paths which are mutually inclined to each other. In the example illustrated, these paths are inclined at approximately 90 to each other.

The signalling means 133, 134 associated with the follower 128 may be identical with the signalling means hereinbefore described and include an obstructing element 135 mounted for reciprocation along a path which is an extension of the path of the follower 128. The obstructing element is urged towards the follower by a spring 137 and may itself engage the follower directly. Alternatively, a slider may be interposed between the obstructing element and the associated follower. In the example illustrated in Figure 6, a single follower is associated with the reading means 133, 134. When the key is absent, the obstructing element 135 obstructs the transmission of light along the path between the source 133 and the sensor 134. During insertion of the key, the obstructing element is moved intermittently to permit radiation emitted by the source 133 to fall on the sensor 134. The magnitude of each such movement of the key exceeds that which is necessary to produce an output signal from the sensor, so that this output occurs before the movement is completed. Sensing means 144 is associated with the follower 138 in the same manner as the sensing means 133, 134 is associated with the follower 128.

The key intended for use with the lock of Figure 6 has along one face of its bit a row of recesses which constitute a data track and along the opposite face a row of recesses which constitute a clock track. It will be understood that additional followers may be provided for co-operation with further tracks on the key-bit. Such an additional follower may have an obstructing element which obstructs the transmission of radiation between the source 133 and the sensor 134, or further sensing means be provided for such further follower.

The lock of Figure 6 may comprise tumblers arranged in the same manner as the tumblers 24 shown in Figure 2.

In an alternative reading means illustrated in Figure 7, the levers 40 and 41 are substituted by a single element 240 which is mounted for rotation relative to the housing of the lock and is engaged by successive formations 226 on the key, during irisertion of the key so that each such formation turns the element through a predetermined angle. In this example, the formations are projections. Drive is transmitted from this rotary element to a wheel 235 having a circumferential row of formations which obstruct the transmission of radiation or change a field associated with the sensing means 233,234. The sensing means is thereby enabled to provide an electrical pulse representing each formation on the key. These formations may constitute a clock track. A further row of formations on the key drives a corresponding rotatable element and wheel associated with further sensing means which provides a stream of pulses representing information read from a data track of the key.

A further alternative lock in accordance with the invention is shown in

Figures 8 to 1 1 , to which the proceedϊrg description relating to Figures I to 5 is deemed to apply with the exception of the differences hereinafter mentioned. Corresponding parts are represented by like reference numerals with the prefix 4.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, there is provided a resilient arm 301 , 302 for each of the followers 428, 429. The lower end of each arm is fixed with respect to the lock housing. The arms may comprise respective parts of a single, substantially "U" shaped spring 303. An intermediate part of each arm bears against a respective follower 428, 429, such that motion may be imparted thereto from the follower and the arms urge respective followers into the keyway when the key is ibsent. An upper end of each arm is operαtively associated with a respective signalling means 304, 305. The two signalling means lie adjacent to and on opposite sides of the tumblers 424. Each signalling means comprises a source of radϊaton 306, 307 and a sensor 308, 309 responsive to incident radiation from the source, the upper end of each arm being provided with a respective obstructing element 313,31 such that in a first position radiation may pass from the source to the sensor, but when the arm is moved Into a second position, the radiation incident on the sensor is interrupted. The movement of the obstructing element is substantially greater than the corresponding movement of the follower. A further pair of followers (not shown) may be provided, offset vertically in the keyway from the followers 428, 429, so as to read a different pair of rows of information^'. The further pair is offset also from the followers 428, 429, along the lock axis so as to impart motion through a pair of resilient arms similar to those hereinbefore described and operatively associated with a further pair of signalling means similar to those hereinbefore described.

The arrangement described above provides a compact configuration, in that the followers 428, 429, the arms 301 , 302 and the signalling means 304, 305 are, in combination, no wider than the key-receiving member. I is desirable that a means is provided sensitive to entry of the key or any other foreign member into the keyway in order to activate the electronic parts of the lock. The provision of such a means allows the electronics to be automatically switched off when the lock is not in use, thus providing a considerable saving in energy. Referring to Figure 1 1 , an auxiliary follower 310 may be provided such that it can impart motion to a resilient, electrically conducting arm 31 1. On depression of the auxiliary follower, the arm 31 1 is caused to make electrical contact with electrically conducting member 312. Electrical circuitry (not shown) is provided to activate the electronic parts of the lock when said electrical contact is made. Additionally, an electrical sensor (not shown) may be provided to activate the electronic parts of the lock when one of the mechanical tumblers 424 is moved, thus ensuring that the electronic parts are activated, even upon attempted picking of the lock without depression of the auxiliary follower. The arm 31 1 may comprise a part of the spring 303. Alternatively, a shutter (not shown) may be provided to close the entrance to the key-way in the absence of a key or other foreign member, the shutter being operatively associated with a sensor arranged to activate the electronic parts of the lock whenever the shutter is opened by insertion of a key or other foreign body into the lock.

It will be appreciated that the reading means hereinbefore described can be used in a lock which does not have tumblers but has alternative means for preventing operation of the lock or of an associated device until an appropriate set of information has been read from the key, for example a solenoid as shown in Figure I .

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

- , / 85/ 5 1CLAIMS:

1. A combination of an information carrier and a reader for receiving the carrier, wherein the information carrier has a plurality of formations representing information and the reader has a contact element for contacting said formations In succession as the carrier is applied to the reader, signalling

- means for responding to movement of the contact element by providing an electrical output signal representing said information and transmitting means for transmitting motion from the contact element to the signalling means, characterised in that the transmitting means is arranged to amplify motion of the contact element and impart the amplified motion to the signalling means. 10

2. A reader defining a passage for receiving an information carrier and comprising a contact element movable between a first position in which the contact element is just withdrawn from the passage and a second position in which the contact element protrudes into the passage, signalling means for

^{1 5} responding to movement of the contact element by providing an electrical output signal representing said information and transmitting means for transmitting motion from the contact element to the signalling means, characterised in that the transmitting means is arranged to amplify the motion of the contact element and to impart the amplified motion to the

20 signalling means.

3. A combination according to Claim I or a reader according to Claim 2 wherein the transmitting means includes a lever.

²⁵ 4. A combination or a reader according to Claim 3 further comprising a follower which is interposed between the contact element and the lever, the follower being guided for movement towards and away from the carrier.

5. A combination according to Claim I wherein the reader includes a

30 receiving member defining a passage for receiving the carrier and wherein the contact element is mounted in the receiving member for movement relative thereto in directions towards and away from the passage.

6. A combination according to Claim 1 wherein the carrier is a key, the reader Is a lock comprising a key-receiving member defining a passage for receiving the key and a housing for the key-receiving member, the contact element being mounted in the key-receiving member and the lock including a locking element for releasably restraining movement of the key-receiving member relative to the housing and wherein control means is provided for controlling operation of the locking element in accordance with information read from the carrier.

7. A method of reading information from a carrier having a plurality of formations representing said information, wherein the carrier is moved past a contact element, the contact element engages the formations in succession, the contact element is caused to execute repeated movements, the magnitude of each movement being dependent upon the corresponding formation, the movements of the contact element are amplified, the amplified movements are imparted to signalling means and the signalling means responds to the amplified movement by providing an electrical signal representing the information.

8. A method of reading information from an information carrier having formations which represent the information, wherein an information-bearing part of the carrier is introduced into a passage defined by a receiving member, a contact element engages said formations in succession as the carrier Is introduced into the passage and is thereby caused to execute repeated movements in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the carrier, the magnitude of each such movement being determined by the corresponding formation, and wherein a respective signal representing each of said movements is produced during execution of the movement and before the movement is completed.

9. The combination comprising an information carrier and a reader defining a passage for receiving the carrier, wherein the information carrier has formations representing information and wherein the reader has a contact element for contacting said formations in succession as the carrier is introduced into the passage, the contact element being movable between a first position in which it protrudes into the passage when the carrier is absent therefrom and a second position In which the contact element is withdrawn from the passage sufficiently to allow movement of the carrier along the passage past the contact element, and signalling means operatively associated with the contact element for providing a signal representing each movement of the contact element in at least one direction between the first and second positions, the signalling means being arranged to provide said signal when the contact element is between its first and second positions.

10. A combination according to Claim I or Claim 9 or a method according to Claim 8 wherein said formations are openings in the carrier.

1 1. A combination according to Claim I or Claim 9 or a method according to Claim 8 wherein the contact element is a rolling element for rolling on the carrier.

12. A combination according to Claim I or Claim 9 or a reader according to Claim 2 wherein the signalling means comprises a source of radiation or of a field, a sensor responsive to a predetermined change in the radiation from the source incident on the sensor or to a predetermined change in the field at the sensor to provide an electrical output signal and a blocking element movable in a region across which the radiation is transmitted from the source to the 0 sensor or in which the field has substantial strength, for effecting said predetermined change, the blocking element being constituted by or being operatively associated with the contact element.

_ 13. A combination according to Claim 12 wherein said source is a source of a light.

14. A combination according to any one of Claims I and 3 to 6 wherein the contact element is movable by the information carrier between first and second positions and wherein the signalling means responds to movement of 0 the contact element by providing said electrical output signal when the contact element is between its first and second positions.

15. A combination or reader according to Claim 3 wherein the lever is -- comprised by a component which flexes during insertion of the carrier.

16. A reader according to Claim 2 comprising two contact elements, each with associated signalling means and transmitting means, wherein the contact elements are disposed at opposite sides of said passage.

17. A reader according to Claim 16 wherein both signalling means are spaced from the passage in the same general direction.

18. A reader according to Claim 16 which is a lock having tumblers which lie generally between the signalling means.

19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or as shown In the accompanying drawings.