MXPA96005944A - Improvements related to control or verification of electrical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A clock recorder apparatus having an IC card reader / writer (13) incorporated therein which has two slots (14) each disposed to receive an IC card. The clock recorder apparatus (10) incorporates a processor (20), an associated memory (24) and a real-time clock (22). The IC cards (40, 42) present information that identifies people who use the clock recorder. Each person requesting access and facilities is required to insert their IC card into a slot (14) of the reader / writer (13) while an IC card of the security supervisor is located within the second slot (14). If both cards are validated, the clock registers the moment and the identification of the person requesting access. In addition, the clock recorder can be arranged to act as a door lock or other perimeter protection to allow physical access to the facility.

Description

DONATES WITH THE CONTROL OR VERIFICATION OF ETHYPE HYÉ TRIflP DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the control or verification of electrical equipment. In one example, the invention relates to a method for recording attendance by using a clock recorder apparatus, and with a clock recorder apparatus. It is often required to control or verify the use of electrical equipment such as computers, telephones, door access controls and time clocks. Often, this need arises because it is required to verify the use by those who are authorized to use the equipment. Additionally and / or alternatively, there may be a need to control the use of equipment by authorized personnel, for example, by providing an additional level of authorization. A particular implementation of the general control method is exemplified by the use of attendance recorder clock recorders. It may be desired, for example, to request that two people use the recorder of a clock recorder simultaneously with REF: 23656 in order to allow one of these people to have access to secure facilities and / or to allow equipment for their use. Additionally and / or alternatively, it may be required to ensure that there is control of people entering or leaving a restricted area, particularly outside normal hours. It may also be required to verify the operation of a security guard who controls a restricted area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that allows the control or verification of electrically powered equipment, and / or to provide an assistance registration method using a clock recorder apparatus, and a clock recorder apparatus. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for recording attendance by using a clock recorder apparatus, the recorder clock apparatus comprising a processor means, memory means and at least one card reader IC, and a clock, and the method comprises the steps of providing identification data to the processor means to allow a record of the identification and time data to be maintained, the identification data is stored in at least one IC card.

The identification data stored in the IC card preferably includes information such as the identity of a person. Therefore, anyone who uses the use of a clock recorder device is provided with an IC card which presents information that identifies that person. The IC card can also present additional information, for example restrictions on the person's activities. The use of the clock recorder apparatus requires the insertion of at least one IC card. In one embodiment, the cards or each of the IC cards presents an authorization or access code. In one embodiment, the method for registering the assistance additionally comprises the steps of recording in the memory medium and / or at least one IC card, a record of the use of the recorder clock apparatus, the record includes the data of identification and the recorded time of a series of IC cards inserted in series in the recorder clock apparatus. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of verifying the validity of the identification data. In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of allowing control or verification of electrically driven equipment in response to a determination that the identification data is valid. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for enabling the control or verification of electrically driven equipment by the use of a control apparatus, the control apparatus has a processor means, memory means, and at least one IC card reader, and an interface means, the method comprises the steps of providing identification data to the processor means by means of an IC card and an IC card reader, to verify the validity of the identification data and, in response to the determination that the identification data are valid, to allow the control or verification of the equipment by means of the interconnection or interface means. Preferably, the use of the clock recorder apparatus and / or the control of the electrically driven equipment is allowed only by providing the apparatus with the identification of two persons, in which one of these two persons has a particular identification. For example, it may be required that a person or team member requesting access or use of the recorder or electrically powered equipment should insert their IC card into the device simultaneously with a second IC card that presents information identifying a supervisor Additionally and / or alternatively, the need to provide two IC cards may arise only if the use of the clock recorder apparatus or the control of the equipment is required after normal hours. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrically powered equipment is, or is part of, a device that controls access to a restricted area. For example, the clock recorder apparatus can be adapted to control the closing of a door or other perimeter equipment. By this means, employees will be required to register their attendance by registering the IC card that presents their identification on the clock recorder device in order to have access to their employment. The present invention extends to a clock recorder apparatus used in a method as defined in the foregoing. The invention also extends to a control apparatus for use in a method as defined above. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a control apparatus for controlling or verifying electrically powered equipment is provided, the control apparatus comprises a processor means, memory means, interface means arranged to communicate with the electrically driven equipment, and a reading device for reading the data in IC cards, the reading device is in communication with the processing means. The present invention also extends to a clock recorder apparatus comprising a processor means, memory means, a clock, a reading device for reading the data in IC cards, and the reading device is in communication with the processor means. For example, the IC card may present information that identifies a person and / or, any other information about that person, for example, access to which the person may have access to electrically powered equipment or to a controlled or protected area. the same. Therefore, the processor means may use the information that is read on the IC card to determine whether or not it is possible to perform a particular task. It is possible for the voter device to be adapted as a read-only device allowed to read the data presented on the IC cards. In a preferred embodiment, the reading device is adapted not only to read data from IC cards but also to write data thereto. In one embodiment, the reading device has a unique slot so that it can receive, and read and / or write data on only one IC card at a time. Preferably, however, the reading device has several slots so that several IC cards can be inserted into it and read from it, or simultaneously written. In a preferred embodiment, a second reading device is provided remote from the first reading device, each of the first and second reading devices has a unique slot so that it can receive and read, and / or write, data on only one IC card at a time. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a clock recorder apparatus of the invention having a card reader / writer and has incorporated therein, Figure 2 is an alternative embodiment of a clock recorder apparatus electrically connected to a separate IC card reader / writer, Figure 3 shows a block circuit diagram of the clock recorder apparatus of Figure 1 or of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the routines established for the clock recorder apparatus of the invention, Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a method for using the clock recorder apparatus as, a time attendance recorder, and figure 6 shows an operational flow diagram of a clock recorder apparatus which also controls access to an area security or restricted area. Figure 1 shows a clock recorder apparatus which comprises a substantially conventional clock recorder recorder 10 having a keyboard 11. As shown in Figure 3, the processor 20 is ready to respond to the operation of the keyboard 11 and a real-time clock 22 is incorporated into the time clock 10. In a normal manner, the processor 20 is provided with an internal memory, and an external memory 24, for example, 32K bits of static RAM is also provided. A screen 12, for example, of dot matrix LCD is provided to display the time and / or the identification number of a person and / or any other required information. An IC card reader / writer 13 is incorporated within the clock recorder 10. The reader / writer 13 has two slots 14, each of which contains a respective IC card connector 26, 28, for receiving an IC card for reading information. of them or to write information in them. The card connectors 26, 28 of the reader / writer 13 are connected to communicate with the processor 20 provided within the clock recorder 10. In the illustrated mode, the keypad 11 comprises a sixteen-key keyboard 30 and a four-key keyboard 32. Both keypads 30, 32 communicate with the processor 20. Electrical power is provided in the time clock 10 from the media or from a battery pack (not shown). In both cases, a battery backup is preferably provided, indicated with the number 34. The clock recorder 10 is also provided with a serial communication link 36 that allows the processor 20 to receive information from external sources and / or to communicate with peripheral devices. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a clock recorder apparatus 10. Like the apparatus of Figure 1, the apparatus of Figure 2 has an IC card reader / writer 13 incorporated therein. However, in the embodiment of Figure 2, only a single slot 14 is provided within the reader / writer 13. A first IC card connector 26 is provided within the slot 14. The embodiment of Figure 2 also has a second card connector 28 but this is provided in a slot 141 in a remote IC card reader / writer 131. The second IC card connector 28 is connected to the processor 20 of the clock recorder 10 by means of a shielded cable 38. As will become apparent, by providing a second IC card connector 28 in a remote reader / writer 131, it is particularly useful where the clock recorder 10 is additionally used to control access to a restricted area. The IC cards, for example 40 and 42 (Figure 2) that are to be used with the clock recorder apparatus may each present, for example, the identification of a respective person who requests the use of the clock recorder and, in this case , the processor 20 is programmed to read the necessary information of the IC cards by means of the IC card connectors 26, 28. Additionally and / or alternatively, each IC card 40, 42 can be programmed to present instructions for the processor 20. The reader / writer 13, 131 can be provided with its own processor 20 in communication with the clock recorder processor 10. The apparatus described in the above and illustrated can be used for example, to control the movements of equipment or visitors who request to enter or ask permission to leave. In this case, it is provided to each person who requires access with an IC card that presents data that identifies that person. In addition, a supervisor, for example, a security guard can also provide an IC card that presents identification information. The IC card of the security guard simply identifies the security guard or can also identify the guard's authorization level. In a method for controlling access to facilities, both the person requesting access and the security guard must insert their respective IC card into the reader / writer 13, 131, substantially at the same time. The time clock will ensure that the inserts are on the same timescale, and can register the identifications. The information may be stored in the memory of the processor 20 and / or in the IC card of the security guard. When the clock recorder is going to be used to record the access of visitors to facilities, it is possible to provide each visitor with an IC card. Alternatively, access for a visitor can be allowed by the security guard by inserting his IC card alone, and then insert, using the keypad 11, or by an external means connected to a serial link 36, the name of the company and / or any other visitor's identification. Again, the person to whom access is granted and the time of access is registered. It will be appreciated that a similar process is preferably carried out when the equipment and / or visitors leave the premises. This means that you can build a complete record of the time that people are in the facilities, and you can also make a record of people who apparently do not leave the facilities. These records can be analyzed and made available for use, for example, to be recorded on an IC card inserted in a reader / writer 13, 131 and then transmitted to a computer for analysis and subsequent use. It will be appreciated that the routines to be carried out by the clock recorder apparatus of the invention can be chosen as required, and according to all circumstances. In addition, the programming elements to control any required routine are within the skill of any person skilled in the art and, therefore, need not be described. However, to assist in the understanding of the invention, various possible routines of the clock recorder apparatus will now be described, by way of example only, to illustrate some, but not all, uses of the clock recorder of the present invention. Figure 4 is a flow chart of a routine of a clock recorder apparatus, as shown in Figure 3, which allows adjustment or installation and therefore the operation of the clock recorder, which is chosen as required. The routine of Figure 4 can be an implicit routine of the clock recorder and is started when power is applied to the clock recorder 10 and / or when another routine ends. In this regard, and as is clear from Figure 4, the first function of the routine, with the number 50, is an initialization function in which all program settings are properly initialized in a known manner. The adjustment routine in Figure 4 begins with the entry by a user of a keyword which is verified against the keyword stored as indicated in function box 52. In decision box 54, the result of the comparison determines the next stage. If the keyword is incorrect, the routine does not continue but requires that a keyword be entered again. Of course, and as is well known, the keyword verification routines can be arranged to deactivate the clock recorder apparatus or to otherwise prevent access to the rest of the adjustment routine t >; if a wrong word is entered more than three times, for example, In addition, although it is currently considered that the keyword will be entered by means of the 30/32 keyboard, it will be possible to enter it by external means, for example, 5 by means of a link 36 in series and / or by means of an IC card inserted in one of the IC card connectors 26, 28. If the keyword is correct, the routine advances to the function block 56 which shows the date and time lú on the screen 12. In the following decision table 58, the keyboards 30, 32 are checked to identify if any of the keys It has been oppressed. When it is detected that a key has been pressed, the routine proceeds to a first decision box 60 to determine if a key has been pressed adjustment. If the adjustment key has been pressed, the routine advances to function 64. If the adjustment key 60 has not been depressed, the routine advances to the decision table 62 to determine whether a function key has been depressed by pressing the function key. function key moves to the routine towards the box 66 of function. If an adjustment key or a function key has not been pressed, the routine cycles the function table 56 to show the time and date again. When the decision table 58 is reached, the fact that no keys have been pressed causes the The routine is closed through the function box 58 so that the correct date and time are continuously displayed. Of course, the adjustment routine can start again by pressing the adjustment key or the function key. In addition, the routine can be expanded to check the status 5 of the keys in addition to the adjustment and function keys, should this be required. As described above, if an adjustment key has been pressed, the routine advances to the function box 64 which provides a setting menu. 0 This will require the user to take a series of options which can be accepted or changed, as required. In this regard, the available options will appear on screen 12 and the user will accept or change them through the keyboard 30, 32. The available options can be chosen as required. By way of example only, one or more of the following options may be provided in the adjustment menu: Time setting; specifically the year, day, hour, minute. 0 Operation mode; for example, single card or double card mode. The language of the screen; for example, English or Chinese.

The details of communication with external and peripheral devices; for example, the bit rates used and the nature of the link. The first information unit that appears in the adjustment menu is displayed to the user, and after the information unit has been accepted or changed, the user is asked in decision box 68 if additional changes are required. If additional changes are required, the routine returns to function table 64 and the next l ü information unit of the adjustment menu is displayed for acceptance or change. This procedure will display each of the information units in the adjustment menu in sequence for acceptance or change until the user indicates that no additional changes are required. Once the user indicates in decision box 68 that the operation has been completed, the routine returns to the function table 56 so that the date and time are displayed again. Then, through the decision box 58, the keyboards are checked again to detect if the same key or other keys. If the decision table 62 determines that the function key has been pressed, the routine advances to the function table 66 which provides a function menu with information units which can be changed or accepted. Again, the options and the changes in the -. Function menu can be chosen as required. As an example only, these may include: Establish the information to be recorded by the clock recorder. 5 Registration of the identification numbers for the clock recorder and for any reader / remote, for example 131. Establish periods of time during which access is strictly controlled or is not or authorized. Have access to information previously recorded by the time clock. As described above with reference to the adjustment menu, the function menu sequentially presents the units of information to be accepted or changed, and the user can be made in the decision box 70 to indicate whether the actions They have finished. Once the user has accepted or changed all the information units required in the function menu, routine 0 returns to function block 56 to cause display 12 to display the date and time. It will be appreciated that other keys may provide access to other control menus in the same manner as illustrated with respect to decision tables 60 and 62. 5 When all the required menus have been adapted, the routine returns, as described in the above, to show the date and time. Under normal operation of the device, in response to the pressure of a key, or the insertion of an IC card, the routine is interrupted. In this regard, and as shown in Figure 5, the processor 20 periodically checks to determine if any IC card has been inserted into the card slot associated with IC card connectors 26 or 28, as indicated by the number 74. Therefore, the routine identifies whether an IC card is in any of the slots 14 of the clock recorder of Figure 1 or any of the slots 14 and 141 of the clock recorder of Figure 2. If the insertion of the clock is detected. a card in the function block 74, the routine shown in FIG. 5 starts. This routine is only one routine of the many possible ones, which can be carried out by the clock recorder 10 and, in this routine, the assistance information as is conventional with the clocks recorders. Therefore, in the function block 76, it is verified that an IC card is inserted into a slot and that a readable connection has been made with it. If the card can be read, the routine is moved to the function box 78, in which it is determined whether the device has been set to be in single card or dual card mode. A decision box 80 is determined about the mode which has been chosen. If you are in the single card mode, the routine advances to the function box 82 in which the appropriate information of the inserted IC card is taken and recorded. For example, the clock recorder will verify in its memory and / or in the inserted IC card, the time set by the real time clock 22. The identification of the related team member can also be recorded in the clock recorder memory. When the information acquisition and its registration has been completed, the routine ends in the function box 84 which prepares the processor to react to the insertion of additional cards, for example. If, in the decision block 80 it is determined that the time clock has been set in the double card function, the routine advances to the function block 86, which controls that function. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the dual card function is provided solely for controlling the entry to, or exit from, facilities outside of normal or work periods. Therefore, the routine advances to the decision block 88 which determines whether the time of the real time clock is within the normal preset entry times. If the time is within the preset times, the routine advances to the function block 82 in which the required information is recorded as described in the foregoing. However, if the time is outside normal limits, the function box 90 requires additional functions to be performed. It may be, for example, that you request that. a security guard enter an authorization code via the keypad and / or insert an IC card into the second reader / writer 13, 131, before the routine advances. In the function block 90, the time and ID information is recorded, and any other information recorded by means of the function table 82, but in addition, the security information entered is also recorded. For example, you can register the identity of the supervisor that provides the authorization code and / or your IC card. Subsequently, the routine advances to end function block 84, which resets or adjusts the processor so that it is able to react appropriately to other indications. The clock recorderWhen controlled to operate as set forth in Figure 5, it can act substantially like a clock recorder conventionally insofar as it is controlled to record the time of entry or exit of each person. In addition, as described above, additional authorization may be required through the dual card function if only controlled access is required after normal hours. Such a function is useful, for example, if it is required to allow employees to leave the company's premises during normal work hours if they have permission. Figure 6 shows an example of a routine which can be optionally provided in a clock recorder of the invention which provides a much higher security level and which controls the physical access to the facilities. In this regard, although the routine of Figure 6 can be used with the clock recorder illustrated in Figure 1, it may be preferred to use the clock recorder shown in Figure 2 due to the remote nature of the reader / writer 131 in this latter mode. Therefore, when access to the facilities is to be allowed through a door, for example, the clock recorder 10 can be mounted inside a door with the reader / writer 131 provided externally thereto. The routine illustrated in Figure 6 begins with the function block 100, with the insertion in the reader / writer 13 of a security authorization card. In the routine of Figure 6, the insertion of such a security authorization card is essential to activate the routine. Such a security authorization card may be an IC card carried by a security officer or other authorized person and preferably presents information identifying the authorized person. The authorized person will be inside the premises, and his security authorization card is inserted in the reader / writer 13 incorporated in the clock recorder 10, which is also inside the premises. In function block 102, the security authorization card is verified to determine its validity. For example, such cards may be required to have an expiration or expiration date. Additionally and / or alternatively, the card may present an authorization code which must be verified against the stored permissible codes. If required, there may be an additional requirement that the authorized person must press a separate keyword or code. In decision block 104 it is determined whether the inserted security card meets the requirements. If this is not the case, a function block 106 causes an error message to be displayed on the display 12 and / or an alarm is triggered. In addition, the routine ends. If the decision block 104 determines the authenticity of the security authorization card, the routine advances to the function block 108 in which some person requesting access to the facilities, for example, is invited to insert an IC card. of access within the remote reader / writer 131 or in the other slot 14 of the reader / writer 13. The access card may present information that identifies the employee or simply identify the person as a visitor. The access card, for example with the number 42, can also present information that identifies the level of authorization associated with the person identified by the card. This level of authorization is determined in the function block 110. In the illustrated mode, it is considered that the IC card 42 will have one of two types of authorizations, the type is indicated by the appropriate code on card 42. These types of authorization are those in which pre-authorization is required or that in which which does not require pre-authorization. When a decision block 112 determines that the access IC card 42 is of the type that does not require pre-authorization, the routine advances to function block 114 where a current time check is performed. If the decision block 116 determines that access is required within the normal entry time, the routine advances to the function block 118 in which the information to which it is accessed is recorded. Therefore, the clock recorder can store the time, the authorization code on the security card and the selected information of the access card 42 in the memory. For a visitor, the information on the card can simply be an identification number on the card itself. For an employee, the IC card will identify the employee directly. If access is required outside normal entry hours, additional authorization may be required. In the routine of Figure 6, the decision block 116 advances the routine to the function block 120 in which the security officer or other authorized person is requested to enter an additional authorization code and / or a code identifying the reason why entrance after hours is required. If the entries in function block 120 are satisfactory, the routine advances to function block 122, in which appropriate information is stored. Generally, the information stored in function block 122 will be the same as that requested in function block 118. If pre-authorization is required in decision block 112, the routine will advance to function block 124 instead of advancing to block 114 as described in the above. In block 124, inserted access card 42 is verified to determine its validity, for example, to determine whether it presents a valid access code and / or does not have a date after the expiration date. If a decision block 126 identifies the access card as invalid, the function block 128 produces an error message which is displayed on the screen 12 and / or an audible alarm will sound and the access routine will be terminated. If decision block 126 confirms that the access card is valid, the routine then proceeds through function blocks 120 and 122 to request additional authorization entry and to record the requested information as described above. Once the clock recorder has recorded the pertinent information required, the routine, in the function block 130 is arranged to activate, by means of a serial link 36, an access gate, a security lock or other gate means physical. Subsequently, in the function blocks 130, 132, the routine ejects the excess card from the reader / writer 13, 131 to allow the employee or visitor to retrieve the card before entering the premises. The invention has been described with reference to the illustrated modes and with reference to three possible routines of programming elements. However, it will be appreciated that additional and / or alternative routines may be provided depending on the circumstances and, in particular, the degree of security required. Other variations and modifications to the embodiments as described and illustrated may be made within the scope of the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (26)

1. A method for recording the assistance using a clock recorder apparatus, the clock recorder apparatus comprises a processor means, a memory medium, at least one IC card reader and a clock, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of providing identification data to the processor means to allow a record of the identification data and the time to be maintained, the identification data is stored in at least one IC card.

2. The assistance registration method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification data stored in the IC card includes information about the identity of a person.

3. The assistance registration method, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each IC card has an authorization or access code.

4. The assistance registration method, according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it additionally comprises the steps of registering in the memory medium and / or at least one IC card, a record of the use of the clock recorder apparatus, the The register includes the identification data and the recorded time of a series of IC cards inserted in series in the time recording device.

5. The method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises the step of verifying the validity of the identification data.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that it additionally comprises the step of allowing the control or verification of electrically driven equipment in response to the determination that the identification data is valid.

7. A method for enabling control or verification of electrically operated equipment using a control apparatus, the control apparatus has a processor means, a memory medium, at least one IC card reader and interface or interconnect means, the The method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of providing identification data to a processor means by means of an IC card and an IC card reader, verifying the validity of the identification data and, in response to the determination that the identification data they are valid, allow the control or verification of the equipment through the interface medium.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the step of verifying the validity of the identification data comprises the steps of verifying the identification data in each of at least two IC cards, the verification control of the Electrically powered equipment is allowed only in response to a determination that the identification data on each of the IC cards is valid.

9. The method according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it additionally comprises the step of verifying that the real time is within a pre-established period.

10. The method according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the electrically operated equipment is, or is a part of, equipment that controls access to a restricted area.

11. The method according to any of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that it additionally comprises the step of providing an alarm in response to the determination that the identification data is not valid.

12. A clock recorder apparatus, characterized in that it is adapted to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 11.

13. A control apparatus for controlling or checking electrically operated equipment by a method according to any of claims 7 to 11.

14. A control apparatus for controlling or checking electrically operated equipment, the control apparatus comprises a processor means, memory means, interface or interconnection means placed to communicate with electrically driven equipment, and a reading device for reading the data on IC cards , the reading device is in combination with the processor means.

15. The control apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that it additionally comprises a clock, and is adapted to operate over time of the recording device.

16. A clock recorder apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a processor means, memory means and a clock, and a reading device for reading the data in IC cards, the reading device is in communication with the processor means.

17. A clock recorder apparatus, according to claim 16, characterized in that it additionally comprises interface means arranged to communicate with electrically operated equipment to allow control or verification of the electrically driven equipment.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the reading device is adapted not only to read data from IC cards, but also to write data thereto.

19. The apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that it additionally comprises a second IC card reading device adapted to read and / or write data in IC cards.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the first and second IC reading devices are remote from each other.

21. The apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 20 ', characterized in that it additionally comprises a means of interface or interconnection with the user.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the interface means with the user is a keyboard.

23. A method for recording attendance, characterized in that it uses a clock recorder apparatus substantially as described in the foregoing, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A method for allowing control or for verifying electrically operated equipment, characterized in that it is substantially as described in the foregoing with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. The recording clock apparatus, characterized in that it is substantially as described in the foregoing with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. The control apparatus for controlling or checking electrically operated equipment, characterized in that it is substantially as described in the foregoing with reference to the accompanying drawings.