Development of a New Kind of Microprocessor-Based Lock

摘要

A lock is usually opened when information in the lock and key is recognized as agreeing. It was the aim of this development project to increase the security and flexibility of locking systems by applying the procedures described in the patent applications quoted. The lock is designed to operate electronically, the information to be compared being stored in electrically alterable read only memories (EAROMs) in both the lock and key. During every locking process the locking information is altered and the key is reprogrammed, so that the lock only ever recognizes one key as its master key. This was achieved by interfacing a simple single-chip microprocessor to the EAROMs, a random number generator and sequence control units in the lock and key. Possible applications for such locking systems would not require to be changed or redesigned for security purposes.