Patent ID: 7382226
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: G07C,G07F

Abstract:
1. A lock for limiting access to a confined and secured space within an apparatus, said lock comprising: a bolt capable of occupying first and second positions in which it is respectively possible or impossible to access said confined space, an electromechanical device for allowing or preventing the bolt from moving from one of said positions to the other, a mechanical unit manipulatable from outside of said confined space so as to move said bolt from one of said positions to the other when said movement is allowed by operation of said electromechanical device, a control circuit for addressing commands to the electromechanical device, and a communication interface connected to said control circuit and provided with a terminal adapted to be connected, at least indirectly, to a computer remote from said apparatus, wherein said control circuit is arranged so that said electromechanical device can be operated only when said interface terminal has received a command from said remote computer, which thereby exclusively controls access to said confined space, wherein all elements of said lock are arranged to be placed entirely within said confined space, except for said interface terminal, and wherein said interface and the control circuit are arranged such that the data originating from outside the lock and addressed to the input terminal conform to a protocol including: a first pulse train defining the device concerned, a second pulse train defining the total length of the message, a third pulse train including data relating to the command transmitted, and a fourth pulse train for checking that there are no errors, wherein the lengths of the first, second and fourth pulse trains are fixed and the length of the third pulse train is variable.