Abstract:
An electric lock control circuit and method allow users to control an electric lock with a reference password pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. The circuit includes a substrate, a memory unit, an input unit, and a processing unit. The memory unit stores the reference password. The input unit rotates in a space of at least two dimensions to generate a parameter signal related to at least two dimensions. The processing unit encodes the parameter signal to turn the parameter signal into an input code and outputs an unlocking signal or a locking signal based on a result of comparison of the input code and the reference password to control the electric lock. Controlling the electric lock with a reference password pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions enhances confidentiality and complexity of the electric lock.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 101101389 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Jan. 13, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to electric lock control circuits and methods, and more particularly, to an electric lock control circuit and method for controlling an electric lock by a password pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    According to the prior art, safes are locked and unlocked with a mechanical dial for preventing unauthorized access to the safes. 
         [0004]    However, the conventional mechanical dials of safes have at least one drawback. For example, unscrupulous person who understand the nuances in the structure of tenons and mortises of a conventional mechanical dial of a safe may guess the password of the conventional mechanical dial, using a stethoscope or their expertise. As a result, safes equipped with the conventional mechanical dials are not absolutely safe. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it is imperative to overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric lock control circuit whereby users lock and unlock an electric lock in a highly confidential and sophisticated manner. 
         [0007]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electric lock control method whereby the electric lock features a high degree of confidentiality and is highly sophisticated, as the electric lock is controlled with a password pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides an electric lock control circuit for controlling an electric lock with a reference password pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. The electric lock control circuit comprises a substrate, a memory unit, an input unit, and a processing unit. The memory unit is disposed on the substrate for storing the reference password. The input unit is disposed on the substrate for generating a parameter signal based on rotation of the input unit in a space of at least two dimensions. The processing unit is connected to the memory unit and the input unit for converting the parameter signal into an input code and sending a release lock signal to the electric lock when the input code matches the reference password. 
         [0009]    In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides an electric lock control method for controlling an electric lock having an input unit. The electric lock is controlled with a reference password pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. The method comprises step (a), step (b), and step (c). Step (a) involves rotating the input unit in a space of at least two dimensions to generate a parameter signal pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. Step (b) involves converting the parameter signal into an input code. Step (c) involves comparing the input code with the reference password when the electric lock is in a locked state to determine that a release lock signal has to be sent to the electric lock when a result of the comparison indicates that the input code matches the reference password. 
         [0010]    Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an electric lock control circuit and method whereby the clockwise or anticlockwise rotation of the input unit (such as a tracking ball or a dial) in a multidimensional space indirectly produces parameters (such as angles of rotation and angles of inclination) pertaining to rotation in a multidimensional space. Afterward, the parameters are converted into an input code pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. Then, the input code is compared with the reference password which is pre-stored, with a view to controlling the unlocking of the electric lock. The electric lock control circuit and method further allow the generation of the reference password pertaining to a parameter related to multiple dimensions, such that the generated reference password functions as a password for locking the electric lock. Hence, the present invention is effective in overcoming the aforesaid drawback of conventional mechanical dials of safes, that is, password theft. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0011]    Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an electric lock control circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of operation of an input unit (not shown) on a two-dimensional plane; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of operation of the input unit (not shown) in a three-dimensional space; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the electric lock control circuit according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the electric lock control circuit according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of an electric lock control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the electric lock control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic view of an electric lock control circuit  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electric lock control circuit  10  provides a user with a reference password RPW pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions, and the reference password RPW determines whether an electric lock  2  has to enter a locked state or an unlocked state. For example, the electric lock  2  is a magnetically-controlled electric lock, an electrically-controlled electric lock, or an electric lock which is locked and unlocked by an electrical signal, a magnetic signal, or any other appropriate signal. Furthermore, before the user starts to manipulate the electric lock  2 , the reference password RPW is set by the electric lock control circuit of the present invention. 
         [0020]    The electric lock control circuit  10  comprises a substrate  12 , a memory unit  14 , an input unit  16 , and a processing unit  18 . 
         [0021]    The memory unit  14  is disposed on the substrate  12  for storing the reference password RPW. For example, the memory unit  14  is a cache memory (cache memory), a flash memory, a read-only memory, or a volatile memory. The memory unit  14  that comes in the form of a flash memory, a read-only memory, or a volatile memory is self-contained. By contrast, the memory unit  14  that comes in the form of a cache memory is built in the processing unit  18 . The memory unit  14  described hereunder is exemplified by a flash memory. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the input unit  16  generates a password and sends the password to the processing unit  18 . Then, the processing unit  18  determines whether the electric lock  2  is in the unlocked state. Upon determination that the electric lock  2  is in the unlocked state, the processing unit  18  converts the password into the reference password RPW. Then, the reference password RPW is sent to the memory unit  14  and stored therein. Afterward, the processing unit  18  generates a locking signal LS according to the reference password RPW and sends the locking signal LS to the electric lock  2  to instruct the electric lock  2  to enter the locked state. 
         [0023]    The input unit  16  is disposed on the substrate  12 . The input unit  16  generates a parameter signal PS according to the rotation of the input unit  16  in a space of at least two dimensions (for example, in a two-dimensional coordinate system, a three-dimensional coordinate system, or a multi-dimensional coordinate system). For example, the parameter signal PS expresses angles α, β, θ and φ of the rotation of the input unit  16  in the space of at least two dimensions, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . Due to the rotation of the input unit  16  in the space of at least two dimensions, variation of the angles α, β, θ and φ triggers the generation of the parameter signal PS or the generation of a parameter signal PS′. In this regard, the angles α, β, θ and φ each refer to an angle of rotation of the input unit  16  and/or an angle of inclination of the input unit  16 . The angles of inclination of the input unit  16  are defined as the included angles between a vector of angular displacement of the input unit  16  in a three-dimensional coordinate system and the components of the projection of the vector on the x-y plane, y-z plane, and x-z plane, respectively. For example, in a three-dimensional coordinate system, the input unit  16  manifests inclination angles θ, φ, and β, where θ denotes the included angle between the vector and its component on the x-y plane, φ denotes the included angle between the vector and its component on the y-z plane, and β denotes the included angle between the vector and its component on the x-z plane. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the processing unit  18  is connected between the memory unit  14  and the input unit  16 . The processing unit  18  converts the parameter signal RPW into the input code IC. The processing unit  18  determines, by comparing the reference password RPW and the input code IC, whether to generate and send a release lock signal RLS to the electric lock  2  to instruct the electric lock  2  to remain locked or to unlock. For example, if the input code IC matches the reference password RPW, the processing unit  18  will generate and send the release lock signal RLS to instruct the electric lock  2  to unlock. Conversely, if the input code IC does not match the reference password RPW, the processing unit  18  will instruct the electric lock  2  to keep its locked state. 
         [0025]    The processing unit  18  is equipped with a confirmation button (not shown) for confirming that the parameter signals PS, PS′ generated from the input unit  16  have been received by the processing unit  18 . Alternatively, the processing unit  18  dispenses with the confirmation button but is capable of sampling automatically the parameter signal PS generated from the input unit  16  at a preset time interval, such as several seconds. 
         [0026]    In addition to confirming that the parameter signals PS, PS′ generated from the input unit  16  have been received by the processing unit  18 , the confirmation button is capable of confirming that the parameter signals PS received by the processing unit  18  has been sent to the memory unit  14  and stored therein to function as the reference password RPW. As regards timing, generation of the parameter signal PS by the input unit  16  is automatically followed by storing the generated parameter signal PS in the memory unit  14  after a specific period of time has passed. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in a two-dimensional coordinate system (also known as Cartesian coordinate system), the input unit  16  is a gravity sensor, a gyroscope, or a combination thereof, lies on the x-y, and rotates by angle θ. The variation of the rotation angle θ triggers generation of the parameter signal PS. In an embodiment, the input unit  16  takes the form of a knob  4 . To enable the user to fine-tune the knob  4  clockwise or anticlockwise, 360 graduations  42  are circumferentially disposed at the brim of the knob  4  and equally spaced apart from each other, such that every said graduation  42  represents 1°. In another embodiment not shown, the 360 graduations  42  circumferentially disposed at the brim of the knob  4  are not equally spaced apart from each other. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in a three-dimensional coordinate system, the input unit  14  is the gyroscope and rotates on the x-y plane by the angle θ, on the y-z plane by the angle φ, on the z-x plane by the angle β, or in x-y-z three-dimensional space by the angle α. In an embodiment, the input unit  14  takes the form of a ball knob  6 . Again, 360 graduations  62  equally spaced apart from each other are disposed at the circumference of the x-y plane, the circumference of the y-z plane, and the circumference of the z-x plane to enable the user to fine-tune the rotation of the input unit  14  in any direction. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a schematic view of the electric lock control circuit  10  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the electric lock control circuit  10  further comprises an analog-to-digital conversion unit  20  for converting the analog parameter signal PS, PS′ into a digital input code IC related to at least two dimensions and then sending the input code IC to the processing unit  18 . 
         [0030]    In a variant embodiment (not shown) derived from the second embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit  18  is not equipped with an analog-to-digital conversion unit but is capable of converting the analog parameter signal PS, PS′ into the digital input code IC related to at least two dimensions. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a schematic view of an electric lock control circuit  10 ′ according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in addition to the substrate  12 , the memory unit  14 , the input unit  16 , and the processing unit  18 , the electric lock control circuit  10 ′ comprises a display unit  22 , a confirmation unit  24 , and a power supply unit  26 . 
         [0032]    The display unit  22  is connected to the processing unit  18  and adapted to display the input code IC, such that the user rotating the input unit  16  can know the degree of rotation not only by reading the graduations but also by watching the display unit  22  that shows the input code IC or the parameter signal PS, PS′ denoting the angles α, β, θ and φ. In another embodiment, the display unit  22  further indicates the locked state and the unlocked state of the electric lock  2 . 
         [0033]    The confirmation unit  24  is connected to the processing unit  18  and adapted to confirm having received the parameter signals PS, PS′ or confirm having determined to instruct the electric lock  2  to lock or unlock. 
         [0034]    The power supply unit  26  is connected to the memory unit  14 , the input unit  16 , and the processing unit  18  and adapted to supply power PW to the electric lock control circuit  10 ′. For example, the power supply unit  26  is an external power source (such as grid power, or a solar cell) or is a built-in power source (such as a primary battery or a secondary battery.) 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a flow chart of an electric lock control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the electric lock control method enables the user to control the locking and unlocking of the electric lock  2 , wherein the electric lock  2  is controlled with the reference password RPW pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. 
         [0036]    The process flow of the electric lock control method starts from step S 11  that involves rotating the input unit  12  in a space of at least two dimensions to generate the parameter signal pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. 
         [0037]    Step S 12  involves converting the parameter signal into the input code. 
         [0038]    Step S 13  involves determining whether the electric lock is in the locked state or the unlocked state by the processing unit  18  and then going to step S 14  or step S 15  as appropriate. 
         [0039]    Step S 14  involves comparing the input code with the reference password when the electric lock is in the locked state and determining that the release lock signal RLS has to be sent to the electric lock when a result of the comparison indicates that the input code matches the reference password. Depending on the result of the comparison performed in step S 14 , step S 14  is followed by step S 141  or step S 142 . If the result of the comparison indicates that the input code IC matches the reference password RPW, step S 14  will be followed by step S 141 . Step S 141  involves sending the release lock signal RLS to the electric lock to instruct the electric lock to unlock and enter the unlocked state. Conversely, if the result of the comparison indicates that the input code IC does not match the reference password RPW, step S 14  will be followed by step S 142 . Step S 142  involves not sending the release lock signal RLS to the electric lock, such that the locked state of the electric lock  2  continues. 
         [0040]    Step S 15  involves setting the input code IC to the reference password when the electric lock is in the unlocked state, and sending a locking signal LS to the electric lock to cause the electric lock to enter the locked state. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a flow chart of the electric lock control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in addition to steps S 11 ˜S 15 , the electric lock control method comprises step S 21  that follows step S 141  and S 142 . Step S 21  involves providing an enable signal for determining whether to control the electric lock by means of the release lock signal RLS. That is to say, the release lock signal RLS is output in step S 14 , and then step S 21  determines whether to control the electric lock with the release lock signal RLS. Step S 15  is followed by step S 22  that involves providing an enable signal for determining whether to control the electric lock by means of the locking signal LS. The enable signal is generated by the confirmation unit  24 . 
         [0042]    The electric lock control method further comprises the step of showing the user the input code, the angles, or the status of the electric lock. 
         [0043]    Accordingly, the present invention provides an electric lock control circuit and method whereby the clockwise or anticlockwise rotation of the input unit (such as a tracking ball or a dial) in a multidimensional space indirectly produces parameters (such as angles of rotation and angles of inclination) pertaining to rotation in a multidimensional space. Afterward, the parameters are converted into an input code pertaining to a parameter related to at least two dimensions. Then, the input code is compared with the reference password which is pre-stored, with a view to controlling the unlocking of the electric lock. The electric lock control circuit and method further allow the generation of the reference password pertaining to a parameter related to multiple dimensions, such that the generated reference password functions as a password for locking the electric lock. Hence, the present invention is effective in overcoming the aforesaid drawback of conventional mechanical dials of safes, that is, password theft. 
         [0044]    The foregoing embodiments are provided to illustrate and disclose the technical features of the present invention so as to enable persons skilled in the art to understand the disclosure of the present invention and implement the present invention accordingly, and are not intended to be restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the spirit embodied in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.