Patent Publication Number: US-2006000247-A1

Title: Electronic lock

Description:
REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 10/343,553, filed Jan. 31, 2003 which is based on PCT application No. US00/33231, filed Dec. 8, 2000, which is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/190,970, filed Mar. 22, 2000 and 60/169,636 filed Dec. 8, 1999. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to an electronic mortise lockset for mounting in a door and more particularly to such an electronic lock having a motorized handle lock-out feature and an electronic lockset controller for reading various types of key cards and controlling the mortise lockset accordingly.  
     INVENTION BACKGROUND  
      Mortise locksets usually include handles that are operably connected to retractable latch bolts by latch bolt retraction mechanisms. A typical mortise lockset includes a generally rectangular case that fits into a similarly-shaped complementary cavity formed or cut into a door. The retractable latch bolt and the retraction mechanism are supported within the case with a portion of the latch bolt extending from the case in an extended position. In the extended position the latch bolt engages a complementary recess formed in a door jam when the door is closed. When an operator turns the door handle the retraction mechanism causes the latch bolt to retract from the door jam recess into a retracted position in the mortise lockset case. With the latch bolt in the retracted position, the door is free to move from the closed position to an open position.  
      Most such mortise locksets also include some form of lock-out mechanism that is positioned to mechanically engage either the handle, the latch bolt or some portion of the retraction mechanism. Such lock-out features are usually mounted in the mortise lockset case and are configured to prevent the latch bolt from being retracted and/or the handle from being turned without first unlocking the locking mechanism by inserting a key or by entering some type of coded entry command on a keypad.  
      An example of a mortise lockset having a handle lock-out mechanism that prevents a handle portion of the lockset from being moved without first inserting a key or key card is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,348 issued Dec. 12, 1998 to Palmer et al. (the Palmer patent). This patent shows an electronic lock having a door handle lock-out feature that includes a motor-driven cam that moves a sliding stop into engagement in a hub to lock the hub in place. A slip clutch mechanism allows the motor to continue running after the sliding stop has been driven to the full extent of its travel into the hub. The motor is set to run for slightly longer than required to ensure that the slider is fully engaged in the hub. The door handle lock-out feature also includes a spring that stores energy when the sliding stop is either blocked or hung up by friction as it is being moved. When the blockage or hangup is overcome, the stored spring energy moves the sliding stop into the commanded position. A gearbox is connected between the motor and the cam to allow the motor to run at high speed.  
      The cam disclosed in the Palmer patent is a locking bar type cam with cam surfaces disposed at the end of an elongated spring arm. The motor moves the spring arm and cam surfaces through a short arc. The slip clutch mechanism disclosed in the Palmer patent is located in a pivoting hub that supports the spring arm. The run time of the motor disclosed in the Palmer patent is preset to produce one full 360° rotation  
      The Palmer motor pivots the cam surfaces through an arc at the end of an elongated arm mounted on a pivot hub that includes the slip clutch. Therefore, along with the pivot hub, the cam requires a considerable amount of space within the lock case both for installation and for movement in operation. The elongated spring arm is also prone to bending, i.e., plastic deformation. Because the motor run time is preset to a constant value the Palmer lock is unable to extend battery life by limiting motor run time. The Palmer lock is also unable to determine when the sliding stop is fully engaged. The Palmer lock is also unequipped to easily adapt to applications where it may be necessary or desirable to lock-out the interior handle rather than the exterior handle.  
      Some electronic mortise locksets also include deadbolt position indicators that transmit deadbolt position information to the logic circuitry of the lock. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,791,177 and 5,816,083 issued to Bianco (the Bianco patents) show a controller that receives a deadbolt position indicating signal through sensors mounted on a printed circuit board. A spindle turns a communication plate which actuates the sensors. The communication plate is configured to close electrical circuits when contacting the sensors.  
      Some electronic mortise locksets include employee access tracking systems that help employers determine and keep track of which of their employees have gained access to which rooms in an establishment such as a hotel or office building. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,174 to Aydin (the Aydin patent) and the Bianco patents disclose electronic locks that download entry data onto key cards. The information stored on the cards includes the times and dates that the lock has been opened. However, the Aydin and Bianco locks are unable to provide a record of entry on each user&#39;s card.  
      Most electronic mortise locksets include some form of card reader module configured to read bar code symbols printed on key cards, magnetic strips affixed to key cards and/or to communicate with integrated circuit chips (IC chips) embedded on so-called “smart” key cards. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,758 issued Feb. 5, 1991 to Shibano et al. (the Shibano patent) shows a snap-together card reader module including a magnetic reader. Locking snaps hold the module together. A spring biases the magnetic read head against a card that is inserted into the reader module. While the Shibano lockset offers the ease of snap-together construction, it lacks dual-function components that could further simplify its assembly and operation.  
      Electronic locks have been designed that are both programmable and interrogatable. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,115 issued to Clarkson et al. (the Clarkson patent) shows a lock programmer including a serial port cable connected to a key. A user may insert the key into a card reader module to program a lock. However, the Clarkson lock programmer cannot be used to interrogate a lock or to apply power to the lock.  
      What is needed is an electronic mortise lockset handle lock-out mechanism that is more robust, requires less space within the lockset case and that can extend battery life by limiting motor run time while insuring full engagement of the lock-out mechanism. What is also needed is an electronic mortise lockset that includes: a deadbolt position indicator that does not require that open-air electrical contact be made between a metal plate and wire sensors; an employee access tracking system that provides a record of entry on each user&#39;s key card; a card reader module that can read more than one type of key card and that is easier to assemble; and that includes a lock programmer capable of performing other operations in addition to lock programming.  
     INVENTION SUMMARY  
      In accordance with this invention a mortise lockset apparatus for a door mounted in a door frame is provided that includes a case configured to fit into a complementary cavity in a door and a retractable latch bolt movably supported within the case. A portion of the latch bolt extends from the case in an extended position and is withdrawn into the case in a retracted position. The latch bolt is configured to engage a complementary recess formed in a door frame when the latch bolt is in the extended position and the door is in a closed position with the latch bolt axially aligned with the recess. A handle is pivotally supported on a hub supported in the case, the hub being operably connected to the retractable latch bolt. The latch bolt is retractable from the extended position by turning the door handle. A lock-out mechanism is supported in the case and is configured to prevent the handle from being turned when the lock-out mechanism is in an engaged position. A key reader is supported on the case and is connected to the lock-out mechanism. The key reader is configured to identify properly configured keys. A lockset controller is connected to the lock-out mechanism and the key reader. The lockset controller is configured to disengage the lock-out mechanism when the key reader identifies a properly configured key. The handle lock-out mechanism also includes a cam movably supported in the case and operably connected to a motor. A sliding stop is movably supported in the case and includes a first end engageable with the handle hub to prevent the handle hub and the handle from turning. The sliding stop including a second end engageable with a cam surface of the cam, the cam surface disposed adjacent the second end of the sliding stop in a position to move the sliding stop when the motor moves the cam. The motor is configured to move the cam surface about a cam axis, the cam being rotatably supported in the case about the cam rotational axis. The cam rotational axis is disposed between diametrically opposed portions of the cam surface to minimize space requirements for the assembly.  
      Because the cam rotational axis is disposed between diametrically opposed portions of the cam surface, the handle lock-out mechanism of the present invention requires less space within the case than prior art lock-out mechanisms.  
      According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic lockset controller for use with a door-mounted lockset apparatus is provided. The lockset controller is operable to function in a low power sleep mode and an active mode, and comprises a core processor, a wakeup control module, a key card control module, and a motor drive module. The core processor is capable of controlling the operation of electronic modules within the lockset controller according to a set of electronic instructions stored within an electronic memory module. The core processor includes a wakeup signal input, a key card signal input, and a motor signal output. The core processor is inactive when the lockset controller is in the sleep mode and active when the lockset controller is in the active mode. The wakeup control module is capable of switching the operational mode of the lockset controller from the sleep mode to the active mode upon the happening of a wakeup event. The wakeup control includes an external wakeup signal input, an internal wakeup signal input, and a wakeup signal output. The external wakeup signal input receives an electronic signal that indicates the occurrence of a wakeup event that is external to the lockset controller, the internal wakeup signal input receives an electronic signal that indicates the occurrence of a wakeup event that is internal to the lockset controller, and the wakeup signal output is connected to the wakeup signal input of the processor and transmits a wakeup signal to the processor indicating that a wakeup event has occurred. The key card control module acts as an interface between a key card reader and the lockset controller such that electronic information may be transferred between the two devices. The key card control includes a key card signal input connected to the key card reader for receiving an electronic signal representative of information stored on a key card, and a key card signal output connected to the key card signal input of the processor for transmitting a data signal representative of the information stored on the key card. The motor driver module is capable of driving an electrical motor that moves a locking mechanism of the lockset apparatus between locked and unlocked states. The motor driver comprises a motor signal input connected to the motor signal output of the processor for receiving a power signal representative of the amount of power intended to drive the electrical motor, and a motor signal output connected to the electrical motor for transmitting an electrical signal representative of the power signal. The lockset controller is brought out of the sleep mode and into the active mode when the processor receives a wakeup signal. Once in active mode, if the processor receives an authorized data signal, then it transmits a power signal that causes the electrical motor to unlock the locking mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DRAWING DESCRIPTION  
      To better understand and appreciate the invention, refer to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a mortise lockset case constructed according to the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an electronic lock constructed according to the invention with the lockset case of  FIG. 1  removed for clarity;  
       FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of sliding stop, cam, gearbox and motor components of the mortise lockset case of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional front view of hub, sliding stop, cam, clutch, gearbox and motor components of the mortise lockset case of  FIG. 1  with the sliding stop disengaged from the hub;  
       FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional front view of hub, sliding stop, cam, clutch, gearbox and motor components of the mortise lockset case of  FIG. 1  with the sliding stop engaging the hub;  
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional front view of hub, sliding stop, cam, clutch, gearbox and motor components of the mortise lockset case of  FIG. 1  with the cam positioned to engage the sliding stop, but with the sliding stop disengaged from the hub and a spring component of the sliding stop compressed;  
       FIG. 7  is a magnified top perspective view of a key card reader portion of the electronic lock of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the key card reader of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a card reader module constructed according to the invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a lock programmer/interrogator constructed according to the invention;  
       FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional fragmentary view of a smart card interface unit supported in an upper wall of the key card reader of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional fragmentary view of a tapered pin extending from a base wall of the key card reader of  FIG. 7  and supporting a read head support arm for pivotal and gimbling movement;  
       FIG. 13  is an electrical schematic view of the lockset controller  28 ;  
       FIG. 14  is an electrical schematic view of the low power oscillator module  302 ;  
       FIG. 15  is an electrical schematic view of the real time clock module  304 ;  
       FIG. 16  is an electrical schematic view of the high speed oscillator module  306 ;  
       FIG. 17  is an electrical schematic view of the switch control module  308 ;  
       FIG. 18  is an electrical schematic view of the serial port module  310 ;  
       FIG. 19  is an electrical schematic view of the wakeup control module  312 ;  
       FIG. 20  is an electrical schematic view of the smart key control module  314 ;  
       FIG. 21  is an electrical schematic view of the general I/O module  316 ;  
       FIG. 22  is an electrical schematic view of the special function registers module  318 ;  
       FIG. 23  is an electrical schematic view of the IR power control module  320 ;  
       FIG. 24  is an electrical schematic view of the power control module  322 ;  
       FIG. 25  is an electrical schematic view of the motor current sensing module  324 ;  
       FIG. 26  is an electrical schematic view of the H-bridge motor driver module  326 ;  
       FIG. 27  is an electrical schematic view of the LED drivers module  328 ;  
       FIG. 28  is an electrical schematic view of the battery level sensing module  330 ;  
       FIG. 29  is an electrical schematic view of the magnetic head reader module  332 ;  
       FIG. 30  is an electrical schematic view of the X-ram memory module  334 ;  
       FIG. 31  is an electrical schematic view of the memory decode module  338 , and;  
       FIG. 32  is an electrical schematic view of the scratchpad memory module  336 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      An electronic mortise lockset apparatus constructed according to the invention is generally shown at  10  in  FIG. 2  and is adapted for installation in a door mounted in a doorframe. The lockset apparatus includes a generally rectangular mortise lockset apparatus case generally indicated at  12  in  FIG. 1 . The lockset apparatus case  12  is configured to fit into a similarly shaped complimentary cavity cut into or formed in a door. A detailed description of suitable lockset apparatus components that may be included in the lockset case  12  in addition to those described below can be found in U.S. Ser. No. 08/846,842 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,177 which is incorporated herein by reference).  
      The lockset apparatus  10  also includes a retractable latch bolt  14  that is movably supported within the lockset case  12 . A portion of the latch bolt  14  extends from the case  12  when the latch bolt is in an extended position and is withdrawn into the lockset case when the latch bolt is in a retracted position. The latch bolt  14  is configured and positioned to engage a complimentary recess formed in a doorframe and/or a metal plate fastened to the doorframe. The latch bolt  14  engages the recess when the latch bolt is in the extended position and the door is in a closed position with the latch bolt axially aligned with the recess.  
      A handle hub  16  is pivotably supported in the lockset case  12  and a handle  18  is operably connected to and at partially supported on the handle hub. The handle hub  16  is operably connected to the retractable latch bolt  14  through a latch bolt retraction mechanism  20 . The latch bolt  14  is retractable from the extended position by turning the door handle  18 . The retraction mechanism  20  causes the latch bolt  14  to retract from the door jam recess into a retracted position in the lockset case  12 . With the latch bolt  14  in the retracted position the door is free to move from the closed position to an open position.  
      The mortise lockset apparatus  10  also includes a motor-driven door handle lockout mechanism  22  that includes the mortise components generally indicated at  22  in  FIGS. 1 and 3 - 6 . These lockout mechanism  22  components are supported in the lockset case  12  and are configured to prevent the handle  18  from being turned and the latch bolt  14  from being retracted when the lock-out mechanism is in an engaged position unless the lockout mechanism is first unlocked by inserting a properly configured key card. Absent the insertion of a properly configured key card, the lockout mechanism  22  of the lockset apparatus  10  will mechanically block the handle  18  from turning.  
      While the present lockset apparatus embodiment  10  is configured to receive and to be unlocked by a key card, other embodiments may include a locking mechanism configured to receive and be unlocked by insertion and rotation of a standard mechanical key. Still other embodiments may include a keypad configured to allow an operator to unlock the lockset apparatus  10  by entering a coded entry command.  
      The lockout mechanism  22  prevents the handle  18  from turning by engaging a recess  24  in the handle hub  16 . In other embodiments, however, the lockout mechanism  22  may be configured to block the handle  18  from turning by engaging a portion of the retraction mechanism  20  other than the handle hub  16 , or by engaging some portion of the handle  18  itself.  
      As is generally indicated in  FIG. 2 , a key card reader module  26  is supported above the lockset case  12  and is coupled to the lockout mechanism  22 , via lockset controller  28 , as will be subsequently explained. The key card reader module  26  is configured to signal the lockout mechanism  22  to disengage only after receiving and identifying a properly configured key card. More specifically, the key card reader module  26  is configured to receive read-writeable “smart” key cards that each include a programmable integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip in each such smart card includes a processor, random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The ROM portion of the integrated circuit chip includes a predetermined program code, as will also be subsequently explained.  
      The handle lockout mechanism  22  includes a rotary cam  29  movably supported in the case lockset  12  and operably connected to an electric motor  30  through a gearbox  32 . The gearbox  32  is configured to reduce output speed. The gearbox  32  is operably connected between the motor  30  and the rotary cam  29  to allow the motor to run at high speed while driving the rotary cam at a low speed.  
      A sliding stop, generally indicated at  34  in  FIGS. 1 and 3 - 6 , is movably supported in the lockset case  12  and includes a first end  36  that engages the handle hub  16  to prevent the handle hub and the handle  18  from turning. The sliding stop  34  also includes a bearing surface  38  that is positioned and configured to engage a bearing surface  40  of the rotary cam  29 .  
      The rotary cam  29  has a cam rotational axis  42  that extends through the rotary cam between diametrically opposite portions  52 ,  54  of the bearing surface  40  of the rotary cam. This rotary cam design minimizes space requirements for the lockset apparatus  10  in the lockset case  12 . The rotary cam  29  has a generally circular disk shape and a radially-extending “lobe”  44  of the rotary cam is formed by supporting the rotary cam on a rotational cam axis  42  that is eccentric, i.e., displaced from and parallel to a center axis  43  of the cam. In other words, the portion of the rotary cam  29  that extends farthest, in a radial direction, from the rotational axis  42  is the cam lobe  44 .  
      The rotary cam  29  is positioned in the lockset case  12  such that its bearing surface  40  is disposed adjacent the second end of the sliding stop  34  in a position to move the sliding stop  34  when the motor  30  turns the rotary cam. The motor  30  turns the rotary cam  29  about the eccentric rotational axis  42  thus moving the bearing surface  40  of the rotary cam and the cam lobe  44  about the rotational axis. The rotary cam  29  is rotatably supported in the lockset case  12  about the rotational axis  42  on a drive shaft  46  that extends from the gearbox  32 .  
      When the motor  30  is activated and rotates the rotary cam  29  through reduction gears supported in the gearbox  32 , the bearing surface  40  of the rotary cam rotates and the cam lobe  44  driving the sliding stop  34  into engagement with the handle hub  16 . When the handle hub  16  is locked in place by the sliding stop  34 , it prevents the door handle  18  from being moved and prevents the latch bolt  14  from being withdrawn. To minimize bearing surface wear caused by sliding contact with the sliding stop  34 , the rotary cam  29  is made of an acetal resin such as DuPont Delrin®.  
      The lockout mechanism  22  also includes a slip clutch  48  disposed between the motor  30  and the bearing surface  40  of the cam  29 . The slip clutch  48  allows the motor  30  to continue running after the sliding stop  34  has been driven to the full extent of its travel into the complementary recess in the handle hub  16 . The slip clutch  48  is an annular disk-shaped device disposed coaxially within a complementary circular aperture  50  in the rotary cam  29  body between diametrically opposed portions of the bearing surface  40  of the rotary cam. In other words, the rotary cam  29  body is supported around an outer rim of the slip clutch  48  that rotates around the rotational axis  42 . The slip clutch  48  is disposed within the rotary cam  29  body to minimize space requirements for the lockset apparatus  10  in the lockset case  12 . Because the slip clutch mechanism is disposed coaxially within the rotary cam  29  body, the rotary cam and slip clutch take up less space within the lockset case  12 , both for installation and for movement in operation, than they would if they were supported separately.  
      The slip clutch  48  includes a plastic driver spool  58 , a metal crescent washer  60  or “spring” washer  60 , an annular plastic retainer flange  62  and three metal balls  64 . The driver spool  58  includes a tubular shank  66  and an annular integral flange  68  that extends radially outward from around an upper end of the shank  66 . The rotary cam  29  includes an upper counterbore  69  formed around the circular aperture  50  that is shaped to receive the annular flange  68  of the driver spool  58 . The integral flange  68  includes twelve radially-spaced detents  70  formed into an underside surface of the integral flange  68 . The detents  70  are positioned to rotate in and out of engagement with the three metal balls  64  supported in three respective pockets formed into radially-spaced points around an annular floor surface of the upper counterbore  69  formed into the rotary cam  29  surrounding the circular aperture  50 . The retainer flange  62  is configured to be force fit over a lower end of the driver spool  58  shank  66  to hold the rotary cam  29  on the slip clutch  48 . The rotary cam  29  includes a lower counterbore  71  formed around the circular aperture  50  to receive the retainer flange  62 . The crescent washer  60  is supported around the shank  66  and between the retainer flange  62  and a bottom surface of the rotary cam  29 . In this position the crescent washer  60  biases the retainer flange  62 , shank  66  and integral flange  68  downward. The biasing force urges the detents  70  into engagement with the three metal balls  64  which causes the rotary cam  29  to rotate with the slip clutch  48 . However, the driver spool  58  and integral flange detents  70  can move upwards against the biasing if sufficient force is applied to cause the slip clutch  48  to “hop” over the metal balls  64 . This allows the motor  30  to continue turning the driver spool  58  when the rotary cam  29  rotation is impeded.  
      The sliding stop  34  includes a spring  80  configured and positioned to store energy when the sliding stop is either blocked or hung-up by friction as it is being moved into or out of engagement with the handle hub  16  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The spring  80  urges a slider portion  85  of the sliding stop  34  into the commanded position whenever such a blockage or hang-up is finally overcome or removed as shown in  FIG. 5 . Both the spring  80  and a portion of the slider portion  85  are disposed within a sliding stop body  88 . The sliding stop body  88  includes a slider receptacle  87  that slidably retains the slider portion  85  and a spring chamber  86  that houses the spring  80 .  
      The spring  80  is a coil type spring disposed between two facing spring engagement surfaces  82 ,  84  in the spring chamber  86  of the sliding stop  34 . A forward one  82  of the engagement surfaces  82 ,  84  is disposed at one end of the spring chamber  86  on an inner cutout region of the slider portion  85  of the sliding stop  34 . A rear one  84  of the engagement surfaces  82 ,  84  is disposed at an end of the spring chamber  86  opposite the forward engagement surface  82  on an inner wall of the sliding stop body  88 . The spring  80  therefore biases the slider portion  85  toward the handle hub  16 .  
      The sliding stop body  88  also includes a cam receptacle  90  formed into a lower surface  92  of the body  88 . The bearing surface  38  of the sliding stop  34  is disposed on a circumferential inner wall of the cam receptacle  90  that has a circular shape with a diameter slightly greater than that of the outer circumferential bearing surface  40  of the rotary cam  29 . The inner wall diameter is slightly larger so that the rotary cam  29  can be received into the cam receptacle  90  for relative rotational sliding engagement. The cam receptacle  90  cooperates with the rotary cam  29  to convert rotational motion of the rotary cam into translational motion of the sliding stop  34  between an engaged position shown in  FIG. 5  and a disengaged position shown in  FIG. 4 .  
      The handle hub  16  is reversible in that it is configured to be axially reversed or flip-flopped in the lockset case  12 . The handle hub  16  is configured to be reversible so that the mortise lockset apparatus  10  can be adapted to applications where it may be necessary or desirable to lock out an interior handle  19  rather than the exterior handle  18  as shown in the drawings, i.e., to allow an installer to select whether the lockout feature will lockout the inside or the outside door handle  18 .  
      The electronic mortise lockset apparatus  10  also includes a retractable deadbolt  98  that is movably supported within the lockset case  12 . An outer portion of the deadbolt  98  extends horizontally from the lockset case  12  when the deadbolt is in an extended position and is withdrawn within the lockset case when the deadbolt is in a retracted position. The deadbolt  98  is positioned such that the outer portion of the deadbolt engages a complimentary recess formed in the doorframe, and/or a metal plate fastened to the doorframe, when the deadbolt  98  is in the extended position and the door is in a closed position.  
      The lockset also includes a hand operable lever  100  that is pivotably supported on and extends generally perpendicularly from a side wall  102  of the lockset case  12  opposite the handle  18 . The lever  100  is mounted on a spindle  104  that is supported transversely in the lockset case  12 , the spindle having a generally continuous square cross-section along its length. The spindle  104  is operably connected to the retractable deadbolt  98 , the deadbolt being retractable from the extended position by turning the lever  100 . In other words, the spindle  104  is connected to the deadbolt  98  and moves whenever the deadbolt moves.  
      A deadbolt position indicator having a microswitch  106  mounted on the lockset motherboard  78  is also included. The spindle  104  passes through an aperture  108  in the motherboard  78  and turns a spindle-mounted cam  110  that is mounted on the spindle  104  adjacent a point along the length of the spindle  104  where the spindle  104  passes through the motherboard aperture  108 . The microswitch  106  is supported on the motherboard  78  in a position where a radially protruding lobe  112  of the spindle-mounted cam  110  actuates the microswitch when the spindle  104  is turned. The spindle mounted cam  110  is rotationally oriented such that the lobe  112  mechanically depresses the microswitch  106  when the deadbolt  98  moves either into or out of its engaged position. In response to depression, the microswitch  106  transmits a deadbolt position indicating signal to logic circuitry of the lockset controller  28  indicating either that the deadbolt  98  is engaged or retracted, as will be subsequently explained. The deadbolt position indicating signal allows the lockset controller  28  to monitor deadbolt position.  
      The lockset apparatus  10  also includes a fire blocker feature that prevents fire from spreading through the complimentary cavity in the door. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the apparatus  10  includes a zinc chassis  116  that mounts against an inner side or interior surface of a door. A steel front plate  118  mounts against an outer side of the door opposite the chassis  116 . A steel outer box frame  114  mounts over the steel front plate  118 . Cosmetic outer and inner steel lockset covers or face plates  120 ,  122  are fastened over the outer box frame  114  and the zinc chassis  116 , respectively. Four fastener receivers  123  extend integrally from a back surface of upper and lower flanges of the outer box frame  114  and are aligned with holes in the front plate  118  and corresponding holes formed through the width of the door. Four chassis mounting fasteners  124  are received into the respective fastener receivers  123  and pass through the chassis  116 , the door and the front plate  118 . The chassis mounting fasteners  124  and receivers  123  cooperate to connect and hold the chassis  116  and outer box frame  114  together. They also secure the chassis  116  and box frame  114  to the door by clamping them against the respective inner and outer door surfaces and suspending them from the fastener receivers  123 . With all handles and hardware attached, the outer box frame  114  and steel front plate  118  leave no openings through the door for burning gases to pass.  
      The fire blocker feature includes upper and lower flat rectangular steel washer plates  126  disposed on the inner side of the door between the chassis  116  and the inner surface of the door. Each washer plate  126  includes two openings  128  for receiving respective shaft portions of two of the chassis mounting fasteners  124 . These two holes align with the two holes in the chassis  116  that the chassis mounting fasteners  124  pass through. These openings are smaller in diameter than head portions of the chassis mounting fasteners  124  so that the washer plate  126  prevents the fastener heads from being pulled through the outer side of the door if fire burns or melts the chassis  116  away. Two screws  129  secure each washer plate  126  and a cosmetic end cap  131  to the chassis  116 .  
      In the present embodiment the washer plate  126  is made of steel but may be made of any material that is relatively more fire resistant than the chassis  116  and is strong enough to support fastener heads under axial loads. The washer plates  126  help prevent fire from gaining entry to a room through the complementary cavity in the door. They do so by holding the front plate  118  and box frame  114  in place over the complementary cavity even after the chassis  116  has been burned and/or melted away.  
      The key card reader module  26  is a snap together unit that includes a generally rectangular molded plastic upper module component  132  including an upper wall of a key card receptacle  134  and a generally rectangular molded plastic lower module component  136  connected to the upper module component and including a lower wall of the key card receptacle  134 . The key card reader module also includes a magnetic card reader assembly  138 , a smart card interface unit  139 , an LED display module  140  and a ribbon cable  142  that provides electrical current paths between components of the card reader module  26  and the lockset controller  28 , as will be further explained.  
      The upper and lower module components  132 ,  136  each include four snap-lock detents  144 ,  146 . The four snap-lock detents  146  of the lower module component  136  engage the four snap-lock detents  144  of the upper module component  132  when the two module components  132 ,  136  are pressed together. The four detents  146  of the lower module component  136  are disposed on a lower surface of barbs  148  formed at the upper ends of each of four elongated rectangular arms  150  that extend integrally upward from adjacent four corners  166 ,  168  of the lower module  136 , respectively, and are shaped and positioned to fit through corresponding slits  152  in the upper module component  132 . The four detents  144  of the upper module component  132  are disposed on a rectangular, integrally upwardly extending rectangular rim  154  of the upper module component  132 . The snap lock detents  144 ,  146  connect the upper and lower module components  132 ,  136  together by snap fit engagement when the components  132 ,  136  are pressed together during assembly. More specifically, when the module components  132 ,  136  are pressed together, the barbs  148  pass through the slits  152  and snap over the rectangular rim  154 , thereby preventing the module components  132 ,  136  from being pulled apart. The snap lock detents  144 ,  146  obviate the need for any additional fasteners to hold the key card reader module  26  together.  
      The key card reader module  26  includes dual function components that further simplify its assembly and operation. One such dual function component is the LED display module  140 . The primary function of the LED display module  140  is to display lockset apparatus operation and status information to individuals operating the lockset apparatus  10 . The lockset controller  28  causes the LED display module  140  to selectively illuminate the red LED  96 , yellow LED  156 , or green LED  158  when the lockset apparatus is locked, malfunctioning, or open, respectively. The three colored LEDs  96 ,  156 ,  158  are supported in an upwardly extending front panel  160  of the LED display module  140 .  
      In addition to displaying information, the LED display module  140  is also configured to anchor the ribbon cable  142  and the smart card interface unit  139  to the key card reader module  26 . The LED display module  140  includes a generally U-shaped rectangular support frame  162  that extends horizontally from a bottom edge of the front panel  160  of the LED display module  140 . The support frame  162  has an aft cross-bar  164  that clamps a portion of the ribbon cable  142  against the upper wall of the upper module component  132  of the key card reader module  26  when the LED bar is mounted on the key card reader module  26 . As best shown in  FIG. 11 , the cross-bar  164  also retains the smart card interface unit  139  in a generally rectangular aperture  133  formed in the upper wall of the upper module component  132 .  
      The LED display module  140  is mounted on the key card reader module  26  by first sliding opposite corners  166 ,  168  of the aft cross bar into a pair of complementary slots formed into a pair of rectangular protrusions  170  that integrally extend upward from the upper wall of the upper module component  132 . The front panel  160  of the LED display module  140  is then pressed downward against the upper module component  132  until a pair of snap-lock detents  172  formed into a front surface of the front panel  160  engage a pair of snap-lock detents defined by respective barbs  174  formed at upper ends of respective upwardly extending elongated rectangular aims  176  that extend integrally upward from a front edge  178  of the upper module component  132  of the key card reader module  26 .  
      The key card reader module  26  is configured to read magnetic strips affixed to magnetic key cards and to communicate with integrated circuit chips embedded on smart key cards. To read magnetic key cards the magnetic card reader assembly  138  of the key card reader module  26  includes a magnetic read head  180  configured to read magnetic strips of magnetic key cards. The read head  180  is supported at one end of a generally rectangular elongated metal read head support arm  182 . The read head  180  and support arm  182  are received into a complementary-shaped trough  184  formed in a bottom surface  185  of the lower module component  136 . The trough is defined by an intersection of rectangular ribs  186  that integrally extend downward from the bottom surface of the lower module component  136 . The read head  180  is positioned to extend partially through a rectangular aperture (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the lower module component  136  at a forward end of the trough. As is best shown in  FIG. 12 , the read head support arm  182  includes a generally cylindrical extension  187  that integrally protrudes upward from around a generally circular aperture  189  formed through an end of the support arm  182  opposite the read head  180 . The aperture  189  and cylindrical extension  187  are shaped to receive and to seat part way down the length of a tapered pin  191  that integrally extends from the bottom surface of the lower module component  136  within the trough  184 . The tapered pin  191 , aperture  189  and cylindrical extension  187  are shaped to support the read head support arm  182  in such a way as to allow the support arm  182  and read head to gimbal, i.e, to pivot longitudinally and roll laterally. The up and down longitudinal pivoting action permitted by this arrangement allows the read head to better accommodate cards of varying thicknesses. The rolling action allows the read head to lay flat on the magnetic strip of warped cards.  
      Another dual function component of the key card reader module  26  is a biasing spring  188 . The biasing spring  188  is a coil spring that is supported in such a way that it biases the read head  180  support arm  182  upward, i.e., pivotally upward about the tapered pin. This upward bias continuously urges the read head  180  upward through the rectangular aperture to maintain contact with the magnetic strip of magnetic key cards that are individually inserted into the key card receptacle  134 . This upward biasing force also serves to hold the read head support arm  182  in place on the lower module component  136  without the need for fasteners. To accomplish this, opposite ends of a wire forming the coil spring  188  are formed into a pair of generally straight, elongated “legs”  190 ,  192 . A first leg  190  of the pair of legs is anchored against the bottom surface of the lower module component  136  by a rectangular tab  194  that extends laterally from one of the downwardly extending ribs. A second leg  192  of the pair of legs is engaged against the arm  182  and applies spring  188  force to bias the arm  182  upwardly as described above. The second leg  192  includes a right-angle bend  198  adjacent its distal end that extends upwardly into a small aperture  200  formed in the arm  182 . The coil portion  202  of the spring is seated coaxially on a post  204  that extends laterally from a rectangular tab  266 . The rectangular tab  206  extends integrally downward from one of the downwardly extending ribs. An end portion  208  of the first leg  190  is bent to extend downward and outward from the lower module component. The distal end  210  of the end portion  208  is positioned to contact the outer box frame  114  to electrically ground the card reader module  26 .  
      The lockset apparatus  10  also includes a lockset apparatus programmer/interrogator, generally shown at  212  in  FIG. 10 , for communicating with an electronic lockset apparatus  10 . The lockset apparatus programmer/interrogator  212  includes an interrogator key card  214  comprising a circuit card that includes surface contacts  216  positioned to align with corresponding contacts of an electronic lockset apparatus smart card reader module  26  within a reader module when the interrogator key card is inserted into the reader module. A serial port cable connector  218  is also mounted on the circuit card. The circuit card includes current paths or tracings  220  that electrically connect the surface contacts  216  to connector pins of the cable connector  218 . The lockset apparatus programmer/interrogator  212  also includes a serial cable  222  that has a serial port connector  224  at one end that connects to the cable connector of the interrogator key card and a second serial port connector  226  at the other end that is configured to connect to a microcomputer  228 . The serial cable  222  includes wires that connect the serial port connectors  218 ,  226  at each end of the cable  222  to connect the tracings  220  of the interrogator key card  214  to corresponding circuits within the microcomputer  228 . The microcomputer  228  is programmed to interrogate, apply power to and/or program an electronic lockset apparatus  10  through the interrogator key card  214  once the interrogator key card  214  has been inserted into the lockset apparatus  10 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 13 , the lockset apparatus  10  includes a lockset controller  28  which has logic circuitry connected to numerous electronic devices, including the lockout mechanism  22  and the key card reader module  26 . The lockset controller is a custom made integrated circuit having many electrical components, including a low power oscillator module  302 , a real time clock module  304 , a high speed oscillator module  306 , a switch control module  308 , a serial port control module  310 , a wakeup control module  312 , a smart key control module  314 , a general I/O module  316 , special function registers  318 , an IR module power control module  320 , a power control module  322 , a motor current sensing module  324 , a motor driver module  326 , a LED driver module  328 , a battery level sensing module  330 , a magnetic head reader module  332 , an X-ram memory module  334 , a scratchpad memory module  336 , a flash memory decode module  338 , and a core processor  340 . Generally, the lockset controller  28  operates in a low power consumption sleep mode until awakened by one of several wakeup events. At which point, the lockset controller  28  executes a series of commands that are determined by the particular event which woke the lockset controller up and certain conditions relating to the various states of components throughout the lockset controller. Upon executing these commands, the lockset controller may take control of components located outside of the controller, such as the LED display module  140 , the lockout mechanism  22 , or the key card reader  26 .  
      As seen in  FIG. 14 , low power oscillator  302  is a low frequency, low power consuming oscillator which produces a synchronous signal of approximately 32.768 kHz and is generally comprised of a crystal  350 , a crystal bias  352 , and an output  354 . A particular voltage is applied to the crystal which causes it to vibrate at a generally consistent frequency, as is commonly known in the art. This vibrational frequency can be precisely tuned through use of the crystal bias  352 , thereby allowing the crystal to produce a particular frequency. This frequency is applied to the output  354 , which is connected to both the real time clock  304  and the high speed oscillator  306 . It is important to note, the low power oscillator uses very little power, on the order of a couple μA, and is useful in achieving the stated goal of decreasing the overall power consumption of the lockset controller  28 , particularly when the lockset controller is in the sleep mode, as will be subsequently explained.  
      The real time clock  304  is electrically connected to the low power oscillator  302 , the wakeup control  312 , the special function registers  318 , and the switch control  308 , and basically functions as a counter which issues wakeup signals to the wakeup control  312 , as seen in  FIG. 15 . The real time clock  304  is generally comprised of several registers  360 , an address/data bus  362 , additional inputs  364 , and an output  366 . The registers store a variety of information, such as a running count of the number of times the 32.8 kHz signal is received on one of the additional inputs  364  and the predetermined number of signal inputs the real time clock will receive before issuing a wakeup request. It is important to note, the registers  360  are software programmable such that the frequency with which output  366  issues wakeup request signals is programmable. This feature allows the operator to determine how frequently the real time clock issues an interrupt which wakes the lockset controller out of sleep mode. When the real time clock is receiving information, the address/data bus is used to determine the address of the selected real time clock register  360 . However, the same bus may also be used to transmit data found in a selected register, as determined by the state of a write enable pin, also an additional input  364 . The real time clock  304  is a counter based on the signal generated by the low power oscillator  302  and therefore is not concerned with any actual time. The real time clock  304  is reset when the batteries are changed, the lockset controller  28  is programmed, or when certain other events occur such as power on reset.  
      When the lockset controller  28  is not in sleep mode, the high speed oscillator  306  receives a slow signal from the low power oscillator, multiplies that signal, and provides the core processor with a high speed clock signal, as seen in  FIG. 16 . The high speed oscillator is generally a non-programmable, signal multiplier and is generally comprised of a clock input  370 , an oscillator enable input  372 , a signal multiplier  374 , and a high speed clock output  376 . The signal multiplier receives the low frequency clock input  370  and, if enabled by the oscillator enable signal, multiplies that signal by some fixed number to produce a high speed clock signal which is fed to the core processor  340 . If the oscillator enable signal is low, which is indicative of the sleep mode, the multiplier will neither multiply nor pass the original signal to the core processor and thereby acts as an AND gate which disables the core processor by denying it a clock signal. If the oscillator enable signal is high and the low frequency signal is multiplied by some factor,  224  in the preferred embodiment, the newly obtained high frequency clock signal is put on the high speed clock output  376  and drives the core processor.  
      As seen in  FIG. 17 , the switch control module  308  is connected to the wakeup control  312 , the real time clock  304 , various electromechanical switches, and the special function registers  318  and generally includes inputs  390 , switch power control  392 , switch debounce control  394 , status register outputs  396 , and wakeup control outputs  398 . The switch control  308  receives signals from various sources, such as microswitch  106 , and debounces these signals such that spikes and anomalies in the signals are not mistakenly interpreted as positive signals and accidentally wakeup the lockset controller  28 . The inputs  390  are each connected to a separate mechanical switch which may act as a separate wakeup source. Each of these inputs is connected to the switch power control  392  which acts as a power pull up and therefore reduces power consumption by switching the state of the signal as opposed to maintaining the signal in a constant power consuming state. The switch control module  308  periodically checks the status of the switch states, approximately 8 times per second in the preferred embodiment. The switch power control  392  is connected to the switch debounce control  394  which acts as a protective measure to prevent noise and other signal anomalies from triggering an erroneous output to wakeup control  312 . When a change of state occurs at the switch power control, the switch debounce control pauses a certain amount of time and then rechecks the state of the signal to make sure that the change was not due to some temporary condition. It is important to note, the amount of time paused during the debounce is programmable and may therefore be adjusted for different types of switches, some of which may be less reliable than others and therefore require more time to confirm a change of state. Once the wakeup event signal has been confirmed, signals are sent via the outputs  396  to the special function registers  318  to update the change in status and signals are sent via outputs  398  to the wakeup control  312 .  
      The serial port module  310  is a multiplexed device which allows the core processor  340  to communicate with a multitude of serial devices via a single transmit and a single receive serial line, as seen in  FIG. 18 . The serial port  310  is connected to several devices, such as the smart key control  314 , the core processor  340 , the special function registers  318 , the wakeup control  312 , and an external serial port, and is generally comprised of receive inputs  400 , multiplexer  402 , receive line  404 , transmit line  406 , control lines  408 , demultiplexer  410 , and transmit outputs  412 . The receive inputs  400  each connect a serial device to the multiplexer  402  such that they may communicate one at a time with the core processor  340 . These devices include an external serial port, which may be used by devices such as the lockset programmer/interrogator  212 , a smart key control, an external IR receiving device, and an auxiliary device, each of which is vying for time to use receive line  404  and gain the attention of the core processor. Once the receive line  404  is active, indicating a serial device is trying to communicate with the core processor  340 , the processor begins to execute a series of commands from an external program, as will be explained later. These commands are not received over receive line  404 , however, the results of executing these commands may be carried out over the transmit line  406 . To determine where the serial activity originated, the core processor interrogates each serial device one at a time and then begins to communicate with the active device via demultiplexer  410 . The control lines  408  act as a serial port enable and determine if the multiplexer  402  or demultiplexer  410  is active. It should be noted, that while not shown in the drawing, the smart key device is able to both transmit and receive over the same serial line.  
      As seen in  FIG. 19 , the wakeup control module  312  receives signals from various sources and wakes the lockset controller  28  out of the sleep mode accordingly. The wakeup control  312  is generally comprised of a series of inputs  380 , an edge detection component  382 , a wakeup signal generator  384 , and several outputs  386 . Inputs  380  carry signals generated from several sources, including the real time clock  304 , the switch control  308 , an external IR port, an external serial port, and the power on reset, all of which transmit a signal to the wakeup control indicating that some event has occurred. For example, when the real time clock  304  transmits a wakeup request signal on its output  366 , that signal is received by the wakeup control which proceeds to wake up the lockset controller  28 . Likewise, signals transmitted by the various switches, such as microswitch  106 , etc., indicating an event such as the insertion of a smart key card or the movement of the deadbolt  98  also cause the wakeup control to awake the lockset controller  28 . It is important to note, the wakeup control  312  is operable by multiple wakeup sources, any one of which can wake the core processor  340  out of the sleep mode. Inputs  380  pass through the edge detection component  382 , which detects a change of state by looking for either rising or falling edges. If a change of state is detected, the edge detection component  382  passes the signal to the wakeup signal generator  384 . The wakeup signal generator also receives an oscillator enable signal, which prevents the wakeup control from waking up, and consequently resetting, the lockset controller  28  if the controller is already awake. Lastly, outputs  386  are connected to the core processor  340  and supply an analog power enable and reset signal, which in effect, acts like chip enable and register reset signals, respectively.  
      The smart key control  314  is the interface which allows a standard ISO smart key card to communicate with the lockset controller  28  and is connected to the key card reader  26 , the serial port control  310 , the power control  322 , the special function registers  318 , and the core processor  340 , as seen in  FIG. 20 . The smart key control generally includes smart card lines  420 , level shifter  422 , smart key clock control  424 , level shifter lines  426 , and clock inputs  428 . A smart key card has a processor, instructions stored on ROM, and memory, however, it does not have any type of energy storage device or clock signal generator. Therefore, in order for the processor on the smart key card to operate, the smart key control  314  must supply the smart key card with power and a clock signal. Smart card lines  420  supply the smart key card with a power signal, a clock signal, a smart card reset, and provide transmit and receive lines for serial communication between the smart key card and the smart key control  314 . Once the smart key card is inserted into the key card reader  26  and supplied the necessary operating signals, the processor on the card begins executing instructions which are contained in the smart key card ROM. Information written to the memory of the smart key card is transmitted via the smart card transmit line and information which is retrieved from the card memory is transmitted via the smart card receive line. Level shifter  422  is used as an interface between the signals of the smart key card and those used throughout the rest of the lockset controller  28 . Often times, smart key cards require a different operating voltage than the rest of the lockset controller circuitry, and therefore require the level shifter to supply a particular voltage to the smart key card. Additionally, in order to conform the voltage levels of the smart key card signals to those of the lockset controller  28 , the level shifter applies an appropriate DC voltage to the smart key card signals, thereby shifting the signal up or down as needed. Similar to the need for various operating voltages, the smart key control  314  must be able to provide different clock signals, as all smart key cards do not operate at the same frequency. The task of providing various frequency clock signals is handled by the smart key clock control  424 . It is important to note, the smart key clock control is software programmable such that when enabled, it may selectively provide a clock signal based on a clock select input, consequently the smart key control is able to communicate with smart key cards having a wide range of operating parameters. One of the clock inputs  428  is the clock select signal which determines the frequency of the clock signal sent to the smart key card. The remaining clock inputs consist of a clock enable signal and a ‘B’ clock, which is a periodic signal provided by the core processor  340 . Level shifter lines  426  include a smart card power supply, a smart card power control, a smart card reset, and serial transmit and receive lines. The smart card power supply is received from the power control  322 , while the smart card power control is received from the special function register  318 . The serial transmit and receive lines are connected to the serial port  310 , and therefore communicate with the core processor  340  through the serial port as previously described.  
      As seen in  FIG. 21 , the general I/O module  316  is connected to the receive inputs  400  and transmit outputs  412  of the serial port control  310  and the core processor  340 . The general I/O  316  is an input/output device which allows the core processor to use special communication lines, for example the IR transmit and receive lines, as general I/O.  
      The special function registers  318  are a collection of registers which store control and status data for virtually all of the components of the lockset controller  28 , as seen in  FIG. 22 . The core processor  340  both writes to and reads from the special function registers  318 , which generally comprises core input and output lines  440 , register decoding module  442 , and registers  444 - 456 . The core input and output lines are comprised of several buses and control lines. There are three 8-bit buses which connect registers of the core processor  340  to the special function registers  318 , such that the processor is able to place an address on a bus and retrieve the contents of that address. In addition, the core processor sends write enable, read enable, and register enable signals to the special function registers  318  which allows the processor to write new contents to the special function registers, read contents from the special function registers, and enable the registers in general, respectively. The register decoding module  442  is used to decode requests from the core processor  340  and put data gathered from the special function registers onto one of the core lines  440 , as previously mentioned. Register  444  is used in conjunction with register  446  and together are connected to the register decoding module  442  by a bi-directional and uni-directional 8-bit bus, respectively. Register  444  stores the address of the particular real time clock register which is to be accessed, while register  446  is used to store control data relating to the real time clock  304 . Registers  448 ,  452 , and  456  are control registers each connected to the register decoding module  442  by a unidirectional 8-bit bus that only allows these registers to receive information. The first control register  448  includes information pertaining to the motor drivers  326 , the LED drivers  328 , and the serial port control  310 . The second control register  452  is concerned with the operation of the switch control  308 , the IR power control  320 , and the smart key control  314 . The third control register  456  is related to the flash memory decode  338 , the flash memory, and the smart key control  314 . Registers  450  and  454  are status registers, each of which is connected to the register decoding module  442  via a bi-directional 8-bit bus. Status register  450  both writes to and receives information from the core processor  340 , and includes information on the current status of the smart card switch, the deadbolt switch (microswitch  106 ), the motor switches, the battery level sensing module  330 , and the motor current sensing module  324 . Like register  450 , wakeup register  454  also contains information relating to the status of various components and is periodically updated to reflect any changes in that status. Wakeup register  454  includes information on the smart card switch, the deadbolt switch, the handle switch, any serial data received, IR wakeup signals, and the real time clock wakeup request signals.  
      As seen in  FIG. 23 , the IR power control  320  is connected to the special function registers  318  and an external IR communication device. When the lockset controller  28  is in sleep mode, the electrical power supplied by the IR power control  320  is very low, thereby reducing energy consumption. When the lockset controller  28  is woken from sleep mode, sufficient energy becomes available such that the IR power control  320  enables the external IR communication device to communicate with other external devices.  
      The power control  322  is a regulated voltage source which produces an accurate reference voltage signal for use throughout the lockset controller  28 . As seen in  FIG. 24 , the power control  322  is connected to the special function registers  318 , an external voltage reference source, the smart key control  314 , and several other components of the lockset controller  28 . The power control  322  generally includes inputs  460 , band gap voltage reference  462 , power selector  464 , reference selection trim  466 , smart key control power output  468 , and programmable reference voltage output  470 . The band gap reference  462  produces an accurate 1 V signal which is sent to the reference selection trim  466  and limits the amount of input current such that the power consumption is maintained at a low level. The reference selection trim receives a 3-bit reference select signal from the second control register  452  via inputs  460 . This reference select signal allows for software controlled tweaking of the reference signal such that it more accurately approaches 1.000 V. The resultant reference signal is sent to components throughout the lockset controller  28 , including motor current sensing module  324 , battery level sensing module  330 , and the magnetic head reader module  332 . Power selector  464  receives a smart key power selector signal which instructs the power selector to connect the output  468  to an appropriate voltage. As previously mentioned, various smart key cards operate at different voltage levels and thereby require card readers to have the ability to provide both voltages. The power selector  464  satisfies this requirement.  
      As seen in  FIG. 25 , the motor current sensing module  324  is a current threshold detector which is used to sense if the amount of electric current being sent from the motor drivers  326  to the electric motor  30  has exceeded a certain value. It is important to note, the motor current sensing module  324  can determine when a motor driven component of the door handle lockout mechanism  22  reaches an end position by a change in voltage due to the amount of current being sent to the electric motor  30 , thereby eliminating the need for component position determining mechanical switches. The motor current sensing module  324  is connected to the special function registers  318 , the switch control  308 , the power control  322 , and the motor drivers  326 , and generally comprises a reference voltage input  480 , a motor input  482 , an analog power enable  484 , a current detector  486 , and a motor current output  488 . The analog power enable is generated when the wake up control recognizes some wake up event and empowers the motor current sensing module accordingly. The reference voltage input  480  gives the motor current sensing module a precise, known voltage, as previously explained, against which it may compare a voltage indicative of the motor current. Motor input  482  is a voltage signal representative of the amount of electrical-current being sent to the motor, as will be subsequently explained. The current detector  486  generally includes a divider and an analog comparitor and utilizes the reference voltage and the motor input to determine when a component of the lockout mechanism  32 , driven by electric motor  30 , has reached a limiting point and is obstructed from traveling further. The divider within the current detector  486  divides the motor input signal by a certain multiple and feeds the divided signal to an analog comparitor. The analog comparitor, often utilizing operational amplifiers, receives both the divided voltage signal and the reference signal and produces an output based on which signal is higher. Setting the division multiple to a certain value allows the current sensing module  324  to determine when the motor input  482 , and hence the motor current, has exceeded a certain level, thereby indicating a point at which the lock can travel no further. The output of the current detector&#39;s comparison is put on motor current output  488  and sent to status register  450  of the special function registers  318 .  
      Motor driver  326  is an H-bridge motor driver which drives the electrical motor  30  connected to the door handle lockout mechanism  22  via a pair of current sinks and sources, thereby allowing a nearly constant supply of electrical current and hence torque output regardless of the battery power level. The motor driver  326  is connected to the special function registers  318 , motor current sensing  324 , and the electrical motor  30 , and generally includes motor control inputs  500 , H-bridge decoder  502 , current sink drivers  504 , current source drivers  506 , and terminals  508 - 514 . A 2-bit motor control signal is sent from the first control register  448  to the H-bridge decoder  502  via control inputs  500 . The 2-bit control signal is capable of choosing one of three acceptable operating states, which include having all of the terminals  508 - 514  off, only terminals  508  and  512  on, or only terminals  510  and  514  on. The H-bridge decoder receives and decodes the control signal and turns on the appropriate current sink and source drivers  504  and  506  accordingly. Terminals  508 ,  512  and  510 ,  514  operate in pairs, so as to draw current across electric motor  30 . If the H-bridge decoder  502  receives a control signal which represents the state where all of the terminals are closed, then there is no current through electric motor  30  and the motor remains off. Where the H-bridge decoder receives a signal turning on terminals  508  and  512 , a conductive path is formed through battery  518 , terminal  508 , motor  30 , terminal  512 , resistor  520 , and ground. Such a conductive path operates the motor in a certain direction. Similarly, when the H-bridge decoder receives a signal which turns on the other pair of terminals  510  and  514 , a different conductive path is created through battery  518 , terminal  510 , electric motor  30 , terminal  514 , resistor  520 , and ground, which operates the motor in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the control signal sent from the first control register of the special function registers determines which direction, if at all, the motor is operated. It is important to note, that the use of current sinks and sources allows the motor driver  326  to deliver a constant current to the motor  30  and therefore obtain a nearly constant torque output curve. The current sent to the motor affects the voltage across resistor  520 , which is monitored by output  482  of the motor current sensing module  324 , as previously explained.  
      As seen in  FIG. 27 , LED driver  328  is also operative via a series of electrical current sink drivers, and is generally comprised of control inputs  530 , current sink drivers  532 , and terminals  534 . Like the motor driver  326 , the LED driver  328  receives control information from the first control register  448  of the special function registers  318 , which causes the current sink drivers to turn on certain terminals. The particular current sink drivers, whose operation is controlled by the control register, drive the external LEDs of the LED display module  140 . Again, it is important to note, the LED driver can deliver a constant current source to the LEDs, thereby achieving a constant brightness throughout the life of the battery.  
      The battery level sensing  330  is connected to the power control  322  and the special function registers  318 , as seen in  FIG. 28 . The battery level sensing module uses the reference voltage provided by the power control  322  to determine the present battery power of the system and stores the result of that comparison in the status register  450 . The battery level sensing module  330  generally includes a reference voltage input  540 , a battery level input  542 , a voltage level detector  544 , and a battery level output  546 . As seen with the motor current sensing module  324 , the voltage level detector  544  will divide the battery level input signal  542  by a known factor such that the divided battery level signal and the reference voltage signal may be fed to an analog comparitor. An analog comparitor will compare the two signals and issue an output based on which signal is higher. Consequently, when the battery level falls to a level where the divided signal is lower than the reference voltage, the battery level output  546  will send a signal to a status register indicating the low battery level condition. This low battery condition may then be conveyed to an operator via yellow LED  156 , as previously explained.  
      The magnetic head reader module  332  is used in conjunction with the external magnetic card reader assembly  138  and receives the magnetic information stored on the card and read by the magnetic card reader, as seen in  FIG. 29 . The magnetic reader module  332  is primarily comprised of maghead inputs  550 , reference voltage source input  552 , X-gain amplifier  554 , voltage level detector  556 , and level change output  558 . The maghead inputs  550  are connected to the magnetic card reader assembly  138  and deliver the magnetic information stored on the card to the magnetic head reader  332 . As seen with the motor current sensing  324  and the battery level sensing  330 , the magnetic head reader module uses the reference voltage signal from the power control  322  as a frame of reference to which it compares the information from the magnetic card. The X-gain amplifier  554  is a software programmable amplifier and may therefore be adjusted according to the particular magnetic card reader used. To increase the noise immunity of the magnetic head reader, the voltage level detector  556  has programmable hysteresis. Therefore, when comparing the magnetic information to the reference voltage signal, small spikes in the signal will not be misinterpreted as a positive signal. It should be noted, the higher the gain of the amplifier, more hysteresis tolerance should be allowed. When the voltage level detector  556  detects a change of state in the magnetic input signal, it informs the core processor  340  which monitors for changes of magnetic signal states.  
      There are two sources of writable memory internal to the lockset controller  28  and one source of memory external. Both the X-ram memory  334  and the scratchpad memory  336  are located on the lockset controller  28 , while the flash memory is external. The X-ram and flash memory are best explained concurrently due to their interdependence with each other. Referring to  FIG. 31 , the flash memory is a 64 k byte EPROM which stores the main code for the core processor  340  and is connected to the memory decode  338  via control lines  580  and buses  576  and  578 . Neither the flash memory nor the X-ram memory  334  can be simultaneously written to and read from. Therefore, when it is necessary to write information to the flash memory, the processor  340  must switch control from the flash to the X-ram memory, such that the processor is now receiving instructions from the X-ram and writing to the flash. A particular characteristic of the core processor  340  is that it has both a data read and write enable line, but only one program read enable line. All three enable lines are connected to both the flash and X-ram memories via the memory control decoder  594 . When the processor is executing instructions from the flash, the memory control decoder connects the single program read enable signal to the flash and the two data enable signals, read and write, to the X-ram. When control is switched from the flash to the X-ram, the memory control decoder routes the two data enable signals to the flash and the single program enable signal to the X-ram. As will be subsequently described, signals to the flash memory must pass through level shifter  582  to ensure signal compatibility. In order to switch control from the flash to the X-ram, a pointer is placed in the code of the flash memory, such that the processor encounters it as it sequentially executes instructions. This pointer sends control to a 1 k bootstrap within the flash memory which has a swap instruction. The swap instruction transfers processor control from the external flash memory to the X-ram memory, where some instructions reside. It is necessary that the address of the swap instruction in the flash memory corresponds to the same address in the X-ram memory, due to the fact that the core processor  340  will receive its next instruction from the swap address+1. Now that control has switched to the internal X-ram memory  334 , the processor  340  is free to write to the flash memory. The processor will continue to write to the flash until a swap command is encountered within the X-ram memory, at which time control will transfer back to the flash and execution will commence as before. As seen in  FIG. 30 , X-ram memory  334  communicates with the core processor  340  via a multiplexed address and data bus  570 , and with the flash memory decode  338  via bus  572  and control lines  574 . One of the control lines includes a write enable line that allows the X-ram to write to the flash, while the read enable permits the X-ram to read from the flash. As seen in  FIG. 31 , the flash memory decode  338  acts as an interface between the flash memory and the rest of the circuitry. Information is sent between the flash memory and the flash memory decode by way of an address bus  576 , a data bus  578 , and several control lines  580 . The control lines will disable the flash memory when the lockset controller  28  is in sleep mode, and perform the previously mentioned data and program enable functions. As seen in the smart key control  314 , level shifter  582  will adjust the voltage levels of the signals passing back in forth to the flash memory to ensure that they are compatible with the rest of the controller circuitry. Information on the data bus  578  is passed directly to the core processor  340  once it has been processed by the level shifter  582 , and vice versa. Address information, however, is first generated by the core processor  340 , passed through a demultiplexer  584 , and then split into two identical branches. The first branch  586  is directly sent to the X-ram memory, the second branch  588  is sent to the flash memory, via the level shifter  582 . The instruction located at that particular address will be retrieved from whichever memory source has the control.  
      The scratchpad memory  336  seen in  FIG. 32  stores the time register as well as all system variables. The scratchpad memory  336  communicates exclusively with the internal registers of the core processor  340  and is accessed through a single address bus, two data buses, and several control lines.  
      In operation, the lockset controller  28  is usually in a low power consuming sleep mode until awakened by one of several wakeup events, at which time the lockset controller begins an active mode which executes a series of instructions determined by the particular wakeup event which has occurred. During the active mode, the core processor  340  retrieves instructions stored in either the X-ram or flash memory as well as status information stored in the special function registers  318 . Once the instructions and information is obtained, the core processor takes control of one or more devices located on or external to the lockset controller  28 .  
      During the sleep mode, the low power oscillator  302  supplies a 32.768 kHz clock signal to several components and is the only device on the lockset controller  28  which is in active operation. There are several events that may bring the lockset controller  28  out of sleep mode and into the active mode, they include: a wakeup signal from the real time clock  304 , activation of the smart card switch, activation of the deadbolt, microswitch  106 , activation of the knob switch, activity on the serial port, or a signal from the IR receiver. All signals representative of these wakeup events, are channeled through the wakeup control  312 , which acts as an interface between the wakeup devices and the core processor  340 . As previously mentioned, the real time clock  304  acts as a programmable counter which periodically issues a wakeup signal based on a 32.768 kHz signal from the low power oscillator  302 . As seen in  FIG. 15 , the real time clock receives a low frequency clock signal on one of the inputs  364 , increments a counter register  360 , and issues a wakeup signal on output  366  when the counter register reaches a certain, programmable value. Consequently, the real time clock  304  initiates a type of status check by waking the lockset controller  28  up every so often, even if there is no other activity throughout the lockset controller.  
      As previously mentioned, other events which can awake the lockset controller  28  include activation of a smart card switch and activation of deadbolt microswitch  106 . These switches are electromechanical devices coupled to specific external components, such as the deadbolt  198  or the key card reader  26 , and are electrically connected to the switch control  308  such that they inform the lockset controller  28  when there has been activation of these components, as previously explained. For example, a switch within the key card reader  26  informs the lockset controller  28  of the insertion of a smart key card, just as another switch indicates a change of the deadbolt position. The signals generated by these switches act as wakeup signals, just like the wakeup signal generated by the real time clock  304 , and are received by the switch control  308 . As seen in  FIG. 17 , input lines  390  receive signals from the switches, switch power control  392  alerts the switch debounce control  394  of a change in input state, switch debounce checks the signals to ensure their authenticity, and a wakeup control output line  398  issues a wakeup signal depending on which switch has been activated. Unlike the wakeup signal produced by the real time clock  304 , the signals sent by the electromechanical switches may contain a lot of static and noise and therefore must be checked by switch control  308  before being sent as wakeup signals. Again, this conserves power consumption by decreasing the amount of noisy switch signals which are misinterpreted as wakeup signals and inadvertently wake the lockset controller  28  up out of low power consumption sleep mode.  
      Activity on the serial port control  310  may also bring the lockset controller  28  out of sleep mode. Activity on the serial port will alert wakeup control  312  over the serial receiver line, which is one of the inputs  380 . Accordingly, if any external device, such as a lockset interrogator  212 , is attempting to communicate with the lockset controller  28  via the serial port, the wakeup control module  312  will alert the necessary components of the lockset controller. Another potential wake up event is activity detected by the IR receiver. The IR receiver is located external to the lockset controller  28  and receives infrared signals. Upon reception of any IR signal, the IR receiver issues a wakeup request signal which, like the previous wake up signals, is sent to the edge detector  382  via inputs  380 . Once the edge detector sees a rising or falling edge sufficient to indicate a change in the state of the signal, the wakeup control  312  wakes up the core processor  340  and resets certain registers. It should be noted, the wakeup control will not reset the core processor  340  if the processor is already awake.  
      After the processor  340  receives a wakeup signal, it informs the high speed oscillator  306  that it is awake which in turn provides the processor  340  with a high speed clock signal. As seen in  FIG. 16 , the oscillator enable input  372  allows the high speed oscillator to multiply the slower clock signal and thereby provide the processor  340  with a fast clock signal more conducive to the active mode.  
      If the real time clock  304  produced the wakeup signal which brought the processor into operational mode, the processor  340  performs a series of status checking functions. These functions may include checking the status of the various switches, the battery level, lock malfunctions, or any other function requiring a periodic check. Upon performing status checking functions, the processor  340  updates the special function registers  318  to record any changes in the status of the lockset controller  28 , as well as potentially activating an external device, such as the LED display  140 , of any potential problems.  
      If the processor  340  has been awakened by the activation of the smart card switch, the processor uses the smart key control  314  to communicate with the smart key card via the serial port. As previously mentioned, the processor may write information to or read information from the smart key card via the smart card key control  314  and serial port. Such information could include writing to the smart key card the number of times that particular lock has been unlocked, the number of times that particular key has been inserted into that lock, or any other event worth recording. If the smart key card is correctly configured for that particular lock, the processor  340  instructs the motor drivers  326  to drive the electric motor  30  accordingly.  
      Upon such an instruction, motor control signals are sent to the motor drivers  326  via inputs  500 . These inputs are decoded by the H-bridge decoder  502  and thereafter instruct the current sink and source drivers to turn on the appropriate transistors. As previously explained, this allows the processor to dictate in which direction the lock motor  30  operates and consequently can determine if the locking mechanism  22  is engaged or unengaged. To determine when the locking or unlocking operation is complete, the current sensing module  324  monitors the current through the motor  30  via the voltage across a resistor  520  and compares the current against a “baseline” reference current. When the motor  30  is rotated such that the locking mechanism cannot be extended further, the clutch  48  slips or “hops”, thereby causing a spike in the current in relation to the baseline current. As baseline current draws vary between motors and depend on a number of additional factors including temperature, the lockset controller  28  is programmed to establish a new baseline current value each time the motor  30  is energized.  
      It is important to note however, in addition to sensing the amount of electrical current which is being sent to the motor  30 , the motor drivers  326  draw upon tabulated data to set a minimum and maximum duration for powering the motor. In this manner, if the current sensing module  324  determines that the locking mechanism has reached an obstruction before the predetermined minimum duration, the processor  340  will continue to power the motor  30  until that minimum time is reached. Likewise, if the maximum time duration is reached before the current sensing module  324  indicates that the lock has reached a final position, the processor  340  will instruct the motor drivers  326  to stop powering the motor. The minimum run time typically corresponds to a value that is at least marginally longer than the amount of time normally required to move the sliding stop  34  into engagement with the handle hub  16 . This excess run time ensures that the sliding stop  34  fully engages the complementary recess in the hub  16  under adverse conditions such as increased friction due to lack of lubrication, contamination, component wear, etc. The maximum motor run time may be established as a function of battery charge level, i.e., the amount of voltage remaining in the four batteries that power the motor  30 . The lockset controller  28  senses the battery voltage and limits the motor run time accordingly. If the battery charge level is relatively high, the maximum motor run time is set to a relatively high value. If battery charge level is relatively low, the maximum motor run time will be proportionally reduced to extend the life of the battery. Alternatively, the maximum and minimum motor run times may be established by using an algorithm or other acceptable means.  
      Activation of the smart card switch may also prompt the processor to engage the magnetic head reader  138 , as a magnetic strip and smart key card are both read from the same external slot. Again, the processor  340  might engage the motor drivers  326  if the information on the magnetic strip is so configured.  
      The lockset controller  28  may further include a “hassle” feature that prompts the user to take notice of any fault indication that might be displayed on the LED display module  140 . The lockset controller is configured to detect lock malfunctions and to illuminate a red fault indicator LED  96  in response to such lockset apparatus malfunctions. Under normal operation, the lockset controller reverses the motor  30  and retracts the sliding stop  34  in response to a single key card insertion, assuming of course that the key card includes the correct code for entry. However, if a lockset apparatus malfunction is detected, the lockset controller  28  reverses the motor  30  and causes the sliding stop  34  to retract from the handle hub  16  only after the second of two key card insertions made within a predetermined time period. This “hassle feature” prompts the user to notice and attend to lockset apparatus malfunctions indicated by the red LED malfunction indicator light  96 . In other words, the hassle feature prompts certain users which the lockset controller  28  identifies by the configuration of their key cards, to notice a fault indication by requiring two insertions of a key card before reversing the motor  30  and unlocking the hub  16 . Preferably, the lockset controller  28  is programmed to notify only those responsible for attending to such malfunctions such as the holders of master key cards.  
      The electronic mortise lockset apparatus  10  also includes an employee access tracking system that allows employers to determine which rooms, in an establishment such as a hotel or office building, each of their employees have gained access to or attempted to gain access to, and at what times. The method includes installing electronic mortise locksets  10 , of the type described above, in the doors to various rooms of the establishment. As with the lockset described above, each of these locksets includes a latch bolt  14  retractable by the turning of a door handle  18  operably connected to the latch bolt  14 . Each lockset also includes a lockout mechanism  22  that prevents the handle  18  from being turned when the lockout mechanism  22  is in an engaged position. Each of the installed locksets also includes a key card reader module  26  that identifies properly configured “smart” key cards and a lockset controller  28  that commands the lockout mechanism  22  to disengage when the key card reader module  26  identifies a properly configured key card.  
      To employ the tracking system, each of a number of different key card users (employees) are provided with a “smart” key card that, as described above, includes a processor, RAM, and ROM. In addition, each lockset controller  28  is programmed to upload a first set of access data to the RAM of the “smart” key card whenever that key card is used to unlock the electronic mortise lockset  10 . This first set of access data includes a door identification number assigned to the door that the lockset is mounted in and the time and date that the card was inserted into the card reader module  26 . The “smart” key cards distributed to employees would each include a revolving memory that remembers approximately the last 500 lock insertions.  
      At the same time that the first set of access data is uploaded to the key card RAM, a second set of access data is downloaded to the memory of the lockset apparatus. This second set of access data includes an identification number assigned to the key card and the time and date that the card was inserted into the card reader module  26 .  
      The lockset controller  28  will not power up the motor  30  to unlock the lockout mechanism  22  until after writing the access data to the key card and lock RAM. This prevents a user from unlocking the door then quickly withdrawing his or her key card before access data can be written.  
      After issuing the “smart” key cards to the users, the key card users are then permitted to go about their business on the premises using their key cards to gain entry to various rooms on the premises, unlocking the locksets by inserting the key cards into the key readers of the locksets. Each time a key card user inserts one of the key cards into one of the locksets, the lockset that the key card is inserted into automatically writes the access data from the lockset controller  28  to the key card memory and the lock memory as described above. Because the first set of access data downloaded to each key card includes a record of the time that the key was inserted into that lockset, each key card maintains an accurate and comprehensive record of which locksets/doors that card holder unlocked and when.  
      At the end of each workday each user&#39;s key card is inserted into a separate key card reader module connected to a microcomputer programmed to compile key card access information. The microcomputer is programmed to display or print-out a report that identifies which locksets each key holder opened and at what times. In this way, an employer can easily determine which rooms each of his employees gained access to through the day and the times that each employee gained access to those rooms. This method obviates the need to travel throughout the premises downloading access data from each lock separately. However, the access data can be downloaded from lockset memory to confirm data downloaded from key card RAM.  
      There are numerous sequences of events which could occur as the result of a wakeup signal originating from either a component within the lockset controller or external to it. It should be noted, that the particular response to the individual wake up events is software programmable and resides in the code of the system.  
      In alternative embodiments, the key card reader module  26  may include any suitable key card reading device to include one that is configured to receive and read a memory card rather than a “smart” card—or that is configured to receive and read either a memory card or a “smart” card. (A memory card is different from a smart card in that it does not include either RAM or a processor.) In this case, a properly configured key card would include a predetermined program code that the key card reader module  26  would download data from. However, the key card reader module  26  would not upload data to the card.  
      In still other embodiments the key card reading device may be an optical scanner configured to read bar code patterns. In this case, a properly configured key card would include a predetermined bar code pattern readable by such an optical scanner.  
      The advanced design of an electronic mortise lockset apparatus  10  constructed according to the invention provides a number of advantages over prior art systems. The lockset controller  28 , programmed as described, can both extend battery life by limiting motor run time and can help to insure full lockout mechanism engagement. By holding the sliding stop  34  in engagement with the handle hub  16 , the lockout mechanism  22  insures that the lockset remains securely locked even when subjected to significant shock and vibration. The components of the lockset apparatus  10  are easy to assemble and disassemble for ease of service and/or modification. The lockset apparatus  10  is sturdy enough to survive a tremendous amount of torque applied to the door handle  18 . All the components of the lockset are internally mounted in the lockset case  12  to preclude exposure to corrosive environmental effects. The slip clutch  48  of the lockout mechanism  22  prevents motor  30  damage that might otherwise result from stalling of the motor  30  caused by jamming, obstructions, or increased resistance to an application of force to the handle  18  during motor  30  operation. The gearbox  32  of the lockout mechanism  22  provides low cam rotation speed while allowing the motor  30  to run at high speed. High motor  30  speed provides more torque and helps keep motor  30  brushes clean. Mounting the microswitch  106  of the deadbolt position indicator on the motherboard  78  is a lower cost alternative to mounting the microswitch  106  at the end of the harness wire in a remote location.  
      I intend this description to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention rather than to limit the invention. Therefore I have used descriptive words rather than limiting words. Obviously, it is possible to modify this invention from what the description teaches. Within the scope of the claims one may practice the invention other than as described.