Patent ID: 8045920

Claim:
An access control device, comprising: a lock with a locking element, an actuating element for the locking element, an electronic key, a receiver unit for receiving key identification data, and an evaluation circuit for determining access authorization based on the received identification data, said evaluation circuit cooperating with one or more of the actuating element and the locking element for selectively locking or unlocking the lock, wherein the electronic key ( 5 ) comprises means for generating a capacitive near field via which the identification data is emitted, the electronic key ( 5 ) further comprises a device for coupling the capacitive near field to a person ( 4 ) carrying the key, and the receiver unit ( 8 ) is designed as a wall or desktop reader unit ( 9 ) separate from the lock and the actuating element, and the receiver unit ( 8 ) comprises at least one capacitive coupling surface such that, at a contact of the capacitive coupling surface or an approach of the capacitive coupling surface by said person ( 4 ), an alternating current circuit is closed and an electric flux is created across the receiver unit ( 8 ), and said flux is detected by the receiver unit ( 8 ).