Electronic lock with visual interface
US7374084B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07C2009/00785
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic key card lock has a card reader having both card reading electronics and a visual interface integrated into a single unit. Portions of the card reader are made from a light transmitting material that act as both a physical guide for the card and a lens that can distribute light toward the outside of the lock. The light transmitting material houses the card reading electronics and also surrounds a slot that accommodates the key card. A slot in a trim panel of the lock exposes a slot and the front edge of the card reader. When a key card is inserted into the slot of the card reader, one or more light sources in the card reader illuminate to reflect whether the inserted card can open the lock. The light transmitting material distributes the light from the light source so that the front edge of the card reader around the card reader slot is evenly illuminated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.