The present invention relates to a method of controlling closure devices, lock control, wherein the lock includes a code which places the lock in a releasable or a released state.

The invention also relates to a closure device control arrangement, lock control.

Techniques of this general kind are known to the art. The lock is a coded lock and is typically provided with a so-called electric striker plate, and the lock can be released or is released by inserting the correct code through a keypad or a smart card. The known technique, however, is encumbered with problems caused by inappropriate disclosure of the code, comprehensive code-changing administrative arrangements, limited flexibility with regard to code transmission, etc.

The present invention relates to a method and to an arrange¬ ment with which the drawbacks of known techniques are substantially eliminated.

The invention thus relates to a method according to the preamble of the following Claim 1, this method being charac¬ terized mainly by the features set forth in the characterizing clause of the Claim.

The invention also relates to an arrangement according to the preamble of the following Claim 9, this arrangement being characterized mainly by the features set forth in the characterizing clause of Claim 9.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

- Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a door fitted with a lock in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates schematically one embodiment of the inventive lock arrangement; - Fig. 3 illustrates schematically an information field of an information carrier in accordance with the invention; - -

Fig. 4 illustrates schematically an arrangement of locks which are dependent on a first lock;

- Fig. 5 illustrates schematically, although in more detail, a closure device according to Fig. 1 and shows part of the arrangement mounted in a door frame;

- Fig. 6 illustrates the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, having a marked operating part; and

Fig. 7 illustrates the operating part shown in Fig. 6 schematically and in more detail.

Fig. 1 illustrates a door 1 provided with an inventive lock arrangement which includes a lock 2 and which is of the electric striker plate type, for instance, and includes an operating part 4 mounted in the door frame 3, this operating part also including the lock arrangement and devices according to the invention which are included in the term "lock" and are referenced 2 similar to the lock.

As shown in Fig. 2, the lock arrangement includes an updatable and readable information carrier from which the lock is supplied with a first code which functions to open communica¬ tion with the information carrier, wherein when communication is established the lock 2 is intended to send an interrogating signal to the information carrier, which in response thereto sends to the lock a second code which constitutes a lock release code.

The reference numeral 6 identifies a contact unit through which the information carrier is brought into contact with the lock, wherein the information carrier is preferably arranged

to be brought into physical contact with the contact unit. This communication is denoted by arrows 7 in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that the information carrier constitutes the key to the lock, and it is preferred that each information carrier is unique and can be identified by virtue of a personal code 9, Fig. 3.

The information contained in the information carrier is illustrated schematically in Fig. 3, which shows an identifi¬ cation code 9, the first code 10, the second code 11 and further information 12. ^l

It is also preferred that this further information 12 will include available opening times for further locks 2", shown in Fig. 4, and preferably a personal authorization circuit or plan, this information preferably being intended for delivery to the information carrier upon contact with a first lock and limiting the times during which the lock can be released or opened, these times being predetermined.

According to one embodiment, the lock is intended to carry information for providing valid information carriers, i.e. keys, wherein the lock is preferably constructed so that a first information carrier brought into contact with the lock can be updated to the status of master carrier which functions to control subsequent updating, and so that a second informa¬ tion carrier brought into contact with the lock will be updated to the status of an editing carrier, and so that other information carriers that are brought into contact with the lock will preferably be updated to preferably mutually different, unique information carriers, and so that updating is preferably intended to be acknowledged, for instance by terminating contact between the master carrier and the lock, in order for the updating to be valid.

According to one preferred embodiment, the editing carrier is arranged to rescind the validity of given information carriers, such as lost information carriers.

A preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 5-7. This illustrated embodiment includes an operating part 4 which is intended to be supplied externally with a voltage 13, although not a control voltage but an operating voltage, and with signals for identifying, etc. , information carriers 5 from the contact unit 6, and includes electronic devices for communica¬ tion with information carriers integrated with elec¬ tric/electronic devices for activating a lock catch 14 or the like, comprising a coil 15 or the like. In this case, the operating part 4 forms an integrated control and operating unit which has both a control function and a switching function. As no conductors are drawn between the control unit and the lock catch switching mechanism, the arrangement is much more secure and compact than earlier known arrangements of this kind.

The operating current is not applied across the "switching part" of the operating part 4, said switching part including a coil or like device, until a valid code is inserted with the intention of opening the lock or the like. The operating part includes a memory store 16.

The method and the manner in which the inventive arrangement operates will be understood in all essentials from the aforegoing. The lock and the information carriers thus include information which enables the lock to open.

It will be understood from the aforegoing that the invention affords important advantages over the known technique, such as greater flexibility and reliability.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof, it will be understood that

other embodiments and minor changes and modifications to the described embodiments are conceivable within the framework of the inventive concept.

The information carriers and the communicating part of the lock are preferably in the form of smart cards and can therefore be read and updated.

In the aforegoing the word lock has been used collectively to define closure devices. The term lock, however, shall be interpreted widely and understood to include all types of magnetic, electric, mechanical, electro-magnetic, electro¬ mechanical closure devices or the like, such as locks which include so-called electric striker plates, or devices which include electro-magnetic pulling magnets which function to hold a door closed.

The invention shall not therefore be considered limited to the aforedescribed and illustrated exemplifying embodiments thereof, since modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the following Claims.