PROGRAMMABLE ELECTRONIC TIME LOCK

摘要

A programmable time lock (9) includes a microprocessor (32), which senses the angular position of a key shaft (16) via a sensor/encoder (13). The microprocessor (32) includes ROM (33) and RAM (35) memory circuits, a timer (37), and a clock (39), and it can activate a stepper motor (42) to control the position of a detent pin (18). The microprocessor (32) is also connected to a display (12), which has fields for hours (20), minutes (24) and seconds (26), as well as for the days of the week (28), for a cursor (30) for each day, and for a low-power indicator. System time, as well as opening times for the lock may be set and changed simply by turning the key (11) according to predefined routines. A method for operating the lock includes sets of steps for each of several routines.