Electronic combination lock and theft prevention device

Claim 2

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a starting device for starting first means which requires electricity for operation, comprising, in combination: second means including electrical inductance electrically connected between said starting device and said first means; third means electrically connected in parallel with said second means; said third means having a substantially low impedance with respect to a flow of electrons in a predetermined direction and having a substantially low admittance with respect to a flow of electrons in a direction which is opposite to said predetermined direction; fourth means providing an electrical path between said second means and a reference potential; and fifth means operative in response to a flow of electrons through said second means to prevent operation of said first means or to activate warning means.

Claim 3

Apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a vehicle engine including a coil; said starting device has a first terminal electrically connected to a source of electricity, and a second terminal electrically connected to said second means; said second means comprises a relay coil; said third means comprises a diode which is connected between said second terminal of said starting device and said coil of said vehicle engine; and said fourth means comprises a resistor connected between said second terminal of said starting device and ground potential.

Claim 4

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a starting device for starting first means which requires electricity for operation, comprising, in combination: said starting device including at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal, and a rotary switching element which is capable of bridging at least two of said terminals and having its center post electrically connected to a source of electrical power; said first means comprising a vehicle engine including a distributor coil and a starter solenoid; said sixth terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to said starter solenoid; said fifth terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to said distributor coil; a first diode; a second diode; a relay coil; a silicon controlled rectifier; a first impedance element; a second impedance element; a third impedance element; said relay coil being connected between a reference potential and the cathode of said silicon-controlled rectifier; said first terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to the anode of said silicon-controlled rectifier; said first and second diodes having their cathodes electrically connected together; said fourth terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to the anode of said first diode; said second impedance element being electrically connected between the cathodes of said diodes and the distributor coil; said first impedance element being connected between said second terminal of said starting device and the anode of said second diode; sixth means electrically connected between the anode of said second diode and the gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier; said third impedance element being connected between a reference potential and the primary winding of said distributor coil; and fifth means operative in response to a flow of electrons through said relay coil to prevent operation of said first means or to activate warning means.

Claim 5

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a starting device for starting first means which requires electricity for operation, comprising, in combination: said starting device including at least a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal, and a rotary switching element which is capable of bridging at least two of said terminals and having its center post electrically connected to a source of electrical power; said first means comprising a vehicle engine including a distributor coil and a starter solenoid; said sixth terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to said starter solenoid; said fifth terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to said distributor coil; a first diode; a second diode; a relay coil; a silicon controlled rectifier; a first impedance element; a second impedance element; a third impedance element; said relay coil being connected between a reference potential and the cathode of said silicon-controlled rectifier; said first terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to the anode of said silicon-controlled rectifier; said first and second diodes having their cathodes electrically connected together; said fourth terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to the anode of said first diode; said second impedance element being electrically connected between the cathodes of said diodes and the distributor coil; said first impedance element being connected between said second terminal of said starting device and the anode of said second diode; sixth means electrically connected between the anode of said second diode and the gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier; said third impedance element being connected between a reference potential and the primary winding of said distributor coil; and fifth means operative in response to a flow of electrons through said relay coil to prevent operation of said first means or to activate warning means.

Claim 6

Apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 3, wherein said sixth means includes a resistor electrically connected between the gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier and the anode of said second diode.

Claim 7

Apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 3, wherein said sixth means includes an amplifier electrically connected between the gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier and said anode of said second diode.

Claim 8

Apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 3, wherein said third impedance element includes a resistor electrically connected between a reference potential and the primary winding of said distributor coil.

Claim 9

Apparatus characterized in accordance with claim 3, wherein said third impedance element includes a resistor having one terminal connected to the primary winding of said distributor coil and having another terminal connected to the grounded terminal of the secondary winding of said distributor coil.

Claim 10

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a starting device for starting first means which requires electricity for operation, comprising, in combination: said starting device including at least a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; a source of electrical power which is connected to said first terminal of said starting device; a first diode, a second diode, and a third diode; a first transistor and a secOnd transistor, each of said transistors having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal l; said first means comprising a vehicle engine including a distributor coil; a silicon controlled rectifier having a cathode element, an anode element, and a gate element; said second terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to the anode of said first diode; said first diode having its cathode electrically connected to the cathode of said second diode; a first impedance element connected between said first terminal of said starting device and the anode of said second diode; a second impedance element electrically connected from the cathodes of said first and second diode to said third terminal of said starting device; said third terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to a first terminal of a primary winding of said distributor coil; the secondary winding of said distributor coil having one of its terminals electrically connected to a reference potential; a third impedance element connected between a second terminal of said primary winding of said distributor coil and said one terminal of said secondary winding of said distributor coil; a fourth impedance electrically connected between said first terminal of said starting device and said third terminal of said first transistor; a fifth impedance electrically connected between said first terminal of said first transistor and said second terminal of said second transistor; a sixth impedance connected between said third terminal of said second transistor and said reference potential; said anode element of said silicon-controlled rectifier being electrically connected to said first terminal of said starting device; means connecting said cathode element of said silicon-controlled rectifier to said reference potential; a capacitor connected between said gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier and said reference potential; a seventh impedance connected between said gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier and said third terminal of said second transistor; an eighth impedance connected between said first terminal of said starting device and said first terminal of said first transistor; said third diode having its cathode electrically connected to said third terminal of said first transistor and having its anode electrically connected to said reference potential; a ninth impedance having one of its terminals connected to said second terminal of said first transistor and having the other of its terminals movably slidable along said first impedance; and fifth means operative to a conductive condition of said silicon-controlled rectifier to prevent operation of said first means or to activate warning means.

Claim 11

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a starting device for starting first means which requires electricity for operation, comprising, in combination: said starting device including at least a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; a source of electrical power which is connected to said first terminal of said starting device; a first diode, a second diode, and a third diode; a first transistor and a secOnd transistor, each of said transistors having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal l; said first means comprising a vehicle engine including a distributor coil; a silicon controlled rectifier having a cathode element, an anode element, and a gate element; said second terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to the anode of said first diode; said first diode having its cathode electrically connected to the cathode of said second diode; a first impedance element connected between said first terminal of said starting device and the anode of said second diode; a second impedance element electrically connected from the cathodes of said first and second diode to said third terminal of said starting device; said third terminal of said starting device being electrically connected to a first terminal of a primary winding of said distributor coil; the secondary winding of said distributor coil having one of its terminals electrically connected to a reference potential; a third impedance element connected between a second terminal of said primary winding of said distributor coil and said one terminal of said secondary winding of said distributor coil; a fourth impedance electrically connected between said first terminal of said starting device and said third terminal of said first transistor; a fifth impedance electrically connected between said first terminal of said first transistor and said second terminal of said second transistor; a sixth impedance connected between said third terminal of said second transistor and said reference potential; said anode element of said silicon-controlled rectifier being electrically connected to said first terminal of said starting device; means connecting said cathode element of said silicon-controlled rectifier to said reference potential; a capacitor connected between said gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier and said reference potential; a seventh impedance connected between said gate element of said silicon-controlled rectifier and said third terminal of said second transistor; an eighth impedance connected between said first terminal of said starting device and said first terminal of said first transistor; said third diode having its cathode electrically connected to said third terminal of said first transistor and having its anode electrically connected to said reference potential; a ninth impedance having one of its terminals connected to said second terminal of said first transistor and having the other of its terminals movably slidable along said first impedance; and fifth means operative to a conductive condition of said silicon-controlled rectifier to prevent operation of said first means or to activate warning means.

Claim 12

An electronic combination lock comprising, in combination: a source of electrical power; a plurality of switching elements having a first plurality of terminals and a second plurality of terminals; first means for electrically connecting said source of electrical power to at least one of said first plurality of terminals of said switching elements; a first electronic control device having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; second means electrically connecting said first terminal of said electronic control device to said source of electrical power and to one of said second plurality of terminals associated with a first predetermined one of said switching elements; a first impedance connected between said third terminal of said first electronic control device and another terminal of said second plurality of terminals associated with said first predetermined switching element; a second impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said first electronic control device and a reference potential; a third impedance connected between said second terminal of said first electronic control device and said reference potential; a second electronic control device having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; third means electrically connecting said source of electrical power to said first terminal of said second electronic control device; fourth means electrically connecting said second terminal of said first electronic control device to said third terminal of said second electronic control device; a fourth impedance electrically connected between said second terminal of said second electronic control device and said third terminal of said second electronic device; a fifth means electrically connecting said second terminal of said second electronic control device to said reference potential; a utilization device electrically connected to said second terminal of said second electronic control device; and whereby said first electronic control device will be placed into a conductive condition only when said first predetermined switching element is actuated, and whereby said second electronic control device will be placed into a conductive condition only if one of said plurality of switching elements is actuated after or simultaneously with first predetermined one of said switching elements, and whereby electrical power will be supplied to said utilization device only when said second electronic control device is in a conductive condition.

Claim 13

An electronic combination lock comprising, in combination: a source of electrical power; a plurality of switching elements having a first plurality of terminals and a second plurality of terminals; first means for electrically connecting said source of electrical power to at least one of said first plurality of terminals of said switching elements; a first electronic control device having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; second means electrically connecting said first terminal of said electronic control device to said source of electrical power and to one of said second plurality of terminals associated with a first predetermined one of said switching elements; a first impedance connected between said third terminal of said first electronic control device and another terminal of said second plurality of terminals associated with said first predetermined switching element; a second impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said first electronic control device and a reference potential; a third impedance connected between said second terminal of said first electronic control device and said reference potential; a second electronic control device having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal; third means electrically connecting said source of electrical power to said first terminal of said second electronic control device; fourth means electrically connecting said second terminal of said first electronic control device to said third terminal of said second electronic control device; a fourth impedance electrically connected between said second terminal of said second electronic control device and said third terminal of said second electronic device; a fifth means electrically connecting said second terminal of said second electronic control device to said reference potential; a utilization device electrically connected to said second terminal of said second electronic control device; and whereby said first electronic control device will be placed into a conductive condition only when said first predetermined switching element is actuated, and whereby said second electronic control device will be placed into a conductive condition only if one of said plurality of switching elements is actuated after or simultaneously with first predetermined one of said switching elements, and whereby electrical power will be supplied to said utilization device only when said second electronic control device is in a conductive condition.

Claim 14

An electronic combination lock characterized in accordance with claim 9, wherein said utilization device comprises a starting device for starting sixth means which requires electricity for operation, and including: seventh means having electrical inductance electrically connected between said starting device and said sixth means; eighth means electrically connected in parallel with said seventh means; said eighth means having a substantially low impedance with respect to a flow of electrons in a predetermined direction and having a substantially low admittance with respect to a flow of electrons in a direction which is opposite to said predetermined direction; and ninth means operative in response to a flow of electrons through said seventh means to prevent operation of said sixth means or to activate warning means.

Claim 15

An electronic combination lock characterized in accordance with claim 9, wherein said fourth means includes: a third electronic control device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal; said second means electrically connecting said first terminal of said third electronic control device to said source of electrical power and to at least one of said first or second plurality of terminals of said switching elements; a fifth impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said third electronic control device and one of said second plurality of terminals associated with a second predetermined one of said switching elements; sixth means electrically connected to another one of said second plurality of terminals associated with said second predetermined switching element to said second terminal of said first electronic control device; sixth impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said third electronic control device and said reference potential; a seventh impedance electrically connected between said second terminal of said third electronic control device of said third electronic control device and said reference potential; a first electrical conductor connected between said second terminal of said third electronic control device and one of said second plurality of terminals associated with a third predetermined one of said switching elements; and an eighth impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said second electronic control device and another terminal of said second plurality of terminals associated with said third predetermined one of said switching elements.

Claim 16

An electronic combination lock characterized in accOrdance with claim 9, wherein said fourth means includes: a third electronic control device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal: a fourth electronic control device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal; said second terminal of said first electronic control device being electrically connected to one of said second plurality of terminals associated with one of said switching elements; an impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said third electronic control device and one of said second plurality of terminals associated with said one switching element; an impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said third electronic control device and said reference potential; an impedance electrically connected between said second terminal of said third electronic control device and said reference potential; an impedance electrically connected between said second terminal of said third electronic control device and said third terminal of said fourth electronic control device; an impedance electrically connected between said second terminal of said fourth electronic control device and said reference potential; an impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said fourth electronic control device and said reference potential; said third terminal of said fourth electronic control device being electrically connected to one of said first plurality of terminals associated with said first predetermined switching element; another one of said first plurality of terminals associated with said first predetermined switching element being electrically connected to said reference potential; said second terminal of said fourth electronic control device being electrically connected to one of said second plurality of terminals associated with a second predetermined switching element; an impedance electrically connected between said third terminal of said second electronic control device and another of said second plurality of terminals associated with said second predetermined switching element; and wherein said first terminal of said first electronic control device, said first terminal of said second electronic control device, said first terminal of said third electronic control device, and said first terminal of said fourth electronic control device are all electrically connectable to said source of electrical power.