The invention provides a digital lock including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi-hard magnet and the other magnet is a hard magnet. The hard magnet is configured to move to close the digital lock in the event of malicious attack, blocking the intruder thereby the magnets acting as a blocking pin, and the mechanical and/or electromagnetic energy of the attack is configured to move the hard magnet to seal the digital lock from the intruder.

A method for securing and/or locking an object, and a related system, the method including introducing into a key receiver a metal key element that is provided along its longitudinal direction at least in part with at least one first code, reading of the at least one first code by at least one reader unit in the key receiver, rotating the at least one metal key element in and in relation to the key receiver by a user, therein producing a relative rotary movement, detecting the relative rotary movement, converting the relative rotary movement as detected into a display signal that is variable with rotation, communicating the display signal to a display, interactively setting a further code on the display by the user, by rotating the at least one metal key element, and actuating the securing and/or locking and unlocking of the object in dependence on the further code.

The invention provides a magnetic actuator (100, 1001, 1002) including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi hard magnet (310) and the other magnet is a hard magnet (320). The hard magnet (320) is configured to open or close the magnetic actuator (100, 1001, 1002). The semi hard magnet (310) and the hard magnet (320) are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetization polarization of the semi hard magnet (310) is configured to push or pull the hard magnet (320) to open or close a digital lock realised with the magnetic actuator 100, 1001, 1002. The magnetic actuator of the invention can also be used to realise a valve.

A storage container can include at least one movement sensor in or on a frame of the storage container and at least one movement sensor in or on a door of the storage container. A processor can compare outputs of the movement sensors to determine whether the door is open.

The invention provides a magnetic actuator including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi hard magnet and the other magnet is a hard magnet. The hard magnet is configured to open or close the magnetic actuator. The semi hard magnet and the hard magnet are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetization polarization of the semi hard magnet is configured to push or pull the hard magnet to open or close a digital lock realised with the magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator of the invention can also be used to realise a valve.

A system for sensing a position of a locking bolt of an industrial locking switch includes an inductive circuit, a converter, and a master controller. The inductive circuit includes an inductive coil and a capacitor electrically connected in parallel. The inductive coil is positioned to receive a locking bolt of an industrial locking switch when the locking bolt is transitioned to a lock position. The converter is configured to convert a frequency of a current signal on the inductive circuit to a digital frequency value. The master controller is configured to generate a bolt detection signal in response to determining that the digital frequency value changes by an amount equal to or substantially equal to a defined frequency shift corresponding to a frequency shift induced by the inductive coil in response to presence of the locking bolt within the inductive coil's magnetic field.

Disclosed systems and methods relate to a smart access control reader for an access control system. According to embodiments, a method can include installing the smart access control reader to the access control system by connecting the smart access control reader to the access control system via wiring of the access control system. The method can also include receiving, by the smart access control reader, one or more first credentials for authenticating one or more users by the access control system. The method can further include determining, by the smart access control reader, that the one or more first credentials are authorized. Moreover, the method can include transmitting, by the smart access control reader, a second credential to an access control panel of the access control system, in response to a request by a first user to access an area monitored by the access control system.

A digital lock including at least two magnets is disclosed. One magnet is a semi-hard magnet and the other magnet is a hard magnet. The hard magnet is configured to open or close the digital lock. The semi hard magnet and the hard magnet are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetization polarization of the semi hard magnet is configured to push or pull the hard magnet to open or close the digital lock.

Outdoor furniture for an exterior of a home includes a piece of outdoor furniture with a fortified drop box contained therein. The fortified drop box has a lid configured to open for gaining access to the fortified drop box. The lid of the fortified drop box is also configured to close for sealing the fortified drop box. A locking mechanism is included with the fortified drop box that is configured for securing the fortified drop box with the lid closed. The locking mechanism of the fortified drop box is also configured to selectively unlock for accessing the fortified drop box through the lid. Wherein, the piece of outdoor furniture containing the fortified drop box is configured and shaped like functional outdoor furniture.

A sliding panel deadbolt lock assembly that is associated with a sliding panel that transitions between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary panel that is coupled to the sliding panel. A sliding panel lock assembly includes a pin that transitions between an engaged position and a retracted position. A first magnetic field sensing device is positioned at the retracted position of the pin when the pin is in the retracted position to enable the sliding panel to transition from the closed position. The first magnetic field sensing device detects a magnetic field generated by a first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin. The first magnetic field sensing device positioned at the retracted position of the pin is aligned with the first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin when the pin is in the retracted position.