The invention provides a digital lock (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 digital lock (100, 1001, 1002). The semi hard magnet (310) and the hard magnet (320) are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetisation polarisation of the semi hard magnet (310) is configured to push or pull the hard magnet (320) to open or close the digital lock (100, 1001, 1002).

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.

An electronic cylindrical lock has a main body. The main body includes a slide member. The main body further includes a first clutch unit and a second clutch unit to drive the slide member. The first clutch unit and the second clutch unit are connected with a first handle and a second handle, respectively. The main body further includes a control unit for controlling the first clutch unit and the second clutch unit to be engaged or disengaged, so as to selectively allow the first handle and the second handle to drive the lock tongue, or selectively allow the first handle and the second handle not to drive the lock tongue.

A lock for securing a door is provided, the lock includes a housing configured to be mounted on a door, a locking member movable between locked and unlocked positions, a core with a keyway and configured to turn relative to the housing to cause the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions, at least one optical source configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation signal at an object in the keyway, at least one optical detector configured to detect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation signal, a memory configured to store at least one authorized key characteristic, a motor configured to control movement of the locking member between locked and unlocked positions, and a processor that determines at least one sensed characteristic of the object in the keyway based at least in part on the electromagnetic radiation signal.

One or more embodiments describe 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 can also be used to realise a valve.

One embodiment provides an electrical key for locking and unlocking an electrical lock. The electrical key includes an energy-transfer unit that includes a magnetic core and a coil wrapped around the magnetic core, a pulse generator configured to generate a first pulse sequence including alternating pulse on and pulse off cycles and a second pulse sequence comprising a continuous pulse train, and a modulator driver configured to modulate a voltage or current on the coil using the generated first or second pulse sequence, a measurement module configured to measure a current or voltage on the coil excited by the modulated voltage or current, respectively, a key-position determination module configured to determine a relative position between the electrical key and the electrical lock based on the measured current or voltage, and a communication interface for communicating with the electrical lock to facilitate the locking and unlocking of the electrical lock.

A lock includes a housing assembly, an actuatable lock assembly and a latching assembly. The actuatable lock assembly is positionable in at least a closed orientation and an open orientation. The latching assembly further includes a latch, a cam and a motor. The latch, having a cam profile, is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the actuatable lock assembly is maintained in the closed orientation. In the unlocked position, the actuatable lock assembly is positionable into an open orientation. The cam is rotatably mounted and has a first follower configured to intermittently coact with the cam profile of the latch, to, in turn, move the latch between the locked position and the unlocked position. The motor is coupled to the cam. Actuation of the motor causes rotation of the cam, resulting in movement of the latch between the locked and unlocked positions.

An electrical mechanical locking device. A lock has an outer shell with an indentation. An inner body is rotatably housed within the outer shell. A contact pin is connected to the inner body. A printed circuit board frame is rigidly connected to the inner body. A printed circuit board is attached to the printed circuit board frame. A driver arm support bracket is rigidly connected to the printed circuit board frame. A lock microprocessor is connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the contact pin. The lock microprocessor is connected to a key identification code verification database. An electrical actuator is electrically connected to the lock microprocessor. A driver arm is pivotally connected to the driver arm support bracket. The electrical actuator is connected to the driver arm. A jam plate is connected to the driver arm. A jam plate return spring is connected to the jam plate and the printed circuit board frame. A locking pin is covered by the jam plate and inserted into the outer shell indentation when the electrical mechanical device is locked. When the electrical mechanical device is unlocked the locking pin is not covered by the jam plate and rises clear of the indentation. A powered key includes a key microprocessor. A battery power source is electrically connected to the key microprocessor. The key microprocessor has access to key database that includes a programmable key identification code for identifying the key. The key also includes a contact tip for insertion into the lock and for making electrical contact with the lock contact pin. In a preferred embodiment the electrical actuator is a nitinol wire.

A lock cylinder including a plug, a plurality of key followers, a sensor assembly structured to sense positions of the key followers, and a controller in communication with the sensor assembly. The plug includes a keyway and a plurality of plug tumbler shafts. Each of the key followers is movably seated in a corresponding one of the plug tumbler shafts and includes a sensor interface. The sensor assembly includes a plurality of sensors, each of which includes at least one sensing region. Each of the key followers is associated with one of the sensors via an associative link formed between the sensor interface and the corresponding sensing region. The sensors are structured to generate an output signal indicative of the transverse position of the associated key follower, and the controller is structured to select and perform actions based upon the output signals.

An electric lock system, includes an electric lock and an electric key. The electric lock includes a lock body and a lock core, and the lock body has a key limit slot and a key limit slide. The lock core includes a T-shaped magnet, a solenoid and a lock pin. The T-shaped magnet is fixed to the lock core, and the lock pin is connected to the solenoid, the solenoid can generate a magnet field when energized, and the magnet field generate a force with the T-shaped magnet, and drives the lock pin to stop limiting the lock body. The electric key includes a lithium battery and a metal housing, and the metal housing has a key limit head corresponding to a shape of the key limit slot. The electric key provides electric power to the lock core by contacting the key limit head to the key limit slot.