Electronic combination lock with high security features

Abstract

A self-powered electronic combination lock including a lock mechanism having locked and unlocked conditions. A rotatable dial is used to input a numerical combination code for changing the lock mechanism from the locked condition to the unlocked condition. An electronic display operates to display individual numbers of the combination code as the dial is rotated and a control is electrically connected with the dial and the electronic display. The control changes the numbers shown in the display as the dial is rotated in a single direction and the control is operable to sense a change in the direction of dial rotation. An electricity generating device is connected with the dial and the control and operates through dial rotation to generate electricity to power the control.

1 - 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . An electronic combination lock, comprising: 
 a housing;    a data input device operative to allow the input of first and second separate combination codes;    a lock bolt movable from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to said housing;    a control operative to selectively allow movement of said lock bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position after input of the first and second separate combination codes using said data input device; and    an indicator operatively coupled with said control and operative to indicate to a user an incorrect input of the first combination code only after the correct or incorrect input of the second combination code.    
   
   
       38 . The electronic combination lock of  claim 37 , wherein the first and second combination codes must be input with the data input device in a predetermined order.  
   
   
       39 . The electronic combination lock of  claim 37 , wherein the first and second combination codes each comprise a series of numbers.  
   
   
       40 . The electronic combination lock of  claim 37 , wherein the data input device further comprises a dial.  
   
   
       41 . A method of operating an electronic lock including a data input device and a lock bolt movable between locked and unlocked positions, comprising: 
 inputting a first combination code with the data input device;    inputting a second combination code with the data input device; and    indicating only after the input of the second combination code that either or both of the first and second combination codes are incorrect and are therefore not sufficient to enable movement of the lock bolt between the locked and unlocked positions.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second combination codes each comprise a series of numbers.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second combination codes must be input in a predetermined order.