5
Lock Design Overview
Why Use Software inside a Lock?
With ordinary door locks, the need to make physical copies of metal keys and distributing them can be a huge organizational and
financial task -- and what will you do if someone causes a security breach by simply losing their key?
The answer lies in the advantage of software. Software (also called "firmware") is not "hard" or "fixed" like hardware is. Software
is "soft" -- flexible and changeable to your needs. Software exists inside your Alarm Lock™ series lock, and can be programmed
(and re-programmed again and again) to suit your changing requirements. No more metal keys to distribute...instead, distribute
User Codes --
and delete them from the software when needed. (A
User Code
is the software equivalent of a metal key--it is a
series of numbers the User enters into the door lock keypad to unlock the lock).
Preparing to Program your Lock
The keypad contains 12 buttons, numbers 1 through 9 plus zero, a star button (
:
) and a special "AL" button (
;
). These 12
buttons are all you need to program your lock. In addition to manually programming your lock (using only the keypad), you can
also program your lock using a computer program called DL-Windows. DL-Windows is not needed--but it makes programming
faster and easier. This guide will show you how to program your lock manually, without DL-Windows. (For more information about
DL-Windows, see User Guide OI237).
Programming your lock begins after you unpack it from the box -- there is a specific procedure outlined in "Quick Start" (page 12)
in which you "wake up" the lock to prepare it for programming. This "Quick Start" procedure shows you all the steps required to
get your lock to start working. To begin programming, you must first enter something called "Program Mode".
What is Program Mode?
With hardware, hand tools can be used to make fixes or changes. With
software
, however, changes are made using the
keypad
.
The software has only two "modes"--"Normal Mode" and "Program Mode". When you want to make changes to the lock program,
you enter "Program Mode". When you finish programming and wish to put the lock into use, you exit Program Mode to enter
"Normal Mode".
You enter Program Mode using the keypad--by pressing the
Master Code
of the lock that was set at the factory. The Master Code
is basically a secret passcode that allows you to enter Program Mode. But since all locks are identical and leave the factory with
the same Master Code, the factory Master Code is therefore not very secret--and should be changed to your own personal Master
Code. This way, only YOU can enter Program Mode and make changes to the lock programming.
Once the new Master Code is set , then you can continue with the
Quick Start
procedure and set the weekday, date and time. Af-
ter this, you can start entering User Codes for people to use. All changes to the lock are organized by their Function Number.
Want to change the date? Use Function Number 38. Want to add a User Code? Use Function Number 2. Some Functions you
will use often, and others you may never need.
Notice that when you program your lock, programming tends to follow a consistent 5-step pattern: (1) Enter Program Mode
(2) Press
;
followed by the Function # (3) Press
;
and enter data (4) Press
:
to end (5) Exit Program Mode.
Turn the page and learn about the special terminology used with your lock. Once that is clear, use the Quick Start procedure on
page 12 to help you get up and running.
Special "AL" (
;
) Key
Infrared LED (for Printer)
PC / AL-DTM Interface
Two-Color Status LED
"STAR" (
:
) Key
ProxCard / Keyfob Reader