Actuation control

An actuation control system and method utilises wireless coupling of a key and an actuator to effect actuation of a device such as a lock or sensor. In one example, for securely controlling the operation of a closure member (not shown) such as a door of a container, the system comprises a key shown generally at (10) and an actuator, in this case comprising a lock actuator shown generally at (12). In this embodiment, the key (10) includes a primary coil P, a resonant filter (14), a power amplifier (16), a filter (18), a modulator (20) and demodulator (22), an encryption unit (24) and decryption unit (26), a rechargeable power pack (28), a memory device (30), a power circuit (32), a GPS Global Positioning Satellite) device (34), a controller (36), an LCD display (38) and an interface device (40).The lock actuator (12) comprises a secondary coil S, a combined resonant filter and modulator (42), a memory device (44), a locking device (46), a controller (48), a sensor (50), a demodulator (52) and a power circuit (54). In use, the lock actuator (12) is arranged to be integral with, mounted on or attached to a closure member such as a door of a container, for example. The key (10) may be portable, or else maybe fixed to or integral with a key station (not shown). When the key (10) is brought into sufficiently close proximity to the lock actuator (12) (dependent upon the specific circuitry and power available) the primary coil P of the key (10) and the secondary coil S of the lock actuator (12), which are tuned for resonance by the resonant filters (14) (of the key) and (42) (of the lock actuator), become inductively coupled, and if the key is authorised it may be used to effect actuation of the lock, thereby to gain access to the container, power being derived by the actuator from the key, through their wireless coupling.