Access control system and method

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11639617
  • Patent Number
    11,639,617
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, April 3, 2019
    5 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 2, 2023
    a year ago
Abstract
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.
Description
FIELD

This disclosure relates to locks and, more specifically, to a system and method for controlling authorization to operate a lock.


BACKGROUND

Some pin tumbler locks have a series of key pins that extend into a keyway of a core of the lock. Each key pin is backed by a driver pin. In order to open the lock, the key pins must be shifted by a key inserted into the keyway until the interface between each key pin and the associated driver pin aligns with a shear line of the core, allowing the core to be rotated. The core is connected to a deadbolt or deadlatch of the lock so that turning of the core retracts the bolt or latch of the lock.


Keys are cut to have bitting with peaks and valleys that may each be configured to align with a specific key pin when inserted into the lock. As such, only a key with the correct bitting will shift each key pin by the distance required to align the interfaces between the key pins and the driver pins with the shear line of the core and permit the core to be turned. The key has a head that projects outward from the keyhole, providing a grip the user can use to manually rotate the core in order to retract the deadbolt of the lock.


Pin tumbler locks can be operated without an authorized key by picking or bumping the key pins so that the gaps between the key pins and driver pins are aligned with the shear line of the core. Both bumping and picking involves inserting an object other than the authorized key into the keyhole, and contacting the key pins to shift them relative to the core. In some picking methods, an object is used to gradually rotate the core, causing the key pins to partially bind while the key pins are manipulated into a position where the key pins permit turning of the plug. As such, unauthorized individuals may gain access to secured areas by forcing open pin tumbler locks using bumping or picking techniques.


The security of a lock can further be compromised when an authorized key is acquired by an unauthorized individual, such as if the authorized key is lost or stolen, and the unauthorized individual knows or ascertains the location of the lock. In order to update the lock to no longer be opened by the key, the lock may be disassembled so that the lock can be reconfigured such as by replacing existing key pins with key pins of different lengths. This re-keying of a lock is inconvenient and labor-intensive.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a view of an example lock having an electromagnetic radiation sensor for directly detecting one or more physical characteristics of a key;



FIG. 2 is an example block diagram of the lock of FIG. 1;



FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example system including the lock of FIGS. 1-2;



FIGS. 4A-4B are cross-sectional views of the lock of FIG. 1 taken along the line 4-4 illustrating different embodiments of the electromagnetic radiation sensor;



FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an example key for use in a lock with an electromagnetic radiation sensor;



FIG. 6A is an elevational view of another example key for use in a lock with electromagnetic radiation sensor;



FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the key of FIG. 6A taken along the line 6B-6B.



FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example method of operating a lock.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a lock is provided for controlling access to a secured area. The lock includes a housing configured to be mounted on a movable barrier, such as a door, and a locking member movable between locked and unlocked positions. In one embodiment, the locking member includes a deadbolt or latch that extends into a recess of a strike plate. The lock includes a core in the housing having a keyway configured to receive a key. Turning the core relative to the housing causes the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions.


The lock includes at least one sensor configured to directly sense at least one characteristic of an object in the keyway. The at least one sensor may be an electromagnetic radiation sensor which utilizes, for example, visible light, infrared light, radio waves, x-rays, or a combination thereof. In some forms, the at least one electromagnetic radiation sensor includes at least one source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at an object in the keyway and at least one detector configured to detect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted at the object in the keyway. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation sensor includes an optical sensor having a source for emitting visible light and a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the emitted light reflected from the bitting of the key in the keyway. In another embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation sensor includes an optical sensor configured to detect ambient light.


In one form, the at least one sensor is remote from the housing of the lock. The at least one sensor is configured to directly sense at least one characteristic of a key outside of the keyway. For example, the at least one sensor may be mounted to a wall near the lock and the a user positions a key in proximity to the at least one sensor. The sensor communicates key information wirelessly with communication circuitry of the lock and a processor of the lock determines whether the key is authorized to open the lock. As another example, the at least one sensor is the camera of a user device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and the user device communicates key information to communication circuitry of the lock and the processor of the lock determines whether the key is authorized to open the lock.


In one embodiment, the lock has a processor configured to determine a sensed characteristic of the object in the keyway based at least in part on the portion of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the at least one detector. The processor is further configured to compare the at least one sensed characteristic to at least one stored characteristic of an authorized key, the stored characteristic contained in a memory of the lock or a remote resource. In some forms, the detector is positioned on the same side of the keyway as the source and is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by an object in the keyway. In another embodiment, the detector is on an opposite side of the keyway from the source and is configured to detect the shape or silhouette of the object by detecting the electromagnetic radiation not blocked by the object. In some forms, the detector comprises a plurality of detectors spaced along the length or central axis of the keyway. Similarly, the source in some forms comprises a plurality of sources.


The lock further includes a linear actuator or rotary actuator such as a motor configured to control movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions. The processor causes the actuator to permit movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions in response to the processor determining that the at least one characteristic of the object in the keyway corresponds to the at least one authorized key characteristic.


In some forms, the actuator is configured to control movement of the locking member by actuating a blocking member, such as a pin or piston, configured to restrict movement of the core or the locking member. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator may be configured to drive the locking member such that movement of the locking member is permitted by driving the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions.


In some forms, the lock is part of a system that further includes a user device, such as a personal computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smartphone, or wearable device such as a smart watch. The lock includes wireless communication circuitry communicatively coupled to the user device. The user device communicates key characteristic data to the lock directly, such as via Bluetooth, or indirectly, such as via a wireless access point (e.g., a Wi-Fi router or modem) to which the lock and the user device are connected. The processor of the lock stores the key characteristic data in the memory to be used for comparison with data from the electromagnetic radiation sensor.


The memory of the lock stores data representative of one or more authorized key characteristics associated with one or more authorized keys. Upon an object being inserted into the keyway, the at least one source emits electromagnetic radiation, e.g. visible light, into the keyway. The at least one detector detects at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation. Data from the detector correlates to a characteristic of the object inserted into the keyway, such as shapes and/or depths of cuts of a key bitting. The characteristic is compared to the one or more authorized key characteristics stored in the memory to determine whether the object in the keyway is a valid or authorized key. Upon the sensed characteristic(s) matching the authorized key characteristic(s), the motor operates to permit movement of the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position.


In one embodiment, new key characteristic data may be transmitted from a computing device, such as a user device or a remote server computer, to the lock. The processor of the lock stores the transmitted new key characteristic data in memory and uses the data to define whether a key is authorized. By this method, the lock may be reconfigured to accept new keys (e.g., an existing key in the possession of a non-resident guest to whom temporary access is granted) without physically adjusting the lock. In another embodiment, the lock enters a learning mode in response to receiving a learning mode signal from a computing device. The lock, in the learning mode, detects and stores at least one sensed characteristic of a key in the keyway in the memory of the lock. The sensed characteristic is learned as an authorized key characteristic. The lock may also receive a program signal from the computing device that causes the lock to transmit the sensed key characteristic to one or more other locks which learn the sensed key characteristics as an authorized key characteristic. In this manner, a single lock may be used to program all the locks at a facility to recognize a new key.


Turning to FIG. 1, a lock 100 is provided for securing a door and includes a housing 110 configured to be mounted to the door. The housing 110 has an exterior housing portion 112 configured to be mounted adjacent to an exterior surface of a door and an internal housing portion configured to be mounted within the door. The lock 100 includes a cylinder or core 120 positioned at least partially in the housing 110 and configured to turn relative thereto.


The lock 100 further includes a locking member, such as a latch or a deadbolt 130, shown extending outward from the housing 110. The deadbolt 130 is movable between an extended, locked position (shown) and a retracted, unlocked position. In some forms, the deadbolt 130 is in a retracted position in the unlocked position and is longitudinally shiftable into an extended, locked position. In one embodiment, the deadbolt 130 is partially positioned within the door and is extendable into a recess of a strike plate or door jamb to interfere with movement of the door relative to a frame of the door.


The deadbolt 130 is operatively coupled to the core 120 such that, upon an authorized key being inserted into a keyway 122 of the core 120, turning of the core 120 relative to the housing 110 causes the deadbolt 130 to move between the locked and unlocked positions. In one embodiment, the core 120 is mechanically connected to the deadbolt 130 by a coupling such as, for example, one or more gears to translate turning of the core 120 into linear movement (or rotary movement, in some embodiments) of the deadbolt 130. The lock 100 may include a user interface, such as a keypad 113, that permits a user to operate the lock 100 without a key. The user interface may also include a thumbturn on the internal housing portion configured on the interior side of the door.


The keyway 122 extends into the core 120 and includes an opening 121 configured to receive a key. The lock 100 includes an electromagnetic radiation source, such as source 141 configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the keyway 122. At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source 141 is detected by one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors 142. The source 141 and the detector 142 may be configured in the core 120 or adjacent to the core within the housing 110. In some forms, one or both of the source 141 and the detector 142 are mounted in the housing 110. The detector 142 is communicatively coupled to a controller 144 that includes a processor 148 and a memory 149 (see FIG. 2). The source 141 and detector 142 are configured to directly sense a key by emitting electromagnetic radiation into the keyway 122 so that the electromagnetic radiation contacts the key itself. This provides one approach for determining whether a key is authorized without having to rely on a mechanical device to translate the shape of the key into an interface detectable by the lock.


In one form, the source 141 and detector 142 are positioned on opposite sides (e.g. right and left sides) of the keyway 122. The detector 142 detects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source 141 that is not blocked by an object inserted into the keyway 122 and the unblocked electromagnetic radiation is used to determine a key characteristic. In alternative forms, such as those shown in FIGS. 4A-4B and discussed below, the detector and source are positioned on the same side of the keyway and the optical detector detects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation reflected back by the object.


The controller 144 is communicatively coupled to a linear or rotary actuator such as a motor 146. The motor 146 is operable to selectively restrict and/or enable movement of the deadbolt 130 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The motor 146 may be mounted in the housing 110. In some forms, the motor 146 is operable to restrict movement of the deadbolt 130 by restricting rotation of the core 120 relative to the housing 110. For example, the motor 146 moves a blocking member, such as a pin 147, in directions 147A into and out of engagement with a hole 147B (see FIG. 4A) of the core 120. In another example, the motor 146 moves the blocking member into and out of interference with the deadbolt 130 to inhibit or permit movement of the deadbolt 130 between locked and unlocked positions. Alternatively or additionally, the motor 146 is configured to move the deadbolt 130 between the locked and unlocked positions.


In some forms, the detector 142 is remote from the housing 110. For example, the detector 142 may be mounted on a surface, such as a wall or door frame, adjacent to the barrier. The detector 142 detects at least one characteristic of a key placed proximate the detector 142 and communicates with the processor 148. In some forms, the lock 100 does not include a core 120 with a keyway 122.



FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the lock 100. The lock 100 includes the processor 148 communicatively coupled to the memory 149, an electromagnetic radiation sensor which may include the source 141 and detector 142, and communication circuitry 150. The lock 100 further includes a power storage device 152, such as a battery or capacitor. The processor 148, memory 149, source 141, detector 142, communication circuitry 150, and power storage device 152 may all be provided in the core 120. In other embodiments, one or more of the processor 148, memory 149, source 141, detector 142, and communication circuitry 150 may be positioned in the housing 110 outside of the core 120.


In order to reduce the volume of components mounted in the core 120, the power storage device 152 may be relatively small. The power storage device 152 is operatively coupled to a power source 154 outside of the core 120, such as a larger battery mounted within the housing 110. In operation, the power storage device 152 is charged by the power source 154. In one form, the core 120 includes electrical contacts, such as a slip ring for example, configured to form an electrical connection with electrical contacts of the housing 110 when the core 120 is in a specific orientation, so as to close a charging circuit between the power source 154 and power storage device 152. In another embodiment, the power source 154 is electrically coupled to a first coil 152A mounted within the housing 110 that is inductively coupled and used to induce current in a second coil 154A of the core 120. The second coil 154A is electrically coupled to the power storage device 152 so as to charge the power storage device 152 with the induced current.


In one embodiment, the source 141 and/or detector 142 are mounted in the housing 110 outside of the core 120. For example, the detector 142 and source 141 may be mounted outside of the core 120 and positioned proximate apertures in the core 120 allowing electromagnetic radiation from the source 141 to travel into the keyway 122 and then to the detector 142. In some forms, the apertures are the pin holes of a preexisting tumbler lock and the source 141 and detector 142 are retrofitted onto the preexisting tumbler lock.


In some forms, the lock 100 includes a sensor 153 for detecting movement of the core 120 relative to the housing 110. The sensor 153 may detect one or more of the position, orientation, and acceleration of the core 120. The lock 100 further includes communication circuitry 150 for communicatively coupling to a computing device, such as directly to a user device or indirectly to a remote server computer. If the processor 148 detects partial movement of the core 120 via the sensor 153, but not the presence of a valid key, the processor 148 determines that the lock 100 may be tampered with or picked. The processor 148 may cause the communication circuitry 150 to transmit an alert to the computing device to alert a user of the possible picking attempt. Additionally or alternatively, the lock 100 includes a local alert device, such as a light and/or a sound emitter, that is activated by the processor 148 in response to determining that the lock 100 may be tampered with or picked.


Additional or alternative detectors may be used to detect picking attempts. For example, electrical contacts positioned along the length and/or width of the keyway 122 may be used to detect the presence of a key by the key closing an electrical circuit between the electrical contacts. A lock pick would not complete the electrical circuit because lock picks are generally smaller than a key and would not be in contact with all of the electrical contacts. If the processor 148 detects the presence of an object in the keyway by the source 141 and detector 142, but does not detect a key in the keyway 122 by the electrical contacts, the processor 148 may cause the communication circuitry 150 to transmit an alert of a possible picking attempt to the user device.



FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 including the lock 100, a user device 310, and a server computer 313A. The user device 310 and/or the server computer 313A are used to program and control the lock 100. The user device 310 includes a processor 312, a memory 314, communication circuitry 316, and a camera 320. The memory 314 stores a data structure 315 of key characteristic data. The camera 320 may be a remote camera, or a camera integrated in the user device 310 (for example, the built-in camera of a smartphone, smart watch, or tablet computer).


The user device 310 includes a user interface 317 that may include, for example, one or more of a display, a touchscreen display, a keypad, a microphone, a speaker, an augmented reality display, or a combination thereof. The user interface 317 is configured to provide the user with information regarding the lock 100 and/or receive a user input. The user input may be, for example, a request to cause a lock 100 to learn the key 322. Other examples of user inputs include requests to lock or unlock the lock 100. In one embodiment, the user interface 317 includes a display operable to display a graphical user interface that provides a wizard for a user to photograph the key 322 using the camera 320 and instructing the lock 100 to learn the key 322.


The user device 310 is operable to transmit key characteristic data representative of one or more physical characteristics of a key to the lock 100 and cause the lock 100 to learn the key characteristic data. Conversely, the user device 310 may receive key characteristic data from the lock 100 upon the lock 100 learning a key. The processor 312 may store the received key characteristic in the data structure 315. In some forms, the processor 312 removes previously stored key characteristic data in the data structure 315 and replaces it with the newly transmitted key characteristic data. Further, the lock 100 and/or the user device 310 may communicate key characteristic data to the server computer 313A.


In some embodiments, the camera 320 of the user device 310 is used to capture an image of a key 322. The processor 312 determines key characteristic data from the image using object recognition software or computer vision algorithms. In some forms, the processor 312 generates key characteristic data based on the shape of the key 322 in the image. Alternatively, the processor 312 determines the key characteristic data by comparing an indicium 322 on the key, such as a numerical code, to the data structure 315 which correlates the indicium 322 to key characteristic data. In still further embodiments, the indicium 322 indicates a key physical characteristic, such as the number of and/or depth of recesses in a key bitting.


The system 300 may include a plurality of locks 100 all controlled by the user device 310 and/or server computer 313A. In some forms, each lock 100 is programmed to have the same or substantially similar authorized key characteristic data. In other forms, the locks 100 are individually programmed with unique or distinct sets of authorized key characteristic data. The user device 310 may communicate directly with the locks 100, such as via infrared, near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, etc., or may communicate indirectly via a wide area network 313 and the server computer 313A. The network 313 may include, for example, a wireless router or access point that instantiates or provides access to a local area network, the internet, a cellular network, or a combination thereof. For example, the user device 310 may communicate key characteristic data for a newly authorized key 321 to the server computer 313A. Such key characteristic data may be a digital image of the newly authorized key or data representative of at least one of the digital image and the key. For example, representative data for a key or digital image of the key may indicate a bitting or other property or properties (e.g. physical, electrical such as resistance, or logical such as a machine-readable identifier stored in a memory device integral with the key). The server computer 313A then communicates the key characteristic data to the locks 100 via the network 313. As another example, the user device 310 may communicate key characteristic data to locks 100 on a wireless network to which the locks 100 and the user device 310 are connected. In another embodiment, the locks 100 operate as a wireless mesh network so that the user device 310 or the server computer 313A communicates the key characteristic data to one of the locks 100 and the one lock 100 propagates the key characteristic data to the other locks 100.



FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate alternative cross-sections of the core 120 wherein the processor 148 utilizes electromagnetic radiation reflected by an object within the keyway 122.


Regarding FIG. 4A, the core 120 includes electromagnetic radiation sensors 442 spaced along the length of the keyway 122. Each electromagnetic radiation sensor 442 has a source portion configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation into the keyway 122 and a detector portion configured to measure a reflected portion of the electromagnetic radiation. In some forms, the electromagnetic radiation is emitted in pulses, such that the time between the emission and the detection can be used to determine the distance between the electromagnetic radiation sensor 442 and the key 322. In some forms, the individual electromagnetic radiation sensors 442 are spaced to line up with individual bits of the key 322. With reference to FIG. 4A, each bit 443 has a surface 444 that reflects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the associated sensor 442. Each sensor 442 is communicatively coupled with the processor 148, which compares the sensed characteristic data to stored key characteristic data to determine if the key 322 is an authorized key.


In one embodiment, the processor 148 utilizes data from the sensors 442 to generate a pattern of the bitting of the key 321. The pattern may be determined using, for example, a reflection of the entire bitting, points of the bitting, or a percentage of light reflected from the bitting. In some embodiments, the sensors 442 are each aligned with one of the key bits 443 when the key 321 is positioned in the core 120 and the processor 148 uses the sensors 442 to measure at least one of the depth, height or shape of the associated bit 443. One or more of the sensors 442, key 321, and core 120 may be configured to separate (e.g. using partitions) the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sensors 442 so that the emitted electromagnetic radiation from one sensor 442 does not interfere with the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the other sensors 442. In another embodiment, fewer than all of the sensors 442 are operated at a time to stagger the emission and detection of the electromagnetic radiation to limit interference. For example, each sensor of a plurality may be activated and deactivated one after another in a serial manner. As yet another example, the sensors 442 may emit different electromagnetic radiation, e.g. light at different frequencies, to limit interference between the sensors 442.


In FIG. 4B, a single electromagnetic radiation sensor 442 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation along a substantial portion of the length of the keyway 122 so as to determine the shape of the bitting of the key 322. The sensor 442 emits the electromagnetic radiation in pulses and the timing of the sensed reflections is used by the processor 148 to determine the shape of the key bittings.


In another approach, a single source 141 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation along a substantial portion of the length of the keyway 122, and a plurality of detectors 142 are spaced along the length of the keyway 122 to detect a portion of the electromagnetic radiation sensed.


The lock 100 may be configured to use a standard tumbler lock key 321 with bits 443 cut into an edge thereof. The use of a tumbler key allows conventional tumbler locks to be retrofit with the core 120 and components thereof including processor 148, memory 149, source 141, detector 142, communication circuitry 150, and power storage 152 without needing to reissue new keys. It also allows a single key to open both locks 100 as well as conventional tumbler locks.


In alternative embodiments, other types of keys may be used. FIG. 5 illustrates a key 531 having an indicium 532, such as a machine-readable code (e.g bar codes including quick response (QR) codes, UPC codes, etc.), on a surface of the key 531. In operation, the portion of the key 531 with the indicium 532 is inserted into the keyway 122 of the lock 100. The processor 312 uses the source 141 and detector 142 to determine the shape and/or color of the indicium 532 from reflected electromagnetic radiation. The processor 148 of the lock 100 compares the observed indicium 532 to stored key characteristic data to determine whether the indicium 532 corresponds to a valid key.



FIGS. 6A-6B illustrates a key 631 having a plurality of cavities 632 in a surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 6B, the cavities 632 vary in depth. In operation, the bitting 633 of the key 631 having the cavities 632 is inserted into the keyway 122. The processor 148 determines the depths and/or locations of the cavities 632 based on data from the source 141 and the detector 142 and compares the data of the sensed characteristic to stored key characteristic data.


Each of the illustrated keys have a relatively wide head portion with a relatively narrow shank portion as in traditional tumbler lock keys. It is understood that other types of keys are usable with the locks described herein. For example keycards or badges or a 2D image as displayed on a screen.


Additionally or alternatively to the physical characteristics described above, the detector may be configured to detect other characteristics of the key, such as a magnetic or electromagnetic field produced by the key. In one form, the key contains a chip, such as an RFID chip, having characteristics detected by the detector.



FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 of controlling access through a barrier performed by the lock 100. Upon an object being inserted 710 into the keyway 122 and detection of the insertion, the source 141 emits 720 electromagnetic radiation into the keyway 122. In some forms, the lock 100 is configured to detect when an object is inserted, such as by a mechanical gate or electrical contacts, and the processor 148 causes the source 141 to emit the electromagnetic radiation in response to the object being detected. In alternative forms, the source 141 continuously emits electromagnetic radiation into the keyway 122. In still further alternatives, the detection steps are performed outside of the keyway 122 and thus are not done in response to the processor detecting insertion of a key. For example, the shape of the key is detected by utilizing a camera of a user device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The user device then transmits the data to the lock, either directly (e.g., Bluetooth) or indirectly (e.g., via an internet and a server computer).


At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation is detected 730 by one or more detectors 142. As discussed above, the detectors 142 are configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the object, or the portion of electromagnetic radiation not blocked or reflected by the object as some examples.


The processor 148 compares 740 the data from the detectors 142 to stored key characteristic data. If the detector data matches or substantially corresponds to the stored data, the processor 148 determines that the object in the keyway 122 is a valid key and the motor 146 is actuated 750 to move or otherwise enable the deadbolt 130 to be moved. If the data does not match, the processor 148 determines that the object in the keyway 122 is not a valid key such that the motor is not actuated. In some forms, an alert is transmitted 760 to a user device indicating an attempted unapproved entry to the secured area.


After the motor 146 has been actuated, the core 122 may be turned to move the deadbolt 130 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In one form, the core 120 is may be turned 770 relative to movement of the key by a user. In other embodiments, the motor 146 moves the deadbolt 130 between the locked and unlocked positions.


In some forms, locking and unlocking of the lock 100 are recorded in a data structure or log stored 780 in the memory 149. The lock 100 is configured to store a plurality of key characteristics corresponding to a plurality of valid keys. Each valid key is associated with a particular user or users. By this method, the log indicates who entered the secured area at what times. In some forms, the log data is transmitted to a user device and/or a server.


In some forms, the lock 100 is configured to be programmed locally at the lock 100. To program the lock 100, the lock 100 is placed into a learning mode. In some forms, the lock 100 is placed in a learning mode upon receipt of a wireless signal. Alternatively or in addition, insertion of a particular key into the keyway 122 causes the lock 100 to enter a learning mode.


Upon a key being placed in the keyway 122 while the lock 100 is in the learning mode, data from the source 141 and/or detector 142 is used to identify characteristic data. In some forms, previously stored key characteristic data is deleted or removed and replaced with the key characteristic data sensed while the lock 100 is in the learning mode. Once the lock exits the learning mode and returns to an operating mode, the processor 148 of the lock 100 compares sensed data of objects inserted into the keyway 122 to the stored key characteristic data learned while the lock 100 was in the learning mode.


Although method steps may be presented and described herein in a sequential fashion, one or more of the steps shown and described may be omitted, repeated, performed concurrently, and/or performed in a different order than the order shown in the figures and/or described herein. It will be appreciated that computer-readable instructions for facilitating the methods described above may be stored in various non-transitory computer readable mediums as is known in the art. It is noted that the phrase “at least one of A and B” if used herein is used in the disjunctive sense, i.e., “at least one of A and B,” and is intended to encompass A, B, or A and B.


Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described examples without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims
  • 1. A lock apparatus for securing a door, the lock apparatus comprising: a housing configured to be mounted on a door;a locking member movable between locked and unlocked positions;a core having a keyway to receive a key, the core configured to turn relative to the housing with turning of the key received in the keyway;a motor configured to control movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions;an electromagnetic radiation sensor of the core, the electromagnetic radiation sensor to turn with the core relative to the housing upon turning of the key received in the keyway;wherein the electromagnetic radiation sensor is configured to sense at least one physical characteristic of the key;communication circuitry configured to receive a wireless signal including authorized key data representative of at least one authorized physical characteristic of an authorized key;a memory configured to store the authorized key data; anda processor operatively coupled to the motor, the electromagnetic radiation sensor, the communication circuitry, and the memory;the processor configured to: compare the at least one physical characteristic of the key to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key; and cause the motor to permit movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions in response to the at least one physical characteristic of the key corresponding to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key.
  • 2. The lock apparatus of claim 1wherein the electromagnetic radiation sensor is further configured to directly sense the at least one physical characteristic of the key upon insertion in the keyway.
  • 3. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to receive a second wireless signal including second authorized key data representative of at least one second authorized physical characteristic of a second authorized key; and the processor is further configured to delete from the memory the authorized key data representative of the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key upon the communication circuitry receiving the second wireless signal.
  • 4. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor includes a learning mode in which the processor is further configured to store learned key data in the memory representative of the at least one physical characteristic of the key.
  • 5. The lock apparatus of claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to remove the authorized key data representative of the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key from the memory upon the processor storing the learned key data in the memory.
  • 6. The lock apparatus of claim 4 wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to receive a learning mode wireless signal, and wherein the processor is further configured to enter the learning mode upon the communication circuitry receiving the learning mode wireless signal.
  • 7. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor includes a communication mode in which the processor causes the communication circuitry to transmit a lock wireless signal including data representative of the at least one physical characteristic of the key.
  • 8. The lock apparatus of claim 7 wherein the communication circuitry configures the lock wireless signal to cause at least one other lock to store the data representative of the at least one physical characteristic of the key in a memory of the at least one other lock.
  • 9. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic radiation sensor includes: at least one source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at the key; andat least one detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the key.
  • 10. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to cause the motor to permit movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions by causing the motor to shift a blocking member from a first position in which the blocking member inhibits turning of the core to a second position in which the blocking member permits turning of the core.
  • 11. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to cause the motor to inhibit movement of the locking member between unlocked and locked positions in response to the at least one physical characteristic of the key not corresponding to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key.
  • 12. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic radiation sensor is remote from the housing.
  • 13. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein the core is operatively connected to the locking member so that turning of the core causes shifting of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions.
  • 14. A method of controlling access to a secured area, the method comprising: at a lock apparatus comprising a housing mounted to a door, a locking member movable between locked and unlocked positions, and an electromagnetic radiation sensor: receiving, via a wireless receiver of the lock apparatus, a wireless signal including authorized key data representative of at least one authorized physical characteristic of an authorized key;storing the authorized key data in a memory of the lock apparatus;passing an electrical current through an object in a keyway of the lock apparatus;detecting the electrical current via an electrical sensor of the lock apparatus;determining whether the object is a key based at least in part on the electrical current detected by the electrical sensor;sensing, with the electromagnetic radiation sensor, at least one physical characteristic of the key;comparing the at least one physical characteristic of the key to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key; andcausing a motor of the lock apparatus to permit movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions in response to the at least one physical characteristic of the key corresponding to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key.
  • 15. The method of claim 14 wherein sensing the at least one physical characteristic of the key comprises sensing the at least one physical characteristic of the key within the keyway of a core of the lock apparatus, wherein the core is configured to be turned relative to the housing to cause the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions.
  • 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving a second wireless signal including second authorized key data representative of at least one second authorized physical characteristic of a second authorized key; and removing from the memory the authorized key data representative of the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key upon communication circuitry of the lock apparatus receiving the second wireless signal.
  • 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising storing learned key data representative of the at least one physical characteristic of the key in the memory.
  • 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising removing the authorized key data representative of the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key from the memory upon a processor of the lock apparatus storing the learned key data in the memory.
  • 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising receiving, at communication circuitry of the lock apparatus, a learning mode wireless signal; and entering a learning mode upon the communication circuitry of the lock apparatus receiving the learning mode wireless signal before storing the learned key data in the memory.
  • 20. The method of claim 14 further comprising transmitting, from communication circuitry of the lock apparatus, a lock wireless signal including data representative of the at least one physical characteristic of the key.
  • 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising causing at least one other lock to store the data representative of the at least one physical characteristic of the key in at least one memory of the at least one other lock.
  • 22. The method of claim 14 wherein causing the motor of the lock apparatus to permit movement of the locking member includes causing the motor to shift a blocking member from a first position in which the blocking member inhibits turning of a core of the lock apparatus to a second position in which the blocking member permits turning of the core of the lock apparatus.
  • 23. The method of claim 14 further comprising causing the motor to inhibit movement of the locking member in response to the at least one physical characteristic of the key not matching the at least one physical characteristic of the authorized key.
  • 24. A lock apparatus for securing a door, the lock apparatus comprising: a housing configured to be mounted on a door;a core having a keyway to receive a key, the core configured to turn relative to the housing;a locking member operatively connected to the core, the locking member shifting between locked and unlocked positions with turning of the core;a blocking member;a motor configured to shift the blocking member between a blocking position wherein the blocking member inhibits turning of the core relative to the housing and a clearance position wherein the blocking member permits turning of the core relative to the housing;an electromagnetic radiation sensor configured to sense at least one physical characteristic of a key;communication circuitry configured to receive a wireless signal including authorized key data representative of at least one authorized physical characteristic of an authorized key;a memory configured to store the authorized key data; anda processor operatively coupled to the motor, the electromagnetic radiation sensor, the communication circuitry, and the memory;the processor configured to: compare the at least one physical characteristic of the key to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key; andcause the motor to shift the blocking member from the blocking position to the clearance position in response to the at least one physical characteristic of the key corresponding to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key.
  • 25. The lock apparatus of claim 24 wherein the core has a recess; and wherein the blocking member has a portion extending in the recess of the core with the blocking member in the blocking position.
  • 26. The lock apparatus of claim 24 wherein the core includes a keyway; and wherein the electromagnetic radiation sensor is configured to directly sense the at least one physical characteristic of the key upon insertion in the keyway.
US Referenced Citations (882)
Number Name Date Kind
579951 Bystrom Apr 1897 A
1489675 Schlage Apr 1924 A
1552389 Stephenson Sep 1925 A
3733861 Lester May 1973 A
3733862 Killmeyer May 1973 A
3861727 Froerup Jan 1975 A
3919869 Fromm Nov 1975 A
4126341 Bradstock Nov 1978 A
4144523 Kaplit Mar 1979 A
4227723 Rosell Oct 1980 A
4298792 Granholm Nov 1981 A
4396914 Aston Aug 1983 A
4433355 Chew Feb 1984 A
4485381 Lewiner Nov 1984 A
4593185 Patzelt Jun 1986 A
4594637 Falk Jun 1986 A
4595220 Hanchett, Jr. Jun 1986 A
4631944 Gater Dec 1986 A
4662197 Tietz May 1987 A
4672829 Gater Jun 1987 A
4717816 Raymond Jan 1988 A
4743898 Imedio May 1988 A
4770012 Johansson Sep 1988 A
4807454 Sengupta Feb 1989 A
4833465 Abend May 1989 A
4866963 Leininger Sep 1989 A
4868559 Pinnow Sep 1989 A
4870400 Downs Sep 1989 A
4871204 Cook Oct 1989 A
4947662 Imedio Aug 1990 A
4949563 Gerard Aug 1990 A
4998952 Hyatt, Jr. Mar 1991 A
5021776 Anderson Jun 1991 A
5042857 Burrows Aug 1991 A
5043593 Tsutsumi Aug 1991 A
5089692 Tonnesson Feb 1992 A
5132661 Pinnow Jul 1992 A
5140317 Hyatt, Jr. Aug 1992 A
5260551 Wiik Nov 1993 A
5319362 Hyatt, Jr. Jun 1994 A
5351042 Aston Sep 1994 A
5364139 Bergen Nov 1994 A
5473236 Frolov Dec 1995 A
5490698 Dezso Feb 1996 A
5540069 Muller Jul 1996 A
5541581 Trent Jul 1996 A
5543665 Demarco Aug 1996 A
5591950 Imedio-Ocana Jan 1997 A
5605066 Hurskainen Feb 1997 A
RE35518 Sussina May 1997 E
5670940 Holcomb Sep 1997 A
5715715 Nunez Feb 1998 A
5718135 Bertenshaw Feb 1998 A
5722273 Lin Mar 1998 A
5745044 Hyatt, Jr. Apr 1998 A
5745045 Kulha Apr 1998 A
5757269 Roth May 1998 A
5758527 Crepinsek Jun 1998 A
5775148 Layton Jul 1998 A
5791178 Chamberlain Aug 1998 A
5799518 Du Sep 1998 A
5809812 Gallego Sep 1998 A
5841361 Hoffman Nov 1998 A
5857365 Armstrong Jan 1999 A
5862692 Legault Jan 1999 A
5873276 Dawson Feb 1999 A
5884515 Milman Mar 1999 A
5920268 Bucci Jul 1999 A
5933085 Holcomb Aug 1999 A
5933086 Tischendorf Aug 1999 A
5960656 Yao Oct 1999 A
RE36426 Wiik et al. Dec 1999 E
6005487 Hyatt, Jr. Dec 1999 A
6038896 Chamberlain Mar 2000 A
6082153 Schoell Jul 2000 A
6111977 Scott Aug 2000 A
6145353 Doucet Nov 2000 A
6147622 Fonea Nov 2000 A
6216502 Cannella Apr 2001 B1
6227020 Lerchner May 2001 B1
6260300 Klebes Jul 2001 B1
6282929 Eller Sep 2001 B1
6297725 Tischendorf Oct 2001 B1
6298699 Gartner Oct 2001 B1
6318134 Mossberg Nov 2001 B1
6318137 Chaum Nov 2001 B1
6331812 Dawalibi Dec 2001 B1
6334348 Ming-Chih Jan 2002 B1
6384711 Cregger May 2002 B1
6398274 Huang Jun 2002 B1
6406072 Chen Jun 2002 B1
6422614 Kuntz Jul 2002 B1
6427505 Imedio Ocana Aug 2002 B2
6539755 Bruwer Apr 2003 B1
6581426 Bates Jun 2003 B2
6581991 Galindo Jun 2003 B2
6584818 Bates Jul 2003 B2
6591643 Cannella Jul 2003 B1
6600406 Ha Jul 2003 B1
6609402 Blankenship Aug 2003 B2
6609738 Roth Aug 2003 B1
6612141 Bates Sep 2003 B2
6615629 Bates Sep 2003 B2
6622535 Chiang Sep 2003 B2
6622912 Tejedor Ruiz Sep 2003 B2
6640594 Yao Nov 2003 B1
6714118 Frolov Mar 2004 B1
6718806 Davis Apr 2004 B2
6745603 Shaw Jun 2004 B1
6822552 Liden Nov 2004 B2
6848729 Caspi Feb 2005 B2
6851291 Nunez Feb 2005 B2
6854305 Hurskainen Feb 2005 B2
6867685 Stillwagon Mar 2005 B1
6932486 Eller Aug 2005 B1
6935663 Schildwachter Aug 2005 B2
6938445 Huang Sep 2005 B2
6963266 Hilkka Nov 2005 B2
6971686 Becken Dec 2005 B2
7007526 Frolov Mar 2006 B2
7009489 Fisher Mar 2006 B2
7032418 Martin Apr 2006 B2
7040125 Ciezki May 2006 B2
7052054 Luker May 2006 B2
7066507 Don Jun 2006 B2
7069755 Lies Jul 2006 B2
7077437 Huang Jul 2006 B2
7086258 Fisher Aug 2006 B2
7091429 Case Aug 2006 B2
7099474 Liden Aug 2006 B1
7111165 Liden Sep 2006 B2
7188870 Huang Mar 2007 B2
7287787 Tannone Oct 2007 B1
7308584 Himmel Dec 2007 B2
7334442 Case Feb 2008 B2
7347461 Sprague Mar 2008 B2
7347463 Blight Mar 2008 B2
7363784 Shvarts Apr 2008 B2
7374084 Mitchell May 2008 B2
7377144 Huang May 2008 B1
7378939 Sengupta May 2008 B2
7389661 Viviano Jun 2008 B2
7397341 Bhat Jul 2008 B2
7431354 Raatikainen Oct 2008 B2
7452012 Huang Nov 2008 B2
7463132 Deng Dec 2008 B2
7515033 Roosli Apr 2009 B2
7520152 Sabo Apr 2009 B2
7526934 Conforti May 2009 B2
7528700 Picard May 2009 B2
7543469 Tseng Jun 2009 B1
7543755 Doi Jun 2009 B2
7565825 Wheatland Jul 2009 B2
7600129 Libin Oct 2009 B2
7647797 Viso Cabrera Jan 2010 B1
7706778 Lowe Apr 2010 B2
7735732 Linton Jun 2010 B2
7770423 Wu Aug 2010 B2
7796052 Katz Sep 2010 B2
7827837 Huang Nov 2010 B2
7843312 Eskildsen Nov 2010 B2
7845202 Padilla Dec 2010 B2
7856856 Shvartz Dec 2010 B2
7878560 Scheffler Feb 2011 B1
7903846 Fisher Mar 2011 B2
7941934 Gerner May 2011 B2
7958647 Gerner Jun 2011 B2
7966854 Imedio Ocana Jun 2011 B2
7967197 Popowski Jun 2011 B2
7984631 Case Jul 2011 B2
7984875 Koehn Jul 2011 B2
7999656 Fisher Aug 2011 B2
8001818 Imedio Ocana Aug 2011 B2
8028553 Lange Oct 2011 B2
8033147 Lie-Nielsen Oct 2011 B2
8035478 Lee Oct 2011 B2
8045960 Orakkan Oct 2011 B2
8047030 Gray Nov 2011 B2
8085126 Determan Dec 2011 B2
8093986 Harvey Jan 2012 B2
8138886 Chang Mar 2012 B1
8141400 Sorensen Mar 2012 B2
8150374 Lowe Apr 2012 B2
8157302 Webb Apr 2012 B1
8161782 Haakansson Apr 2012 B2
8176761 Sorensen May 2012 B2
8186585 Popowski May 2012 B2
8222990 Gerner Jul 2012 B2
8222993 Bliding Jul 2012 B2
8231051 Popowski Jul 2012 B2
8261319 Libin Sep 2012 B2
8275345 Bumiller Sep 2012 B2
8276948 Uyeda Oct 2012 B2
8291733 Chiou Oct 2012 B2
8314681 Bell Nov 2012 B2
8331544 Kraus Dec 2012 B2
8353189 Bogdanov Jan 2013 B2
8354914 Buckingham Jan 2013 B2
8358783 Davis Jan 2013 B2
8366157 Helisten Feb 2013 B2
8381558 Alef Feb 2013 B2
8393280 Bartel Mar 2013 B2
8419084 Ding Apr 2013 B2
8454063 David Jun 2013 B2
8479543 Yang Jul 2013 B2
8490445 Chiou Jul 2013 B2
8523249 Hodgin Sep 2013 B2
8534099 Wheeler Sep 2013 B2
8540291 Bliding Sep 2013 B2
8562040 Scheffler Oct 2013 B2
8587405 Denison Nov 2013 B2
8593249 Bliding Nov 2013 B2
8610535 Hui Dec 2013 B2
8620269 Johar Dec 2013 B2
8621900 Wu Jan 2014 B2
8638227 Yuan Jan 2014 B2
8677792 Wheeler Mar 2014 B2
8683833 Marschalek Apr 2014 B2
8687341 Schoepke Apr 2014 B2
8720959 Wittke May 2014 B2
8731466 Metivier May 2014 B2
8746760 Chen Jun 2014 B2
8774714 Metivier Jul 2014 B2
8787902 Kim Jul 2014 B2
8839557 Sheldon Sep 2014 B2
8866066 Fuse Oct 2014 B2
8881567 Chong Nov 2014 B2
8881637 Leites Nov 2014 B2
8887542 Bogdanov Nov 2014 B2
8904837 Lin Dec 2014 B1
8922333 Kirkjan Dec 2014 B1
8922370 Picard Dec 2014 B2
8923513 Guthery Dec 2014 B2
8925982 Bliding Jan 2015 B2
8928453 Sprenger Jan 2015 B2
8943562 Guthery Jan 2015 B2
8973417 Bench Mar 2015 B2
8978428 Trent Mar 2015 B2
9019067 Bryla Apr 2015 B2
9024720 Bliding May 2015 B2
9024759 Uyeda May 2015 B2
9027372 Hickman May 2015 B2
9032058 Guthery May 2015 B2
9106271 Metivier Aug 2015 B2
9147151 Robadey Sep 2015 B2
9151079 Webb Oct 2015 B2
9169669 Clary Oct 2015 B2
9181730 Peng Nov 2015 B1
9187929 Webb Nov 2015 B2
9206624 Wheeler Dec 2015 B2
9217264 Milton-Benoit Dec 2015 B2
9218696 Dumas Dec 2015 B2
9230380 Marsden Jan 2016 B2
9267583 Narovlansky Feb 2016 B2
9282237 Tamer Mar 2016 B2
9290964 Trent Mar 2016 B2
9290965 Hickman Mar 2016 B2
9316022 Tyner Apr 2016 B2
9316024 Münger Apr 2016 B2
9322194 Cheng Apr 2016 B2
9322201 Cheng Apr 2016 B1
9326094 Johnson Apr 2016 B2
9328532 Nguyen May 2016 B2
9331990 Le Saint May 2016 B2
9336635 Robertson May 2016 B2
9355511 Hogan May 2016 B2
9359794 Cheng Jun 2016 B2
9382739 Johnson Jul 2016 B1
9388604 Ferreira Sanchez Jul 2016 B2
9390572 Almomani Jul 2016 B2
9406181 Almomani Aug 2016 B2
9424700 Lovett Aug 2016 B2
9437063 Schoenfelder Sep 2016 B2
9447609 Johnson Sep 2016 B2
9460612 Vardi Oct 2016 B2
9464458 Huang Oct 2016 B2
9467859 Moss Oct 2016 B2
9470017 Cheng Oct 2016 B1
9470018 Cheng Oct 2016 B1
9476226 Wheeler Oct 2016 B2
9476227 Scheffler Oct 2016 B2
9482032 Bedoian Nov 2016 B2
9483631 Lowe Nov 2016 B2
9487971 Quach Nov 2016 B2
9509163 Corbin Nov 2016 B2
9512643 Keefe Dec 2016 B1
9524594 Ouyang Dec 2016 B2
9528294 Johnson Dec 2016 B2
9528296 Cheng Dec 2016 B1
9528299 Yoon Dec 2016 B2
9530262 Johnson Dec 2016 B2
9530264 Catering Dec 2016 B2
9530295 Johnson Dec 2016 B2
9534420 Cheng Jan 2017 B1
9551173 Helisten Jan 2017 B2
9552466 Lowe Jan 2017 B2
9557719 Liu Jan 2017 B2
9563997 Hsueh Feb 2017 B2
9567770 Ginos Feb 2017 B1
9574372 Johnson Feb 2017 B2
9574375 Henderson Feb 2017 B2
9589406 Borg Mar 2017 B2
9594889 Lowe Mar 2017 B2
9595148 Borg Mar 2017 B2
9613476 Johnson Apr 2017 B2
9613478 Dumas Apr 2017 B2
9617757 Lowder Apr 2017 B2
9624694 Kincaid Apr 2017 B2
9624695 Cheng Apr 2017 B1
9631920 Goldenson Apr 2017 B2
9640004 Lowder May 2017 B2
9644398 Cheng May 2017 B1
9644399 Johnson May 2017 B2
9644400 Cheng May 2017 B1
9644401 Nguyen May 2017 B2
9646445 Lu May 2017 B2
9647996 Johnson May 2017 B2
9650808 Martel May 2017 B2
9652911 Fedronic May 2017 B2
9652917 Johnson May 2017 B2
9657501 Armari May 2017 B2
9659424 Huber May 2017 B2
9665706 Zheng May 2017 B2
9666000 Schoenfelder May 2017 B1
9670696 Chong Jun 2017 B2
9683389 Pintar Jun 2017 B2
9683391 Johnson Jun 2017 B2
9683392 Cheng Jun 2017 B1
9685012 Saeedi Jun 2017 B2
9685015 Johnson Jun 2017 B2
9685017 Johnson Jun 2017 B2
9685018 Johnson Jun 2017 B2
9690272 Chin Jun 2017 B2
9691198 Cheng Jun 2017 B2
9691207 Almomani Jun 2017 B2
9695616 Johnson Jul 2017 B2
9697302 Nguyen Jul 2017 B2
9697658 Dumas Jul 2017 B1
9697661 Dumas Jul 2017 B1
9704314 Johnson Jul 2017 B2
9704320 Johnson Jul 2017 B2
9704321 Borg Jul 2017 B1
9705265 Lowder Jul 2017 B2
9706365 Johnson Jul 2017 B2
9710625 Lowe Jul 2017 B2
9714525 Eller Jul 2017 B2
9721076 Lowe Aug 2017 B2
9721413 Dumas Aug 2017 B2
9725927 Cheng Aug 2017 B1
9727328 Johnson Aug 2017 B2
9728023 Johnson Aug 2017 B2
RE46546 Schoepke et al. Sep 2017 E
9758990 Beck Sep 2017 B2
9758991 Lin Sep 2017 B2
9761072 Arfwedson Sep 2017 B2
9761073 Cheng Sep 2017 B2
9761074 Cheng Sep 2017 B2
9767632 Johnson Sep 2017 B2
9773362 Davis Sep 2017 B2
9779570 Lee Oct 2017 B2
9792747 Baumgarte Oct 2017 B2
9798521 Love Oct 2017 B2
9807202 Baumgarte Oct 2017 B2
9816291 Wong Nov 2017 B2
9818247 Johnson Nov 2017 B2
9822553 Ho Nov 2017 B1
9836648 Perna Dec 2017 B2
9845617 Forsberg Dec 2017 B2
9845621 Lowder Dec 2017 B2
9852559 Rettig Dec 2017 B2
9852564 Henderson Dec 2017 B2
9853815 Zheng Dec 2017 B2
9858740 Borg Jan 2018 B2
9875350 Zheng Jan 2018 B2
9877199 Hu Jan 2018 B1
9881146 Zheng Jan 2018 B2
9890564 Wong Feb 2018 B2
9905066 Borg Feb 2018 B2
9909340 Bock Mar 2018 B2
9916746 Johnson Mar 2018 B2
9920552 Lowder Mar 2018 B2
9922481 Johnson Mar 2018 B2
9934637 Ribas Apr 2018 B2
9945156 Colman Apr 2018 B2
9947158 Baumgarte Apr 2018 B2
9951546 Maniaci Apr 2018 B1
9957733 Webb May 2018 B2
9965908 Ouyang May 2018 B2
9972151 Handville May 2018 B2
9977412 Lowder May 2018 B2
9990787 Capaldi-Tallon Jun 2018 B2
10001791 Lagerstedt Jun 2018 B2
10017962 Viviano Jul 2018 B2
10017963 Johnson Jul 2018 B2
10019861 Borg Jul 2018 B2
10026247 Anderson Jul 2018 B2
10033972 Almomani Jul 2018 B2
10037636 Ho Jul 2018 B2
10049520 Gardiner Aug 2018 B2
10060167 Romero Aug 2018 B2
10062225 Borg Aug 2018 B2
10062257 Chau Aug 2018 B2
10074224 Ho Sep 2018 B2
10077577 Webb Sep 2018 B2
10078931 Lowder Sep 2018 B2
10083559 Schoenfelder Sep 2018 B2
10087652 Snider Oct 2018 B2
10087654 Nguyen Oct 2018 B2
10094141 Helisten Oct 2018 B2
10094143 Lowder Oct 2018 B2
10096182 Prasad Oct 2018 B2
10100552 Wheeler Oct 2018 B2
10126371 Jonsson Nov 2018 B2
10128283 Bryla Nov 2018 B2
10134211 Hogan Nov 2018 B2
10140794 Rettig Nov 2018 B2
10140828 Johnson Nov 2018 B2
10145147 Ferreira Dec 2018 B2
10147255 Rais Dec 2018 B1
10152838 Einberg Dec 2018 B2
10163285 Schoenfelder Dec 2018 B2
10174523 Quach Jan 2019 B2
10176653 Conlin Jan 2019 B2
10176687 Almomani Jan 2019 B2
10184269 Skogstrom Jan 2019 B2
10184272 Lee Jan 2019 B2
10190338 Matyko Jan 2019 B2
10192380 Borg Jan 2019 B2
10192383 Aase Jan 2019 B2
10198884 Johnson Feb 2019 B2
10212144 Guthery Feb 2019 B2
10227818 Kincaid Mar 2019 B2
10228444 Jonsson Mar 2019 B2
10240363 Hsu Mar 2019 B2
10240365 Almomani Mar 2019 B2
10240366 Sotes Delgado Mar 2019 B2
10246906 Lin Apr 2019 B2
10248898 Brown Apr 2019 B2
10255732 Prasad Apr 2019 B2
10264906 Bloom Apr 2019 B2
10269202 Denison Apr 2019 B2
10270372 Webb Apr 2019 B2
10273718 Cannella Apr 2019 B2
10282930 Borg May 2019 B2
10304273 Johnson May 2019 B2
10309125 Beck Jun 2019 B2
10313491 Baumgarte Jun 2019 B2
10319165 Gengler Jun 2019 B2
10337217 Hogan Jul 2019 B2
10339736 Sivalingam Jul 2019 B2
10339738 Hosey Jul 2019 B2
10344501 Chang Jul 2019 B2
10352067 Cahill Jul 2019 B2
10378238 Beck Aug 2019 B2
10378244 Lowder Aug 2019 B2
10382608 Gerhardt Aug 2019 B2
10385589 Matosian Aug 2019 B2
10388094 Johnson Aug 2019 B2
10397013 Hill Aug 2019 B1
10400475 Klammer Sep 2019 B2
10400477 Moon Sep 2019 B2
10400479 Kang Sep 2019 B2
10403072 Earles Sep 2019 B2
10407942 Romero Sep 2019 B2
10415269 Holmes Sep 2019 B2
10417848 Borg Sep 2019 B2
10435917 Nunez Oct 2019 B2
10438426 Prasad Oct 2019 B2
10438428 Rettig Oct 2019 B2
10438463 Lovejoy Oct 2019 B2
10443266 Johnson Oct 2019 B2
10443267 Tobias Oct 2019 B2
10445999 Johnson Oct 2019 B2
10450778 Bennett Oct 2019 B2
10458152 Schort Oct 2019 B2
10465420 Heisler Nov 2019 B2
10465421 Webb Nov 2019 B2
10472855 Hsu Nov 2019 B2
10487543 Sanford Nov 2019 B2
10490000 Schoenfelder Nov 2019 B2
10490006 Einberg Nov 2019 B2
10490008 Mukundala Nov 2019 B2
10508472 Piantek Dec 2019 B2
10515495 Schoenfelder Dec 2019 B2
10515498 Chang Dec 2019 B2
10519694 Lin Dec 2019 B2
10526813 Bliding Jan 2020 B2
10526816 Chiou Jan 2020 B2
10529161 Ma Jan 2020 B2
10533343 Gartner Jan 2020 B2
10563424 Kim Feb 2020 B2
10565809 Gilbertson Feb 2020 B2
10570645 Ellis Feb 2020 B2
10573109 Lu Feb 2020 B2
10573450 Davis Feb 2020 B2
10580240 Caterino Mar 2020 B2
10615721 Webb Apr 2020 B2
10619380 Ahearn Apr 2020 B2
10636234 Lee Apr 2020 B2
10643412 Yang May 2020 B1
10643414 Davis May 2020 B2
10655363 Piantek May 2020 B2
10666912 Almomani May 2020 B2
10669745 Liddell Jun 2020 B2
10673993 Baumgarte Jun 2020 B2
10676963 Vasudevan Jun 2020 B2
10679111 Brown Jun 2020 B2
10683677 Funamura Jun 2020 B1
10685102 Vanblon Jun 2020 B2
10691953 Johnson Jun 2020 B2
10692316 Clouser Jun 2020 B2
10692343 Sadek Jun 2020 B2
10704293 Almomani Jul 2020 B2
10708251 Steiner Jul 2020 B2
10713868 Gengler Jul 2020 B2
10721443 Assani Jul 2020 B1
10724275 Curtis Jul 2020 B2
10726654 Siklosi Jul 2020 B2
10731380 Beck Aug 2020 B2
10738504 Uyeda Aug 2020 B2
10742142 Forsberg Aug 2020 B2
10748360 Telljohann Aug 2020 B2
10783731 Imanuel Sep 2020 B2
10791106 Guthery Sep 2020 B2
10808420 Morstatt Oct 2020 B2
10808424 Criddle Oct 2020 B2
10810307 Brown Oct 2020 B2
10815693 Yurasits Oct 2020 B2
10815695 Shaffer Oct 2020 B2
D901278 Zheng Nov 2020 S
10822833 Mackle Nov 2020 B2
10829959 Lowder Nov 2020 B2
10845437 Long Nov 2020 B2
10846957 Cheng Nov 2020 B2
10858864 Pfunder Dec 2020 B2
10865595 Coleman Dec 2020 B2
10866799 Coolidge Dec 2020 B2
10867459 Ahearn Dec 2020 B2
10872483 Schoenfelder Dec 2020 B2
10878650 Meruva Dec 2020 B1
10885733 Lopez Jan 2021 B2
10885734 Schoenfelder Jan 2021 B2
10891810 Sylwan Jan 2021 B2
10895094 Li Jan 2021 B2
10904837 Kincaid Jan 2021 B2
10907381 Lien Feb 2021 B2
10909792 Schoenfelder Feb 2021 B2
10911388 Ring Feb 2021 B2
10916899 Baldwin Feb 2021 B1
10930096 Rettig Feb 2021 B2
10930097 Brown Feb 2021 B2
10947756 Vanmeter Mar 2021 B2
10970983 Johnson Apr 2021 B2
10977919 Johnson Apr 2021 B2
10988957 Lowder Apr 2021 B2
10993111 Johnson Apr 2021 B2
11002039 Roatis May 2021 B2
11002061 Maiga May 2021 B1
11008778 Ho May 2021 B2
11010463 Zheng May 2021 B2
11010995 Davis May 2021 B2
11011002 Lundberg May 2021 B2
11015369 Baty May 2021 B2
11030837 Strömberg Jun 2021 B2
11043055 Johnson Jun 2021 B2
11060323 Almomani Jul 2021 B2
11062539 Nguyen Jul 2021 B2
11062542 Lundberg Jul 2021 B2
11069167 Einberg Jul 2021 B2
11069219 London Jul 2021 B2
11072944 Peng Jul 2021 B2
11072945 Johnson Jul 2021 B2
11078687 Mack Aug 2021 B2
11080951 Kirkjan Aug 2021 B2
11091936 Beck Aug 2021 B2
11093589 Lowe Aug 2021 B2
11094153 Einberg Aug 2021 B2
11105121 Rai Aug 2021 B2
11111697 Overgaard Sep 2021 B2
11124990 Frolov Sep 2021 B2
11124997 Eickhoff Sep 2021 B2
11131120 Chang Sep 2021 B2
11136788 Telljohann Oct 2021 B2
11136790 Caterino Oct 2021 B2
11145149 Jeng Oct 2021 B2
11151816 Schoenfelder Oct 2021 B2
11156020 Lin Oct 2021 B2
11156021 Guma Oct 2021 B2
11158146 Cahill Oct 2021 B2
11164408 Bryla Nov 2021 B2
11170079 Lowe Nov 2021 B2
11187012 Ellis Nov 2021 B2
11189120 Amuduri et al. Nov 2021 B2
11193306 Pfunder Dec 2021 B2
11199042 Hall Dec 2021 B2
11199046 Kincaid Dec 2021 B2
11200574 Bloom Dec 2021 B2
11203890 Davis Dec 2021 B2
11214982 Raatikainen Jan 2022 B2
11214986 Emma Jan 2022 B2
11220843 Harkonen Jan 2022 B2
11220844 Imanuel Jan 2022 B2
11222495 Schoenfelder Jan 2022 B2
11232660 Strömberg Jan 2022 B2
11236525 Ali Feb 2022 B2
11237243 Jonsson Feb 2022 B2
11243655 Schoenfelder Feb 2022 B2
11248395 Stein Feb 2022 B2
11248396 Lammers Feb 2022 B2
11257314 Von Zwehl Feb 2022 B2
11263205 Vickrey Mar 2022 B2
11268300 Langenberg Mar 2022 B2
11270536 Strömberg Mar 2022 B2
11275820 Kalous Mar 2022 B2
11282311 Comerford Mar 2022 B2
11282314 Schoenfelder Mar 2022 B2
11286691 Kurki Mar 2022 B2
11287900 Gibbins Mar 2022 B2
11295298 Neafsey Apr 2022 B2
11295568 Imanuel Apr 2022 B2
11295586 Jonsson Apr 2022 B2
11302130 Liao Apr 2022 B2
11302336 Langenberg Apr 2022 B2
11306525 Seppänen Apr 2022 B2
11308742 Jonsson Apr 2022 B2
11313665 Caterino Apr 2022 B2
11315355 Lu Apr 2022 B2
11328543 Lundberg May 2022 B2
11335147 Long May 2022 B2
11348396 Meruva May 2022 B2
11352812 Johnson Jun 2022 B2
11356642 Almomani Jun 2022 B2
11359408 Kim Jun 2022 B2
11361060 Lyman Jun 2022 B1
11371262 Ainley Jun 2022 B2
11373467 Jonsson Jun 2022 B2
11373471 Anderson Jun 2022 B2
11373497 Basilious Jun 2022 B2
11377875 Martin Jul 2022 B2
11377887 Cote Jul 2022 B2
11380497 Treger Jul 2022 B2
11384567 Derakhshan Jul 2022 B2
11391064 Almomani Jul 2022 B2
11391067 George Jul 2022 B2
11395138 Pernyer Jul 2022 B2
11401733 Brown Aug 2022 B2
11403900 Strömberg Aug 2022 B2
11403902 Ho Aug 2022 B2
11408202 Uyeda Aug 2022 B2
11414889 Shaw Aug 2022 B2
11417158 Fu Aug 2022 B2
11417159 Li Aug 2022 B2
11421445 Johnson Aug 2022 B2
11425546 Ahearn Aug 2022 B2
11430276 McLachlan Aug 2022 B1
11435847 Setter Sep 2022 B2
11436879 Cheng Sep 2022 B2
11441331 Li Sep 2022 B2
11443572 Kusanale Sep 2022 B2
11472428 Kanoh Oct 2022 B2
11485632 Ros Nov 2022 B2
20010010166 Doucet Aug 2001 A1
20010028172 Bates Oct 2001 A1
20020056300 Pierre May 2002 A1
20020092331 Huang Jul 2002 A1
20020095963 Doerr Jul 2002 A1
20020101083 Toledano Aug 2002 A1
20030164763 Hisano Sep 2003 A1
20030200778 Chhatwal Oct 2003 A1
20030209042 Yeh Nov 2003 A1
20030217574 Meis Nov 2003 A1
20040039920 Kim Feb 2004 A1
20040045330 Moon Mar 2004 A1
20040178909 Lu Sep 2004 A1
20050006908 Bruwer Jan 2005 A1
20050103066 Botha May 2005 A1
20050132766 Milo Jun 2005 A1
20050179517 Harms Aug 2005 A1
20050183480 Hingston Aug 2005 A1
20050184865 Han Aug 2005 A1
20060001522 Moon Jan 2006 A1
20060022794 Determan Feb 2006 A1
20060038654 Khalil Feb 2006 A1
20060112747 Moon Jun 2006 A1
20060129407 Lee Jun 2006 A1
20060144103 Blanch Jul 2006 A1
20060196238 Avni Sep 2006 A1
20060283219 Bendz Dec 2006 A1
20070013476 Petrovic Jan 2007 A1
20070018790 Lafrance Jan 2007 A1
20070051145 Chang Mar 2007 A1
20070103277 Yuk May 2007 A1
20070245369 Thompson Oct 2007 A1
20070267489 Borodulin Nov 2007 A1
20080055040 Lizza Mar 2008 A1
20080079580 Shelton Apr 2008 A1
20080127686 Hwang Jun 2008 A1
20080150684 Gartner Jun 2008 A1
20080236214 Han Oct 2008 A1
20080244759 Cao Oct 2008 A1
20090152875 Gray Jun 2009 A1
20090193859 Kwon Aug 2009 A1
20090229321 Eccles Sep 2009 A1
20090320538 Pellaton Dec 2009 A1
20090324025 Camp, Jr. Dec 2009 A1
20100026489 Jordan Feb 2010 A1
20100307206 Taylor Dec 2010 A1
20100313615 Chen Dec 2010 A1
20100328089 Eichenstein Dec 2010 A1
20110074543 Kaczmarz Mar 2011 A1
20110084799 Ficko Apr 2011 A1
20110148631 Lanham Jun 2011 A1
20120270496 Kuenzi Oct 2012 A1
20120280790 Gerhardt Nov 2012 A1
20120292925 Lundberg Nov 2012 A1
20130169411 Chan Jul 2013 A1
20130307691 Sendin Nov 2013 A1
20130342314 Chen Dec 2013 A1
20140077929 Dumas Mar 2014 A1
20140145823 Aase May 2014 A1
20140152831 Yang Jun 2014 A1
20140218167 Tseng Aug 2014 A1
20140266715 Manikandan Sep 2014 A1
20150042105 Promutico Feb 2015 A1
20150159401 Patrick Jun 2015 A1
20150162994 Rodzevski Jun 2015 A1
20150248796 Iyer Sep 2015 A1
20150269799 Martinez Sep 2015 A1
20150292240 Ribas Oct 2015 A1
20160005248 Aase Jan 2016 A1
20160017640 Soloway Jan 2016 A1
20160042582 Hyde Feb 2016 A1
20160189511 Peterson Jun 2016 A1
20160298367 Dintheer Oct 2016 A1
20160319569 Johnson Nov 2016 A1
20160319571 Johnson Nov 2016 A1
20160343184 Dumas Nov 2016 A1
20160353239 Kjellsson Dec 2016 A1
20160358433 Johnson Dec 2016 A1
20160366374 Carter Dec 2016 A1
20170039361 Zheng Feb 2017 A1
20170061095 Waskin Mar 2017 A1
20170204636 Sack Jul 2017 A1
20170227315 Milde, Jr. Aug 2017 A1
20170228603 Johnson Aug 2017 A1
20170242532 Zheng Aug 2017 A1
20170243416 Chen Aug 2017 A1
20170298654 Holmes Oct 2017 A1
20170332055 Henderson Nov 2017 A1
20180096593 Davis Apr 2018 A1
20180135336 Johnson May 2018 A1
20180155959 Hartung Jun 2018 A1
20180266145 Chou Sep 2018 A1
20180268675 Johnson Sep 2018 A1
20180283044 Morstatt Oct 2018 A1
20180283047 Huang Oct 2018 A1
20180283051 Qiu Oct 2018 A1
20180298640 Caterino Oct 2018 A1
20180320413 Wong Nov 2018 A1
20180357845 Berg Dec 2018 A1
20190019364 Cheng Jan 2019 A9
20190130687 Johnson May 2019 A1
20190139343 Lien May 2019 A1
20190145130 Affan May 2019 A1
20190158353 Johnson May 2019 A1
20190169874 Gengler Jun 2019 A1
20190178003 Martin Jun 2019 A1
20190234111 Riley Aug 2019 A1
20190257116 Coster Aug 2019 A1
20190264465 Adje Aug 2019 A1
20190309539 Mukundala Oct 2019 A1
20190323261 McGrath Oct 2019 A1
20190327098 Hart Oct 2019 A1
20190355195 Hu Nov 2019 A1
20190360238 Liu Nov 2019 A1
20200002977 Russi-Vigoya Jan 2020 A1
20200080343 Uyeda Mar 2020 A1
20200090438 Cöster Mar 2020 A1
20200123808 Lovejoy Apr 2020 A1
20200123813 Romero Apr 2020 A1
20200141155 Lammers May 2020 A1
20200153288 Baumgarte May 2020 A1
20200219347 Lv Jul 2020 A1
20200232254 Mani Jul 2020 A1
20200302717 Chen Sep 2020 A1
20200354991 Derham Nov 2020 A1
20200362592 Jonsson Nov 2020 A1
20200399932 Ibon Dec 2020 A1
20200402335 Schoenfelder Dec 2020 A1
20200402741 Huang Dec 2020 A1
20210005036 Johnson Jan 2021 A1
20210010293 Almomani Jan 2021 A1
20210019970 Strömberg Jan 2021 A1
20210026936 Zheng Jan 2021 A1
20210034882 Johnson Feb 2021 A1
20210035391 Einberg Feb 2021 A1
20210040772 Kim Feb 2021 A1
20210049845 Schoenfelder Feb 2021 A1
20210049851 Schoenfelder Feb 2021 A1
20210062545 Arbegard Mar 2021 A1
20210071440 Saeedi Mar 2021 A1
20210074096 Cheng Mar 2021 A1
20210074105 Imanuel Mar 2021 A1
20210079691 Sundkvist Mar 2021 A1
20210140199 Bliding May 2021 A1
20210142601 Schoenfelder May 2021 A1
20210156169 Uyeda May 2021 A1
20210156171 Uyeda May 2021 A1
20210159634 Uyeda May 2021 A1
20210164263 Brown Jun 2021 A1
20210164264 McKibben Jun 2021 A1
20210172203 Martin Jun 2021 A1
20210189764 Kincaid Jun 2021 A1
20210189769 Sieglaar Jun 2021 A1
20210192877 Stenlund Jun 2021 A1
20210193979 Learmonth Jun 2021 A1
20210201606 Strömberg Jul 2021 A1
20210207401 Cook Jul 2021 A1
20210207424 Kim Jul 2021 A1
20210207431 Kim Jul 2021 A1
20210214972 Szczerkowski Jul 2021 A1
20210222458 Jones Jul 2021 A1
20210225100 Jones Jul 2021 A1
20210227388 Johnson Jul 2021 A1
20210241559 Lundberg Aug 2021 A1
20210241606 Kinney Aug 2021 A1
20210248884 Dougan Aug 2021 A1
20210251182 Anderson Aug 2021 A1
20210255712 Gibbins Aug 2021 A1
20210264707 Strömberg Aug 2021 A1
20210279983 Imanuel Sep 2021 A1
20210280031 Johnson Sep 2021 A1
20210285255 Tinker Sep 2021 A1
20210285257 Ohl Sep 2021 A1
20210324660 Maiga Oct 2021 A1
20210348418 Lu Nov 2021 A1
20210372165 Ryan Dec 2021 A1
20210396046 Johnson Dec 2021 A1
20210404216 Tan Dec 2021 A1
20210407229 Schoenfelder Dec 2021 A1
20220005296 Einberg Jan 2022 A1
20220010586 Romero Jan 2022 A1
20220018161 Guma Jan 2022 A1
20220019982 Ramachandran Jan 2022 A1
20220020234 Schoenfelder Jan 2022 A1
20220025675 Chan Jan 2022 A1
20220028198 Lundberg Jan 2022 A1
20220034125 Moon Feb 2022 A1
20220042349 Barnett, III Feb 2022 A1
20220046094 Hart Feb 2022 A1
20220051496 Einberg Feb 2022 A1
20220051498 Hart Feb 2022 A1
20220051499 Schwartz Feb 2022 A1
20220058900 Earles Feb 2022 A1
20220065023 Paulsson Mar 2022 A1
20220068059 Nguyen Mar 2022 A1
20220068063 Töngi Mar 2022 A1
20220076513 Burge Mar 2022 A1
20220081936 Petty Mar 2022 A1
20220081938 Beck Mar 2022 A1
20220092896 Jonsson Mar 2022 A1
20220098898 Alvarez Mar 2022 A1
20220101672 Abueshsheikh Mar 2022 A1
20220101706 Abueshsheikh Mar 2022 A1
20220106813 Von Matern Apr 2022 A1
20220106814 Morstatt Apr 2022 A1
20220108572 Lovett Apr 2022 A1
20220122393 Park Apr 2022 A1
20220122400 Jonsson Apr 2022 A1
20220130193 Singh Apr 2022 A1
20220157106 Pirch May 2022 A1
20220178170 Lin Jun 2022 A1
20220178171 Zheng Jun 2022 A1
20220186524 Guerard Jun 2022 A1
20220189225 Martinez Sanchez Jun 2022 A1
20220198854 Kübler Jun 2022 A1
20220198863 Ho Jun 2022 A1
20220222996 Einberg Jul 2022 A1
20220228399 Lin Jul 2022 A1
20220251874 Cederblad Aug 2022 A1
20220254212 Schoenfelder Aug 2022 A1
20220268056 Pfunder Aug 2022 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number Date Country
2002256746 Sep 2002 JP
04332125 Aug 2006 JP
2000060197 Oct 2000 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry
Wayback macine archive, dated Mar. 6, 2019, Kwikset SmartKey, https://www.kwikset.com/smart-security, 9 pages.
Press Release regarding Schlage SecureKey, Dated Jun. 17, 2010, 2 pages.
Wikipedia entry, KeyMe, Dated Mar. 20, 2019, 2 pages.