Patent Application
20180187452
The disclosure relates generally to a deadbolt lock assembly with a visual feedback mechanism to communicate the movements of the lock to the user.
As many items being used in everyday life have become enhanced with wireless and remote type communications, the need to communicate effectively with the user the movements of these devices has become more important. For example, if a user has a wireless entry mechanism such as a lock for a door that can be locked and unlocked using a wireless communication device, the lock may unlock or lock without the user physically touching the lock. Without that physical touch, the user may not have confirmation that the lock has successfully locked or unlocked the door. Thus, a lock assembly that can provide visual feedback to a user to effectively communicate the movements of the lock assembly would be beneficial.
Aspects of this disclosure relate a deadbolt lock assembly that includes a latch for locking and unlocking a door in which the deadbolt lock assembly is engaged and an exterior assembly in communication with the latch. The exterior assembly may comprise a face plate, a keyway, and a plurality of LEDs. The plurality of LEDs may be aligned in a horizontal linear array located on the face plate wherein the linear array has a first end furthest from a door jamb and a second end nearest the door jamb. The plurality of LEDs may be arranged in a horizontal linear array and may be oriented substantially parallel to the latch.
Additionally, the deadbolt lock assembly may comprise a processor, wherein the processor is connected to a power source and the plurality of LEDs. The deadbolt lock assembly may further comprise a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to at least: authenticate a signal from a wireless device to move the latch to a locked position or an unlocked position; instruct the plurality of LEDs to illuminate in a lock sequence when the signal is to move the latch to the locked position; and instruct the plurality of LEDs to illuminate in an unlock sequence when the signal is to move the latch to the unlocked position, wherein the lock sequence is different than the unlock sequence.
The lock sequence may include illuminating the LEDs in a sequence that moves in the same direction as the movement of the latch from the unlocked position to the locked position such that the LED sequence moves toward the door jamb. Further, the lock sequence may include the plurality of LEDs illuminating starting with a first LED nearest the first end illuminates first and then each remaining LED individually and sequentially illuminates starting with the LED immediately next to the first LED after a predetermined time, T1, until all of the plurality of LEDs are illuminated. Lastly, the lock sequence may further include wherein upon waiting a predetermined time, T2, instruct all of the plurality of LEDs to turn off; and upon waiting a predetermined time, T3, instruct a first and a second LED nearest the second end of the horizontal linear array to illuminate.
The unlock sequence may include illuminating the LEDs in a sequence to illuminate in a pattern that moves in the same direction as the movement of the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position such that the LED sequence moves away from the door jamb away from the door jamb. The unlock sequence may further include the plurality of LEDs illuminating starting with a first LED nearest the second end illuminates first and then each remaining LED individually and sequentially illuminates after a predetermined time, T1, until all of the plurality of LEDs are illuminated. Lastly, the unlock sequence may further include upon waiting a predetermined time, T2, instruct all of the plurality of LEDs to turn off; and upon waiting a predetermined time, T3, instruct a first and a second LED nearest first end of the horizontal linear array to illuminate.
In another aspect of the invention, the deadbolt lock assembly may comprise a processor, wherein the processor is connected to a power source and the plurality of LEDs, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to at least: determine when a power level of the power source is below a predetermined threshold limit; and upon determining the power level of the power source is below the predetermined threshold limit, instruct the plurality of LEDs to illuminate in a low power sequence, wherein the low power sequence includes the plurality of LEDs illuminating with the most centrally located LEDs illuminating and remaining illuminated for a predetermined time, T.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the deadbolt lock assembly may comprise a processor, wherein the processor is connected to a power source and the plurality of LEDs, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to at least: determine when a power level of a key fob is below a predetermined threshold limit; and upon determining the power level of the key fob is below a predetermined limit, instruct the outermost located LEDs to illuminate and remain illuminated for a predetermined time, T.
In another aspect of the invention, the deadbolt lock assembly may comprise a processor, wherein the processor is connected to a power source and the plurality of LEDs, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to at least: during a power up phase, instruct all of the plurality of LEDs to illuminate with a first color; after a predetermined time, T, instruct all of the plurality of LEDs to illuminate and change from the first color to a second color different from the first color; and after another predetermined time, T, instruct all of the plurality of LEDs to illuminate and change from the second color to a third color different from the first color and the second color.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the claims, are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification. The detailed description and illustrated embodiments described serve to explain the principles defined by the claims.
In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below.
“Plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.
For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the plurality of LEDs 110 may be configured such that when the latch 102 is moved from an unlocked position to the locked position shown in
In addition, as shown in
The deadbolt assembly may also include an interior assembly that may be mounted to the opposite side of the door 10 from the exterior assembly 104. The interior assembly may connect to the latch 102 as well as connect to the exterior assembly 104. The interior assembly may further comprise a manual switch to move the latch 102 from a locked position to an unlocked position or alternatively from an unlocked position to a locked position. The interior assembly may further comprise a removable cover that allows the user access to the power source or battery 124.The processor 122 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. The one or more implementations described throughout this disclosure may utilize logical blocks, modules, and circuits that may be implemented or performed with a processor 122.
The processor 122 may be used to implement various aspects and features described herein. As such, the processor 122 may be configured to execute multiple calculations, in parallel or serial and may execute coordinate transformations, curve smoothing, noise filtering, outlier removal, amplification, and summation processes, and the like. The processor 122 may include a processing unit and system memory to store and execute software instructions. The processor 122 may include a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform specific functions with the deadbolt assembly 100.
The power source 124 may be a battery or other type of electrical power source. While the electromechanical device 126 may be any device known to own skilled in the art to convert electrical energy to mechanical movement to extend and retract the latch 102.
The process 200 for illuminating the plurality of LEDs 110 during the locking and unlocking process is shown in
While the processor 122 is authenticating the signal from the wireless device, the processor 122 may instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to illuminate a pair of LEDs in a sweeping motion such that a first and a second LED nearest the second end 114 are illuminated where the first and second LED are adjacent each other, then after a 150 ms delay, the first LED is turned off and a third LED is illuminated, where the third LED is adjacent the second LED. Similarly, after another 150 ms delay, the second LED is turned off while a fourth LED is illuminated, where the fourth LED is adjacent the third LED. This process is repeated until the two LEDs nearest the first end 112 are illuminated. Then, the sweeping motion is reversed where the LEDs that are illuminated move back toward the second end 114. This process may be repeated as necessary while the processor 122 is authenticating the signal. This LED illumination pattern during the authentication process may communicate to the user that the signal has been received.
Once the processor 122 has authenticated the signal to lock the deadbolt assembly, the processor 122 may instruct electromechanical device 126 to extend the latch 102 to a locked position and also instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to light up or illuminate in a lock sequence that moves in the same direction movement of the extended latch 102 such that the LED sequence moves toward the door jamb 12.
Once the processor 122 has authenticated the signal to lock the deadbolt assembly 100, the processor 122 may instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to visually communicate the directional illumination pattern/sequence that the latch 102 moves toward the door jamb 12 as shown in
Alternatively, once the processor 122 has authenticated the signal to lock the deadbolt assembly 100, the processor 122 may instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to visually communicate the directional illumination pattern that the latch 102 moves toward the door jamb 12 with a single LED sweeping motion across the plurality of LEDs 110. Starting with all of the LEDs turned off, the processor 122 may instruct LED 140 to be illuminated. Next, after a predetermined amount of time, T1, the LED 142 immediately next to LED 140 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 140 such that only LED 142 may be illuminated. Next, again after the predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 144 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 142, such that only LEDs 144 may be illuminated. Again after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 146 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 144, such that only LED 146 may be illuminated. Lastly, after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 148 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 146, such that only LED 148 is illuminated. Similar to described above, after a second predetermined amount of time, T2, all of the LEDs may turn off and then after a third predetermined amount of time, T3, only the two LEDs 146, 148 nearest the second end 114 may be illuminated and remain illuminated for a predetermined amount of time, T4. Table 2 below shows the time interval and which LEDs may be illuminated for each stage of the lock sequence.
As yet another alternate directional illumination pattern for the locking sequence, once the processor 122 has authenticated the signal to lock the deadbolt assembly 100, the processor 122 may instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to visually communicate the directional illumination pattern that the latch 102 moves toward the door jamb 12 with a two LED sweeping motion. Starting with all of the LEDs turned off, the processor 122 may instruct LED 140 to be illuminated. Next, after a predetermined amount of time, T1, the LED 142 immediately next to LED 140 may be illuminated, such that only LEDs 140 and 142 may be illuminated. (As an alternate option, both LEDs 140 and 142 may be illuminated as the initial step). Next, again after the predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 144 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 140, such that only LEDs 142 and 144 may be illuminated. Again after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 146 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 142, such that only LEDs 144 and 146 may be illuminated. Lastly, after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 148 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 144, such that only LED 146 and 148 may be illuminated. Similar to described above, after a second predetermined amount of time, T2, all of the LEDs may turn off and then after a third predetermined amount of time, T3, only the two LEDs 146, 148 nearest the second end 114 may be illuminated and remain illuminated for a predetermined amount of time, T4. Table 3 below shows the time interval and which LEDs may be illuminated for each stage of the lock sequence. Other embodiments of a directional illumination pattern to visually communicate the movement of the latch 102 using a linear array of LEDs 110 from an unlocked position to a locked position may be obvious to one skilled in the art.
An exemplary embodiment of the time sequence is described below. The predetermined time, T0, may be the amount of time before the first LED illuminates after the processor has authenticated the signal to move the latch 102 to the locked position. T0 may be approximately 150 ms or within a range of 100 ms to 200 ms. The predetermined time interval, T1, may be less than the time intervals T0, T2, T3, and T4 to give the appearance of motion as the plurality of LEDs 110 illuminate in succession. For example, T1 may be approximately 100 ms or within a range of 50 ms to 150 ms. T2 is the time that all of the LEDs remain illuminated after they have been sequentially illuminated and may be greater than the time interval T1. For instance, T2 may be approximately 300 ms or within the range of 200 ms to 400 ms. T3 is the time that the LEDs remain turned off after sequentially illuminating. An additional signal may be sent so that the two LEDs 146, 148 closest to the door jamb 12 may be illuminated to give another indication that the latch 102 was moved toward the door jamb 12 to the locked position. The time interval, T3, may be greater than T0, T1, and T2 and may be approximately 1400 ms or within a range of 800 ms to 2000 ms. Lastly, T4 is the time that the LEDs 146, 148 remain illuminated. T4 may be greater than T1, T2, and T3 to give the user the longest visual cue that the latch has been moved to the locked position. T4 may be approximately 2000 ms or within a range of 1500 ms to 3000 ms. After the time interval T4, the LEDs 110 remain turned off until the next interaction of the deadbolt lock assembly 100 with the user.
The process for visually communicating the unlocking motion of the latch 102 of the deadbolt assembly 100 is similar to the visual communication for the locking motion. Once the processor 122 has authenticated the signal to unlock the deadbolt assembly, the processor 122 may instruct electromechanical device 126 to move the latch 102 in a direction away from the door jamb 12 and also instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to light up or illuminate in a pattern that moves in the same direction away from the door jamb 12. As discussed above, the plurality of LEDs 110 may be arranged horizontally in a linear orientation having a first end 112 positioned furthest away from the door jamb 12 and a second end 114 positioned nearest to the door jamb 12.
For example, the exemplary embodiment of the exterior assembly 104 shown
Alternatively, once the processor 122 has authenticated the signal to unlock the deadbolt assembly 100, the processor 122 may instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to visually communicate the directional pattern/sequence that the latch 102 moves away from the door jamb 12 with a single LED sweeping motion across the plurality of LEDs 110. Starting with all of the LEDs 110 turned off, after a predetermined time interval, T0, the LED 148 may be illuminated. Next after a predetermined amount of time, T1, the LED 146 immediately next to LED 148 is illuminated, while turning off LED 148, such that only LED 146 may be illuminated. Next, again after the predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 144 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 146, such that only LED 144 may be illuminated. Again after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 142 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 144, such that only LED 142 may be illuminated. Lastly, after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 140 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 142, such that only LEDs 140 may be illuminated. Similarly to described above, after a second predetermined amount of time, T2, all of the LEDs may turn off and then after a third predetermined amount of time, T3, only the two LEDs 142, 140 nearest the first end 112 may be illuminated and remain illuminated for a predetermined amount of time, T4. Table 5 below shows the time interval and which LEDs are illuminated for each stage in the unlock sequence.
As yet another alternate directional illumination pattern for the unlocking sequence, once the processor 122 has authenticated the signal to lock the deadbolt assembly 100, the processor 122 may instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to visually communicate the directional illumination pattern that the latch 102 moves away from the door jamb 12 with a two LED sweeping motion. Starting with all of the LEDs turned off, the processor 122 may instruct LED 148 to be illuminated. Next, after a predetermined amount of time, T1, the LED 146 immediately next to LED 148 may be illuminated, such that only LEDs 148 and 146 may be illuminated. (As an alternate option, both LEDs 140 and 142 may be illuminated as the initial step). Next, again after the predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 144 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 148, such that only LEDs 146 and 144 may be illuminated. Again after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 142 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 146, such that only LEDs 144 and 142 may be illuminated. Lastly, after a predetermined amount of time, T1, LED 140 may be illuminated, while turning off LED 144, such that only LED 142 and 140 may be illuminated. Similar to described above, after a second predetermined amount of time, T2, all of the LEDs may turn off and then after a third predetermined amount of time, T3, only the two LEDs 142, 140 nearest the first end 112 may be illuminated and remain illuminated for a predetermined amount of time, T4. Table 6 below shows the time interval and which LEDs may be illuminated for each stage of the lock sequence. Other embodiments of a directional illumination pattern to visually communicate the movement of the latch 102 using a linear array of LEDs 110 from an unlocked position to a locked position may be obvious to one skilled in the art.
An exemplary embodiment of the time sequence is described below. The predetermined time, T0, may be the amount of time before the first LED illuminates after the processor has authenticated the signal to move the latch 102 to the locked position. TO may be approximately 150 ms or within a range of 100 ms to 200 ms. The predetermined time interval, T1, may be less than the time intervals T0, T2, T3, and T4 to give the appearance of motion as the plurality of LEDs 110 illuminate in succession. For example, T1 may be approximately 100 ms or within a range of 50 ms to 150 ms. T2 is the time that all of the LEDs remain illuminated after they have been sequentially illuminated and may be greater than the time interval T1. For instance, T2 may be approximately 300 ms or within the range of 200 ms to 400 ms. T3 is the time that the LEDs remain turned off after sequentially illuminating until an additional signal is given of the two LEDs 142, 140 closest to the door jamb 12 may be illuminated to give another indication that the latch 102 was moved toward the door jamb 12 to the locked position. The time interval, T3, may be greater than T0, T1, and T2 and may be approximately 1400 ms or within a range of 800 ms to 2000 ms. Lastly, T4 is the time that the LEDs 142, 140 remain illuminated. T4 may be greater than T1, T2, and T3 to give the user the longest visual cue that the latch has been moved to the locked position. T4 may be approximately 2000 ms or within a range of 1500 ms to 3000 ms. After the time interval T4, the LEDs 110 remain turned off until the next interaction of the deadbolt lock assembly 100 with the user.
In addition, or optionally to the visual communication provided by the plurality of LEDs 110, the deadbolt lock assembly 100 may also provide audible feedback to the user. This audible feedback may be different when communicating the locking motion than when communicating the unlocking motion. For example, the deadbolt lock assembly 100 may produce a single audible tone or “BEEP” to communicate that the latch 102 has been moved from the unlocked position to the locked position or two audible tones or “BEEPS” to communicate that the latch 102 has been moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. As another option, the plurality of LEDs 110 may light up in a different color for displaying the visual feedback for the movement of the latch 102 from an unlocked position to a locked position or for the movement of the latch 102 from a locked position to an unlocked position. For example, the plurality of LEDs 110 may illuminate in an “AMBER” color when visually communicating the movement of the latch 102 from an unlocked position to a locked position and the plurality of LEDs 110 may illuminate in a “GREEN” color when visually communicating the movement of the latch 102 from a locked position to an unlocked position.
In addition to communicating the direction of the latch 102 movement, the plurality of LEDs may also communicate other information to the user. For example, the processor 122 may determine if the power level of the power source 124 in the deadbolt lock assembly 100 is below a predetermined threshold level. If the processor 122 determines the power level of the power source 124 is low, the processor 122 may instruct the plurality of LEDs 110 to illuminate in a low power sequence and a specific pattern such as the most centrally located group of LEDs 110 may illuminate for a predetermined time, T5. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in
As another example of visually communicating other information to the user, within the signal received by the sensor 120 may be the remaining battery life within the key fob or wireless device 20. The processor 122 may determine when if power level of a key fob is below a predetermined threshold limit; and then upon determining the power level of the key fob is below a predetermined limit, then instruct the outermost located individual LEDs of the plurality of LEDs 110 to illuminate for a predetermined time, T6. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in
By providing visual feedback to the user of illuminating the most centrally located or innermost group of LEDs 110 of the linear array, the visual communication of the deadbolt assembly 100 may imply to the user that the battery 124 inside the deadbolt assembly 100 may be low making it easier for the user to troubleshoot a problem compared to the difficulty for the user of remembering various illumination patterns or referring to a manual. Similarly, by visually communicating to the user by illuminating the outermost LEDs of the linear array, the visual communication of the deadbolt assembly 100 may imply to the user that the battery of the key fob, which is outside the deadbolt assembly 100, may be low making it easier for the user to troubleshoot a problem compared to the difficulty of remembering various illumination patterns or referring to a manual.
As another option, the plurality of LEDs 110 may light up in a different color when communicating low battery information than for displaying the visual feedback for the locking and unlocking motion. For example, the plurality of LEDs 110 may light up in a “RED” color when communicating low battery information.
As another example of communicating other information to the user, during the boot up mode or power up mode of the system 100, as shown in
By providing visual feedback to the user of illuminating all of the LEDs in sequence and cycling through all of the colors during the power up mode visually communicates to the user gives clear visual feedback to the user that the all of the LEDs are working properly.
It is noted that while the
While various embodiments have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the claims. The various dimensions or time ranges described above are merely exemplary and may be changed as necessary. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the embodiments described are only provided to aid in understanding the claims and do not limit the scope of the claims.
