This application relates to a door lock that utilizes either a mechanical key, or a biometric sensor to identify an authorized user, and wherein the biometric sensor is positioned to be between a shield on the door lock and the door, such that the sensor is protected.
Door locks are utilized to allow selective entry into a building. As is well known, door locks have traditionally included a mechanical key that moves a plurality of mechanical members to allow lock structure to turn and unlock a door. One known type of door lock is a deadbolt, wherein a key turns a rotating shaft to in turn actuate a deadbolt mechanism and either lock or unlock a door.
More recently, biometric sensors have been incorporated into doors. A biometric sensor is essentially a sensor that is able to identify an individual user based upon some trait of the user. Known types of biometric sensors use fingerprint recognition software, voice recognition software, etc. While biometric sensors have been proposed for use in door locks, they have typically been mounted into an outer facing surface of the door lock. A sensor on this surface would be unprotected, and subject to damage. In addition, a sensor in the outwardly facing surface would present aesthetic challenges to a designer of the door lock.
In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, a door lock is provided with a key cylinder and a biometric sensor. A portion of an outer holding structure for the key cylinder and the sensor has a shield providing a protective surface for the sensor. In one embodiment, the shield extends vertically downwardly from the key cylinder. The sensor is mounted to an inner face of the shield. A user would approach the door, and place a finger adjacent the sensor. The sensor would be able to sense the fingerprint, and communicate that information to a control. Should the fingerprint match a previously stored expected fingerprint, then the door may be opened.
The biometric software utilized to recognize fingerprints is as known in the art.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
A door lock 20 is illustrated in
As can be appreciated from
As is known, the key 23 can be turned to actuate the deadbolt mechanism 38 and allow the door to be opened or locked. In addition, a user 21 may place a finger adjacent to the biometric sensor 32. The disclosed embodiment utilizes software wherein the finger can be merely swiped passed the sensor 32, and the sensor will capture at least a portion of the finger to compare it to stored fingerprints of authorized users. A sensing surface of the sensor faces an outer surface of the door. On the other hand, other types of software that take a complete snapshot of the finger, or some other form of biometric recognition can be utilized within this invention. That information is transmitted over the wire harness 34 to the control 36. If the information stored at the control 36 matches the fingerprint read by the sensor 32, then the deadbolt mechanism 38 can be opened. The means for storing authorized users in the control 36 may be as known in the art.
The finger of the user 21 is shown extending generally vertically upwardly in
The present invention places the biometric sensor 32 in a protected space between the shield 26 and the door 30, and ensures that the sensor will be better protected when compared to the prior art. In the prior art, the sensors have tended to be in the outer face of the lock, and could be damaged, such as by a misdirected key. In addition, by utilizing the shield 26 to conceal the sensor 32, the aesthetic qualities of the front face of the lock are improved compared to the prior art.
As can be seen, the biometric sensor 26 is placed on an outer surface of the shield 26, and facing the door 30. The shield 26 is formed at an outer peripheral surface of outer plate 24 to facilitate easy access to the protected space.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.