Patent Application
20160017640
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present invention concerns electronic door-locking systems that are often used in commercial, office, educational, multi-dwelling apartment and even residential settings in which wireless communications are used to control the local operation of the door as well as networking control. Current locking systems often deploy a number of components such as a deadbolt, an electronically controlled door latch, a surface-mounted access control authentication device and a surface-mounted control unit having an antenna that permits wireless communications.
The access control authentication device is surface mounted on the exterior facing door surface for several reasons. First, the location allows the device to be accessed by a user. Second, surface mounting is required since doors are often made from materials that block or interfere with wireless and other signals, such as steel. This typically prevents the access control device from being located in the interior of the door.
The control unit is often located on the interior facing door surface so as to prevent tampering. In addition, to the extent the control unit uses an antenna for wireless local and wide area network communications, it too, cannot be mounted in the interior of the door for the reasons stated above.
Yet, surface mounting of the control unit and/or access control device is undesirable for several reasons. First, it mars the aesthetics of the door. Second, it leaves the devices exposed to tampering. Also, it leaves the devices exposed to potential damage or vandalism that may render the door inoperable.
Thus, there is a need to provide a locking system that maintains the aesthetics of a door while maintaining the operability and integrity of the system components. In addition, there is a need to achieve these benefits in a manner that still permits wireless communications so as to allow for the localized operation of the door and overall networking of the door locking system.
The present invention provides solutions to the above noted drawbacks of conventionally used door locking systems. In one embodiment described below, the invention provides, among other things, an assembly that comprises a control unit having an antenna that is mounted near the latch edge of a door. This arrangement maintains the aesthetics of the door while still providing remote wireless communications free from interference while maintaining system operability and resistance to damage, vandalism and tampering.
This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating h general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
As shown in
Turn piece 114, door handle 116 and lock 120 are made in accordance with well-known techniques known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, device 112 is located on exterior 130 of door 110. Device 112 may be a magnetic swipe card, a proximity reader, a smart card, a PIV device, a keyfob, a remote RF device, a smart phone, biometric access reader, and other devices used to verify the authenticity of the user, the design and construction of which are known to those of skill in the art.
In one preferred embodiment, control unit 118 is located in a housing 200 (
As further shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In an alternate embodiment, a single plate may be used as a cover for antenna 250 as well. In addition, while a plate in the style of a faceplate is described, other cover arrangements may be used as well to affix the antenna to the latch edge of the door in a recessed relationship.
In addition, the cover for the antenna, which may be one or more faceplates, may be combined with control unit 118 to form a single unit. Thus, the control unit, protective cover, and antenna may be comprised of separate components or may he combined together into a single unit. Lastly, the section of the assembly that overlays the antenna is preferably made of a material that will not interfere with the operation of the antenna. One suitable material is plastic.
Antenna 250 may also be located in control unit 118 thereby eliminating the need to use of one or more faceplates or other protective covers. For this embodiment, the portion of the control unit that houses the antenna is preferably made of a material that will not interfere with the operation of the antenna. hi addition, a preferred, but not required location, for this embodiment is to locate the control unit and antenna assembly near the edge of the door and more preferably near the latch edge of the door. However, the control unit and antenna assembly may be located at or near other edges as well as other locations in door 110.
In yet another preferred embodiment, antenna 250 is located a spaced distance away from control unit 118 and may be wired to the control unit or in wireless communication with the control unit. This improves RF performance and provides several advantages. First, it reduces or eliminates interference with wireless and electric signals. In addition, it eliminates the need to mount antenna 250 in a position that mars the aesthetics of the door. Lastly, it locates the antenna in a position, which reduces the potential for tampering and inadvertent damage. This arrangement permits the control electronics to be located in the interior of the door while still maintaining wireless communications, such as local and wide area network communications.
In yet a further embodiment, antenna 250 is located a spaced distance away from control unit 118 on the surface of the door. In this embodiment, the antenna is integrally formed with the surface or skin of the door. In another embodiment, the antenna is configured to create a profile that is substantially flush with the door surface and may be blended or matched with the door surface so as to be invisible, or relatively not noticeable, on the door. Antenna 250 may be planar in design with a low profile that blends in with the surface when painted or covered with some other skin known to those of skill in the art. Antenna 250 may also be located in a pocket on the door surface. Lastly, antenna 250 may be printed on the door surface.
A preferred location for antenna 250 is on latch edge 133 of door 110 as shown in
Antenna 250 may also be located in a spaced apart relationship from control unit 118 by mounting the antenna in other locations other than on an edge of the door. Other suitable locations include the interior of door 110, on the surface of door 110 or in a recess formed in the outer surface of door 110.
As shown in
Battery pack 350 may be accessed, by removing unit 118 from door 110. Alternately, battery pack 350 may also be accessed by the removal of plate 212 or by the removal of plates 212 and 214.
Housing 200 may also contain other electronics such as circuit board 320 and processor 330, which is mounted on posts 332 and 333. Electrical connectors 300, 304 and 308 may also be provided for connecting control unit 118 to access device 112, lock 120 and other components. The connectors are accessed via apertures 302, 306 and 310.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, antenna 250 may perform multiple functions. It may serve as a wireless antenna for receiving and sending network related signals. The network signals may be directed to and received from an intermediary transmitter and or transceiver such as a gateway or may be directed to and received from a server. In addition, antenna 250 or, a second antenna, may also serve as the antenna for an access control authentication device 112 that may be part of control unit 118 or another control unit located inside door 110. As set forth above, this embodiment further reduces the components located on the external surface of the door and achieves the advantages stated above.
In yet other embodiments of the invention, access control authentication device 112 may be located in a number of locations that enhance the aesthetics of the door without impairing or sacrificing operability. For example, device 112 may be located on or near the latch edge of the door. It may also use a protective cover in a manner as was described above for antenna 250. In a preferred embodiment, device 112 is located in a protective cover, which may also include antenna 250, located on the latch edge of the door.
Device 112 may also be located in the control unit 118 in any of the locations described above discussing the location and placement of control unit 118. In addition, device 112 may be located a spaced distance from the control unit in the interior of the door or in a recess located on the surface of the door.
Device 112 may also be located inside rose 116. In addition, for yet another embodiment, device 112 may also be located on or in jam 139, on or in a wall near the door or other structure surrounding the door so as to not be part of the door.
Device 112, for the embodiments described, may be hardwired to control unit 118. In addition, device 112 may be in wireless communication with control unit 118.
in use, to enable local and network communications for a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a door is first installed within a door jam by mounting it therein so as to produce a gap between the door and door jam. An antenna is positioned in a location, such as on the latch edge of the door, so as to enable RF to emanate from the gap between the door and door jam. In addition, an access control authentication device may also be provided. The access control authentication device is also positioned to permit electronic signals to emanate from the gap between the door and door jam. Both the antenna and access control authentication device are in communication with a control unit located within the door that controls the operation of the door.
Not Applicable.
