The present invention relates to access control systems, and more particularly to an electronic door lock used in an access control system.
Some access control systems include solenoid type locks that are arranged in either a fail safe or a fail secure setting that occurs in the event of a power failure. For example, if the lock is configured with a fail safe setting, the lock will unlock or remain unlocked to allow access to an access controlled area when the lock loses power. If the lock is configured with a fail secure setting, the lock will lock or remain locked to prevent access to an access controlled area when the lock loses power.
Solenoid type locks with a fail safe setting have a different mechanical design than solenoid type locks with a fail secure setting. Thus, a user must choose one option (e.g., fail safe or fail secure) and cannot reconfigure the lock to perform the other option (e.g., fail secure or fail safe). The mechanical designs for the fail safe and fail secure solenoid type locks are similar except the solenoid is oriented in a different direction in each design. Thus, in the event of a power failure, the solenoid will cause the latch of the locking mechanism to retract (e.g., fail safe) or extend (e.g., fail secure) depending on the orientation of the solenoid.
Solenoid type locks have many disadvantages. The solenoids are large and heavy, adding size and weight to the lock. Solenoids are also subject to attack with the use of magnets. For example, if an intruder uses a strong enough magnet, the intruder can overcome the magnetic force of the solenoid and drive the latch to the desired position to unlock the lock and gain access to the access controlled area.
In one construction, the invention provides an electronic door lock for a door having a first side and a second side. The electronic door lock includes a locking mechanism, a credential reader, and a programmable control circuit. The locking mechanism is coupled to the door and is movable between a locked position in which the door is inhibited from opening and an unlocked position in which the door is free to open. The credential reader is coupled to the door and is operable to read a credential. The programmable control circuit is coupled to the door and is operable to move the locking mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position at least partially in response to the read credential. The programmable control circuit is selectively programmed to move the locking mechanism to a pre-selected either one of the locked position and the unlocked position in response to a failure signal.
In another construction, the invention provides an electronic door lock for a door having a first side and a second side. The electronic door lock includes a latch movable between a locked position in which the door is inhibited from opening and an unlocked position in which the door is free to open. A lever is coupled to the door and is movable by a user to move the latch between the locked position and the unlocked position. A clutch is movable between an engaged position in which the lever moves the latch, and a disengaged position in which the lever does not move the latch. An actuator is coupled to the door and is movable to move the clutch between the engaged position and the disengaged position. A credential reader is coupled to the door and is operable to read a credential. A programmable control circuit is coupled to the door and is operable to move the actuator to engage the clutch at least partially in response to the read credential. The programmable control circuit is selectively programmed at the door to operate the actuator to move the clutch to a pre-selected either one of the engaged position and the disengaged position in response to a failure signal.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
The terms “inner” and “outer” are used herein to differentiate the two sides of the door and should not be considered as limiting the invention in anyway. In constructions in which one side of the door is in a secured space and the other side of the door is not (e.g., an entry door into a building), the inner side would be in the secured space. However, some constructions may position a door within a space in which both sides of the door are located within a secure space. In these constructions, one side of the door would be considered the inner side while the opposite side would be the outer side. Thus, constructions are possible in which components or features described as being positioned on an inner side of the door could be positioned on an outer side of the door and visa versa. Thus, the terms “inner” and “outer” are sometimes replaced herein with “first” and “second”.
The door lock 20 includes an electromechanical system that allows for the movement of a locking mechanism 180 including an actuator 182, a clutch 179, and a latch 178, which are schematically illustrated in
The actuator 182 moves the clutch 179 between an engaged position and a disengaged position to selectively enable and disable the outer handle 52. When the clutch 179 is in the disengaged position, the clutch 179 disengages from the outer handle 52 and the latch 178 such that movement of the outer handle 52 does not cause movement of the latch 178. Thus, when the clutch 179 is in the disengaged position, a user positioned adjacent the outer side 32 cannot gain access to the inner side 40. When the clutch 179 is in the engaged position, the clutch 179 is engages with the outer handle 52 and the latch 178 such that movement of the outer handle 52 causes the latch 178 to move. Thus, when the clutch 179 is in the engaged position, a user positioned adjacent the outer side 32 can move the latch 178, open the door 24, and gain access to the inner side 40. The actuator 182 can include an electric motor, a solenoid, a piezoelectric actuator, a linear actuator, a mechanically actuated device, a different suitable actuator, or a combination thereof to move the clutch 179 to the desired position when a user uses an appropriate key 74 or presents an appropriate credential to the credential reader 48 to allow the user to operate the outer handle 52 and move the latch 178. In some constructions, the actuator 182 is configured to selectively enable and disable the inner handle 72 or both the inner and outer handle.
The control circuit 154 of the door lock 20, shown in
As the user's security needs or preferences change, the user may purchase a new set of credential readers 48 to change the access control system from using one type of credential to a different type of credential. Thus, the user may selectively remove and attach desired credential readers 48 in the field (e.g., at the user's place of business). Of course, the credential readers 48 may also be selectively removed and attached at a factory or place of manufacture. In this way, the electronic door lock 20 contains a high degree of modularity, interchangeability, and upgradeability. Only some credential readers 48 are illustrated in
The inner portion 36 of the door lock 20 has an optional secondary locking mechanism 196 that includes a deadbolt turn 122 and a deadbolt 194. The deadbolt turn 122 is accessible from inside the access controlled area and is coupled to the deadbolt 194 to allow a user to move the deadbolt 194 (
The communication module covers 104, 108 include optional outer pushbuttons 64, 65 mounted to the communication module covers 104, 108, respectively. A corresponding internal button 66 is coupled to the inner base 144. When the cover is mounted on the inner escutcheon 56, the outer pushbutton 64 or 65 aligns with the corresponding internal button 66. When a user positioned inside the access controlled area pushes the pushbutton 64, 65, the corresponding internal button 66 is actuated and sends an electrical signal to the control circuit. The control circuit receives the signal and processes the signal. The internal button 66 may be configured for providing a privacy, lock, unlock, or other function. The control circuit may be programmed to ignore signals received from the pushbutton to effectively disable the pushbutton 66, or the control circuit may be programmed to change the operating mode of the door lock for some period of time or until a second signal is received. For example, the door lock may change from a standard mode of operation to a restricted access mode. When the pushbutton 66 is activated, the door lock 20 may only allow a select number of users to enter the access controlled area, temporarily denying assess to all others who present valid credentials. Of course, other operating modes are also possible and may be predefined and programmed into the electronic door lock software. If the communication module cover 104, 108 does not include an outer pushbutton 64, 65, then the corresponding internal button 66, while still present in the door lock 20, will not be actuatable during normal use.
The credential reader 48, such as one of the credential readers 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96 illustrated in
If a user wishes to change to, for example, a wireless communication module 158, the user may remove the cover 104 to gain access to the communication module 150. Easy access is granted to the wired communication module 150 through the inner escutcheon aperture 149, and the wired communication module 150 may be removed by removing fasteners in apertures 155 and 156. The wireless communication module 158 may be mounted in the same position to provide wireless capability to the door lock 20, as illustrated in
With reference to
The wireless communication module 158 can be configured to communicate using 900 MHz, WIFI, ZIGBEE, Z-wave, 2.4 GHz, 868 MHz, other radio frequencies, and other standards as desired. The wireless communication module 158 may also be used in non-lock devices such as panel interface modules, wireless portable readers, wireless reader interfaces, wireless status monitors or other wireless devices used in the access control system 27. In offline locks, a communication module is not present. However, the offline lock still includes sufficient space for the addition of a communication module should one be desired. The user can convert to an online wired or wireless lock simply by attaching the wired communication module 150 or the wireless communication module 158 as described above.
With reference to
The laptop 200 and PDA 204 may be used to configure parameters in the access control system 27. The door locks 208, 212, 216, 220, 224 may include one type of door lock or a plurality of types of door locks (e.g., online or offline locks, mortise locks, cylindrical locks, exit locks, etc). The door locks may include wireless credential readers, wired credential readers or a combination thereof. In addition, the access points (e.g., doors, gates, elevators, etc.) may include proximity readers 236, a wireless reader interface (WRI) 240, a wireless status monitor (WSM) 232, a wireless portable reader (WPR) 228, a universal serial bus (USB) enabled electronic lock 224, an electronic lock including a standard electrical connection 220, a BLUETOOTH enabled lock 212 with corresponding dongle 264, or other devices not listed herein. The laptop 200, PDA 204, or a combination thereof may be used during installation and upgrades of the access control system 27. For example, if the door locks require a software upgrade, the upgrade may be performed through the laptop 200 or PDA 204. The laptop 200 and PDA 204 may communicate wirelessly with the door locks or through a wired connection such as a USB cable 268, 272 or other electrical connection 276.
The door locks and communication modules 208, 212, 216, 220, 224, 228, 232, 236, 240 are configured to communicate with the panel interface device 244. The communication may be wireless, with the use of a wireless communication module 158, or the communication may be wired, with the use of a wired communication module 150. The panel interface device 244 is configured to communicate with the ACP 248 via a wired connection. In other constructions, the panel interface device 244 may communicate with third party original equipment manufacture (OEM) equipment 256 or a different control panel, such as BRIGHT BLUE 248. The ACP 252 is configured to communicate with a server 260 such as SMS Express, Select Premium Enterprise system (S/P/E), other software packages, and other third party OEM software and servers. The access control decision may be made by any of the control circuit 154, the panel interface device 244, the ACP 252, 248, or 256, and the server 260. It is also contemplated that the access control decision may be made in the credential reader or the lock itself.
When a user desires access to the access controlled area, the user approaches the credential reader 48, which is positioned on the outer portion 28 of the door lock 20. The user uses the credential reader 48 to enter credentials. This could include entering a pin, swiping a card, providing a biometric sample and the like. The credential reader 48 provides the received credentials or a signal including data representative of the received credentials to the control circuit 154. The control circuit 154 may include an onboard database that has been previously saved and that includes a list of authorized users and the credentials or data associated with each user. The control circuit 154 determines if the received credentials or representative data are valid and makes an access decision. Alternatively, the control circuit 154 may transmit the data to the access control panel 248, 252, or 256, either directly or through the panel interface device 244. The access control panel 248, 252, or 256 may include a database that the access control panel 248, 252, or 256 uses to make an access decision, or the access control panel 248, 252, or 256 may communicate directly with a server 260 that makes the access decision. One of the server 260, access control panel 248, 252, or 256, and the control circuit 154 generates a control signal in response to the access decision.
The control signal is communicated to the control circuit 154, and the control circuit 154 processes the control signal and uses the control signal to actuate the locking mechanism 180 to enable the outside lever and allow the outer handle 52 to move latch 178 to one of the locked position and the unlocked position to provide or inhibit access to the access controlled area. If the control circuit 154 generates the control signal, then the control circuit 154 uses the control signal to operate the locking mechanism 180 accordingly.
The modular design of the electronic door lock 20 provides users with flexibility and an easier way to manage repairs and upgrades of the door locks 20. The user may purchase credential readers 48 separately from the door lock 20. Thus, if a user wishes to change an access control system 27 that uses, for example, keypad credential readers 76 to an access control system that uses, for example, biometric credential readers 96, the user can purchase biometric credential readers 96 for each of the door locks 20. The keypad credential readers 76 can be removed and replaced with the biometric credential readers 96. Because the control circuit 154 includes the necessary software to receive, for example, both keypad credential data and biometric data, no software modification is required. After the biometric credential reader 96 is mounted to the door lock 20 and the appropriate databases are updated with the users biometric data, the access control system 27 will function properly.
For example, some users may wish to change from a security system 27 with keypad entry to a biometric security system 27. To achieve the desired change, the following steps may be performed. The user removes the communication module cover 104 from the inside portion 36 of the door lock 20 (
In some situations, a user may want to change from a wired security system 27 to a wireless security system 27. To do this, the wired communication module 150 (
The electronic door lock 20 also allows the user to configure a fail setting that describes the action that will be taken by the locking mechanism 180 in response to a failure signal. The failure signal is produced by the control circuit 154 when a power failure or other predefined situation occurs. Of course, in other embodiments, the failure signal could be produced by any of the components of the access control system when a predefined situation occurs. For example, power failure can be defined as a complete loss of power from a main power source for the lock 20, or power failure can occur when the lock's main power source (e.g., batteries) falls below a predefined threshold. An optional backup power source 280 is provided to supply power to the control circuit 154 and locking mechanism 180 in order to achieve the desired fail setting in the event of power failure. The backup power source is illustrated as a capacitor 280 in
Some fail settings include fail safe and fail secure. During the initial setup of each lock 20 in a lock system, the user can configure the lock 20 to the desired setting using the laptop computer 200, the PDA 204, or other communication devices. For example, the user may view a graphical user interface on the PDA 204 and select one of a variety of options or settings from a menu or select one radio button or checkbox from a group of options. The selected option is incorporated in the lock's firmware, which is downloaded or installed in the lock 20 during the initial set-up process. In other embodiments, the user can change the fail setting after the lock 20 has been initially set up and the selected setting is communicated to the control circuit 154 and saved in the control circuit's memory.
When power failure occurs, the backup power source 280 provides power to the control circuit 154 and the actuator 182. The control circuit recalls the preconfigured fail setting from memory. The control circuit 154 determines the current state of the clutch 179 (e.g., engaged or disengaged). If the desired state of the clutch 179 is the same as the current state of the clutch 179, then the control circuit 154 takes no action. If the fail setting for the lock 20 is different than the current state, the control circuit 154 sends a signal to the actuator 182 to drive the clutch mechanism 179 to the desired state. As noted, the fail safe setting indicates that in the event of power failure, the clutch 179 should be engaged between the outer handle 52 and the latch 178 such that operation of the outer handle 52 results in movement of the latch 178, allowing a user to enter the access controlled area during power failure. In the fail secure setting, a power failure generates a failure signal and causes the clutch 179 to disengage the outer handle 52 and the latch 178 such that operation of the outer handle 52 does not result in movement of the latch 178, thereby inhibiting a user from entering the access controlled space during the power failure.
The ability of the lock 20 to be programmed to fail safe or fail secure provides additional functionality to the locks. For example, each lock 20 could be programmed to fail safe or fail secure depending on the reason for failure. For example, one lock could be programmed to fail safe in the event of a power failure as just described. However, the same lock 20 could be programmed to move to a fail secure position in response to a lock down signal. The lock down signal could be initiated in response to a known intruder and would inhibit entry or escape. The same lock 20 could also be programmed to move to a hybrid failure mode in response to a fire signal. The lock 20 would move to a fail secure mode to inhibit entry by anyone but a fireman having the proper credentials. Under normal operating conditions, the fireman credentials would not allow access to the access controlled area.
In the illustrated construction, the actuator 182 is a direct current (DC) motor 182. The DC motor 182 is small and lightweight. The DC motor 182 receives a power connection 284 and a ground connection 288. The DC motor 182 consumes the power provided by the power connection 284 and produces rotary motion of a shaft 288. The rotary motion of the shaft 288 is transferred to the clutch to move the clutch into or out of engagement with the outer handle 52 and the latch 178. In other constructions, the actuator 182 may be a different mechanical actuator such as a linear actuator.
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, an electronic door lock that provides a user configurable fail setting. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
The present application claims the benefit of co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/076,476, filed Jun. 27, 2008, the subject matter of which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61076476 | Jun 2008 | US |