Patent Application
20070056338
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to systems and, more particularly, to systems for structures employing input sensors and/or output devices and wireless communication. The invention also relates to lock devices and, more particularly, to door lock devices including a deadbolt.
2. Background Information
Wireless communication networks are an emerging new technology, which allows users to access information and services electronically, regardless of their geographic position.
Home (e.g., residential; house; apartment) monitoring, security, and automation (control) systems are well known.
A common type of stand-alone sensor for the home is the conventional smoke detector, which typically employs an audible signal for alarming and a blinking light (e.g., a LED) as a normal condition monitor. A family of such stand-alone sensors exists including, for example, audible door alarms.
Relatively low power, radio frequency (RF) lighting control systems employ wall-mounted, battery powered, RF switch “sensors”. Such a sensor sends a signal to a remote power control device, such as relay, in order to turn one or more house lights on and off.
Unlike stand-alone devices, a low power, RF sensor device allows its sensor to be connected to a remote controller or monitor. A simple example of this is the automatic garage door opener. In this example, the “sensor” is a button in a car. When the button is pushed, this causes the garage door to open or close.
It is known to provide a sensor system in which a plurality of sensors are connected, either directly with wires or indirectly with RF communications, to a central control and monitoring device. An example of such a sensor system is a security system, which may include a telephone line for dial out/in communication.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,629 discloses a remote locking function employing a lock including a spring, a solenoid and a sensor. The spring is of sufficient strength to cause a carrier component to move downward to a locked position and cause extension of a deadbolt of a deadbolt latch assembly. A backplate assembly comprises an electronic module housing batteries to operate the automatic locking solenoid and a signal receiver.
With the carrier component positioned in a lowered, or locked position, movement of the carrier component from a locked position to an unlocked position is accomplished by either rotating inside knob/lever, rotating thumbturn, or by turning a key to rotate a rotating driver bar of deadbolt assembly, typically with a key. Movement of the carrier component and attached rack causes rotation of pinion and driver bar, retracting the deadbolt. At the end of the carrier component travel, the deadbolt is fully retracted. A catch release, biased by catch release spring, forces a tab feature of catch to move underneath a spring carriage in a manner locking the carrier component in an unlocked position. The spring is now in an extended position, storing energy needed to extend the deadbolt.
The remote locking feature utilizes the solenoid operably connected to the catch release. A remote signal device is utilized with the remote locking mechanism, as a standard keychain transmitter of the type used to unlock cars or garages. When the remote locking signal is received by a signal receiver, the solenoid retracts the catch release, allowing the catch component to rotate away from the spring carriage component. The carrier component is then permitted to move downward under the biasing force of the spring. The downward movement of the carrier component causes extension of the deadbolt, thus locking the door.
If the door is locked when the door is in an opened condition, the deadbolt will prevent the door from closing. In order to prevent accidental locking of the door when the door is opened, the deadlatch assembly includes a sensor to detect whether the door is open or closed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,818 discloses a backplate assembly comprising a sensor component, such as a microswitch, that determines whether the attached carrier component is in a locked position or an unlocked position.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,903 discloses a security system comprising an entry door; a lock for selectively locking and unlocking the entry door; and a switch having a first state indicative of the lock being in a locked position and a second state indicative of the lock being in an unlocked position. When the switch is in its first state, the security system is armed and, when the switch is in its second state, the security system is disarmed. A sensor is provided to determine if the lock was engaged from inside or outside the protected premises.
There is room for improvement in lock devices and in systems employing the same.
These needs and others are met by the present invention, which provides a simple and cost effective lock including a deadbolt having a first end and a second end. The deadbolt second end is structured to disengage from an intended object, such as a portion of a door frame, and to engage the object in a second position. A spring directly engages and biases the first end of the deadbolt toward the second position thereof. An electro-mechanical apparatus includes a stop member which is structured to engage the deadbolt, in order to hold the deadbolt in the first position thereof.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a lock device for engaging an object comprises: a lock including a deadbolt having a first end and a second end, which is structured to disengage from the object in a first position and to engage the object in a second position; a spring directly engaging and biasing the first end of the deadbolt toward the second position thereof; an electro-mechanical apparatus including a stop member structured to engage the deadbolt, in order to hold the deadbolt in the first position thereof; and a wireless controller structured to receive a wireless signal and responsively energize the electro-mechanical apparatus, in order to disengage the stop member of the electro-mechanical apparatus from the deadbolt and release the deadbolt to the second position thereof.
The lock may be structured to receive a key. Rotation of the key in a first direction in the lock may drive the deadbolt from the second position to the first position thereof, in order to charge the spring. Rotation of the key in an opposite second direction in the lock may drive the deadbolt from the first position to the second position thereof by overcoming a force from the stop member of the electro-mechanical apparatus or may signal the wireless controller to energize the electro-mechanical apparatus.
The lock may include a manual handle. Movement of the manual handle in a first direction may drive the deadbolt from the second position to the first position thereof, in order to charge the spring. Movement of the manual handle in an opposite second direction may drive the deadbolt from the first position to the second position thereof by overcoming a force from the stop member of the electro-mechanical apparatus or may signal the wireless controller to energize the electro-mechanical apparatus.
The spring may store energy when the lock is opened and the deadbolt moves from the second position to the first position thereof. The lock may be structured to be manually unlocked by driving the deadbolt from the second position to the first position thereof, in order to charge the spring. The lock may be further structured to be automatically locked by energizing the electro-mechanical apparatus in response to receipt of the wireless signal, in order to release the deadbolt from the first position to the second position thereof.
The lock device may be structured for mounting in a door having a frame. The object may be a portion of the frame of the door.
As another aspect of the invention, a lock device for engaging an object comprises: a lock including a deadbolt having a first end and a second end, which is structured to disengage from the object in a first position and to engage the object in a second position; a spring directly engaging and biasing the first end of the deadbolt toward the second position thereof; an electro-mechanical apparatus including a stop member structured to engage the deadbolt, in order to hold the deadbolt in the first position thereof; a sensor structured to sense at least one of the first and second positions of the deadbolt; and a wireless controller structured to receive a wireless signal and responsively energize the electro-mechanical apparatus, in order to disengage the stop member of the electro-mechanical apparatus from the deadbolt and release the deadbolt to the second position thereof.
As another aspect of the invention, a system for a structure comprises: an electronic device including a first wireless communication port and a user interface, the first wireless communication port outputting first wireless signals and inputting second wireless signals; at least one sensor, each of the at least one sensor sensing information and including a second wireless communication port, which sends the sensed information as a corresponding one of the second wireless signals to the first wireless communication port of the electronic device; and at least one device, each of the at least one device outputting a control action and including a third wireless communication port, which receives a corresponding one of the first wireless signals from the first wireless communication port of the electronic device, one of the at least one device being a door lock device for engaging an object, the door lock device comprising: a lock including a deadbolt having a first end and a second end, which is structured to disengage from the object in a first position and to engage the object in a second position, a spring directly engaging and biasing the first end of the deadbolt toward the second position thereof, an electro-mechanical apparatus including a stop member structured to engage the deadbolt, in order to hold the deadbolt in the first position thereof, and a wireless controller structured to receive the corresponding one of the first wireless signals and responsively energize the electro-mechanical apparatus, in order to disengage the stop member of the electro-mechanical apparatus from the deadbolt and release the deadbolt to the second position thereof.
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As employed herein, the term “wireless” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, radio frequency (RF), infrared, wireless area networks, IEEE 802.11 (e.g., 802.11a; 802.11b; 802.11g), IEEE 802.15 (e.g., 802.15.1; 802.15.3, 802.15.4), other wireless communication standards (e.g., without limitation, ZigBee™ Alliance standard), DECT, PWT, pager, PCS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, and cellular.
As employed herein, the term “communication network” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), intranet, extranet, global communication network, the Internet, and/or wireless communication network.
As employed herein, the term “portable wireless communicating device” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any portable communicating device having a wireless communication port (e.g., a portable wireless device; a portable personal computer (PC); a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA); a data phone).
As employed herein, the term “fob” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a portable wireless communicating device; a wireless network device; a wireless object that is directly or indirectly carried by a person; a wireless object that is worn by a person; a wireless object that is placed on or coupled to a household object (e.g., a refrigerator; a table); a wireless object that is coupled to or carried by a personal object (e.g., a purse; a wallet; a credit card case); a portable wireless object; and/or a handheld wireless object.
As employed herein, the term “network coordinator” (NC) shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any communicating device, which operates as the coordinator for devices wanting to join a communication network and/or as a central controller in a wireless communication network.
As employed herein, the term “network device” (ND) shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any communicating device (e.g., a portable wireless communicating device; a fob; a camera/sensor device; a wireless camera; a control device; and/or a fixed wireless communicating device, such as, for example, switch sensors, motion sensors or temperature sensors as employed in a wirelessly enabled sensor network), which participates in a wireless communication network, and which is not a network coordinator.
As employed herein, the term “node” includes NDs and NCs.
As employed herein, the term “headless” means without any user input device and without any display device.
As employed herein, the term “server” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a “headless” base station; and/or a network coordinator.
As employed herein, the term “system” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a system for a home or other type of residence or other type of structure, or a system for a land vehicle, a marine vehicle, an air vehicle or another motor vehicle.
As employed herein, the term “system for a structure” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a system for a home or other type of residence or other type of structure.
As employed herein, the term “system for a vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a system for a land vehicle, a marine vehicle, an air vehicle or another motor vehicle.
As employed herein, the term “residence” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a home, apartment, dwelling, office and/or place where a person or persons reside(s) and/or work(s).
As employed herein, the term “structure” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a home, apartment, dwelling, garage, office building, commercial building, industrial building, a roofed and/or walled structure built for permanent or temporary use, a structure for a land vehicle, a structure for a marine vehicle, a structure for an air vehicle, or a structure for another motor vehicle.
As employed herein, the term “land vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any land-based vehicles having pneumatic tires, any rail-based vehicles, any maglev vehicles, automobiles, cars, trucks, station wagons, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), recreational vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, vans, buses, motorcycles, mopeds, campers, trailers, or bicycles.
As employed herein, the term “marine vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any water-based vehicles, ships, boats, other vessels for travel on water, submarines, or other vessels for travel under water.
As employed herein, the term “air vehicle” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, any air-based vehicles, airplanes, jets, aircraft, airships, balloons, blimps, or dirigibles.
As employed herein, the terms “home wellness system” or “wellness system” or “awareness system” shall expressly include, but not be limited by, a system for monitoring and/or configuring and/or controlling aspects of a home or other type of residence or other type of structure.
The present invention is described in association with a wireless home wellness or awareness system, although the invention is applicable to a wide range of wireless systems for monitoring and/or configuring and/or controlling aspects of a structure.
The base station 4 (e.g., a wireless web server; a network coordinator) may collect data from the sensors 8,10 and “page,” or otherwise send an RF alert message to, the fob 6 in the event that a critical status changes at one or more of such sensors.
The fob 6 may be employed as both a portable in-home monitor for the various sensors 8,10 and device 12, also, as a portable configuration tool for the base station 4 and such sensors and such device, and, further, as a remote control for such device.
The example base station 4 is headless and includes no user interface. Alternatively, the invention is applicable to servers, such as base stations, having a local or remote user interface. The sensors 8,10 preferably include no user interface, although some sensors may have a status indicator (e.g., an LED (not shown)). The user interface functions are provided by the fob 6 as will be discussed in greater detail, below. As shown with the device 12, the network 20 preferably employs an adhoc, multihop capability, in which the sensors 8,10, the device 12 and the fob 6 do not have to be within range of the base station 4, in order to communicate. The dotted line between the device 12 and the base station 2 represents a communication between the device 12 and the base station 2 where the device 12 acts as a “range extender,” for example, for the sensor 10.
The second processor 58, in turn, employs an RF transceiver (RX/TX) 66 having an external antenna 68. As shown with the processor 54, the various components of the fob 6 receive power from a battery 70. The first processor 54 receives inputs from a timer 55, a suitable proximity sensor, such as a sensor/base/device program switch 74 (e.g., which detects mating or engagement with one of the sensors 8,10 or with the device 12 or with the base station 4 of
The program switch 74 may be, for example, an ESE-24 MH1T Panasonic® two-pole detector switch or a Panasonic® EVQ-11U04M one-pole micro-switch. This program switch 74 includes an external pivotable or linear actuator (not shown), which may be toggled in one of two directions (e.g., pivoted clockwise and counter-clockwise; in and out), in order to close one of one or two normally open contacts (not shown). Such a two-pole detector is advantageous in applications in which the fob 6 is swiped to engage the sensors 8,10, the device 12 or the base station 4. Hence, by monitoring one of those contacts, when the fob 6 is swiped in one linear direction (e.g., without limitation, right to left, or left to right), the corresponding contact is momentarily closed, without concern for overtravel of the corresponding engagement surface (not shown). Similarly, by monitoring the other of those contacts, when the fob 6 is swiped in the other linear direction (e.g., without limitation, left to right, or right to left), the corresponding contact is momentarily closed and another suitable action (e.g., a diagnostic function; a suitable action in response to removal of the fob 6; a removal of a component from the network 20; an indication to enter a different configuration or run mode) may be undertaken.
Although a physical switch 74 is disclosed, an “optical” switch (not shown) may be employed, which is activated when the fob 6, or portion thereof, “breaks” an optical beam when mating with another system component. Alternatively, any suitable device or sensor (e.g., a reed switch and a magnet) may be employed to detect that the fob 6 has engaged or is suitably proximate to another system component, such as the base station 4 or sensors 8,10 or device 12 of
The encoder 76 may be, for example, an AEC11 BR series encoder marketed by CUI Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. Although the encoder 76 is shown, any suitable user input device (e.g., a combined rotary switch and pushbutton; touch pad; joystick button) may be employed. Although the alert device 84 is shown, any suitable annunciator (e.g., an audible generator to generate one or more audible tones to alert the user of one or more corresponding status changes; a vibrational generator to alert the user by sense of feel; a visual indicator, such as, for example, an LED indicator to alert the user of a corresponding status change) may be employed. The display 78 preferably provides both streaming alerts to the user as well as optional information messages.
Alternatively, the device 12 may be powered from a suitable AC/DC power source (not shown). The device 12 of
When a sensor (input node) (e.g., water sensor), such as 8,10, joins the wireless network 20 of
When a device (output node) (e.g., water valve; door lock), such as 12, joins the wireless network 20, the user is prompted by the fob 6 to: (1) select a name for the device (e.g., main water shut off valve; water heater valve; front door lock); (2) select which of the sensors (or other nodes, such as, for example, fob; pager; cellular telephone; PDA; wireless handheld device), such as 8,10, can control it; and (3) configure any logic (e.g., OR; AND; XOR) to be used for multiple sensor or fob inputs. For example, the first time that any device is added to the system 2 of
The analog sensor 8 of
The device 12 of
As shown in
As part of the message sequence 260, the fob PIC processor 54 sends a PICDATA_request(rqst_updates) message 268 to the fob RF processor 58, which receives that message 268 and responsively sends a Data(reqst_updates) RF message 270 to the base RF processor 26. Upon receipt of the RF message 270, the base RF processor 26 sends an Acknowledgement(SUCCESS) RF message 272 back to the fob RF processor 58 and sends a PICDATA_indication(rqst_updates) message 274 to the base PIC processor 22. The data requested by this message 274 may include, for example, profile and state information from one or more components, such as the sensors 8,10 and the device 12 (
After receiving the Data(updates) RF message 280, the fob RF processor 58 sends an Acknowledgement(SUCCESS) RF message 282 back to the base RF processor 26 and sends a PICDATA_indication(updates) message 286, including the requested sensor update data, to the fob PIC processor 54, which updates its local data table 266. Then, if there is no activity of the fob encoder 76 of
After receiving the Acknowledgement(SUCCESS) RF message 282, the base RF processor 26 sends a PICDATA_confirm(SENT) message 284 back to the base PIC processor 22. Following the message sequence 260, the fob timer 55 awakens the fob PIC processor 54, at 291, which sends the message 264 to the fob RF processor 58, in order to periodically repeat the message sequence 260.
In the example of
In
The low_power_mode( ) 324 is maintained until one of two events occurs. As was previously discussed, after the expiration of the sensor_heartbeat_interval 314, the sensor 10 wakes up at 316. Alternatively, as shown in
Responsive to receiving the message 334, the base station PIC processor 22 sends the PICDATA_request(command) message 336 to the base station RF processor 26. Such a command is sent, in this example, when the sensor state change corresponds to an alert condition (e.g., water detected). Finally, the base station RF processor 26 sends a Data(command) RF message 382 to the device 12. In response, that device 12 undertakes a corresponding control action 384 (e.g., close valve) and sends back feedback status 386 to the base station RF processor 26.
Alternatively, the base station RF processor 26 may send the Data(command) RF message 382 to the device 12 in response to another RF message (not shown) from the fob 6 (
Referring to
The spring 414 stores suitable energy when the lock 406 is opened and the deadbolt 408 moves from the second position (shown in phantom line drawing in
The lock device 400 preferably includes a sensor 424 structured to sense at least one of the first and second positions of the deadbolt 408. The door lock device 400 includes an unlocked state and a locked state. The sensor 424 cooperates with the wireless controller 420 and is structured to sense the unlocked state or the locked state of the door lock device 400 from the first position or the second position, respectively, of the deadbolt 408.
The lock 406 may be structured to receive a key 426. Rotation of the key 426 in a first direction 428 in the lock 406 may drive the deadbolt 408 from the second position to the first position (shown in solid line drawing) thereof, in order to charge the spring 414. Rotation of the key 426 in an opposite second direction 430 in the lock 406 may drive the deadbolt 408 from the first position to the second position (shown in phantom line drawing) thereof by overcoming a force from the solenoid plunger 418 or, alternatively, may signal 432 (e.g., through an auxiliary contact (not shown); through a wireless signal (not shown)) the wireless controller 420 to energize the solenoid 416.
The lock 406 may include a manual handle 434. Movement of the manual handle 434 in a first direction 436 may drive the deadbolt 408 from the second position to the first position (shown in solid line drawing) thereof, in order to charge the spring 414. Movement of the manual handle 434 in an opposite second direction 438 may drive the deadbolt 408 from the first position to the second position (shown in phantom line drawing) thereof by overcoming a force from the solenoid plunger 418 or, alternatively, may signal 432 the wireless controller 420 to energize the solenoid 416.
The solenoid 416 and the wireless controller 420 are both powered from a battery 440.
Alternatively, the solenoid 416 and/or the wireless controller 420 may be powered from a suitable AC to DC power source (not shown).
The sensor 424 may be any suitable sensor, such as, for example, without limitation, one of a cam switch, a photo sensor and a proximity sensor.
As shown in
Referring to
In this example, the sensor 424 (
The first and third wireless signals 464,474 are limited to cause the wireless controller 420 (
As another alternative to the example solenoid 416, a suitably small motor (not shown) with suitable gear(s) and/or cam(s) may be employed to move a stop member, such as the example plunger 418, and release the deadbolt 408.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
