Patent Application
20080084299
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure hereof will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
Referring to
The lock assembly 12 includes an electronic locking mechanism 20 and a visual indication 22, which indicates the status of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism 20 is actuated in response to a signal initiated by the key (e.g., with a key (conventional or magnetic), a key card (magnetic or punched holes), a security code, a FOB, or a button). The indicator 22 indicates whether or not the locking mechanism 20 is properly engaged for securing the door. The detection of whether or not the door is secure is discussed in more detail below. The indicator 22 is any device suitable for indicating the position of the lock, including but not limited to, a LED (Light Emitting Diode), a lever, or a slide indicator.
Referring also to
System 10 further includes a signal processor 28 in communication with the electronic locking mechanism 20 and sensors 24 and 26. Processor 28 is configured to prohibit actuation of the locking mechanism 20 when the closed-door position sensor 24 fails to detect a closed condition of the door. Further, processor 28 will only allow actuation of the locking mechanism 20 when closed-door position sensor 24 detects a closed condition of the door. Further, processor 28 generates a signal to the indicator 22 to indicate a secured state of the door when both the closed-door position sensor 24 detects a closed condition of the door and the locking mechanism sensor 26 detects a fully engaged condition of the locking mechanism 20. The processor 28 determines a secured state of the door when the door sensor senses the condition of the door as closed and the locking mechanism sensor senses the condition of the locking mechanism as locked.
If for some reason, the condition of the locking mechanism or the door changes, the respective sensor will detect such, and the processor will determine that the state of the door is unsecured. This could be a result of the door being forced open, the lock being forced to a position other than fully engaged, or the door unlocking in the event of such things as a power failure (when open is the default position). Processor 28 may be incorporated within electronic door lock assembly 12 or its functions are remotely performed at a central processor 30 (
The two-way communication module 14 comprises a transceiver (alternatively, an individual transmitter 14a and receiver 14b) incorporated within electronic door lock assembly 12. The transceiver is in communication with the processor 28 when it is incorporated within electronic door lock assembly 12, or directly with the electronic locking mechanism 20 and sensors 24 and 26 when the processor's functions are performed at the central processor 30. Information is transmitted and received wirelessly between the transceiver 30 and a repeater 32 (
Accordingly, the central processor 30 monitors the status of system 10, i.e., the condition of the locking mechanism and of the door itself. The central processor 30 generates commands for locking and unlocking the locking mechanism when desired. Also, status of the door and locking mechanism can be monitored and a notice or warning can be issued when the door and/or locking mechanism is not secure. Further, it will be appreciated that the central processor can control and/or monitor a plurality of doors in a multi-unit building.
The disclosed method may be embodied in the form of computer- implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The method can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus capable of executing the method. The present method can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or as data signal transmitted whether a modulated carrier wave or not, over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus capable of executing the method. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
