SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRONIC LOCKING DEVICE POWER MANAGEMENT

• US 20130255335A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Master Lock Company (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Master Lock Company (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jonely, Michael B.
• Application Number:
  US13/830,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20130255335A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/277
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/22 Means for operating or controlling lock or fastening device accessories, i.e. other than the fastening members, e.g. switches, indicators E05B39/00 - E05B45/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/00 Padlocks permutation locks E05B37/00; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

Electronic locking devices are provided. One electronic locking device includes a circuit configured to cause a processor of the electronic locking device to be powered by a capacitor, and not a battery for powering a high current load of the electronic locking device, while the battery is driving the high current load of the electronic locking device.

Claims

1. An electronic locking device comprising:

a circuit configured to cause a processor of the electronic locking device to be powered by a capacitor, and not a battery for powering a high current load of the electronic locking device, while the battery is driving the high current load of the electronic locking device.

2. The electronic locking device of claim 1, wherein the capacitor comprises a thin cell capacitor.

3. The electronic locking device of claim 1, wherein the capacitor is connected in parallel with the processor.

4. The electronic locking device of claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises at least one switching device controllable by control signals received from the processor to place the at least one switching device in one of a plurality of configurations, wherein, in a first configuration, the at least one switching device is configured to electrically isolate the high current load from the battery and connect the battery to the capacitor to charge the capacitor, and wherein, in a second configuration, the at least one switching device is configured to connect the high current load to the battery and electrically isolate the capacitor and the processor from the battery and the high current load, wherein the processor is powered by the capacitor, and not the battery, in the second configuration.

5. The electronic locking device of claim 4, further comprising an input mechanism configured to receive an unlock code, wherein the processor is configured to determine the configuration of the at least one switching device based upon a received unlock code.

6. The electronic locking device of claim 5, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to unlock the electronic locking device, wherein the high current load is a motor and the motor is operably connected to the locking mechanism to unlock the electronic locking device, and wherein the processor is configured to cause the at least one switching device to enter into the second configuration when the unlock code is a correct unlock code.

7. The electronic locking device of claim 4, wherein the at least one switching device is in the second configuration for between 45 milliseconds and 100 milliseconds before returning to the first configuration.

8. The electronic locking device of claim 1, wherein combined requirements of the processor and the high current load are greater than a capacity of the battery.

9. An electronic locking device comprising:

a battery;

a processor;

a capacitor that is electrically coupled to the processor;

a load; and

at least one switching device, wherein the at least one switching device is controllable by control signals received from the processor to place the at least one switching device in one of a plurality of configurations,

wherein, in a first configuration, the at least one switching device is configured to electrically isolate the load from the battery and connect the battery to the capacitor to charge the capacitor, and

wherein, in a second configuration, the at least one switching device is configured to connect the load to the battery and electrically isolate the capacitor and the processor from the battery and the load, wherein the processor is powered by the capacitor in the second configuration.

10. The electronic locking device of claim 9, wherein the capacitor comprises a thin cell capacitor.

11. The electronic locking device of claim 9, wherein the capacitor is connected in parallel with the processor.

12. The electronic locking device of claim 9, further comprising an input mechanism configured to receive an unlock code, wherein the processor is configured to determine the configuration of the at least one switching device based upon a received unlock code.

13. The electronic locking device of claim 12, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to unlock the electronic locking device, wherein the load is a motor and the motor is operably connected to the locking mechanism to unlock the electronic locking device, and wherein the processor is configured to cause the at least one switching device to enter into the second configuration when the unlock code is a correct unlock code.

14. The electronic locking device of claim 9, wherein the at least one switching device is in the second configuration for between 45 milliseconds and 100 milliseconds before returning to the first configuration.

15. The electronic locking device of claim 9, wherein combined requirements of the processor and the high current load are greater than a capacity of the battery.

16. An electronic locking device comprising:

a battery;

a processor configured to control a position of a first switch and a position of a second switch;

a capacitor, wherein the capacitor is connected in parallel with the processor;

a high current load;

the first switch configured to;

connect, in a closed position, the battery to the capacitor and the processor, wherein the battery provides power to the processor and the capacitor when the first switch is in the closed position; and

disconnect, in an open position, the battery from the capacitor and the processor, wherein the capacitor is configured to provide power to the processor when the first switch is the open position; and

the second switch configured to;

connect, in a closed position, the battery to the high current load, wherein the battery provides power to the high current load when the second switch is in the closed position; and

disconnect, in an open position, the battery from the high current load.

17. The electronic locking device of claim 16, wherein the first switch is in an opposite position compared to the second switch.

18. The electronic locking device of claim 16, further comprising an input mechanism configured to receive an unlock code, wherein the processor is configured to determine the positions of the first switch and the second switch based upon a received unlock code.

19. The electronic locking device of claim 18, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to unlock the electronic locking device, wherein the high current load is a motor, wherein the processor is configured to close the second switch if the unlock code is a correct unlock code, and wherein the motor is operably connected to the locking mechanism to unlock the electronic locking device.

20. The electronic locking device of claim 16, wherein combined requirements of the processor and the high current load are greater than the capacity of the battery.