DOOR LOCK SENSOR AND ALARM

• US 20130335222A1
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Rettig, Raymond F., Comerford, Timothy Noonan, Baty, David Mathew, Ainley, William Brian, Ahearn, John Robert, Lyon, Joe
• Granted Patent: US 9,361,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2045/063 by movement of the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2045/065 Switch or sensor type used in alarm locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2045/067 Switches triggered by inertia
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/04 with detonating alarm devices detonating alarm devices in general G08B3/14, G08B13/06
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/00 Locks or fastenings for special use
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/06 by tampering with fastening

Abstract

A door lock mechanism is disclosed that includes door lock and alarm features. The mechanism includes a controller and a sensor useful to detect motions that are representative of attempted access through a door to which the door lock mechanism is attached. The controller can set an alarm condition if a measured motion, such as a measured acceleration, meet and/or exceeds a threshold. If an appropriate access control credential is provided through a user device then the alarm condition may not be set by the controller. The door lock mechanism can be coupled to a remote station via a communications link if needed, such as a radio frequency link. The remote station can additionally be in communication with the door lock mechanism via a network. The remote station can be used to send and receive messages regarding door lock mechanism status, configuration, etc.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a door lock mechanism structured to operate a lock that permits entry through a door and configured to be installed with a door panel;

a sensor coupled to the door lock mechanism and operable to detect motion of the door, the sensor also operable to output a data signal representative of motion;

a user input device structured to receive an authentication from an authorized user; and

a controller in communication with the sensor and coupled to the lock, the controller operable to analyze the data signal representative of motion and trigger an alarm if the data signal satisfies an alarm condition and the authentication is not received by the controller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data signal includes one of an acceleration value, a wake-up message, an intrusion threshold alarm.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer and the motion is an acceleration.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the intrusion threshold alarm includes one of a tamper mode and a kick-in mode.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the authentication is provided through one of a keypad, touchpad, swipe card, proximity card, key FOB, RFID device, biometric sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an alarm is delayed when the authentication is not received by the controller over a plurality of attempts.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, which further includes a radio frequency device structured to transmit a message indicating a status of the door lock mechanism.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the radio frequency device is configured to transmit a Z-wave message.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a door lock and alarm mechanism having an inertial motion sensor and a controller operative to receive information from the inertial motion sensor regarding a sensed motion, the door lock and alarm mechanism also including a user input device structured to receive an authentication code that can be used together with the information of the sensed motion to determine an alarm signal, and a communications transmission device coupled with the door lock and alarm mechanism and structured to transmit information between the door lock and alarm mechanism and a server related to the alarm signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the inertial motion sensor is an accelerometer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the communications transmission device is a transceiver.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transceiver is part of a communications network that includes other transceivers associated with other devices.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, which further includes the server, and wherein the transceiver reports information to the server, the server configured to pass information over a network related to the alarm signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alarm signal is determined when the sensed motion exceeds a threshold and an invalid authentication code is provided through the user input device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the threshold can be adjusted remotely via a network.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the user input device can be one of a keypad, touchpad, swipe card, proximity card, key FOB, RFID device, and biometric sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, which further includes a local alarm sounder, and wherein the controller can delay an alarm based upon a plurality of attempts at providing an authentication code.

18. A method of assessing an alarm condition, the method comprising:

moving a door lock mechanism affixed to a door as a result of action to gain entry through a door;

sensing movement imparted to the door lock mechanism through use of a movement sensor as a result of the moving;

comparing the movement with a threshold to determine an action by the door lock mechanism;

testing whether a credential offered to gain access through the door has been authenticated through use of a controller coupled with the door lock mechanism; and

generating an alarm state signal as a result of the comparing if the credential is not authenticated.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensing includes detecting an acceleration with an accelerometer.

20. The method of claim 19, which further includes adjusting the threshold.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the generating the alarm state signal is accomplished only after the testing whether a credential has been authenticated is repeated a plurality of times.

22. The method of claim 21, which further includes transmitting a message indicating a status of the door lock mechanism.

23. The method of claim 22, which further includes operating the door lock mechanism through a user portal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating includes communicating with the door lock mechanism over a network.

25. The method of claim 20, which further includes sharing a message representative of the sensing with the controller.