CAPACITIVE DATA TRANSFER IN AN ELECTRONIC LOCK AND KEY ASSEMBLY

• US 20140152420A1
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knox Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Heather M. Knox
• Inventors: Wolski, Keith T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,041,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7136 Key initiated actuation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7441 Key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8081 Electric

Abstract

An electronic key may include a partial capacitor comprising a capacitive metal plate in communication with a processor. The capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor is configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the metal plate of the lock. Data may be transferred from the key to the lock using a capacitor formed by combining the two metal plates, wherein a common ground is established between the metal plate of the key and the metal plate of the lock through a parasitic capacitance present between the key and lock circuitry.

Claims

1. An electronic key comprising:

a housing;

a power source disposed within the housing;

a processor in communication with the power source; and

a partial capacitor comprising a first capacitive metal plate in communication with the processor, the first capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding second capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the second capacitive metal plate of the lock;

wherein the processor is programmed to transfer data signals at least partially by using the partial capacitor.

2. The electronic key of claim 1, wherein the first capacitive metal plate comprises an annulus.

3. The electronic key of claim 2, wherein the annulus comprises a front surface that lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the key.

4. The electronic key of claim 2, wherein the annulus comprises a gap configured to inhibit electrical current in the annulus.

5. The electronic key of claim 1, wherein the first capacitive metal plate comprises an electrical contact tab that is in electrical communication with the processor.

6. The electronic key of claim 1, further comprising a dielectric cover covering at least a portion of the first capacitive metal plate.

7. The electronic key of claim 2, further comprising a key power coil.

8. The electronic key of claim 7, wherein the key power coil and the first capacitive metal plate are concentric.

9. The electronic key of claim 8, further comprising a nose portion disposed within a hole formed by the annulus, wherein the key power coil is disposed at least partially within the nose portion.

10. The electronic key of claim 7, wherein the electronic key is configured to simultaneously transfer data using the first capacitive metal plate and transfer power using the key power coil.

11. The electronic key of claim 7, further comprising a ferromagnetic core of the key power coil disposed at least partially behind the first capacitive metal plate, wherein wire leads of the key power coil project through an aperture in the ferromagnetic core.

12. The electronic key of claim 7, wherein the key power coil is configured to inductively couple with a corresponding lock power coil of the lock assembly, wherein parasitic stray capacitance between the key power coil and the lock power coil provide a common reference for the first capacitive metal plate and the second capacitive metal plate.

13. The electronic key of claim 2, wherein the plate has a diameter greater than 5 mm.

14. The electronic key of claim 13, wherein the plate has a diameter between 6 mm and 9 mm.

15. A method for communicating with an electronic lock, the method comprising:

capacitively coupling a first metal plate of a key assembly with a second metal plate of a lock assembly; and

transmitting data from the key assembly to the lock assembly by applying a data signal to the first metal plate.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising inductively coupling a first power coil of a key assembly with a second power coil of a lock assembly;

17. The method of claim 16, wherein parasitic capacitance between the first power coil and the second power coil provides a common reference for the first metal plate and the second metal plate.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the first metal plate with the second metal plate comprises positioning the first metal plate in proximity to the second metal plate.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting power using the first power coil simultaneously while transmitting the data.

20. An electronic lock comprising:

a housing;

a locking mechanism disposed within the housing;

a processor disposed within the housing; and

a partial capacitor comprising a first capacitive metal plate in communication with the processor, the first capacitive metal plate configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding second capacitive metal plate of a key when brought into proximity with the second capacitive metal plate of the key;

wherein the processor is programmed to process data signals received through the partial capacitor to actuate the locking mechanism.

21. The electronic lock of claim 20, wherein the first capacitive metal plate comprises an annulus.

22. The electronic lock of claim 21, wherein the annulus comprises a gap configured to inhibit electrical current in the annulus.

23. The electronic lock of claim 20, further comprising a dielectric cover covering at least a portion of the first capacitive metal plate.

24. The electronic lock of claim 21, further comprising a lock power coil.

25. The electronic lock of claim 24, wherein the lock power coil and the first capacitive metal plate are concentric.

26. The electronic lock of claim 21, further comprising a nose portion disposed within a hole formed by the annulus, wherein the lock power coil is disposed at least partially within the nose portion.

27. The electronic lock of claim 20, wherein the electronic lock is configured to simultaneously transfer data using the first capacitive metal plate and transfer power using the lock power coil.