Electronic lock system with battery conservation features
First Claim
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1. In an electronic lock system that includes a battery powered lock, an improvement comprising:
- battery monitoring means for monitoring the status of the battery;
means for permitting usual operation of the lock if the battery monitoring means indicates that the battery is in a first state;
means for permitting usual operation of the lock and for indicating a low battery condition if the battery monitoring means indicates that the battery is in a second state corresponding to a battery energy lower than the first state; and
means for curtailing usual operation of the lock and for thereafter permitting operation of the lock only by a specially authorized key if the battery monitoring means indicates that the battery is in a third state corresponding to a battery energy lower than the second state.
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Abstract
A battery powered electronic lock system includes a battery monitoring feature that detects three states of the lock system battery. These states correspond to three progressively weaker states of the battery. When the battery is in the first state, the lock system operates in normal fashion. When the battery is in the second state, an indicator informs the user, but operation of the lock system otherwise continues in substantially normal fashion. When the battery is in the third state, normal lock operation is curtailed and the remaining battery energy is reserved for the purpose of opening the lock for specially authorized keys.
66 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In an electronic lock system that includes a battery powered lock, an improvement comprising:
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battery monitoring means for monitoring the status of the battery; means for permitting usual operation of the lock if the battery monitoring means indicates that the battery is in a first state; means for permitting usual operation of the lock and for indicating a low battery condition if the battery monitoring means indicates that the battery is in a second state corresponding to a battery energy lower than the first state; and means for curtailing usual operation of the lock and for thereafter permitting operation of the lock only by a specially authorized key if the battery monitoring means indicates that the battery is in a third state corresponding to a battery energy lower than the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of operating a battery powered lock system, comprising the steps:
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monitoring the lock system to determine a low battery condition; reserving a portion of the battery'"'"'s energy for operating the lock system during a low battery condition by a specially authorized key; and refusing to operate the lock system during a low battery condition for keys other than said specially authorized key. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In an electronic lock system having an electronic locking apparatus powered by a battery, an improvement comprising:
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first means for determining when the battery is nearing the end of its useful life; second means for counting uses of the locking apparatus after the first means determines that the battery is nearing the end of its useful life; and third means for curtailing operation of the locking apparatus after the second means counts to a predetermined point. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification