Remotely-operated self-contained electronic lock security system assembly

• US 5,933,086 A
• Filed: 12/01/1997
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Glezer, Ari, Tischendorf, Andrew, Schultz, Kenneth, Lehman, Gary, Andreou, Demos
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US08/980,727
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.73, 70/272, 70/278, 70/283, 70/386, 70/210, 70/216, 70/477, 70/478, 359/142, 380/340, 375/200, 375/202, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.22
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0017 with rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0023 Nuts or nut-like elements moving along a driven threaded axle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0024 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0026 Clutches, couplings or braking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0054 using microprocessor, printed circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 41/00 Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked indicator lights E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0661 axially, i.e. with an axially engaging blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/068 axially, i.e. with an axially disengaging coupling element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 55/005 Cylindrical or tubular locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00833 by code input from switches
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00841 by a portable device
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00873 by code input from the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/06 Involving synchronization or resynchronization between transmitter and receiver; reordering of codes
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 : where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 : the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5442 : Key-actuated lock releases dog
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 : Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A keyless locking mechanism for use in a door or the like. An operator activates the system by means of a portable remote handheld controller or a remote keypad unit, which transmit coded signals to an electronically controlled, electromechanical door lock device. The electronic and electromechanical device components are configured for secure mounting within the void or hollow portions of existing door locking apparatus, such as within the hollow interior doorknob, or hollow cylindrical sleeve latch actuators, or beneath the interior rose or escutcheon plates. A sensor or receiver/antenna mounted within the outer doorknob receives and forwards the coded signals to a processor which compares them with a predetermined stored signal. If an acceptable comparison is made, the processor generates control signals for the electromechanical device, which acts solely along or about the locking axis to enable or disable the door locking assembly, according to the command initiated by the operator. When locked, the outer doorknob turns freely. When unlocked, it operates in the normal manner, to engage and move the doorlatch and or locking member. Several embodiments of the electromechanical locking device are disclosed. The coded signals include two separate signals which are transmitted in segments interleaved with one another. The first signal includes an entrance code, while the second signal provides information concerning the frequency over which the next segments will be transmitted. The processor uses the second signal information to tune the receiver. Two-way communication between the handheld controller, or keypad and the electronic lock assembly is provided. A master programming unit for programming or reprogramming the electronic lock assembly is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An electronic lock apparatus for a door, comprising:

(a) a strike plate;

(b) a latch cooperatively engageable with said strike plate and movable along a latching axis between engaged and disengaged positions;

(c) mechanical locking means, operatively connected with said latch, for selectively preventing movement of said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, said locking means requiring only a primary motive force acting coincidentally along or about a locking axis, said locking axis being substantially perpendicular to said latching axis;

(d) at least two oppositely disposed knobs, said knobs being arranged and configured to rotate about said locking axis, for actuating said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, wherein a user provides the force to actuate said latch;

(e) knob connecting means, substantially disposed between said knobs, through the door, for connecting said knobs to said latch;

(f) electromechanical means, operatively connected to said mechanical locking means, for providing the primary motive force to said locking means;

(g) electronic control means, responsive to an encoded received over the air signal, for selectively energizing said electromechanical means, wherein said electromechanical means provides force only along or about the locking axis, wherein said electromechanical means and electronic control means are located entirely within said knobs and said knob connecting means, thereby sealing and protecting said electromechanical means and electronic control means from being accessed by an unauthorized user; and

(h) wherein said knob connecting means includes at least one decorative rose or escutcheon member disposed between one of said knobs and said door, and wherein at least a portion of said electronic control means is located within said rose or escutcheon member.

2. The lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein said encoded received signal includes a first set of encoded signals and a second set of encoded signals, wherein both of said first and second sets of encoded signals must be determined to be valid by said electronic control means prior to energizing said electromechanical means.

3. The lock apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electronic control means includes means for comparing said first and second sets of encoded signals with predetermined sets of reference signals stored in a memory location.

4. The lock apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first and second sets of encoded signals each include a predetermined number of subsets, said subsets of said first set of encoded signals being received by said electronic control means in an alternating manner with said subsets of said second set of encoded signals, whereby said subsets of said first and second set of encoded signals are interleaved with one another.

5. The lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electromechanical means is a DC motor.

6. The lock apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said knobs is arranged and configured to include a sensor, said sensor being operatively connected to said electronic control means for detecting said encoded received signal.

7. The lock apparatus of claim 6, wherein said sensor comprises an rf antenna.

8. The lock apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a signal generator means for generating said encoded received signal upon activation by a user.

9. The lock apparatus of claim 8, wherein said signal generator is independent of said electronic control apparatus.

10. The lock apparatus of claim 9, wherein said signal generator comprises a remote handheld controller.

11. The lock apparatus of claim 9, wherein said signal generator comprises a remote keypad device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said latching axis and said locking axis intersect.

13. An electronic lock system, comprising:

(a) key means for generating a signal;

(b) receiver means for receiving said signals;

(c) a lock mechanism, said lock mechanism being engaged and disengaged by longitudinal movement of a locking member between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said engaged and disengaged positions being defined at predetermined longitudinal positions along the longitudinal axis of said locking member;

(d) processor means, cooperatively connected to said receiver means, for comparing said received signal with a stored reference signal, for generating an actuation signal if said received signal is determined to be equivalent to said reference signal, and for receiving a deactivate signal to terminate said actuation signal;

(e) primary mover means, operatively connected to said processor means and including a shaft cooperatively rotatably connected to said locking member, for longitudinally moving said locking member along said axis in response to said actuation signal, whereby only the longitudinal movement of said locking member is utilized to lock and unlock said lock mechanism;

(f) lock mechanism detection means, operatively connected to said primary mover means, for providing said deactivate signal to said processor means when said lock mechanism has been longitudinally moved to said engaged or disengaged positions, wherein said processor means receives confirmation that said lock mechanism has actually longitudinally moved between said engaged or disengaged positions;

(g) wherein said lock mechanism includes;

(i) a screw member coaxially mounted for movement with said shaft of said primary mover means; and

(ii) wherein said locking member defines an axially threaded bore sized and configured to cooperatively threadably mate with said screw member whereby rotation of said screw by said prime mover means causes longitudinal motion of said locking member along said longitudinal axis.

14. The electronic lock system of claim 13, wherein said signal generated by said key means is a frequency modulated signal.

15. The electronic lock system of claim 13, further comprising:

(a) a retractable latch operatively connected to said lock mechanism, wherein said latch is retractable only when said lock mechanism is in said disengaged rotational position;

(b) a strike plate for engaging said latch; and

(c) at least one handle rotatable about said longitudinal axis of said locking member, said handle cooperatively connected to said latch, wherein rotating said handle retracts said latch relative to said strike plate.

16. An electronic lock apparatus with no mechanical key access for a door, comprising:

(a) a strike plate;

(b) a latch cooperatively engageable with said strike plate and movable along a latching axis between engaged and disengaged positions;

(c) mechanical locking means, operatively connected with said latch, for selectively preventing movement of said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, said locking means requiring only a primary motive force acting coincidentally along or about a locking axis, said locking axis being substantially perpendicular to said latching axis;

(d) at least two oppositely disposed knobs, said knobs being arranged and configured to rotate about said locking axis, for actuating said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, wherein a user provides the force to actuate said latch;

(e) knob connecting means, substantially disposed between said knobs and through the door, for connecting said knobs to said latch;

(f) at least one rose or escutcheon member cooperatively mounted by said knob connecting means adjacent at least one of said knobs;

(g) electromechanical means, operatively connected to said mechanical locking means, for providing the primary motive force to said locking means; and

(h) electronic control means, responsive to an encoded received over the air signal, for selectively energizing said electromechanical means, wherein said electromechanical means provides force only along or about the locking axis, and wherein said electromechanical means and electronic control means are located entirely within said knobs, said rose or escutcheon member and said knob connecting means, thereby sealing and protecting said electromechanical means and electronic control means from being accessed by an unauthorized user.

17. An electronic lock apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said electromechanical means and electronic control means are located substantially within the knob connecting means and that knob and rose or escutcheon member mounted on an interior side of the door.

18. A lock apparatus for an entryway door, of the type wherein a latch engages a strike plate, comprising:

(a) a screw member for longitudinally moving an engagement member which prevents a locking mechanism from moving the latch between an engaged position with the strike plate to a disengaged position with the strike plate, said screw member rotating about its longitudinal axis;

(b) remote component means for generating a coded signal, said coded signal comprised of a plurality of alternating packets of access information and tuning information at a plurality of transmission frequencies, wherein each packet of tuning information is representative of the transmission frequency for a subsequent packet of access information; and

(c) resident component means for receiving said coded signal, said resident component means comprising;

(i) means for receiving said packets of access information and for generating an access signal from said packets of access information;

(ii) means for receiving each of said packets of tuning information and for selectively tuning said resident component means to a receiving frequency generated from each of said tuning information packets; and

(iii) means for rotating said screw member if said access signal matches a stored predetermined signal.

19. The lock apparatus of claim 18, wherein said coded signal is transmitted either optically or by radio transmission.

20. The lock apparatus of claim 19, wherein said coded signal is transmitted using digital frequency modulation.

21. The lock apparatus of claim 18, wherein said remote component means comprises a handheld controller.

22. The lock apparatus of claim 18, wherein said remote component means comprises a keypad unit.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said remote component means randomly generates the information in each packet of tuning information, whereby said remote component means is capable of generating different coded signals, and said resident component means is capable of generating said access signal from different coded signals, in order to rotate said locking bar.