Passive entry sensor system
First Claim
1. A passive entry sensor system for use with a keyless access control system, comprising:
- a sensor comprising an electromagnetic radiation emitter for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation and an electromagnetic radiation detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation beam, said emitter and detector being located in an optical enclosure of said sensor, wherein at least a portion of said optical enclosure is locatable in a handle such that the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption or other change in transmission of the beam caused by a user actuating the handle to open a door;
a power-up switch for actuation by a user to provide a signal to a control module to power up said system; and
an independent optical locking switch comprising a shutter for intercepting the beam, said sensor being configured to detect at least a partial interruption or other change in transmission of the beam caused by actuation of the shutter;
wherein said independent locking switch includes a switch member, for actuation by a user, operatively coupled or connected to said shutter and said power-up switch such that movement of said switch member to a first position moves said shutter to flag the sensor and such that movement of said switch member to a second position triggers said power-up switch.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Passive entry sensor systems and associated sensors are disclosed. The system sensor is locatable in the handle of a door or like structure and can provide an electromagnetic radiation beam transmitted either along the length of the handle between opposite ends thereof or between the handle and the door such that the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption of the beam by a user actuating the handle. The system can include an independent optical locking switch for actuation by a user to lock the door which locking switch comprises a shutter for intercepting the beam so as to flag the sensor. The system can include a power-up switch for actuation by a user to power-up the system, back-up switches for detecting a pull on the handle, indicators for indicating system status to the user, and backlight and ground light lighting.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A passive entry sensor system for use with a keyless access control system, comprising:
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a sensor comprising an electromagnetic radiation emitter for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation and an electromagnetic radiation detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation beam, said emitter and detector being located in an optical enclosure of said sensor, wherein at least a portion of said optical enclosure is locatable in a handle such that the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption or other change in transmission of the beam caused by a user actuating the handle to open a door; a power-up switch for actuation by a user to provide a signal to a control module to power up said system; and an independent optical locking switch comprising a shutter for intercepting the beam, said sensor being configured to detect at least a partial interruption or other change in transmission of the beam caused by actuation of the shutter;
wherein said independent locking switch includes a switch member, for actuation by a user, operatively coupled or connected to said shutter and said power-up switch such that movement of said switch member to a first position moves said shutter to flag the sensor and such that movement of said switch member to a second position triggers said power-up switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13)
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11. A method for providing keyless access to a door structure using a system, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation, providing an optical enclosure in at least a portion of a handle of a door handle assembly, providing a power-up switch for actuation by a user to provide a signal to a control module to power up said system, and providing an independent optical locking switch comprising a shutter for intercepting the beam, wherein said independent locking switch includes a switch member coupled to said shutter and said power up switch, transmitting from said optical enclosure said electromagnetic radiation beam along the length of a handle or between the handle and a door, moving said shutter to flag a sensor in the system in response to said switch member moving to a first position, triggering said power-up switch in response to movement of said switch member to a second position, at least partially interrupting the beam by actuating the handle, sensing at least a partial interruption of the beam or other change in transmission of the beam caused by the user actuating the handle, generating a first output signal in response to sensing said change in beam transmission caused by actuating the handle, processing said first output signal to provide an actuation signal, and sending said actuation signal to an access control mechanism to unlock said door.
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12. A comma has been inserted after the phrase “
- depressing said switch member”
on line 6 of the claim.
- depressing said switch member”
Specification