Power management lock system and method

• US 7,515,033 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2008
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eric Larson, Philipp A. Roosli, Ravi Sagar
• Original Assignee: Eric Larson, Philipp A. Roosli, Ravi Sagar
• Inventors: Larson, Eric, Sagar, Ravi, Roosli, Philipp A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C
• Application Number:
  US11/971,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20080094172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.6, 340/5.61, 340/5.62, 340/5.63, 340/5.64, 340/5.65, 340/5.66, 340/5.7, 340/5.23, 340/5.72, 340/10.5, 340/425.5, 340/430, 340/506, 340/545.1, 340/686.6, 340/825.31, 702/80, 702/81, 702/82, 70276-279, 704/32, 704/34, 361/172, 235/382, 235/382.5, 49/25, 49/28, 49/30, 491/39, 492/76, 493/34, 493/40, 495/06, 292/92, 292/251.5, 292/144, 292/341.16, 292/DIG.61, 455/343.1
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0057 Feeding
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0059 by transfer between frame and wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0064 by solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0065 Saving energy E05B2047/0053, E05B2047/0074, E05B2047/0077, E05B2047/0079, E05B2047/0081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0068 Door closed
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00642 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00658 operated by passive electrical keys
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration

Abstract

A power management lock system including an electronic lock unit configured to lock and unlock a door and further including at least one sensor in communication with the electronic lock unit, the sensor configured to sense an open condition of the door and a closed condition of the door, wherein the electronic lock unit is configured to receive door data pertaining to the open condition and the closed condition from the at least one sensor, and where the electronic lock unit is further configured to manage the provision of power within the electronic unit based upon the door data.

Claims

1. A power management lock system for use in a multi-unit building, including a server associated with a network, the system comprising:

an electronic lock unit including a control assembly, a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock a door providing an entrance to a single unit of the multi-unit building, and a credential sensing mechanism to enable the door locking and door unlocking operations of the locking mechanism by a reading and a verification of data stored in a card of a potential occupant of the single unit, the control assembly, the locking mechanism and the credential sensing mechanism being disposed at the door;

a communications transceiver to communicate door data and electronic lock unit power data with the server of the multi-unit building; and

a sensor disposed in logical communication with the control assembly and configured to sense whether the door is open or closed and to indicate to the control assembly when the door is open,

wherein said control assembly is configured to receive the open door indication from the sensor and, upon receipt of the open door indication from the sensor, to cease provision of electronic power to the locking mechanism and the credential sensing mechanism and to simultaneously maintain provision of electronic power to the communications transceiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic lock unit operates in a power save mode when the door is open.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic lock unit further includes an energy storage device to which a power signal generator provides power via a power signal transmitted from said power signal generator to said energy storage device, and wherein the sensor senses presence and a strength of said power signal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensor transmits power data pertaining to said presence and said strength of said power signal to said control assembly.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said control assembly accepts power from an emergency battery and initiates a slowing in operation when the sensor senses an absence and a weakness of said power signal, wherein said electronic lock unit further includes a real time clock that allows said control assembly to initiate said slowing, and wherein said real time clock is powered by said emergency battery.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said power signal generator is disposed remotely to said door and said control assembly.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein said power signal generator is configured to wirelessly transmit said power signal to said energy storage device.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein said power signal is an electromagnetic signal and the sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor configured to sense said electromagnetic signal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plunger that is depressed when the door is closed and, extended when the door is open.

10. A method for managing power consumption in a lock system for use in a multi-unit building, including a sewer associated with a network, the system including an electronic lock unit including a control assembly, a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock a door providing an entrance to a single unit of the multi-unit building and a credential sensing mechanism to enable the door locking and unlocking operations of the locking mechanism by a reading and a verification of data stored in a card of a potential occupant of the single unit, the control assembly, the locking mechanism and the credential sensing mechanism being disposed at the door, and the system further including a communications transceiver to communicate door data and electronic lock unit power data with the server of the multi-unit building, the method comprising:

sensing, by a sensor disposed in logical communication with the control assembly, whether the door is open or closed;

transmitting a signal from the sensor to the control assembly indicating to the control assembly when the door is open; and

upon receipt of the open door indication from the sensor, ceasing provision of electronic power to the locking mechanism and the credential sensing mechanism and simultaneously maintaining provision of electronic power to the communications transceiver.