Power management lock system and method

• US 7,548,151 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2007
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inncom Intl Inc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Inncom Intl Inc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Roosli, Philipp A., Larson, Eric, Sagar, Ravi
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C
• Application Number:
  US11/705,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20070146115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 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, 702/77, 702/781, 702/782, 702/80, 702/81, 702/82, 361/172, 235/382, 235/382.5
• 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 with a single unit of a multi-unit building, including a server associated with a network thereof, the system comprising:

a lock unit including a control assembly, a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock a door of the single unit, and a credential sensing mechanism to enable operations of the locking mechanism in accordance with a verification, by the credential sensing mechanism, of an identity of an authorized potential occupant seeking entry to the single unit;

a transceiver, coupled to the lock unit, disposed in signal communication with the server to communicate information relating to the lock unit to the server; and

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

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

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

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

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

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the control assembly accepts power from an emergency battery and initiates a slowing in operations thereof when the sensor senses an absence and/or a weakness of the power signal, wherein the lock unit further includes a real time clock by which the control assembly initiates the slowing, and wherein the real time clock is powered by the emergency battery.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the power signal generator is disposed in a position which is remote from the door and the control assembly.

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

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the power signal is an electromagnetic signal and the sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor configured to sense the 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 use in a system including a single unit of a multi-unit building, a server associated with a network of the building and a lock unit, the lock unit including controller, a mechanism configured to lock and unlock a door of the single unit and a credential sensing mechanism to enable operations of the mechanism, the method comprising:

communicating information relating to the lock unit between the server and a transceiver coupled to the lock unit;

sensing, by a sensor disposed in logical communication with the controller, whether the door is open;

transmitting a signal from the sensor to the controller indicating that the door is open; and

upon receipt of the open door signal, ceasing provision of power to the locking mechanism and the credential sensing mechanism and simultaneously maintaining provision of power to the transceiver.