Method and system for remotely controlling access to an access point

• US 8,331,544 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Kraus, Kevin C., Baldauf, Greg, Caterino, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Akhter, Sharmin
• Application Number:
  US12/811,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20100283579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,441 Days
• Field of Search: 340 57- 573, 340 561- 564, 340 522- 524, 709/249, 379/127.01
• US Class Current: 379/127.01
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A method of remotely operating a door lock. The method includes transmitting a first signal from a remote device to a router via a network; transmitting the signal from the router to a mesh network gateway; translating the signal from a network protocol to a mesh network protocol to produce a second signal; transmitting the second signal from the mesh network gateway to the door lock using radio frequency signaling over the mesh network; receiving the second signal at the door lock; and performing an operation at the door lock in response to the second signal being received by the door lock.

Claims

1. A method of remotely operating a door lock, comprising:

moving a mesh network gateway to a first position adjacent the door lock;

powering the mesh network gateway device using a battery to integrate the door lock into a mesh network;

moving the mesh network gateway to a second position different from the first position to provide AC power to operate the mesh network gateway;

transmitting a first signal from a remote device to a router via a network;

transmitting the signal from the router to the mesh network gateway;

translating the signal from a network protocol to a mesh network protocol to produce a second signal;

transmitting the second signal from the mesh network gateway to the door lock using radio frequency signaling over the mesh network;

receiving the second signal at the door lock; and

performing an operation at the door lock in response to the second signal being received by the door lock.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation includes changing the door lock between a locked and an unlocked state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation includes adding or deleting a user code to or from a list of user codes in the door lock.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation includes transmitting a third signal from the door lock to the mesh network gateway, the third signal indicating a status of the door lock.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the status includes at least one of:

whether the door lock is locked or unlocked, whether the door lock has been accessed, an identity of a user who has accessed or attempted to access the door lock, and whether a distress code has been entered.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a signal from a mobile device to a mesh network gateway is through the Internet.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting a signal from a mobile device to a mesh network gateway is performed using short message service signaling.

8. A system for remotely controlling access to an access point, the system comprising:

a lock comprising a locking mechanism, a radio-frequency mesh network transceiver operatively coupled to the lock, a power source, and at least one of a keyed entry system and a keyless entry system operatively coupled to the locking mechanism, the lock positioned adjacent the access point and the locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;

a radio-frequency mesh network gateway device comprising a housing, a radio-frequency transceiver, an Internet Protocol transceiver operatively coupled to the radio-frequency transceiver, a first power supply, a second power supply, and a logic and memory unit, the Internet Protocol transceiver operatively connected to a computer network, wherein the radio-frequency mesh network gateway device is configured to communicate with the lock using radio frequency communications, the first power supply operable to provide power to the mesh network gateway device with no external connections and to provide power to integrate the lock into a mesh network when the mesh network gateway device is placed adjacent the door lock, and the second power supply operable to provide AC power from a source external to the network gateway device;

a server operatively connected to the computer network; and

a remote communication device in operative communication with the server, wherein the remote communication device is configured to remotely monitor and operate the lock.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the lock is a door lock and the access point is an entry to a structure.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer network is the Internet.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the remote communication device is a computer that is networked with the Internet.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the remote communication device is a mobile telephone.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the first power supply includes a battery.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the lock comprises a keyless entry system having a keypad for entering an access code and a memory configured to store at least one access code.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the lock comprises a powered lock mechanism.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the lock is powered by a battery or by A/C power.

17. The system of claim 8 wherein the device is any RF networked device.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the second power supply includes an AC power supply and the first power supply includes a DC power supply.

19. A system for remotely controlling access to a plurality of access points, the system comprising:

a plurality of locks, each comprising a locking mechanism, a radio-frequency mesh network transceiver operatively coupled to the lock, a power source, and at least one of a keyed entry system and a keyless entry system operatively coupled to the locking mechanism, each lock positioned adjacent to one of the plurality of access points and the locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;

a radio-frequency mesh network gateway device comprising a housing, a radio-frequency transceiver, an Internet Protocol transceiver operatively coupled to the radio-frequency transceiver, a power supply, and a logic and memory unit, the Internet Protocol transceiver operatively connected to a computer network, wherein the radio-frequency mesh network gateway device is configured to communicate with each of the plurality of locks using radio frequency communications, the mesh network gateway device being movable to a plurality of positions, each of which being adjacent one of the plurality of access points to allow the mesh network gateway device to integrate each of the locks into a mesh network, the mesh network gateway device also positionable at a location away from each of the plurality of access points;

a server operatively connected to the computer network; and

a mobile telephone in operative communication with the server, wherein the remote communication device is configured to remotely monitor and operate the lock.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the radio-frequency mesh network gateway device includes an AC power supply and a DC power supply.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of non-lock controllers each operable to control a non-lock device and each including a radio-frequency mesh network transceiver operatively coupled to a respective controller.