Mesh network door lock

• US 8,358,197 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2011
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clean Energy Management Solutions, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bao Q. Tran
• Inventors: Tran, Bao Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): EUSTAQUIO, CAL J
• Application Number:
  US13/230,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20110316667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 340/539.1, 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for sending a code from a mesh network key and wirelessly communicating the code with one or more mesh network appliances over a mesh network such as ZigBee; receiving the code over the mesh network by a mesh network lock controller; and providing access to the secured area upon authenticating the code.

Claims

1. An electronic door lock system, comprising:

an electrically actuated arm having an arm actuation in a first position to allow access to a vehicle and a second position to secure the vehicle;

a wireless mesh network and a mesh network lock controller to wirelessly communicate with one or more energy management appliances including electricity meters, wherein the wireless network and the mesh network lock controller also communicates with one or more vehicle door locks of the vehicle;

a mesh network key accessed by a user and coupled to the wireless network and the mesh network lock controller to send a code;

wherein the wireless mesh network comprises a full function device that communicates with logical device types including a coordinator node, a router node, and an end node, and wherein data is forwarded from node to node to a destination so that data reaches the destination even if one or more nodes fail, wherein the coordinator node establishes the network and define main parameters, wherein the end node comprises a reduced function device and does not participate in routing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the network comprises one of:

an 802.15 network, a ZigBee network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device starts a vehicle when a user is proximal to the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the message is sent to a remote listener using one of:

Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), cellular telephone service, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the network lock controller transmits the voice message to a local or a remote person to listen, collects visitor data and identifying information to display to the local or remote person, and receiving a command from the local or remote person to allow access to the secured area.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrically actuated arm comprises a motor driving a garage door and wherein the mesh network lock controller opens the garage door without user action after an automatic authentication of an approaching vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device activates the ignition and throttle of a vehicle when the user approaches the vehicle or when the user remotely pushes a start button.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrically actuated arm applies power to an appliance to turn on the appliance.

9. The system of claim 1, comprising a mesh network appliance to provide one of:

home security, door access control, lighting control, power outlet control, dimmer control, switch control, temperature control, humidity control, carbon monoxide control, fire alarm control, blind control, shade control, window control, oven control, cooking range control, personal computer control, entertainment console control, television control, projector control, garage door control, car control, pool temperature control, water pump control, furnace control, heater control, thermostat control, electricity meter monitor, water meter monitor, gas meter monitor, remote diagnostic.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is coupled to a wide area network including the Internet.

11. The system of claim 1, comprising an in-door positioning system coupled to one or more mesh network appliances to provide location information.

12. The system of claim 1, comprising a call center coupled to the mesh network to provide a human response.

13. The system of claim 1, comprising a wireless router coupled to the mesh network and wherein the wireless router comprises one of:

802.11 router, 802.16 router, WiFi router, WiMAX router, Bluetooth router, X10 router.

14. The system of claim 1, comprising a mesh network appliance coupled to a power line to communicate X10 data to and from the mesh network.

15. A method to provide access to a secured area, comprising:

sending a code from a mesh network key and wirelessly communicating the code with one or more mesh network appliances over a mesh network, wherein the mesh network comprises a full function device that communicates with logical device types including a coordinator node, a router node, and a reduced function device that does not participate in routing;

communicating, using a wireless mesh network and a mesh network lock controller to wirelessly with one or more energy management appliances including electricity meters, wherein the wireless network and the mesh network lock controller also communicates with one or more vehicle door locks of the vehicle;

receiving the code over the mesh network by a mesh network lock controller; and

providing access to the secured area upon authenticating the code.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mesh network comprises an 805.15 network.

17. The method of claim 15, comprising capturing and transmitting a voice message by one of:

the mesh network key and the mesh network lock controller, further comprising transmitting the voice message to a resident person or a remote person to listen, and collecting visitor data and identifying information to display to the resident person or remote person.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the code comprises a cryptographic code and wherein the mesh network appliance provides one of:

home security, door access control, lighting control, power outlet control, dimmer control, switch control, temperature control, humidity control, carbon monoxide control, fire alarm control, blind control, shade control, window control, oven control, cooking range control, personal computer control, entertainment console control, television control, projector control, garage door control, car control, pool temperature control, water pump control, furnace control, heater control, thermostat control, electricity meter monitor, water meter monitor, gas meter monitor, remote diagnostic.

19. A vehicular electronic door lock system, comprising:

a vehicle having an electrically actuated arm with a first position to allow access to a vehicle interior;

a network key coupled to a mesh network to send an encrypted code; and

a lock controller coupled to the electrically actuated arm and to the mesh network, said controller moving the electrically actuated arm to the first position upon authenticating the encrypted code;

wherein the mesh network comprises a full function device that communicates with logical device types including a coordinator node, a router node, and an end node, and wherein data is forwarded from node to node to a destination so that data reaches the destination even if one or more nodes fail, wherein the coordinator node establishes the network and define main parameters, wherein the end node comprises a reduced function device and does not participate in routing.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the lock controller transmits a voice message from a visitor to a local or a remote person to listen, collects visitor data and identifying information to display to the local or remote person, and receiving a command from the local or remote person to allow the visitor access to the vehicle.