Lock with remotely activated lockout feature

• US 8,633,799 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartlock Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Glen L. Aronson, John Wollam
• Inventors: Wollam, John, Aronson, Glen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khan, Omer S
• Application Number:
  US12/973,712
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.64, 340/5.73, 340/825.17
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/02 Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means by means in the striker E05B63/248
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0021 for overhead or roll-up doors, e.g. garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/00 Safes or strong-rooms for valuables savings boxes A45C1/12; floatable safes B63C7/30; storage containers without attack or fire-retardant features B65D; bank buildings in general, e.g. modular construction or floor plan, E04H1/06; buildings resistant to earthquakes or war action E04H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/04 Closure fasteners locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter has access to the storage unit unless the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so. In this method, the storage unit is secured by a lock that is, at least in part, controlled by the renter. A remotely controllable lockout assembly, however, is capable of over locking the storage unit so that the renter can no longer gain entry when the lockout assembly is activated. The method includes remotely controlling the lockout assembly to deny the renter access to the unit when the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so.

Claims

1. An overlook system for use with a secured space comprising:

a computer including;

a computer transceiver configured to send and receive coded signals;

a computer memory for recording transactions; and

a program for recording scheduled periodic payments associated with the secured space by a user; and

an overlock assembly including;

an arm that moves between a closed position and an open position;

a position sensor that responds to the position of the arm;

an overlook transceiver for sending and receiving coded signals with the computer;

a power supply; and

a logic unit operably connected to the power supply, the position sensor and the overlook transceiver;

wherein following a grace period starting subsequent to a lapse in payments of the scheduled periodic payments;

the computer generates a first coded signal; and

on receiving the first coded signal the overlook assembly operates in an overlook state preventing access to the secured space;

wherein in response to movement of the arm between the open position and the closed position the computer generates a record with a timestamp.

2. The overlock system of claim 1 where the computer transceiver is further configured to send a second coded signal and on the user paying the periodic payment associated with the secured space:

the computer generates the second coded signal; and

on receiving the second coded signal the overlock assembly operates in an open state and sets the arm to the open position allowing access to the secured space.

3. The overlock system of claim 1 where the overlock assembly further includes overlock memory storing a code and a code interface where the computer transceiver is further configured to send a second coded signal and on the user paying the periodic payment associated with the secured space;

the computer generates the second coded signal; and

on receiving the second coded signal the overlock assembly operates in a user controlled state where in response to the user entering an access code at the code interface that correlates with the code stored in overlock memory the arm is moved to the open position.

4. The overlock system of claim 1 where the overlock assembly includes a stimulus sensor operably connected to the processor that responds to at least one stimulus selected from a stimulus group that includes heat, temperature, moisture, flame, motion and smoke.

5. The overlock system of claim 1 where the overlock assembly includes an override system accessed from outside the secured space that allows the arm to move to the open position.

6. The overlock system of claim 1 where the overlock assembly includes an override system accessed from inside the secured space that allows the arm to move to the open position allowing egress from the secured space.

7. The overlock system of claim 1 wherein in response to generation of the record stored in overlock memory the overlock transceiver transmits a coded position signal to the computer and in response to the coded position signal the computer sends a message to the user.

8. The overlock system of claim 1 where the secured space includes a door and while the overlock assembly operates in the overlock state the arm engages a portion of the door to prevent access to the secured space, and in the open state the arm is disengaged from the portion of the door.

9. A method for controlling access to a storage unit using an overlock assembly including a processor operably connected to a transceiver, a position sensor and an actuator linked to a moving arm, the position sensor responding to movement of the arm between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:

payment by a user of at least one periodic payment for access to the storage unit;

recording each periodic payment in a computer with memory and a transceiver, the computer located remotely from the storage unit and the overlock assembly;

following a grace period initiated by the user failing to remit the periodic payment, transmitting a first coded signal from the computer to the overlock assembly;

on receiving the first coded signal at the overlook assembly transceiver;

moving the arm of the overlook assembly to an overlook position to prevent access to the storage unit; and

operating the overlook assembly in an overlock state to prevent access to the storage unit; and

on movement of the arm creating a record of the arm movement with a timestamp.

10. The method for controlling access to a storage unit with an overlock assembly of claim 9 where moving the arm of the overlock assembly to the overlock position engages a hasp or plate of an access door and prevents relative movement of the access door and the storage unit.

11. The method for controlling access to a storage unit with an overlock assembly of claim 9 where the method further includes:

in response to receiving a periodic payment, transmitting a second coded signal from the computer to the overlock assembly; and

on receiving the second coded signal at the overlock assembly transceiver, moving the arm of the overlock assembly to an open position.

12. The method for controlling access to a storage unit with an overlock assembly of claim 9 where the overlock assembly further includes memory storing a code and a code interface operably connected to the processor where the method further includes:

in response to receiving a payment, transmitting a second coded signal from the computer to the overlock assembly; and

in response to receiving the second coded signal at the overlock assembly, operating the overlock assembly in a user controlled state where on a user entering an access code at the code interface that correlates to the code stored in memory the arm moves to an open position providing access to the storage unit.

13. The method for controlling access to a storage unit with an overlock assembly of claim 9 where the overlock assembly further includes a status sensor operably connected to the processor that responds to at least one stimulus selected from a group including motion, smoke, heat, temperature, moisture and flame, where the method further includes sending a coded status signal from the overlock assembly transceiver to the computer in response to the status sensor detecting the stimulus.

14. The method of controlling access to a storage unit with an overlock assembly of claim 9 where the method further comprises:

in response to creating the record of the arm movement with a timestamp, the computer generates message to the user.