Lock devices, systems and methods

• US 9,441,401 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Nardelli, Frank A., Chen, Wu P., Telljohann, Brian A., Ainley, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): KING, CURTIS J
• Application Number:
  US13/754,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20130222110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/004 Lost motion connections
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/002 Geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0027 using centrifugal action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0067 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0086 Emergency release, e.g. key or electromagnet E05B63/0073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0097 including means for monitoring voltage, e.g. for indicating low battery state
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• 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 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/00 Electric permutation locks; Circuits therefor ; Mechanical aspects of electronic locks; Mechanical keys therefor arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; mechanisms including electronic locks actuated by nonmechanical keys such as passive and active electrical keys and other data carriers G07C9/00, G07F7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/04 for alternative use on the right-hand or left-hand side of wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/06 with lengthwise-adjustable bolts ; with adjustable backset, i.e. distance from door edge
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/06 with operating handle or equivalent member moving otherwise than rigidly with the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/163 Cylindrical or tubular latches
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0405 Programme-control specially adapted for machine tool control and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 : Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 : Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 : And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7107 : And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7113 : Projected and retracted electrically

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A lock of the application can include an internal mechanism to permit backdriven operation and lost motion operation. In one form the lock can be made from an assembly of parts that have locating features that require one way installation/assembly. The lock can include an internal power source capable of driving electronics used to determine handedness of a door.

Claims

1. An electromechanical door lock system configured to be operatively connected to a dynamic wireless network having a plurality of control nodes, the system comprising:

a controller;

first circuitry of the door lock system in electrical communication with the controller, the first circuitry including a first transceiver configured to receive a first signal transmitted by one of the plurality of control nodes of the dynamic wireless network via a channel, the first signal including an intended recipient ID, wherein the first circuitry is operable to demodulate the first signal and provide the intended recipient ID to the controller, wherein the controller is operable to evaluate the intended recipient ID and selectably control transmission of an acknowledgment signal through the first circuitry; and

second circuitry of the door lock system in electrical communication with the controller, the second circuitry including a second transceiver configured to wake up in response to a wake up command generated by and received from the controller in response to a wake up request sent to the controller from the first transceiver, and receive a second signal from the dynamic wireless network via the same channel, the second signal including door lock access information, wherein the second circuitry is operable to demodulate the second signal and provide the door lock access information to the controller, and the controller is operable to evaluate the door lock access information and to command actuation of a locking mechanism based upon the evaluation.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first signal and the second signal include substantially the same information.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the controller controls the first transceiver to transmit the acknowledgement signal based upon the evaluation.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first signal includes the door lock access information and the second signal further includes the intended recipient ID.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the acknowledgement signal includes a request to repeat or retransmit a subsequent transmission.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein information content of the first signal and the second signal differs only with respect to information pertaining to transmission time or transmission ID.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the acknowledgement signal includes a request to delay or modify timing of a subsequent transmission.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first transceiver and the controller are operable to first evaluate a strength of the first signal relative to a first criterion, second evaluate a transmission type identifier, and third evaluate an intended recipient identifier.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the controller controls the first circuitry to periodically poll for the first signal while the second transceiver is asleep.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein the first transceiver draws less current when periodically polling than would be drawn by the second receiver when periodically polling.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the second circuitry is further operable to demodulate door lock query information and the controller is operable to process the door lock query information, sense a locking mechanism position, and control the second transceiver to transmit information of the locking mechanism position.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein the acknowledgement signal is configured to be retransmitted by the one of the plurality of control nodes.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the one of the plurality of control nodes comprises a third transceiver and the acknowledgement signal includes a retransmission request, wherein the retransmission request is received by the third transceiver, and wherein the third transceiver is in communication with a server.

14. An electromechanical door lock system, comprising:

first circuitry of a door lock configured to receive a first signal transmitted via a dynamically configurable wireless network having a plurality of nodes, and via a channel, the first signal including identification bits, wherein the first circuitry is operable to demodulate the first signal, evaluate the identification bits, wake up second circuitry of the door lock based upon evaluation of the identification bits, and initiate transmission of a response signal receivable by one of the plurality of nodes; and

wherein the second circuitry is configured to receive a second signal including door lock query information via the dynamically configurable wireless network and via the same channel, and the second circuitry is operable to demodulate the second signal, process the door lock query information, and wherein a controller is configured to communicate with the first circuitry and the second circuitry, to provide a wake up request to the second circuitry responsive to a wake up request received from the first circuitry, and is further configured to evaluate a locking mechanism position, and transmit locking mechanism position information with the second circuitry.

15. The system according to claim 14 wherein the system senses the locking mechanism position of a locking mechanism based upon open circuit and closed circuit states of a rotary electromechanical encoder.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the encoder is operable to provide signals indicating position of a locking mechanism for both a left handed lock and a right handed lock.

17. The system according to claim 15 wherein the encoder is operable to provide a plurality of position signals including indicating an unlocked position of the locking mechanism, a locked position of the locking mechanism, and a home position of a gear configured to drive the locking mechanism.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the encoder is operable to provide each of the plurality of position signals for both a left handed lock and a right handed lock.

19. The system according to claim 15 wherein the encoder is operable to provide a plurality of position signals indicating a fully unlocked position of the locking mechanism, an almost unlocked position of the locking mechanism, an almost locked position of the locking mechanism, a fully locked position of the locking mechanism, and a home position of a gear configured to drive the locking mechanism.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein the encoder is operable to provide each of the plurality of position signals for both a left handed lock and a right handed lock.

21. The system according to claim 14 wherein the identification bits indicate a transmission type and a recipient ID.

22. A method of operating a door lock which may be locked and unlocked both electronically and manually, the method comprising:

receiving a first transmission at a first circuit of the door lock via a wireless mesh network, the first transmission including information identifying an intended recipient and information including a command for the door lock;

waking a second circuit of the door lock based upon the information, the second circuit awakened by a controller instructed by the first circuit in response to the first transmission;

receiving a second transmission at the second circuit at the door lock via the wireless mesh network, the second transmission including substantially the same information as the first transmission;

providing information of the second transmission to the controller; and

executing the command for the door lock with the controller.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the command is a command to sense and report a position of the door lock.

24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the executing the command includes evaluating the state of a plurality of circuits selectably configurable in open circuit states and closed circuit states.

25. The method according to claim 22 wherein the command is a command to lock or unlock the door lock.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein the executing the command utilizes information indicating a position of a locking mechanism of the door lock and information indicating position of a gear configured to drive the locking mechanism.

27. The method according to claim 22 wherein a gear is in a lost motion driving relationship with a locking mechanism of the door lock.

28. The method according to claim 22 wherein the command is a command to evaluate whether a locking mechanism of the door lock was last actuated manually or automatically.

29. The method according to claim 25 wherein the executing the command includes evaluating a position of a locking mechanism of the door lock and evaluating a signal associated with a position of a gear configured to drive the locking mechanism.

30. The method according to claim 22 wherein the command is a command to sense lock position and sense whether a locking mechanism of the door lock was last actuated manually or electrically.