Electronic combination lock

• US 9,495,820 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2015
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digipas Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Digipas USA LLC (Digipas Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Li, Hui Hong Jim Kery
• Primary Examiner(s): Alizada, Omeed
• Application Number:
  US14/821,049
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/006 Spring-biased ball or roller entering a notch
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0016 with linearly reciprocating motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0048 Circuits, feeding, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/005 Opening, closing of the circuit
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0065 Saving energy E05B2047/0053, E05B2047/0074, E05B2047/0077, E05B2047/0079, E05B2047/0081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0067 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0072 Operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0068 in padlocks E05B37/025, E05B37/10 and E05B37/14 take precedence
• 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 47/06 Controlling mechanically-operated bolts by electro-magnetically-operated detents
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/00 Padlocks permutation locks E05B37/00; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/06 Shackles; Arrangement of the shackle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00642 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an electronic combination lock mainly characterized by miniature size and easy-to-use electronic identification access-gaining method that enables a vast variety and type of access codes for user setting and choice. Another battery operated electronic key unit, incorporated with programmed access code to provide as an alternative choice for locking, unlocking and backup power, can be used in conjunction with the electronic combination lock.

Claims

1. A miniature electronic lock comprising:

a housing that includes a battery compartment;

a shackle bar that fits into the housing;

a movement sensor that is an acceleration or vibration sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect a pattern of shaking of the miniature electronic lock; and

an electronic system, protected by the housing, that includes memory storing a preprogrammed access code and that uses a microcontroller programmed by software to release the shackle bar upon the preprogrammed access code being received from a touch sensor and electronic display unit or from an electronic key, wherein the electronic system receives power from one or more batteries in the battery compartment, wherein the movement sensor provides power saving activation for the electronic system by activating the electronic system in response to the detected pattern of shaking of the lock.

2. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 1, wherein said pattern of shacking includes a press on the shackle bar followed by an immediate release against the housing of the lock to activate the electronic system.

3. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 1, additionally comprising a battery compartment lock that locks a battery cap of the battery compartment when the said shackle bar is in locking condition to secure the battery cap to the housing so that the one or more batteries in the battery compartment are inaccessible.

4. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 1, wherein both a status of the miniature electronic combination lock and the preprogrammed access code remain in an initial state as stored in a memory for the electronic system regardless of whether the one or more batteries in the battery compartment are being removed or are completely discharged.

5. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency receiver system to enable proximity access by the electronic key for input of the preprogrammed access code.

6. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 1, wherein the electronic key includes a connector and the preprogrammed access code is read by the electronic system when the connector is inserted in a key hole in the housing that is configured to receive the connector.

7. A miniature electronic lock comprising:

a housing that includes a battery compartment;

a shackle bar that fits into the housing;

a movement sensor that is an acceleration or vibration sensor disposed within the housing and configured to detect a pattern of shaking of the miniature electronic lock;

a touch sensor and electronic display unit;

a key hole in the housing that is configured to receive an electronic key;

a radio frequency receiver system to enable proximity access by the electronic key; and

an electronic system, protected by the housing, that includes memory storing a preprogrammed access code and that uses a microcontroller programmed by software to release the shackle bar upon the preprogrammed access code being received as input from either the touch sensor and electronic display or the electronic key, and wherein the displacement sensor provides power saving activation for the electronic system by activating the electronic system in response to the detected pattern of shaking of the lock.

8. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 7, wherein the electronic key is a smartphone, tag or fob.

9. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 7, wherein the electronic key includes a connector and the preprogrammed access code is read by the electronic system when the connector is inserted in the key hole.

10. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 7, wherein the electronic key includes at least one battery and electronic circuitry to provide power to the electronic system.

11. A miniature electronic lock as in claim 7, wherein the electronic key uses proximity access for input of the preprogrammed access code.

12. A miniature electronic lock system comprising:

an electronic key comprising;

a movement sensor that is an acceleration or vibration sensor configured to detect a pattern of shaking of the electronic key;

a miniature electronic lock comprising;

a housing that includes a battery compartment;

a shackle bar that fits into the housing;

a radio frequency receiver system to enable proximity access by the electronic key; and

an electronic system, protected by the housing, that includes memory storing a preprogrammed access code and that uses a microcontroller programmed by software to release the shackle bar upon the preprogrammed access code being received as input from the electronic key, wherein the electronic system receives power from one or more batteries in the battery compartment, wherein the displacement sensor provides power saving activation for the electronic system by activating the electronic system in response to the detected pattern of shaking of the electronic key, wherein the electronic key includes at least one battery and electronic circuitry to provide power to the electronic system.

13. A miniature electronic lock system as in claim 12, wherein the shackle bar is in the form of luggage zipper hooks or cylinder lock latches.

14. A miniature electronic lock system as in claim 12, additionally comprising a battery compartment lock that locks a battery cap of the battery compartment when the said shackle bar is in locking condition to secure the battery cap to the housing so that the one or more batteries in the battery compartment are inaccessible.

15. A miniature electronic lock system as in claim 12, wherein the electronic key is a smartphone, tag or fob.

16. A miniature electronic lock system as in claim 12, wherein the pattern of shacking of the electronic key generates a dedicated external proximity wireless signal to energize the radio frequency receiver of the miniature electronic lock to activate at least part of the electronic system of the lock.

17. A miniature electronic lock system as in claim 12, wherein the electronic key includes a connector and the preprogrammed access code is read by the electronic system to provide power to a dedicated electronic sub-system for triggering a by-pass unlocking function of the lock when the connector is inserted in a key hole in the housing.

18. An electronic lock system as in claim 12, wherein the electronic key includes a connector and the preprogrammed access code is read by the electronic system when the connector is inserted in a key hole in the housing.

19. A miniature electronic lock system as in claim 12, wherein the electronic key uses proximity access for input of the preprogrammed access code.

20. A miniature electronic lock system as in claim 12, wherein the electronic key serves as a proximity controller for the electronic system.