Capacitive data transfer in an electronic lock and key assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic key comprising:
- a housing;
a processor within the housing; and
a first capacitive metal plate in electrical communication with the processor, the first capacitive plate forming a capacitor when brought into proximity with a corresponding second capacitive metal plate of a lock, the first capacitive metal plate comprising a ring-shaped disc, the ring-shaped disc including a slit formed from an outer perimeter edge of the ring-shaped disc to an inner perimeter edge of the ring-shaped disc, the slit preventing a short from occurring within the first capacitive metal plate.
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Abstract
An electronic key may include a partial capacitor comprising a capacitive metal plate in communication with a processor. The capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor is configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the metal plate of the lock. Data may be transferred from the key to the lock using a capacitor formed by combining the two metal plates, wherein a common ground is established between the metal plate of the key and the metal plate of the lock through a parasitic capacitance present between the key and lock circuitry.
207 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic key comprising:
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a housing; a processor within the housing; and a first capacitive metal plate in electrical communication with the processor, the first capacitive plate forming a capacitor when brought into proximity with a corresponding second capacitive metal plate of a lock, the first capacitive metal plate comprising a ring-shaped disc, the ring-shaped disc including a slit formed from an outer perimeter edge of the ring-shaped disc to an inner perimeter edge of the ring-shaped disc, the slit preventing a short from occurring within the first capacitive metal plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronic lock comprising:
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a housing; a flexible circuit board within the housing; a first capacitive metal plate in electrical communication with the flexible circuit board, the first capacitive plate forming a capacitor when brought into proximity with a corresponding second capacitive metal plate of an electronic key, the first capacitive metal plate comprising a ring-shaped disc, the ring-shaped disc including a slit formed from an outer perimeter edge of the ring-shaped disc to an inner perimeter edge of the ring-shaped disc, the slit reducing the occurrence of eddy currents within the first capacitive metal plate. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification