Wireless battery charging systems and methods for an electronic lock

• US 9,876,387 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2017
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FP Wireless LLC
• Original Assignee: FP Wireless LLC
• Inventors: Geiszler, Theodore D.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US15/639,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20170331320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 207 Days
• Field of Search: 320108, 320114, 320115, 320132, 320149, 307104, 292 1, 70277, 70271, 70431
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0061 using induction
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00642 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Example systems and methods are described that wirelessly charge a rechargeable battery associated with a lock. In one implementation, a rechargeable battery is electrically coupled to an electronic lock module associated with a door corresponding to a door frame. An electronic control module associated with the door frame and physically separate from the electronic lock module generates a wireless charging link between the electronic control module and the electronic lock module. The electronic control module transmits a charging signal to the electronic lock module via the wireless charging link, and the electronic lock module uses this charging signal to charge the rechargeable battery. The implementation also includes a lock associated with the door that can be locked or unlocked by the electronic lock module.

Claims

1. An apparatus for locking and unlocking a door mounted in a door frame, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic lock module powered by a rechargeable battery;

an electronic control module, when powered, operative to provide a wireless charging link between the electronic control module and the electronic lock module and to transmit a wireless charging signal from the electronic control module to the electronic lock module over the wireless charging link;

wherein the electronic lock module, when receiving the wireless charging signal uses the wireless charging signal to charge the rechargeable battery;

a bi-directional data communications link established between the electronic control module and the electronic lock module when both are powered to transmit data signals in a first direction from the electronic control module to the electronic lock module using a first electromagnetic signal having a first radio frequency, and in a second direction from the electronic lock module to the electronic control module using a second electromagnetic signal having a second radio frequency,

wherein the second radio frequency is different from the first radio frequency; and

a lock for locking the door, the lock coupled to the electronic lock module and having a locked state and an unlocked state selectable by the electronic lock module.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first antenna tuned to operate at the first frequency and electrically coupled to the electronic control module;

a second antenna tuned to operate at the first frequency and electrically coupled to the electronic lock module;

a third antenna tuned to operate at the second frequency and electrically coupled to the electronic control module; and

a fourth antenna tuned to operate at the second frequency and coupled to the electronic lock module.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery, the circuitry, when powered, monitoring a state of charge of the rechargeable battery and in response to the state of charge causing the electronic lock module to request the electronic control module to provide a wireless charging signal over the wireless charging link.

4. A method for controlling the lock state of a door mounted in a door frame, the door having a lock settable to one of a locked state or an unlocked state, an electronic lock module for setting the state of the lock to locked or unlocked, the electronic lock module electronically coupled to and powered by a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:

receiving a charging signal wirelessly over a wireless charging link from an electronic control module mounted off of the door and physically separate from the electronic lock module;

using the received charging signal to charge the rechargeable battery; and

using a bi-directional data communications link configured to transmit

first data signals in a first direction from the electronic control module to the electronic lock module using a first electromagnetic signal having a first radio frequency, and

second data signals in a second direction from the electronic lock module to the electronic control module using a second electromagnetic signal having a second radio frequency, the second radio frequency being different from the first radio frequency.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first data signals include instructions to set the lock to an unlocked state.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the second data signals include credential data received by the electronic lock module.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the second data signals include a request to provide the charging signal.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the second data signals include a request to cease providing the charging signal.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the first data signals include instructions to set the lock to a locked state.