Contactless Electronic Access Control System
Patent No. US11080951 (titled "Contactless Electronic Access Control System") was filed by Lockfob Llc on Nov 18, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’951 is related to the field of electronic access control systems, specifically addressing electronic locks that can be wirelessly powered and controlled. Traditional mechanical locks are cumbersome to administer, while existing electronic locks often rely on batteries or external power sources, leading to potential failures when power is lost. This patent aims to overcome these limitations by providing a contactless, wireless electronic access control system.
The underlying idea behind ’951 is to enable an electronic lock to operate solely on power received wirelessly from an electronic access apparatus, such as a smartphone or dedicated key fob. This is achieved by using an electromagnetic radiation receiver in the lock to capture both power and data signals transmitted by the access apparatus. The received power is stored in a capacitor and then used to actuate the lock mechanism, eliminating the need for batteries or wired power connections.
The claims of ’951 focus on an electronic lock that can be locked and unlocked by a handheld electronic apparatus. The lock includes a mechanism that actuates between locked and unlocked states, an electromagnetic radiation receiver for wireless power and data, a capacitor for energy storage , a microcontroller for control, and power management circuitry. The power management circuitry receives power from the capacitor at a first voltage and outputs it at a second, potentially varying, voltage to actuate the lock.
In practice, the access apparatus transmits a wireless power signal to the lock's receiver, which converts it into electrical energy and stores it in a capacitor. Simultaneously, a digital data signal containing key identifiers is transmitted. The lock's microcontroller verifies the identifiers and, if valid, instructs the power management circuitry to release the stored energy to the lock mechanism. The power management circuitry may also boost the voltage to meet the lock mechanism's actuation requirements. The entire process occurs without any physical electrical connection to the lock.
This design differentiates itself from prior art by eliminating the need for batteries or wired power. The use of wireless power transfer and efficient power management allows the lock to operate with minimal energy consumption. Furthermore, the system can use optical light or radio frequency signals for power transfer, providing flexibility in implementation. The ability to vary the voltage supplied to the lock mechanism during actuation further optimizes power usage and ensures reliable operation.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’951 was filed, electronic access control systems were at a time when systems commonly relied on wired connections for power and data transfer rather than wireless methods. At this time, hardware or software constraints made efficient power management and secure wireless communication non-trivial, especially in low-power devices like electronic locks.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art did not disclose a lock mechanism electrically connected to a lock microcontroller that could actuate between locked and unlocked states using only electric power supplied by a wireless power signal. Specifically, the prior art failed to combine all the claimed features, such as the electromagnetic radiation receiver, capacitor, and power management module, to enable a wirelessly powered and controlled electronic lock.
Claims
This patent includes 20 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 12, and 18. The independent claims generally focus on an electronic lock powered wirelessly and a method of using it. The dependent claims elaborate on specific features, configurations, and operational aspects of the electronic lock and the method.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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File Wrapper
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Date
Description
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US11080951
- Application Number
- US16687329
- Filing Date
- Nov 18, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 18, 2033
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents