Contactless Electronic Access Control System

What is this patent about?

’084 is related to the field of electronic access control systems, specifically focusing on contactless wireless electronic locks. 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 disconnected. This patent addresses the need for a more reliable and convenient electronic lock system.

The underlying idea behind ’084 is to power and control an electronic lock wirelessly using electromagnetic radiation from a handheld device. The handheld device transmits both a power signal to energize the lock and a digital data signal containing access credentials and instructions. This eliminates the need for batteries or physical connections to a power source for the lock itself.

The claims of ’084 focus on an electronic lock module that includes an electromagnetic radiation receiver, at least one capacitor, and power management circuitry. The receiver picks up both a wireless digital data signal and a wireless power signal from a handheld device. The capacitor stores the received power, and the power management circuitry uses this stored energy to actuate a lock mechanism based on the received digital data signal, allowing the lock to switch between locked and unlocked states.

In practice, a user would bring a smartphone or dedicated key fob near the electronic lock. The handheld device emits electromagnetic radiation, which is captured by the lock's receiver. The receiver converts this radiation into electrical power, which charges a capacitor. Simultaneously, the digital data signal is decoded to verify access. Once sufficient energy is stored and access is granted, the power management circuitry releases the stored energy to actuate the lock mechanism, switching it between locked and unlocked states. The voltage supplied to the lock mechanism can vary during actuation.

’084 differentiates itself from prior art by eliminating the need for any physical power connection to the lock. The lock relies solely on the wirelessly transmitted power signal for actuation. Furthermore, the system is designed for low energy consumption, with the entire lock actuation process consuming less than 100 millijoules. This is achieved through efficient power management and the use of low-power components, such as a piezoelectric latch , enabling a practical and reliable wireless electronic lock system.