Abstract:
A security system for use with furniture includes a controller, an actuator and a communication device. The controller is for querying a first signal, receiving a second signal and commanding an unlock actuation signal or a lock actuation signal. The actuator receives the actuation signal. The communication device is for transmitting the first signal received from the controller and receiving the second signal in response to transmitting the first signal, wherein the controller sends the unlock actuation signal in response to verifying that the second signal is indicative of the first signal being properly verified by a closely located verifying device. A security system that listens for a beaconing device is also provided. A method of operating a security system for use with furniture is also included.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a security system for lockable enclosures, and more particularly to a proximity system for securing lockable elements of furniture.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Furniture used in healthcare, office and security environments typically include shelves, cabinets, drawers and other enclosures that, when necessary, may include security type elements to prevent unauthorized access.  
         [0003]     Furniture may typically employ various mechanisms that reduce the likelihood of theft by unauthorized access to the contents within the piece of furniture. This “security-type function” is realized by mechanisms including a traditional mechanical lock and key or an electrically activated actuator that includes an electronic keypad or remote, both of which require entry of a code by a person, i.e., such as depressing a key on a wireless fob or by entering a code on a keypad. While these mechanisms prevent unauthorized access to the contents, they are inconvenient to use at times and suffer some drawbacks.  
         [0004]     For example, a user may find it inconvenient to constantly lock and unlock using mechanical keys each time access to the contents is desired, and so he may choose to leave the piece unlocked and the contents unsecured. One such user could be an office worker who unlocks his office furniture only when he arrives at work in the morning, then leaves the contents unsecured during the day as he comes and goes from the vicinity, and relocks his office furniture only when he leaves work in the evening. In this situation, security is compromised in favor of a greater level of convenience when frequent access to furniture contents is anticipated. In the case of the electronic keypad, the user may find it inconvenient to memorize a specific code or inconvenient to type this code before each access. Also, allowing someone temporary access to the furniture contents is complicated by the need to disclose the pass code. With a fob, the user is required to have a free hand accessible in order to depress an access button or to enter a security code. Accordingly, it is desirable to secure furniture more conveniently without requiring the use of a mechanical key, the need to memorize or enter a pass code, or the need to manually activate a fob.  
         [0005]     It would be advantageous to have a security system for furniture that overcomes the limitations indicated above. An inventive security system is better suited for securing lockable elements of furniture in an efficient and substantially hands-free manner, thereby providing a timesaving accessibility and security assurance without having to compromise convenience.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, the present invention provides a security system for use with furniture. The inventive security system advantageously secures lockable elements of furniture in an efficient and substantially hands-free manner by providing timesaving accessibility and improved security assurance without having to compromise convenience.  
         [0007]     The security system includes a controller, an actuator and a communication device. The controller is for querying a first signal, receiving a second signal and commanding an unlock actuation signal or a lock actuation signal. The actuator receives the actuation signal. The communication device is for transmitting the first signal received from the controller and receiving the second signal in response to transmitting the first signal, wherein the controller sends the unlock actuation signal in response to verifying that the second signal is indicative of the first signal being properly verified by a closely located verifying device.  
         [0008]     A security system that listens for a beaconing device is also provided.  
         [0009]     A method of operating a controller of a security system for use with furniture is also included.  
         [0010]     Generally, the present invention provides in one aspect a security system for furniture comprising one or more locks which may be engaged or disengaged under electronic control by locking actuators, one or more devices for sensing user access attempts, a user-wearable means of communication with the system, a controller for controlling the system, and a method for operating the security system in a keyless and hands-free manner.  
         [0011]     Thus, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel security system for securing shelves, drawers, cabinets, chests, and other lockable elements associated with furniture, which obviates the need to use a mechanical key or type a pass code.  
         [0012]     A further advantage of the invention is to provide a “hands-free” system for conveniently securing shelves, drawers, cabinets, chests, and other lockable elements of furniture.  
         [0013]     The present invention has advantages by providing a security system for use with furniture. The present invention itself, together with further intended advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a security system according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2A  shows a flow chart illustrating a sequence of steps according to a first embodiment of the security system controller in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2B  shows a flow chart illustrating a sequence of steps according to a second embodiment of the security system controller in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart illustrating a sequence of steps according to a verifying device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a view of an office cubicle wherein the present invention may be used to advantage. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one or more constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.  
         [0021]     While the invention is described with respect to a security system for selectively securing enclosures within an office cubical, the following system is capable of being adapted for various enclosure security systems including storage cabinets, drawers, enclosed shelves, tool cabinets or storage containers wherein a substantially hands-free activation is desirable and secured access is controlled.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a security system  10  according to the present invention. The operation of the security system  10  will be discussed in conjunction with the flow chart  50  of  FIG. 2A . Returning to  FIG. 1 , the security system  10  is intended to be utilized together with a verifying device  24  for determining when substantially hands-free access is allowed or denied to an enclosure  92  (see  FIG. 4 ). The security system  10  includes a controller  16 , a mechanism or locking actuator  44 , and a communication device  17 . The security system  10  may optionally include an access sensor  12  for use to advantage with the present invention.  
         [0023]     The base or controller  16  queries for the presence of a verifying device  24  by sending a query signal or message through the communication device  17 . The controller  16  may continually prompt a query signal or periodically send a query signal. Also, the controller  16  may prompt a query signal when triggered by an external sensor, such as an access sensor  12 . The communication device  17  then transmits the message wirelessly and waits for a return signal to communicate back to the controller  16 . The base controller  16  receives the return signal for verification, and then if the return signal is a proper response to the query signal, the controller  16  activates an appropriate locking actuator  44 , thereby unlocking the appropriate enclosure  92  and allowing user access to the contents. Optionally, the locking actuator  44  can include a manual override for locking or unlocking the enclosure  92  manually, such as with a mechanical lock and key, thereby allowing the furniture to be accessed conventionally.  
         [0024]     Also, the controller  16  includes a logic circuit such as a processor, a power supply and memory, thereby allowing the controller to receive and transmit signals in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]     The locking actuator  44  receives a controlling signal for activating or deactivating from the controller  16  over communication path  42 . The activation signal unlocks the enclosure  92 , whereas the deactivation signal locks the enclosure  92 . There may be multiple numbers of locking actuator  44  for locking and unlocking multiple numbers of enclosures  92 . Optionally, one actuator may unlock or lock multiple enclosures  92  at the same time.  
         [0026]     The communication device  17  includes communication links  18 ,  40 , a transmitter  20  for sending low frequency signal  22 , and a receiver  38  for receiving signal  36 . Optionally, the transmitter  20  and the receiver  38  may be combined into a transceiver. The communication link  18  passes the message to the transmitter  20  for transmission to the airwaves as a low frequency (LF) signal  22 . The LF signal is designed for close proximity transmission, such that if the verifying device  24  is within transmission range, the verifying device may provide a response or receiving signal  36  back to the receiver  38 . The LF signal  22  may be chosen so that sufficient transmission strength is maintained for about two meters from the transmitter  20 . It is recognized that the LF signal  22  may be chosen for other or more convenient distances in accordance with the present invention. The response or receiving signal  36 , as transmitted by the verifying device  24  back to the security system  10  in response to the LF signal  22 , may be any frequency suitable for the present invention and may include ultra high frequencies (UHF). The receiver  38  receives the receiving signal  36  and transmits the signal to the controller  16  by way of the communication link  40 .  
         [0027]     The switch or access sensor  12  may be used to advantage with the present invention for triggering the controller  16  to send a query signal or message. The access sensor  12  is activated when the user attempts to open the enclosure  92 . The access sensor  12  communicates the user&#39;s intention to open the locked furniture element to a base controller  16  over a communication link  14 . This access sensor  12  may be integrated into the enclosure in such a way as to make unlocking of the enclosure  92  by the actuator  44  unnoticeable or with little delay thereby providing a nearly simultaneous access to the enclosure as would be expected by a user for an enclosure that is otherwise unlocked. The access sensor may be any sensor type including, without limitation, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, a position sensor or a mechanical switch.  
         [0028]     A verifying device  24  may be utilized with the security system  10  to advantage thereby allowing determination of when substantially hands-free access is allowed or denied to an enclosure  92 . The verifying device  24  includes an LF receiver  26  which may receive signal  22  containing a message from a transmitter  20 . The message is then transferred from the receiver  26  to a verifier or controller  30  over a communication link  28 . If the controller  30  received a proper query message, it responds with a message over communication link  32  to a transmitter  34 , which then broadcasts the response message by way of a response or receiving signal  36 . The transmitter  34  may be a UHF transmitter. Also, the receiver  26  and the transmitter  34  may be an active transceiver. Also, the verifying device  24  may be a passive type of element such as tag type of device. The verifying device  24  is utilized to qualify when access is to be granted into an enclosure without necessarily requiring the user to hold the verifying device  24  in his hand.  
         [0029]     Also, the verifying device  24  may include a logic circuit or a processor, a power supply and memory, thereby allowing the verifying device  24  to receive and transmit signals in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  shows a flow chart  50  illustrating a sequence of steps according to a first embodiment of the security system controller  16  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0031]     The flow chart  50  begins with decision step  52  in which the controller  16  determines if a user is currently attempting to access an enclosure  92 . If access sensor  12  is active, the controller  16  executes step  54 , otherwise the controller  16  continues to monitor the sensor  12  by re-executing step  52 . In step  54 , the controller  16  cooperates with the communication device  17  to send a query signal or message to the verifying device  24 . The methodology then proceeds to decision step  56 .  
         [0032]     In decision step  56 , the controller  16  cooperates with the communication device  17  in checking for a proper response from the verifying device  24 . If no response is received, or if an improper response is received, then the methodology returns to decision step  52 . Otherwise, if the controller  16  determines that a proper response to the query was received, then the methodology proceeds to step  58 .  
         [0033]     In step  58 , the controller  16  cooperates with the appropriate locking actuator  44  to unlock the enclosure  92  and thereby allow user access to the contents.  
         [0034]     In decision step  62 , the controller  16  waits for the user to stop activating the access sensor  12 . When the base controller  16  detects that the access sensor  12  is no longer active, the methodology  50  proceeds to step  64 , in which the controller  16  cooperates with the locking actuator  44  to re-secure or lock the enclosure  92 . The methodology  50  then returns to decision step  52  to await another user access attempt.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2B  shows a flow chart  150  illustrating a sequence of steps according to a second embodiment of the security system controller  16  in accordance with the present invention. The flow chart  150  begins with step  154 ; the controller  16  cooperates with the communication device  17  to send a query signal or message to the verifying device  24 . The methodology then proceeds to decision step  156 .  
         [0036]     In decision step  156 , the controller  16  cooperates with the communication device  17  in checking for a proper response from the verifying device  24 . If no response is received, or if an improper response is received, then the methodology proceeds to decision step  164 . Otherwise, if the controller  16  determines that a proper response to the query was received, then the methodology proceeds to step  158 .  
         [0037]     In step  158 , the controller  16  cooperates with the locking actuators  44  to unlock the enclosures  92  and thereby allow user access to the contents.  
         [0038]     In step  164 , the controller  16  cooperates with the locking actuators  44  to lock the enclosures  92  and thereby denying user access to the contents.  
         [0039]     Upon completing step  158  or  164  the methodology  150  then returns to decision step  154 .  
         [0040]     One of skill in the art will recognize that iteration rate control or filtering of queries or responses may be employed to advantage in some embodiments.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart  70  illustrating a sequence of steps according to a verifying device  24  in accordance with the present invention. The flow chart  70  begins with decision step  72  in which the controller  30  of the verifying device  24  determines if it has properly received a query signal or message from the security system  10 . If the message is indicative of a security system corresponding, coded or belonging with this verifying device  24 , then step  74  executes. Otherwise, the methodology  70  returns to decision step  72 . In step  74 , the controller  30  cooperates with the transmitter  34  to broadcast a response or receiving signal  36 . Then the methodology  70  returns to decision step  72 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows a view of an office cubicle  90  wherein the present invention may be used to advantage. The workstation or office cubicle  90  shows an example placement of various components of a security system  10  and a variety of enclosures  92 . The enclosures  92  may include, without limitation, drawers, file cabinets, and bookshelves. One of skill in the art will recognize that many different component placements and installations are possible.  
         [0043]     Returning to  FIG. 1 , generally, the security system  10  may query and receive a response sequence triggered from the activation of an access sensor. In addition, the security system  10  may continuously, or periodically, query or poll for a verification device.  
         [0044]     In addition, the security system  10  may listen for a verification device  24 . In this aspect, the verification device  24  provides beaconing signals. This way, the security system  10  may initiate query or message in response to receiving a signal coming from the beaconing device. By acting as a receiver for the beaconing signal, the security system  10  does not necessarily need to send queries triggered by the beaconing signal, i.e., the security system  10  listens for when the verification device  24  comes in range, and controls the locks accordingly. It is recognized that when the verification device acts as a beacon, its power source or battery may drain at a faster rate, which is of minor concern when the verification device  24  is utilized as an embedded function within a cell phone or other consumer device being regularly charged anyway. In accord, the security system  10  may initiate step  56 ,  156  in the flow chart  50 ,  150  of  FIGS. 2A  or  2 B, respectively, upon receipt of the beaconing signal in order to verify the action to be taken.  
         [0045]     It is noted that the operation of security system  10  is substantially transparent to the user. That is, if the user has a verifying device  24  in near proximity to a locked enclosure  92 , then the locked enclosure  92  will automatically unlock upon or prior to an access attempt without further action required of the user. Thus, this security system provides a highly convenient means for a user to control access to lockable enclosures  92  without requiring the use of a mechanical key or the typing of a pass code. It should be understood that many variations of the illustrated embodiment are possible, including various integrations or separations of the components. For example, the verifying device  24  may take a variety of physical and functional forms, and may be integrated into devices such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s), identification badges or cards, etc. The verifying device  24  and the communications device  17  may employ a variety of communication schemes, including utilizing a variety of suitable RF frequencies. Also, it is recognized that the controller  16  may continuously poll for the presence of the verifying device  24 . Moreover, the verifying device  24  may continuously send a beacon to indicate its presence to the controller  16 . Lastly, the verifying device  24  and the controller  16  may use any of a variety of encryption schemes for security as would be understood to a person of skill in the art. The teachings of this invention are easily adapted and applied to furniture having one or more lockable elements or containers. For example, the security system  10  may be readily adapted to single, stand-alone cabinets or other lockable pieces of furniture, as well as to related groupings of lockable elements such as in the illustrated embodiments.  
         [0046]     From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been brought to the art a new and improved security system for furniture. While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention covers all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.