Abstract:
A home or building security system that enables a user to activate and deactivate various items, such as the locking and unlocking of a door utilizing a wireless transmitter. The key fob includes various buttons such that when depressed, signals are transmitted from the key fob. A receiver/controller is positioned in the home or building proximate the locking mechanism of a door, such that upon the reception of a signal from the wireless transmitter a predetermined function is carried out by the receiver/controller, such as the locking and unlocking of the door.

Description:
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. 6119(e) &amp; 37 C.F.R. 41.78  
       [0001]     This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. provisional patent application entitled:  Keyless home entry,  application Ser. No.: 60/678,536, filed May 6, 2005, in the name of Eric M. Norton, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates locking devices for buildings, more specifically but not by way of limitation to a locking device for preventing unauthorized access to a building through a doorway as well as for controlling certain environment settings of the building, such as the lighting, with the locking device being operated by a wireless remote.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     The security of individuals and their possessions are a principal concern of any populace. In order to ensure that there is an overall feeling of protection and security within a governmental boundary, various agencies are created, manned, and maintained. Among the basic organized forces that can intervene for and on behalf of individuals and groups are police agents, and fire and rescue agents. With a strong set of organized and well equipped protective departments readily available, a community can function under an atmosphere of security.  
         [0004]     Even with all of the organized forces, safety is the responsibility of the individual. A homeowner, for example, will implement safety measures designed to protect their possessions from theft or damage. These measures include the use of locks on windows and doors. Furthermore, homeowners will utilize electronic alarm or security systems in addition to conventional locks. Many of these safety measures utilized by individuals require keys to be activated and deactivated. Key and locks are utilized by individuals, not only in household applications, but also for automobiles, offices, mailboxes, garages and safety deposit boxes and numerous other devices. However, there are several disadvantages in using a key and lock setup. One issue is when a homeowner is returning home at night, it is often very difficult to find a key, especially when at the bottom of a pocketbook. Additionally, once found, it is often difficult to be able to see the keyhole to insert the key. The difficulties are compounded when the homeowner&#39;s hands are full of bags or packages. As can be appreciated, the longer a homeowner stands outside their locked door attempting to gain access to their home, the less safe they are.  
         [0005]     Accordingly there is a need for a locking device that facilitates the access to a building in a manner as to minimize the amount of time required to gain access to the building.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE  
       [0006]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a wireless transmitter keychain and a wireless the receiver/controller/controller integrated with a conventional door lock mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0008]     Referring now to the drawing wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a remote controlled locking system  100 . As illustrated the remote controlled locking device  100  includes a wireless transmitter  110  and a receiver/controller  220 .  
         [0009]     The wireless transmitter  110  includes various actuators or buttons, such as buttons  130 ,  140 . The wireless transmitter further includes a light  150 . The wireless transmitter  110  has disposed therein conventional circuitry and power supply functioning to transmit signals to the receiver/controller  220 . The wireless transmitter  110  has disposed therein a renewable power source such as but not limited to a lithium ion battery to provide power to the electronic circuitry.  
         [0010]     It is contemplated that numerous different types of signals could be utilized by the wireless transmitter  110  to communicate with the receiver/controller  220 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, the wireless transmitter  110  could utilize radio-frequency signals or infra-red signals to communicate with the receiver/controller  220 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that each of the various buttons  130 ,  140  could be of different shapes and located in a plurality of positions on the wireless transmitter  110  to facilitate the user being able to determine which button  130 ,  140  or series of buttons to depress just by feeling the shape and position of the buttons.  
         [0011]     It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the semicircular buttons  130  and  140  function as the unlock and lock buttons for a door configured with the receiver/controller  220 . It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention contemplated that the buttons  130 ,  140  of wireless transmitter  110  could also be constructed with illuminating material such that they glow in the dark. Those skilled in the art should recognize that a plurality of buttons could be present in order to perform a variety of other functions such as but not limited to controlling at least one light in the building being entered. Furthermore, the buttons  130 ,  140  could be of varying colors for ease of recognition.  
         [0012]     The wireless transmitter  110  is comprised of a housing  115 . The housing  115  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to thermoplastics. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the housing  115  be constructed so as to be water resistant and shatterproof. As is further illustrated, the wireless transmitter  110  includes an attachment ring  160  such that the entire wireless transmitter  110  is incorporated in a typical sized key fob. The attachment ring  160  functions to facilitate the attachment of objects such as but not limited too keys to the wireless transmitter  110 .  
         [0013]     As can be appreciated, one advantage of remote controlled locking device  100  utilizing a wireless transmitter  110  is that it facilitates easy unlocking of a door when the user&#39;s hands are filled, such as when carrying other items. Although no specific size for the wireless transmitter is required, good results have been achieved with a wireless transmitter  110  that is manufactured to be approximately three to four inches in length, two to two and a half inches in width and one-half to three-quarters inches in thickness.  
         [0014]     The light  150  is a conventional low voltage light such as but not limited to a LED light. The light  150  functions to facilitate easier viewing of the buttons  130 ,  140  in low light conditions. The light  150  further functions to provide a visual signal to the user that one of the buttons  130 , 140  has been engaged by flashing subsequent to the engagement of the buttons  130 , 140 . It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the light  150  could be manufactured to be a plurality of colors such as but not limited to red or green.  
         [0015]     The receiver/controller  220  has disposed therein conventional electronic circuitry that is programmed to receive signals transmitted from the wireless transmitter  110  and functions to control the locking and unlocking of a door. In a preferred embodiment, receiver/controller  220  would be connected to or integrated with a door knob or conventional deadbolt locking mechanism, such that the control of locking and unlocking the door would be easily facilitated. The receiver/controller  220  is operably connected to a conventional power supply that is located within a building. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that an alternative embodiment utilizing a power source such as a battery for providing power to the receiver/controller  220  in order to facilitate ease of retrofitting an existing door with the remote control locking system  100 . It is further contemplated that various power supplies could be implemented, such as but not limited to utilizing a solar powered charger.  
         [0016]     It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that various security features could be implemented in wireless transmitter  10 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, the wireless transmitter could require the pressing of a certain combination of buttons  130 ,  140  to activate the operation the receiver/controller  220  to perform the function of unlocking or locking a door. It is further contemplated that other security measures could be implemented into the wireless transmitter  110  to prevent the unauthorized use thereof. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the wireless transmitter could utilize a biometrics reading system in place of and/or in conjunction with the buttons  130 ,  140 . Additionally it is contemplated that the signals transmitted from wireless transmitter  110  be encrypted to prevent an unauthorized receiver/controller from utilizing or copying the signals.  
         [0017]     The wireless transmitter  110  could be manufactured in various shapes and colors, including a single color or multiple colors and patterns, such that, for example, a user could pick a shape and or color pattern to match either their home or their car.  
         [0018]     In an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that the remote controlled locking system  100  could further include at least one led light integrally mounted into the door lock  230 . The led light could provide a visual signal to the user as to the security status of the door. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the door lock  230  could have an outer light encircling the door lock  230  to provide notification of an unlocked status and an adjacent inner light providing a status to the user the door lock is locked. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the remote control locking system  100  could be mounted to a plurality of doors on the same building and be simultaneously controlled once within range by the wireless transmitter  110 .  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a description of the operation of the remote controlled locking system  100  is as follows. In use, when a user depresses one of the buttons  130 ,  140  on the wireless transmitter  110 , a signal is transmitted from the wireless transmitter  110 , and if the user is within operating range of the receiver/controller  120 , the receiver/controller  120  will receive the transmitted signal. In response to the received signal, the receiver/controller  120  will perform a programmed function. For example, if a user is approaching a door, and depresses button  130 , the wireless transmitter  110  will send a signal corresponding to the depression of the lock button  130 . In response to the receiving of the lock signal, the receiver/controller  120  will control the unlocking of the door.  
         [0020]     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.