Abstract:
A portable, temporary removable system for locking and unlocking a door knob, door lever or locking deadbolt without the requirement of using keyed entry. Several manners of automated locking and unlocking are introduced and the instant system is designed for quick installation and removal. Once attached, the system may be remotely controlled from the outside of the door via a pattern of knocks, via electronic communications or a combination of a knock pattern and electronic communication.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and takes priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/844,539 filed on Jul. 10, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/862,192 filed on Aug. 5, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a keyless and remote access controlled locking and unlocking system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Keyed entry door knobs and door levers are commonly used to restrict access to homes, businesses and other structures. These door knobs and door levers contain an internal lock mechanism which includes a keyed lock, accessible on the exterior of the door and a finger-operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism, accessible on the interior of the door. The interior finger-operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism is designed to be actuated by human fingers and is designed such that users do not need a key to lock or unlock the door knob or door lever from the interior of the door. 
         [0006]    When operating a door knob or door lever from the exterior, a key is required to be inserted into the exterior lock mechanism and rotated in order to gain access to the locked area. Keys are costly to reproduce and the method of duplicating keys is often inaccurate and imprecise, resulting in keys that do not properly open the lock. Keys can be easily lost reducing the security of the device. In addition, locking door knobs and door levers allow for only one key pattern per door knob or door lever so it is not possible to offer different types of access control to different users. 
         [0007]    Electronic and mechanical doorknobs containing a numerical or alphanumeric keypad currently exist which allow users to enter a password or numerical code in order to unlock the door knob locking mechanism. Additionally, systems exist which allow a door knob or door level to be controlled remotely via wireless communications and via the internet. These current designs are required to be permanently installed in the door and are clearly visible from the outside of the door. 
         [0008]    Key lockboxes are currently in use which allows users to lock a key in a protective box in close proximity to the keyed entry doorknob. Most key lockboxes are accessed by entering a numeric or alphanumeric combination on the outside of the box structure. Some electronic lockboxes open via communication with smartphones or other electronic devices. These key lockboxes allow multiple users possessing the lockbox combination or electronic access privileges to gain access to the key inside the box. The user then takes possession of the key in order to insert it into the exterior of the door knob or door lever locking mechanism in order to unlock the lock mechanism. This approach allows several users to share a single key within the lockbox but it is a cumbersome and time consuming process. In addition, security is reduced because every user with lockbox access takes possession of the physical key for a period of time. 
         [0009]    Thus, it is possible for users to duplicate the key during the time they possess it. Once a user takes possession of a key, it is impossible to be certain that access has been revoked unless the key pattern of the lock is physically changed or the entire door knob or door lever is replaced. In addition, users may forget to return the key to the lockbox. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a device which can be temporarily attached to the door knob or door lever on the inside of the door in order to actuate the rotational lock/unlock mechanism and which can be remotely operated from the outside of the door without the use of a key. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0012]    Therefore, it is an object of the instant invention to allow a standard locking door knob or door level to have a system temporarily attached to it to allow for remote locking/unlocking without a key and from the outside of the locked door. This will lead to savings in time and money, more flexible access control and greater security by removing the limitations and vulnerabilities of physical keys. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a temporary keyless lock/unlocking system which is not visible from the outside of the locked door. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the instant invention to provide the user a way to interact with the system either through electronic wireless data communications such as via a networked smartphone or other wireless communications device or the user may interact with the system by using their hand to knock a pattern of knocks on the outside of the door which are interpreted and compared with a knock pattern stored within the memory of the system in order to validate the knock pattern or the system may access an external application to validate the knock pattern. A combination of knock pattern recognition and wireless communication may also be used to provide two layers of security and flexibility. 
         [0015]    In this respect, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0016]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a right side view of the invention mounted to a standard doorknob. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a left side view of the invention mounted to a standard doorknob. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a person knocking on a door to interact with the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart which illustrates the two modes of granting access in response to knock patterns. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an interior view of a standard keyed entry door knob typically found on the exterior doors of homes, businesses and other structures. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a view of the electronic components contained within the electronics container. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a view of an alternate embodiment of the system wherein the system is mounted on the rotational axis of the thumb turn lever on the interior of a locking deadbolt. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the system wherein the system is mounted on the rotational axis of the thumbturn lever on the interior of a locking deadbolt. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the system wherein the system rotates the entire doorknob in order to grant access. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the system wherein the system rotates the entire door lever in order to grant access. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be construed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of the steps for producing the system and accompanying apparatus. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1-5  and  9  depict various viewpoints of the present invention and the electronics container  12 . The present invention includes a frame  10  which allows the device to be easily and quickly attached to a standard door knob  52  or door lever. It includes an electronics container for housing the electronic components such as internal memory  68 , batteries  70 , micro controller  66 , network interface device  72 , lights, audio devices and switches necessary for the device to interpret input from the user and to present audio and visual feedback to the user. Software stored within the micro controller  66  determines the behavior of the system. The electronics container  12  includes a power switch  46 , a rotational direction switch  48 , a knock validation mode switch  42 , and an audio mode switch  44 . The top surface of the electronics container  12 , contains a programming switch  50 , a programming indicator light  34 , a status indicator light  36  and a network connectivity indicator light  38  to indicate when the device is connected to LAN or WAN networks via WiFi or cellular connection. A knock sensitivity adjustment knob  40  is mounted within the top surface of the electronics container  12 . 
         [0032]    A servo tension arm  14  is mounted to the top surface of the electronics container  12  via a servo tension arm hinge  18 . A servo tension arm spring  26  is connected between the servo tension arm  14  and the frame  10  in order to provide pressure between the servo tension arm  14  and the door knob  52  when the frame  10  is mounted on the door knob  52 . The servo tension arm  14  is made from two sections of rigid material attached to each other by way of bolts mounted within a servo tension arm length adjustment slot  54 . This servo tension arm length adjustment slot  54  allows the relative position of the two sections to be changed causing the length of the servo tension arm  14  to be adjusted to compensate for different types and sizes of door knobs  52  and allow the end of the servo tension arm  14  to maintain proper alignment to the door knob  52 . The end of the servo tension arm  14  contains a slot to mount a servo motor  16  so that the rotational axis of the servo motor  16  aligns with the rotational axis of the finger-operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56  within the door knob  52 . A lock mechanism mating coupler  22  is mounted to the rotational axis of the servo motor  16 . The servo mating coupler  22  is shaped to fit the contour of the finger-operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56  within the door knob  52  and transfer the rotational force of the servo motor  16  to the finger operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56 . The servo motor  16  is connected electronically to a micro controller  66  within the electronics container  12  via servo motor wires  64 . Software within the micro controller  66  controls the behavior of the servo motor  16  as well as all other electronic components of the system. 
         [0033]    A piezo tension arm  24  is mounted to the back side of the frame  10  via a piezo tension arm hinge  28 . A piezo tension arm spring  26  is mounted between the frame  10  and the piezo tension arm  24  so that the piezo tension arm  24  is kept tensioned against the door  60 . A piezo knock detector  30  is mounted to the end of the piezo tension arm  24  via a piezo tension arm hinge  28 . The piezo tension arm hinge  28  allows the piezo knock detector  30  to pivot and ensures that the maximum surface area of the piezo knock detector  30  remains in contact with the door  60 . The piezo knock detector  30  converts the vibrations resulting from knocking on the door  60  into electrical current which is transferred via piezo knock detector wires  62  to be analyzed by the micro controller  66  within the electronics container  12 . 
         [0034]    A user attaches the system to a door knob  52  by pulling forward on the servo tension arm  14  and maneuvering the wide portion of the frame&#39;s  10  slotted door knob mounting hole  74  so that the door knob protrudes through the wide portion of the slotted door knob mounting hole  74 . Once the door knob is protruding through the slotted door knob mounting hole  74  in the frame  10 , the frame  10  is maneuvered downward so that the frame  10  comes to rest with the door knob stem  80  seated in the narrow slot of the slotted door knob mounting hole  74 . The servo tension arm  14  is then allowed to spring forward so that the servo mating coupler  22  comes to rest in direct contact with the finger operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56  of the door knob  52 . 
         [0035]    In order to use the system, a user selects the desired knock sensitivity threshold by turning the knock sensitivity adjustment knob  40 . The user then switches on the power switch  46 . Users interact with the system by knocking a pattern of knocks on the outside of the door  60  using their hand  76  or any other knocking device which will generate a vibration on the door  60 . The goal of the knock sensitivity adjustment knob  40  is to filter out background vibrations to prevent the system from interpreting background vibrations as knocks. Vibrations above the desired threshold will be interpreted as knocks. Vibrations below the desired threshold will be ignored. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 2 and 3  depict side views of the system wherein a user may select two modes on the knock validation mode switch  42 . The two modes are “memory” or “external”. In “memory” mode, the micro controller  66  within the system will compare a user&#39;s submitted knock pattern with a knock pattern stored within the system&#39;s internal memory  68 . If the knock pattern input by the user matches the pattern stored within internal memory  68 , the knock pattern is considered valid and the servo motor  16  will turn the servo mating coupler  22  which will turn the finger operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56  and the door knob  52  will be unlocked and access will be granted to the user. If the knock validation mode switch  42  is set to “external”, prior to the validation of the user&#39;s knock pattern against the knock pattern stored within internal memory  68 , the system will initiate an HTTP request to an external application  78  to determine if access has been authorized via the external application  78 . Software contained within the micro controller  66  will interpret the HTTP response from the external application  78  to determine if access has been authorized from within the external application  78 . If access is authorized from the external application  78 , the micro controller  66  will initiate a rotation of the servo motor  16  to turn the servo mating coupler  22  which will turn the finger operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56  and the door knob  52  will be unlocked. If the content of the HTTP response does not include authorization from the external application  78 , the knock is not validated and the access does not proceed. 
         [0037]    An external application  78  could be any application capable of responding to HTTP requests from a client. External applications  78  would be expected to be built with robust security and user authentication features with the ability to allow users of the external application  78  to manage access rules and user roles related to users&#39; devices. The rules regarding how, when, and if validation should occur would be managed within the external application  78 . An external application  78  could allow users to manage access for multiple users and multiple devices. 
         [0038]    The network connectivity indicator light  38  indicates the status of the network connection when the knock validation mode switch  42  is set to “external”. If a useable network connection is detected, the network connectivity indicator light  38  illuminates. If no connection is present the network connectivity indicator light  38  will not illuminate. If there are errors with the network connection, the network connectivity indicator light  38  may blink a pattern to indicate the type of error. 
         [0039]    The audio mode switch  44  controls whether the system generates audio tones to communicate failed or successful access attempts. If the audio mode switch  44  is on, audio tones will be generated to provide audio feedback for successful knock validation and failed knock validation. 
         [0040]    The status indicator light  36  indicates different statuses of the system depending on blink patterns. 
         [0041]    The programming switch  50  allows a user to input and store a new knock pattern into the internal memory  68 . When the programming switch  50  is switched on, the programming indicator light  34  will illuminate. The user may then knock a pattern of knocks. The user&#39;s knock pattern will be interpreted by the piezo knock detector  30  and transferred to the micro controller  66  via the piezo knock detector wires  62 . The micro controller  66  will store the new knock pattern within the internal memory  68  as the user knocks on the door  60  with their hand as long as the programming switch  50  remains in the on position. When the programming switch  50  is released, the new knock pattern is stored to internal memory  68  and the programming indicator light  34  is turned off. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  depicts a USB port  58  mounted within the bottom surface of the electronics container  12  to allow for software updates via an external computer. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  depicts a mode of operation wherein one may use a hand  76  or other means to provide pressure to a structure, such as a door  60  to provide pressure to the piezo knock detector  30 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  illustrates the logical flow of behavior when a user knocks a sequential pattern of knocks on the door  60 . The knock vibrations are detected individually by the piezo knock detector  30  and are converted into electrical energy and transferred via the piezo knock detector wires  62  to the micro controller  66  within the electronics container  12 . The time durations between knocks are analyzed to define a knock pattern. If the time between knocks exceeds a pre-defined value, it is assumed that the user has completed inputting their knock pattern and the preceding sequence of knocks is considered a pattern submitted by the user. If the knock validation mode switch  42  is set to “external”, a network interface device  72  is utilized to generate an HTTP request to an external application  78  for validation. Software contained within the micro controller  66  will interpret the HTTP response from the external application  78  to determine if access has been authorized within the external application. If the HTTP response indicates that the access is authorized, the knock is considered validated regardless of the knock pattern input by the user. 
         [0045]    In this instance, the external application  78  is being relied upon to provide security. If the knock validation mode switch  42  is set to “memory” no HTTP request is generated. Instead, software within the micro controller  66  analyzes the user&#39;s knock pattern and compares the pattern against the pattern stored within internal memory  68  for validation. In “memory” mode, if the user&#39;s submitted knock pattern matches the pattern stored within internal memory, the knock is considered validated. Once a knock is validated, the micro controller  66  commands the servo motor  16  to turn the servo mating coupler  22  thereby turning the finger operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56  on the door knob  52 . 
         [0046]    The servo motor&#39;s  16  direction of rotation is controlled by the rotational direction switch  48  which controls whether the servo motor&#39;s  16  rotation is clockwise or counter clockwise. Different door knob  52  lock mechanisms currently on the market will require either a clockwise or counter clockwise rotational direction to unlock. Depending on the position of the audio mode switch  44 , an audio tone may accompany the rotation of the servo motor  16  in order to communicate a successful validation. After a pre-defined period of time after rotating the servo motor  16  to unlock, the servo motor  16  will turn in the opposite direction to re-lock the finger operated lock/unlock mechanism  56  to restrict further access. 
         [0047]    If a knock pattern is not validated, the servo motor  16  will not rotate and access is not granted. Depending on the position of the audio mode switch  44 , an audio tone may accompany the failed validation in order to indicate a failed access attempt. 
         [0048]    In an alternative embodiment the system may be attached to a door knob or door lever in a different manner from what has been described. 
         [0049]    In an alternate embodiment an LCD screen and additional buttons and user interface devices may be attached to the system to allow users to configure the device. 
         [0050]    In an alternate embodiment, other knock detection devices may be used in addition to the piezo knock detector described. 
         [0051]    In an alternate embodiment the system would include features to record successful or failed access attempts and communicate these to users via external applications, phone calls, text messages, emails, Tweets, social media updates. 
         [0052]    In an alternate embodiment the system would include features to restrict or grant access by time of day or depending on the state of other types of communication with external applications. 
         [0053]    An alternate embodiment of the system is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . These illustrations display the system attached to a locking deadbolt. The device is attached to the deadbolt thumb turn axle  86 . The deadbolt thumb turn lever  98  extends through the narrow portion of the slotted deadbolt mounting hole  92  so that the top of the narrow portion of the slotted deadbolt mounting hole  92  rests on the deadbolt thumb turn axle  86 . The servo deadbolt mating coupler  82  is tensioned against the deadbolt thumb turn lever  98  via the servo tension arm  14  and servo tension arm spring  26 . The servo deadbolt mating coupler  82  is shaped to conform to the shape of the deadbolt thumb turn lever  98  and to grasp the deadbolt thumb turn lever  98  snugly when tensioned against it via the servo tension arm  14  and servo tension arm spring  20 . The servo deadbolt mating coupler  82  may be adjustable in size to accommodate different sized deadbolt thumb turn levers  98  and it may include a clamping mechanism to securely attach to the deadbolt thumb turn lever  98 . The servo deadbolt mating coupler  82  transfers the rotational force of the servo motor  16  to rotate the deadbolt thumb turn lever  98  and unlock the deadbolt assembly to grant access. 
         [0054]    An alternate embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . This illustration shows how a servo door knob mating coupler  84  replaces the servo mating coupler  22 . Instead of rotating only the finger operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56 , the system utilizing the servo door knob mating coupler  84  will rotate the entire door knob  52  subsequent to a knock validated process. The servo door knob mating coupler  84  is tensioned against the door knob via the servo tension arm  14  and servo tension arm spring  20 . The surface of the servo door knob mating coupler  84  which contacts the door knob  52  is shaped to fit the contour of the door knob  52  and is made of a non slip material so that the rotational forces of the servo motor  16  are transferred to the door knob  52  to rotate the door knob  52  to grant access. An alternate embodiment of the servo door knob mating coupler  84  would include a clamping mechanism to provide an additional mechanical connection between the servo door knob mating coupler  84  and the door knob  52 . 
         [0055]    An alternate embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . This illustration demonstrates how a servo door lever rotator arm  90  replaces the servo mating coupler  22 . Instead of rotating only the finger operated rotational lock/unlock mechanism  56 , the system utilizing the servo door level rotating arm  90  will rotate the entire door lever  96  after a knock is validated. The servo door lever rotator arm  90  is tensioned against the rotational axis of the door lever  96  via the servo tension arm  14  and servo tension arm spring  20 . The rotational axis of the servo door lever rotator arm  90  is aligned with the rotational axis of the door lever  96 . 
         [0056]    The outer end of servo door lever rotator arm  90  extends at a ninety degree angle inward towards the door  60  to contact either the top or bottom surface of the door lever handle  88 . When a knock is validated, rotation of the servo door lever rotator arm  90  transfers the rotational movement of the servo motor  16  to the servo door lever rotator arm  90  to rotate the door lever  96  and grant access. As in other embodiments described, the direction of rotation can be controlled by the rotational direction switch  48 . Based on the desired rotation direction, the user may choose to initially mount the servo door level rotator arm  90  so that it makes contact with either the top or bottom surface of the door lever handle  88 . 
         [0057]    An alternate embodiment allows for two instances of the system to communicate with each other in order to share the lock validation features of one of the devices. This would be useful in a configuration where two instances of the system are connected simultaneously to both a door knob  52  or door lever  96  and a deadbolt assembly  94  attached to the same door  60 . In such a configuration, the two systems could communicate via wired or wireless communication. In this configuration, a user would select which instance of the system would be responsible for knock validation as the “primary device” and which instance should be considered the “secondary device”. The secondary device would not provide any knock validation, it would rely on the primary device to determine knock validation. The secondary device would take commands from the primary device and actuate the lock/unlock process based on commands from the primary device. 
         [0058]    In an alternate embodiment, the system would be configured to so that the servo motors to unlock both a locking deadbolt and a door knob or door lever would be attached to a single system. This would allow a single system to unlock both a door knob or door lever and a locking deadbolt. In such a configuration, two servos may be mounted to a single servo tension arm or two separate servo tension arms may be used to provide the tension and positioning for the servo motor and the servo mating coupler, servo deadbolt mating coupler, or servo door knob mating coupler. 
         [0059]    In conclusion, herein is presented a remote control locking and unlocking system. The invention is illustrated by example in the flow diagrams and figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.