Patent Publication Number: US-2021189764-A1

Title: Internet of things lock module

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a module that provides a lockset with capabilities useful in the Internet of Things (IoT), and more particularly but not exclusively relates to locksets including such a module. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, there has been a rise in popularity of devices configured for use with the Internet of Things (IoT) and/or smart home systems. However, certain existing devices of this type are typically provided as integrated devices that require replacement of an existing device. For example, while there may exist certain IoT-ready locksets, it is typically required that these locksets be purchased as complete units to replace a previously-installed lockset. Additionally, such IoT-ready locksets typically provide only those functions typical of electronic locksets, such as providing an indication of the locked/unlocked state of the lockset, enabling locking and unlocking the lockset, and the like. For these reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary Internet of Things module for a lockset includes a housing assembly configured for mounting with the lockset, a controller, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor array, and may further include an LED array. The controller is in communication with an external device via the wireless transceiver, and is configured to transmit to the external device information received from the sensor array. The controller is further configured to control operation of the LED array based on information received from at least one of the sensor array or the external device. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a lockset including an IoT module according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the lockset illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the lockset illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of the IoT module illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of a computing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown certain in specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with other features. 
     The disclosed embodiments may, in some cases, be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried by or stored on one or more transitory or non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be embodied as any storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a volatile or non-volatile memory, a media disc, or other media device). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , illustrated therein is a lockset  100  including an Internet of Things (IoT) module  200  according to certain embodiments. The lockset  100  is mounted to a door  80 , and generally includes a first handleset  110 , a second handleset  110 ′, a latch mechanism  120  operably connected with the handlesets  110 ,  110 ′, and the IoT module  200 , a portion of which is captured between the first handleset  110  and the door  80 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the lockset  100  may further include a second IoT module  200 ′, which may be captured between the second handleset  110 ′ and the door  80 . 
     When the door  80  is closed, the IoT module  200  is located within and faces a primary region  81 , and an adjacent secondary region  82  is positioned on the opposite side of the door  80 . As will be appreciated, in embodiments in which a second IoT module  200 ′ is mounted to the opposite side of the door  80  (for example to the second handleset  110 ′), the second IoT module  200 ′ is located in the adjacent secondary region  82  when the door  80  is closed. Thus, the primary region  81  of the first IoT module  200  is the secondary region  82 ′ of the second IoT module  200 ′, and the secondary region  82  of the first IoT module  200  is the primary region  81 ′ of the second IoT module  200 ′. 
     The first handleset  110  generally includes a spring cage  112 , a handle  114  rotatably mounted to the spring cage  112 , and a decorative rose  116  that covers the spring cage  112 . The handle  114  is operably connected with the latch mechanism  120  such that rotation of the handle  114  from a home position to a rotated position causes retraction of a latchbolt  122  of the latch mechanism  120 . The second handleset  110 ′ is substantially similar to the first handleset  110 , and is mounted on the opposite side of the door  80  as the first handleset  110 . 
     In the illustrated form, the handleset  110  is provided as an active handleset that is operable to retract the latchbolt  122 . As such, the handle  114  is rotatably mounted to the spring cage  112  and is operably connected with the latch mechanism  120 . It is also contemplated that a handleset such as the handleset  110  may be provided as a dummy handleset, in which the handle  114  is fixedly mounted to the spring cage  112 . As will be appreciated, such dummy handlesets may not necessarily be operable to retract a latchbolt, and may instead be associated with a roller latch that does not require actuation, and instead provides for push/pull operation of the door. Furthermore, while the illustrated rose  116  is annular, it is also contemplated that the rose  116  may take another shape, such as that of a square or a more decorative geometry. 
     The IoT module  200  includes a housing assembly  210  and a plurality of electronic components supported by the housing assembly  210 . The housing assembly  210  defines a central opening  211  through which a portion of the handleset  110  extends, and in the illustrated form includes an annular base  212 , a translucent annular shroud  214  mounted to the base  212 , an infrared-passive window  216  mounted to the shroud  214 , and a battery compartment  218  movably mounted to the base  212 . The base  212  includes an annular flange  213  that is captured between the spring cage  112  and the door  80  to secure the IoT module  200  in place. As described herein, the shroud  214  and the window  216  facilitate operation of one or more electronic components of the IoT module  200 . The battery compartment  218  is slidably mounted to a lower end of the housing assembly  210  to facilitate insertion, removal, and replacement of a battery for the IoT module  200 . In the illustrated form, the IoT module  200  is substantially annular, which may provide an enhanced aesthetic in comparison to other forms. It is also contemplated that the IoT module  200  may take another form or shape. For example, in embodiments in which the rose  116  has a non-circular outer geometry, the IoT module  200  may have a corresponding non-circular geometry that matches the non-circular outer geometry of the rose  116 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the IoT module  200  includes a plurality of electronic components, including a controller  220 , a wireless transceiver  230  in communication with the controller  220 , and a power source  240  operable to supply power to the controller  220  and various other electronic components, and may further comprise light ring  250  operable to illuminate the translucent shroud  214  and/or an audio device  260  operable to detect and/or generate audible sounds. The IoT module  200  further comprises a sensor array including in communication with the controller  220 . The sensor array includes at least one sensor, such as at least one movement sensor  270  and/or at least one environmental sensor  280 . As described herein, the controller  220  may make certain decisions based on information received from the sensor array and/or may transmit information received from the sensor array to an external device  190 . In certain forms, the IoT module  200  may further include at least one additional feedback mechanism  290 . 
     The controller  220  controls operation of the IoT module  200  in the manner described herein, and may communicate with one or more external devices  190  via the wireless transceiver  230 . The controller  220  may be provided with information regarding the location and/or desired function of the particular IoT module  200 , and may control operation of the IoT module  200  based at least in part on such information. For example, the controller  220  may operate the IoT module  200  differently when the primary region  81  is a hallway than when the primary region  81  is a bedroom or a restroom. The function and/or operation of the IoT module  200  may be further based on the secondary region  82  associated with the IoT module  200 . Certain examples of location-dependent functions are described herein. 
     The wireless transceiver  230  facilitates communication between the controller  220  and at least one external device  190 , such as an access control system  192 , a smart home system  194 , a cloud server  196 , a mobile device  198 , and/or another IoT module  200 ′. As will be appreciated, the controller  220  may communicate with one or more of the external devices  190  via another of the external devices  190 . By way of example, the controller  220  may communicate with a gateway via the wireless transceiver  230 , and with the smart home system  194  via the gateway. As another example, the wireless transceiver  220  may facilitate wireless communication with the wireless transceiver  220  of another IoT module  200 ′, for example to form a mesh network or a pseudo-mesh network through which each IoT module is capable of communicating with the access control system  192 . The wireless transceiver  230  may, for example, include one or more of a Bluetooth transceiver  221  such as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver, a ZigBee transceiver  222 , a Z-Wave transceiver  223 , a Thread transceiver  224 , a proprietary transceiver  225 , a Wi-Fi transceiver  226 , and/or a cellular transceiver  227 . 
     The power source  240  includes at least one of an energy storage device  242  or a connection to line power  244 . In the illustrated form, the power source  240  includes an energy storage device  242  in the form of a battery operable to be mounted in the battery compartment  218 . For example, the battery may be provided in the form of a replaceable coin cell battery. As another example, the energy storage device  242  may be provided in the form of a rechargeable battery or a supercapacitor, and the power source  240  may include an energy harvester  245  operable to charge the energy storage device  242 . Such an energy harvester  245  may, for example, take the form of an inductive power receiver  246  operable to receive power from an inductive power generator  247 , or the form of a photocell  248  operable to harvest energy when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., sunlight and/or artificial light). As should be appreciated, the power source  240  may further comprise regulation circuitry configured to place the power provided by the power source  240  in a form usable by the controller  220  and/or other electronic components of the IoT module  200 . 
     The light ring  250  is mounted behind the translucent shroud  214  such that the light ring  250  is operable to illuminate the shroud  214 , thereby providing light to the region proximate the IoT module  200 . The light ring  250  includes an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  252  and a driver  254  operable to control operation of the LED array  252  based on commands received from the controller  220 . In the illustrated form, the LED array  252  is provided in the form of a red-green-blue (RGB) LED array such that the LED array  252  is operable to illuminate the shroud  214  with various colors and/or patterns. In certain forms, the light ring  250  may be considered to include the shroud  214 . As described herein, operation of the light ring  250  may be controlled by the controller  242  based upon information received from the sensor array and/or information received from the external device  190 . For example, the controller  242  may activate the light ring  250  in response to detecting movement via the movement sensor  270  and/or in response to receiving a command from the external device  190 . 
     The audio device  260  may include a microphone  262  and/or a speaker  264 . In certain embodiments, the microphone  262  and/or the speaker  264  may facilitate communication between a user and the smart home system  194 . For example, the smart home system  194  may have a virtual assistant that facilitates a natural language interface between the user and the smart home system  194 , and the microphone  262  and speaker  264  may be utilized to relay spoken commands and audible feedback between the user and the smart home system  194 . In certain forms, the controller  220  itself may be operable to facilitate natural language interface with the user. 
     The movement sensor  270  is configured to detect at least one type of movement at or in the vicinity of the IoT module  200 . For example, the movement sensor  270  may be configured to detect movement in the vicinity of the IoT module  200 , movement of a user interfacing with the IoT module  200 , or movement of the IoT module  200  itself. The controller  220  may relay information generated by the movement sensor  270  to the external device  190  and/or make certain decisions based on information generated by the movement sensor  270 . For example, the controller  242  may control operation of the light ring  250  based at least in part upon detecting movement via the movement sensor  270 . 
     In certain forms, the movement sensor  270  may be configured to detect movement within a room bordering the door  80  on which the IoT module  200  is mounted, such as the primary region  81 . For example, the illustrated IoT module  200  includes a passive infrared (PIR) sensor  271  mounted behind the window  216 , which may be passive to infrared (IR) radiation to facilitate operation of the PIR sensor  271 . Additionally or alternatively, the movement sensor  270  may be provided in the form of a camera  272 , which may likewise be mounted behind the window  216 . Such movement sensors may also serve as occupancy sensors to detect occupancy of the primary region  81  when the door  80  is closed. 
     In certain forms, the movement sensor  270  may be configured to detect movement of a user interfacing with the IoT module  200 . For example, the movement sensor  270  may include a capacitive sensor  273  operable to detect taps and/or swipes of a user&#39;s finger on and/or along the shroud  216 . 
     In certain forms, the movement sensor  270  may be configured to detect movement of the door  80  by detecting movement of the IoT module  200  itself. For example, the movement sensor  270  may comprise an accelerometer  274  or a gyrometer  276  configured to generate information relating to movement of the IoT module  200 . As another example, the movement sensor  270  may comprise a magnetometer  275  that detects movement of the door  80  based on changes in a reference magnetic field. By way of illustration, a magnet may be mounted in the strike into which the latchbolt  122  extends when the door  80  is in the closed position, and the magnetometer  275  may determine movement of the door  80  based on changes in the sensed magnetic field. The magnetometer  275  may additionally or alternatively serve as a door position sensor that detects the open/closed position of the door  80  based on characteristics of the magnetic field. 
     The environmental sensor  280  is configured to detect at least one condition relating to the environment in the vicinity of the IoT module  200 . By way of example, the environmental sensor  280  may include one or more of an ambient light sensor  281 , a thermometer  282 , a humidity sensor  283 , and/or a barometer  284 . In certain embodiments, the environmental sensor  280  may be configured to detect the presence of a hazardous condition. For example, the environmental sensor  280  may include a carbon monoxide detector  285  and/or a smoke detector  286 . The controller  220  may relay information generated by the environmental sensor  280  to the external device  190  and/or make certain decisions based on information generated by the environmental sensor  280 . 
     The additional feedback mechanism  290  may, for example, include a display  292  and/or a haptic feedback mechanism  294 . By way of example, the display  292  may be provided as an e-ink display, and may facilitate operation of the IoT module  200  by displaying various options, menus, and/or operating parameters. The haptic feedback mechanism  294  may be operable to vibrate the IoT module  200  (and therefore the lockset  100 ), for example to provide tactile feedback and/or to facilitate operation of the lockset  100  by the visually impaired. For example, during emergency conditions, the haptic feedback mechanism  294  may vibrate when the PIR sensor  271  detects a user approaching to indicate to the user the presence of an emergency condition (e.g., fire or hazardous weather). 
     As noted above, the IoT module  200  is structured to transmit to an external device  190  information received from a sensor array including at least one sensor, such as a microphone  262 , one or more movement sensors  270  and/or one or more environmental sensors  280 . In certain forms, the IoT module  200  may transmit the information periodically, such as once per predetermined unit of time. In certain embodiments, the IoT module  200  may additionally or alternatively transmit information and/or alerts based on information received from the sensor array. For example, one or more sensors may have associated therewith a time-critical criterion, and the IoT module  200  may push to the external device  190  a notification or alert when a time-critical criterion is satisfied. As one example, a time-critical criterion may involve detection of a hazardous condition via the carbon monoxide detector  285  and/or the smoke detector  286 , and the IoT module  200  may push to the external device  190  an alert when the hazardous condition is detected. As another example, the IoT module may push to the external device  190  a notification when the PIR sensor  271  detects movement in the vicinity of the IoT module  200 . 
     While the illustrated IoT module  200  is provided as a retrofit for an existing lockset  100 , it is also contemplated that one or more features of the module  200  may be incorporated into the lockset  100  itself. For example, the base  212  of the housing assembly  210  may be integrated with the spring cage  112  of the handleset  110  such that the handleset  110  and the IoT module  200  form a single unit at the time of sale to an end-user. Thus, it should be appreciated that the features and functions described in association with the IoT module  200  may alternatively be accomplished by a lockset  100  incorporating the corresponding features and functions described in association with the IoT module  200 . 
     Provided hereinafter are certain example use-case scenarios that may be performed using the lockset  100  and/or a network of plural locksets  100 . As will be appreciated, each lockset  100  may include the IoT module  200  or may have certain features of the illustrated IoT module  200  integrated therewith. It should further be appreciated that the operations described in association with example use-case scenarios may be performed wholly or in part by the IoT module  200  and/or the external device  190 , and that the operations may be distributed among one or more IoT modules  200  and/or one or more external devices  190 . 
     In one example use-case scenario, the light ring  250  may be utilized to provide a convenience light function. For example, when the ambient light sensor  281  indicates that the space in the vicinity of the lockset  100  is dark and the PIR sensor  271  detects movement in the vicinity of the lockset  100 , the light ring  250  may illuminate to aid the user&#39;s navigation through the dark area. In certain embodiments, the IoT modules  200  of plural locksets  100  may be linked to provide simultaneous illumination. For example, when several IoT modules are installed to doors facing the same hallway, illumination of the light ring  250  of one IoT module  200  may cause a corresponding illumination of the light rings  250  of the other IoT modules  200  for which the primary region  82  is the hallway. Such contemporaneous illumination may be achieved by causing the IoT modules  200  to communicate with one another via the wireless transceiver  230 . 
     Another example use-case scenario involving the light ring  250  pertains to a nightlight function. By way of example, the IoT module  200  may be programmed to display various color themes and patterns via the light ring  250  to comfort children attempting to sleep. The nightlight function may involve an automatic shutoff that terminates the function after a predetermined period of time. The nightlight function may reactivate when movement of the child is detected via the PIR sensor  271 , or when crying is detected via the microphone  262 . An IoT module  200  installed to a child&#39;s room may additionally or alternatively be programmed to provide a certain degree of entertainment for the child. For example, the controller  220  may cause the speaker  264  to make an engine sound when the handle  114  is rotated. 
     Another example use-case scenario involving the light ring  250  pertains to an occupancy function. For example, a lockset  100  mounted to a restroom door may include an inner IoT module  200  that faces the restroom and an outer IoT module  200 ′ that faces the adjacent region when the door  80  is closed. When the inner IoT module  200  determines that the restroom is occupied (e.g., via the PIR sensor  271 ), the light ring  250  of the outer IoT module  200 ′ indicates to approaching users that the restroom is occupied, for example by generating a red ring. When the inner IoT module  200  determines that the restroom is unoccupied, the outer IoT module  200 ′ may indicate that the restroom is available, for example by generating a green ring. 
     The intensity of the light emitted by the light ring  250  may be modulated based in part on information received from the ambient light sensor  281 . For example, the light ring  250  may be illuminated to a greater intensity when the ambient light sensor  281  indicates that the adjacent region is already illuminated (e.g., by sunlight and/or artificial light), and may be illuminated to a lesser intensity when the ambient light sensor  281  indicates that the adjacent region is relatively dark. 
     In certain situations, the IoT module  200  may be utilized to monitor occupancy of a room, which may be utilized by the smart home system  194  to any number of ends. Occupancy of the room may, for example, be determined using the PIR sensor  271  and/or the microphone  262 . In certain forms, the smart home system  194  may adjust the lighting in a room based on occupancy, for example by turning the lights out when the room is unoccupied. As another example, the smart home system  194  may adjust operation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system based on occupancy. By way of illustration, if it is determined that a room is not currently occupied, the smart home system  194  may expand the range of permissible temperatures for that room, thereby causing the HVAC system to heat or cool the room with a lower duty cycle, thereby reducing energy usage. 
     The IoT module  200  may additionally or alternatively be utilized to monitor activity within a particular region. For example, parents of young children may wish to be alerted when there is movement in the child&#39;s room, which may indicate that the child is out of bed during sleeping hours. As another example, a caregiver for an elderly or infirm patient may wish to know that the patient is active during their normal hours, which would indicate that the patient has not fallen or become bedridden. In cases such as these, the parents or the caregiver may be able to access the smart home system  194  via an app  199  on a mobile device  198  to monitor one or more of the movement sensors  270 . In certain embodiments, the user may remotely cause the IoT module  200  to perform one or more actions based upon the information received via the app  199 . For example, upon detecting movement in the child&#39;s room, a parent may remotely cause the light ring  250  to activate the above-described nightlight function. 
     The IoT module  200  may further find use outside the single-family home environment, such as in apartment complexes, educational institutions, and/or commercial facilities. For example, the IoT module  200  may be linked to the access control system  192  of such installations, and may aid in providing alarms and alerts throughout the facility. As one example, the light rings  250  may aid in illuminating hallways during power outages, or may be used to indicate a path to safety. By way of illustration, during an emergency condition, the access control system  192  may cause the light rings  250  to illuminate green on those doors that are along the preferred escape route, and cause the light rings  250  to illuminate red on those doors that are not along the preferred fire escape path. Thus, a person traveling from one green light to the next will eventually find themselves in a place of relative safety (e.g., outside in the event of a fire emergency or in a storm shelter in the event of a weather emergency). The light rings  250  may additionally or alternatively be used to indicate the presence of an emergency condition, such as by repeatedly flashing in a strobe pattern. Alarms for different emergency conditions may be provided with different color themes and patterns to enable users familiar with the patterns to quickly distinguish between a fire situation and a hazardous weather situation. The propagation of information relating to emergency conditions may additionally or alternatively be facilitated by the speaker  264 . For example, the access control system  192  may transmit audible instructions to the user via the IoT module  200 . 
     In certain forms, the controller  220  may be programmed to recognize certain verbal commands received via the microphone  262 . For example, the IoT module  200  of an elderly person may be programmed to recognize the phrase “Help, I&#39;ve fallen”, and may alert a caregiver or emergency personnel in response to detecting the utterance of the phrase, for example by providing a push notification to an external device  190 . Additionally or alternatively, the microphone  262  may not necessarily be used to detect speech, and may instead be utilized to detect aberrant noises, such as the breaking of glass. Such aberrant noises may be deemed time-critical events, and may result in the IoT module pushing a notification or an alert to the external device  190 . 
     The IoT module  200  and/or a lockset  100  including features corresponding to those described with reference to the IoT module  200  may provide for one or more advantages over existing devices. As one example, the IoT module  200  may provide for increased safety in day-to-day and/or emergency conditions. For example, the IoT module  200  may be used to monitor a child or elderly person as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the IoT module  200  may be utilized to guide persons to zones of safety during emergency situations as described above. 
     Other advantages that may be associated with the IoT module  200  pertain to the use of the IoT module  200  in connection with a lockset such as the lockset  100 . For example, the functions provided by the IoT module  200  are provided in a location that is known to be accessible to the user (i.e., in an accessible location on the door  80 ), thereby facilitating both input to the IoT module  200  and the recognition of output from the IoT module  200 . As another example, the IoT module  200  can be provided at a single location in the room that does not interfere with use of the room. By contrast, certain existing IoT devices require that the device occupy space on a table or cabinet, or be plugged into an electrical outlet. Thus, the IoT module  200  provides for discreet sensing of various parameters (e.g., occupancy, temperature, ambient light) without detracting from the overall aesthetic and use of the room. 
     A further advantage that may be associated with the IoT module  200  pertains to its use in connection with a smart home system  194 . By providing for combined occupancy and temperature detection, the IoT module  200  may facilitate control of the home&#39;s HVAC system to reduce energy usage. Similar advantages may be provided in non-residential environments, such as commercial installations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of a computing device  300  is shown. The illustrative computing device  300  depicts at least one embodiment of an IoT module or controller that may be utilized in connection with the IoT module  200  or controller  220  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Depending on the particular embodiment, the computing device  300  may be embodied as a server, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, notebook, netbook, Ultrabook™ mobile computing device, cellular phone, smartphone, wearable computing device, personal digital assistant, Internet of Things (IoT) device, reader device, access control device, control panel, processing system, router, gateway, and/or any other computing, processing, and/or communication device capable of performing the functions described herein. 
     The computing device  300  includes a processing device  302  that executes algorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic  308 , an input/output device  304  that enables communication between the computing device  300  and one or more external devices  310 , and memory  306  which stores, for example, data received from the external device  310  via the input/output device  304 . 
     The input/output device  304  allows the computing device  300  to communicate with the external device  310 . For example, the input/output device  304  may include a transceiver, a network adapter, a network card, an interface, one or more communication ports (e.g., a USB port, serial port, parallel port, an analog port, a digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT 5, or any other type of communication port or interface), and/or other communication circuitry. Communication circuitry may be configured to use any one or more communication technologies (e.g., wireless or wired communications) and associated protocols (e.g., Ethernet, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi®, WiMAX, etc.) to effect such communication depending on the particular computing device  300 . The input/output device  304  may include hardware, software, and/or firmware suitable for performing the techniques described herein. 
     The external device  310  may be any type of device that allows data to be inputted or outputted from the computing device  300 . For example, in various embodiments, the external device  310  may be embodied as the IoT module  200 , the controller  220 , the wireless transceiver  230 , the light ring  250 , the audio device  260 , the movement sensor  270 , the environmental sensor  280 , the additional feedback device  290 , and/or the external device  190  (e.g., the access control system  192 , the smart home system  194 , the cloud server  196 , the mobile device  198 , and/or the external IoT module  200 ′). Further, in some embodiments, the external device  310  may be embodied as another computing device, switch, diagnostic tool, controller, printer, display, alarm, peripheral device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, touch screen display, etc.), and/or any other computing, processing, and/or communication device capable of performing the functions described herein. Furthermore, in some embodiments, it should be appreciated that the external device  310  may be integrated into the computing device  300 . 
     The processing device  302  may be embodied as any type of processor(s) capable of performing the functions described herein. In particular, the processing device  302  may be embodied as one or more single or multi-core processors, microcontrollers, or other processor or processing/controlling circuits. For example, in some embodiments, the processing device  302  may include or be embodied as an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), and/or another suitable processor(s). The processing device  302  may be a programmable type, a dedicated hardwired state machine, or a combination thereof. Processing devices  302  with multiple processing units may utilize distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing in various embodiments. Further, the processing device  302  may be dedicated to performance of just the operations described herein, or may be utilized in one or more additional applications. In the illustrative embodiment, the processing device  302  is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic  308  as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware) stored in memory  306 . Additionally or alternatively, the operating logic  308  for processing device  302  may be at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware. Further, the processing device  302  may include one or more components of any type suitable to process the signals received from input/output device  304  or from other components or devices and to provide desired output signals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination thereof. 
     The memory  306  may be of one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable media, such as a solid-state memory, electromagnetic memory, optical memory, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the memory  306  may be volatile and/or nonvolatile and, in some embodiments, some or all of the memory  306  may be of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, and/or other suitable portable memory. In operation, the memory  306  may store various data and software used during operation of the computing device  300  such as operating systems, applications, programs, libraries, and drivers. It should be appreciated that the memory  306  may store data that is manipulated by the operating logic  308  of processing device  302 , such as, for example, data representative of signals received from and/or sent to the input/output device  304  in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructions defining operating logic  308 . As illustrated, the memory  306  may be included with the processing device  302  and/or coupled to the processing device  302  depending on the particular embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the processing device  302 , the memory  306 , and/or other components of the computing device  300  may form a portion of a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and be incorporated on a single integrated circuit chip. 
     In some embodiments, various components of the computing device  300  (e.g., the processing device  302  and the memory  306 ) may be communicatively coupled via an input/output subsystem, which may be embodied as circuitry and/or components to facilitate input/output operations with the processing device  302 , the memory  306 , and other components of the computing device  300 . For example, the input/output subsystem may be embodied as, or otherwise include, memory controller hubs, input/output control hubs, firmware devices, communication links (i.e., point-to-point links, bus links, wires, cables, light guides, printed circuit board traces, etc.) and/or other components and subsystems to facilitate the input/output operations. 
     The computing device  300  may include other or additional components, such as those commonly found in a typical computing device (e.g., various input/output devices and/or other components), in other embodiments. It should be further appreciated that one or more of the components of the computing device  300  described herein may be distributed across multiple computing devices. In other words, the techniques described herein may be employed by a computing system that includes one or more computing devices. Additionally, although only a single processing device  302 , I/O device  304 , and memory  306  are illustratively shown in  FIG. 5 , it should be appreciated that a particular computing device  300  may include multiple processing devices  302 , I/O devices  304 , and/or memories  306  in other embodiments. Further, in some embodiments, more than one external device  310  may be in communication with the computing device  300 . 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. 
     It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.