Patent Publication Number: US-11024107-B2

Title: Electronic combination lock with different levels of access control

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/883,598 filed on Jan. 30, 2018, which is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/700,502, filed Sep. 11, 2017, which is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/351,708, filed Nov. 15, 2016 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,267,062 on Apr. 23, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/266,052, filed Dec. 11, 2015. Each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In today&#39;s market, there are many electronic locking devices. Some of those locking devices allow a user to use an electronic device to send an electronic signal for unlocking the locking device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an electronic combination lock that can be unlocked by an electronic-lock mechanism which responds to a key-pad entry via a touch pad on the electronic combination lock or via a wireless signal conveyed from a detached electronic device such as a mobile phone, or by a key-lock mechanism. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the access of a combination lock can have different levels. For example, the homeowner can allow a temporary user to have limited access to the homeowner&#39;s property by issuing a temporary code. Once such temporary code has been used for the designated number of times, the code will become invalidated. The electronic combination lock has a memory to store one or more preset codes for various access levels, including a first level, a second level and a third level. The electronic combination lock can be unlocked and the preset codes stored in the combination lock can also be changed by a detached electronic device which is configured to communicate with the combination lock with wireless signals. Thus, the first aspect of the present invention provides an electronic combination lock operable in a locked mode, an opened mode and a reset mode, the combination lock comprising: 
     an electronic circuit configured to communicate with a mobile device via wireless signals, the wireless signals indicative of a combination code for operating the electronic combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, the plurality of access levels comprising at least a first level and a second level; 
     a touch panel arranged to receive information indicative of a keypad entry code for operating the combination lock independently of the mobile device; 
     a non-transitory memory configured to store a plurality of preset codes, the plurality of preset codes comprising at least a present code for the first level and a preset code for the second level; 
     a processor configured to compare the plurality of preset codes with the keypad entry code from the touch panel or a received combination code from the mobile device and to allow access of the combination lock if the keypad entry code or the received combination code is indicative of one of the preset codes, wherein 
     the preset code for the second level is indicative of a permission to access the combination lock, and 
     the preset code for the first level is indicative of a permission to access the combination lock an unlimited number of times and a permission to change the preset code for all access levels. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination code for the second level is further indicative of a permission to access the combination lock an unlimited number of access times, and wherein the plurality of access levels further comprise a third level, wherein the combination code for the third access level is indicative of a permission to access the combination lock a limited number of access times. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device comprises a display configured with an application icon configured for communication with the combination lock via the wireless signals when the application icon is activated. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display of the mobile device is further configured with a deactivation icon associated only with the preset code for the first level, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signals are arranged to cause a disablement of the touch panel in receiving the information indicative of the keypad entry code. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display is also configured with a re-activation icon associated only with the preset code for the first level, and when the re-activation icon is activated, the wireless signals are arranged to terminate the disablement of the touch panel, allowing the touch panel to receive information indicative of the keypad entry. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination lock further comprises: 
     a lock body having a first body side, an opposing body side and an inner case located between the first body side and the second body side, the inner case having a shackle channel; 
     a shackle having a long leg and a short leg, the long leg arranged for placement in the shack channel, the short leg located on the first body side of the lock body when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode; 
     a controlling latch having a latch hole, the controlling latch arranged to engage with the long leg of the shackle when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode, preventing the shackle from moving in a first direction toward the first body side of the lock body to unlock the combination lock; 
     a solenoid having a retractable shaft, wherein when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode, the shaft is received in the latch hole, securing the controlling latch in engagement with the long leg of the shackle; and 
     a blocking plate engageable with the short leg of the shackle when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blocking plate comprises a driving pin, the blocking plate locatable in a first plate position and a second plate position, said combination lock further comprising a key-lock mechanism configured to unlock the combination lock independently of the keypad entry code and the mobile device when the lock is operated in the locked mode, the key-lock mechanism comprising: 
     a cylinder having a first cylinder end and an opposing second cylinder end, the second cylinder send arranged to receive a key for operating the combination lock; 
     a rotatable cam having a first segment and a second segment, the second segment engaged with the first cylinder end of the cylinder for rotation together, the first segment having a pin slot arranged to receive the driving pin of the blocking plate; 
     a fixed cam fixedly disposed in the lock body near the first body side, the fixed cam having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having an opening dimensioned to receive the first segment of the rotatable cam with the driving pin of the blocking plate received in the pin slot of the rotatable cam, the first portion arranged to engage with the blocking plate to receive the short leg of the shackle when the blocking plate is located at the first plate position. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the key is received into the second cylinder end, the cylinder can be caused to rotate along with the rotatable cam, and the pin slot in the rotatable cam is arranged to move the driving pin of the blocking plate in a second direction opposite to the first direction so as to shift the blocking plate from the first plate position to the second plate position, and wherein when the blocking plate is located in the second plate position, the shackle can be rotated relative to the shackle channel to change the combination lock from the locked mode to the opened mode. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blocking plate further comprises a deactivating cutout positioned in relationship to the driving pin, said combination lock further comprising: 
     a locking latch operable between a blocking position and a releasing position, the locking latch having a latch edge and an activating hole, wherein
         when the locking latch is positioned in the blocking position, the latch edge is engaged with the deactivating cutout of the blocking plate, preventing the blocking plate from shifting from the first plate position to the second plate position, and wherein   when the locking latch is positioned in the releasing position, the latch edge is spaced from the deactivating cutout so as to allow the blocking plate to shift from the first plate position to the second plate position, and wherein when the controlling latch is engaged with the long leg of the shackle to maintain the combination lock in the locked mode, the shaft of the solenoid is also engaged in the activating hole of the locking latch so as to keep the locking latch in the releasing position.       

     According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode, the shaft of the solenoid can be caused to retract from the latch hole of the controlling latch so as to allow the long leg of the shackle to move in the first direction to unlock the combination lock. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the keypad entry code or the received combination code is indicative of one of the preset codes as determined by the processor, the shaft of the solenoid is caused to retract from the latch hole of the controlling latch. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key-lock mechanism further comprises a first spring arranged to urge the locking latch to move toward the deactivating cutout of the blocking plate, and wherein when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode, the shaft of the solenoid can be caused to disengage from the activating hole of the locking hole, and the latch plate is caused to move from the releasing position to the blocking position, preventing the blocking plate from shifting from the first plate position to the second plate position for unlocking the combination lock. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display of the mobile device is further configured with a deactivation icon associated only with the preset code for the first level, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signals are arranged to cause a disablement of the touch panel in receiving the keypad entry code, and the wireless signals are also arrange to cause the shaft of the solenoid to disengage from the activating hole of the locking latch. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking latch further comprises a deactivating hole positioned in relationship to the activating hole, the combination lock furthering comprising a second spring arranged to urge the controlling latch to move toward the long leg of the shackle, wherein when the locking latch is located in the blocking position, both the deactivating hole of the locking latch and the latch hole of the controlling latch are aligned with the shaft of the solenoid, and the shaft of the solenoid is arranged to engage with both the deactivating hole of the locking latch and the latch hole of the controlling latch so as to prevent the blocking plate from shifting from the first plate position to the second plate position and the long leg of the shackle from moving in the first direction to unlock the combination lock. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key-lock mechanism further comprises a rod positioned in relationship to the blocking plate, the rod having a rod slope arranged to contact with the latch edge of the locking latch when the locking edge of the locking latch is positioned in the blocking position, and wherein the display of the mobile device is further configured with a re-activation icon associated only with the preset code for the first level, and when the re-activation icon is activated, the wireless signals are arranged to terminate the disablement of the touch panel in receiving the information indicative of the keypad entry code, and the wireless signals are also arrange to cause the shaft of the solenoid to disengage from both the deactivating hole of the locking latch and the locking hole of the controlling latch, and when the shaft of the solenoid is disengaged from locking hole of the controlling latch, the long leg of the shackle can be caused to move in the first direction to unlock the combination lock so as to allow the short leg to move away from the blocking plate, and when the shaft of the solenoid is disengaged from the deactivating hole of the locking latch, the rod can be caused to move in the second direction so as to disengage the latch edge of the locking latch from the deactivating cutout of the blocking plate. 
     The second aspect of the present invention provides a mobile device, comprising: 
     a display configured with an application icon arranged for communications with a combination lock, and 
     an electronic circuit configured to provide wireless signals when the application icon is activated, the wireless signals indicative of a combination code for operating the combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, the access levels comprising at least a first level and a second level, wherein
         the combination code for the second level is indicative of a permission to access the combination lock, and   the combination code for the first level is indicative of a permission to access the combination lock an unlimited number of times and a permission to change the combination code for all access levels, wherein the combination lock comprises a touch panel arranged to receive information indicative of a keypad entry for operating the combination lock independently of the wireless signals, and wherein the display is further configured with a deactivation icon associated only with the combination code for the first level, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signals are arranged to cause a disablement of the touch panel in receiving the information indicative of the keypad entry.       

     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination lock further comprises a key-lock mechanism configured to unlock the combination lock by a key independently of the keypad entry and the wireless signals, and wherein when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signals are also arranged to cause a disablement of the key-lock mechanism. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display is also configured with a re-activation icon associated only with the combination code for the first level, and when the re-activation icon is activated, the wireless signals are arranged to terminate the disablement of the touch panel, allowing the touch panel to receive information indicative of the keypad entry. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination code for the second level is further indicative of a permission to access the combination lock an unlimited number of access times, and wherein the plurality of access levels further comprise a third level, wherein the combination code for the third access level is indicative of a permission to access the combination lock a limited number of access times. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key-lock mechanism further comprises a re-activation mechanism to terminate the disablement of the key-lock mechanism independently of the wireless signals. 
     The present invention will become apparent upon reading the description in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 to 55 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an electronic combination lock, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows the electronic combination lock in an opened mode as the shackle has been released. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the combination lock showing various mechanical components of the lock. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional view of the combination lock in a locked mode. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional view of the combination lock in an unlocked mode. 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross sectional view of the combination lock in an opened mode. 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of the combination lock. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the lock body. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the shackle. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the solenoid-tip guide slot. 
         FIG. 8  shows an example of a solenoid. 
         FIG. 9A  shows a top view of the solenoid base. 
         FIG. 9B  shows a bottom view of the solenoid base. 
         FIG. 10A  shows a top view of the panel base. 
         FIG. 10B  shows a bottom view of the panel base. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  show different views of the cam. 
         FIG. 12  shows a bottom view of the turn knob. 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the cam spring. 
         FIG. 14A  is a cross sectional view of the combination lock in a locked mode, according to a different embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14B  is a bottom view of the combination lock of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the combination lock of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view of the combination lock of  FIG. 14A  when the lock is operated in an opened mode. 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  show different views of a first half of the lock body. 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of the shackle. 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  show different views of the latch. 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  show different views of the locking ring. 
         FIG. 21  shows a solenoid. 
         FIG. 22  shows a cross sectional view of a second half of the lock body. 
         FIGS. 23A and 23B  show different view of a panel base. 
         FIG. 24  is an isometric view of the cylinder. 
         FIG. 25  is an isometric view of the cam. 
         FIG. 26  is an isometric view of the fixed cam. 
         FIG. 27  shows a view of the blocking plate. 
         FIG. 28  shows a view of a screw. 
         FIG. 29A  shows a cross sectional view of the lock opened by a key. 
         FIG. 29B  shows a bottom view of the lock opened by a key. 
         FIG. 30  is an exploded view of the lock showing varies component of the lock. 
         FIG. 31  is a block diagram showing the electronic components of the lock, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a flowchart illustrating a mode of operation of the combination lock, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a block diagram showing a transceiver module having a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a block diagram showing some of the electronic components in the mobile device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 35A  illustrates the display screen of the mobile device having an application icon. 
         FIG. 35B  illustrates the display screen of the mobile device having a list of combination locks that have not been electronically linked or paired with the mobile device. 
         FIG. 35C  illustrates the display screen of the mobile device having an electronic keypad to allow entry of a password, for example. 
         FIG. 35D  illustrates the display screen of the mobile device having a list of combination locks with one of them having been electronically linked to the mobile device. 
         FIG. 35E  illustrates the display screen of the mobile device having a graphical indication of a gesture for unlocking the selected combination lock. 
         FIG. 35F  illustrates the display screen of the mobile device having a deactivation/re-activation icon associated with the user of the first level. 
         FIG. 36  is a flowchart illustrating a mode of operation of the mobile device in communication with one or more electronic combination locks. 
         FIG. 37A  is a flowchart showing the deactivation and re-activation of the touch panel by an electronic circuit, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 37B  is a flowchart showing the deactivation and re-activation of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism by an electronic circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 38  illustrates an electronic combination lock having a touch panel, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic combination lock of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  illustrates a blocking plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 41  illustrates a fixed cam, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 42  illustrates a rod with a rod slope, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 43  illustrates a rotatable cam, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 44  illustrates a cylinder, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 45  illustrates a controlling latch, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 46  illustrates a locking latch, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 47  illustrates a locking ring to be installed on the long leg of the shackle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 48  illustrates a solenoid having a retractable shaft, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 49  illustrates the shackle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 50  illustrates part of the body inner-case, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 51  shows various interconnecting components of the combination lock, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 52  illustrates the combination lock unlocked by the electronic-lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 53  illustrates the combination lock unlocked by the key-lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 54A  illustrates the shaft of the solenoid fully retracted to allow the locking latch to engage with the rod in the key-lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 54B  illustrates the shaft of the solenoid engaged in both the controlling latch and the locking latch to disable both key-lock mechanism and the electronic-lock mechanism. 
         FIG. 55  illustrates the re-activation of the key-lock mechanism and the electronic-lock mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-13 , the electronic combination lock  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, has a lock body  20 , a shackle  40  and a touch panel  70 . The touch panel  70  has a plurality of numerical keys or keypads  30 - 39 , a home button  50  and a reset button  60 . The shackle  40  has a short leg  41  and a long leg  42 . The lock body  20  has a lock hole  21  dimensioned to receive the short leg  41  and a long-leg channel  22  dimensioned to receive the long leg  42  of shackle  40 . The long-leg channel  22  defines a longitudinal axis for rotation. Each of the short leg  41  and the long leg  42  has a cutout  43  as part of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking bolt  80  and a locking ball  180  engaging with the cutout  43  on the short leg  41  and the cutout  43  on the long leg  42  when the combination lock  10  is operated in the locked mode and in the unlocked mode ( FIG. 1 ). The position of locking bolt  80  and locking ball  180  is controlled by a rotatable cam  140 . The cam  140  has a bolt slot  144  and a bolt slot  145  positioned such that when the cam  140  is rotated by a certain angle, the locking bolt  80  and the locking ball  180  are allowed to move away from the cutouts  43 . As such, the shackle  40  can be pushed upward by a shackle spring  160  to release the short leg  41  of shackle  40  from the lock hole  21  of lock body  20  to operate the combination lock in the opened mode ( FIG. 2 ). The shackle  40  can now be rotated along the long leg  42  as a rotation axis. The cam  140  has a groove  146  (see  FIG. 11B ) with a groove indent  141  having an engaging relationship with a cam ball  90 . The position of the cam ball  90  is controlled by a solenoid  100  having a slug or tip  101  (see  FIG. 8 ). When the combination lock  10  is operated in the locked mode, the tip  101  or solenoid  100  is arranged to push the cam ball  90  against the groove intent  141  such that the cam  140  cannot be rotated to release the shackle  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
     When a user uses the touch panel  70  to key in the correct combination code using keypads  30 - 39 , the solenoid  100  is energized to cause the tip  101  to move inward toward the solenoid body  102  and the combination lock is in the unlocked mode as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . As such, the cam ball  90  can move away from the groove indent  141 , allowing the user to rotate the cam  140  to release the shackle  40  to operate the combination lock in the opened mode as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . As seen in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the combination lock  10  has a panel base  120  connected to the lock body  20 . 
     The panel base  120  has a base support  128  connected to a panel support  129 . The panel support  129  is arranged to support the touch panel  70 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the base support  128  has a base opening  121  to place a turn knob  130 . The turn knob  130  has a slot  131  fixedly attached to flat surfaces  143  of the cam  140  such that when the cam ball  90  has moved away from the groove indent  141 , the user can use the turn knob  130  to rotate the cam  140  to release the shackle  40  in order to operate the lock  10  in the opened mode. 
     It should be understood that some of the components of the electronic combination lock  10  are not shown in the drawings as shown in  FIGS. 1-30 . For example, the electronic combination lock  10  has a non-transitory memory unit to store combination codes; an electronic processor to determine whether a keypad entry by a user matches a stored combination code; an electronic driving circuit to drive the solenoid; a power source or battery to provide electrical power to various electronic and electro-mechanical components and a battery charger. These components are presented in the block diagram of  FIG. 31 . Furthermore, the touch panel  70  can be any type of touch panel or touchscreen. For illustration purposes only, in the touch panel  70  described herein, the numerical keypad with keys  30 - 39 , the home button  50  and the set button  60  appears on the touch panel  70  only long enough for keypad entry. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery, the electronic processor and other electronic circuits are housed in the panel base  120 , for example. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4B  which shows the bottom view of the combination lock  10 , the panel base  120  has a charging slot  122  arranged for charging the battery in the panel base  120 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , the lock body  20  has a lock hole  21  dimensioned to receive the short leg  41  of shackle  40 ; a long-leg channel  22  dimensioned to receive a shackle spring  160  and the long leg  42  of shackle  40 ; a bolt hole  23  for placing the locking bolt  80  and the locking ball  180  inside the lock body  20 ; a cam hole  24  for placing the cam  140 ; an open area  26  to receive part of a solenoid base  110 ; and a screw hole  25  below the lock hole  21  to allow a screw  200  to fasten the lock body  20  to the solenoid base  110 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 6 , the shackle  40  also has a retaining groove  44 , together with the locking ball  180 , arranged to prevent the long leg  42  of shackle  40  from completely moving away from the long-leg channel  22  of lock body  20 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the cam  140  has a larger cylindrical body  148  and a smaller cylindrical body  149 . The upper part of the larger cylindrical body  148  has a bolt slot  144  and a ball slot  145 . The lower part of the larger cylindrical body  148  has a fin  142  extended over the upper part of the smaller cylindrical body  149 . The lower part of the smaller cylindrical body  149  has a reduced end  147  with two opposing flat surfaces  143 . The lower part of the larger cylindrical body  148  also has a groove  146  and an indent  141  at one end of the groove  146 . The groove  146  is used to keep the cam ball  90  on track while the cam  140  is rotated. 
     As seen in  FIG. 9A , the solenoid base  110  has an outer cylindrical wall  111  and an inner cylindrical wall  117 . The an inner diameter of outer cylindrical wall  111  is dimensioned to receive the large cylindrical body  148  of cam  140 , whereas the inner diameter of the inner cylindrical wall  117  is dimensioned to receive the smaller cylindrical body  149  of cam  140 . The inner wall  117  has an edge  118  arranged to stop the fin  142  of cam  140  in order to limit the rotation of cam  140 . The solenoid base  110  also has an opening  119  dimensioned to receive the solenoid  100 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 9B and 13 , the solenoid base  110  has a base recess  112  to receive a cam spring  150  which has a knob-side tail  151  and a base-side tail  152 . In the periphery of the base recess  112  there is a slot  113  arranged to receive the base-side tail  152  of cam spring  150 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a solenoid-tip guide  90  positioned on top of solenoid  100 . The solenoid-tip guide  90  has an opening  91  dimensioned to receive tip  101  of solenoid  100 . The placement of the solenoid guiding unit  90  limits the lateral movement of the cam ball  190  when the tip  101  of solenoid  100  is retrieved inward toward the solenoid body  102  to allow lock  10  to operate in the opened mode. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show different views of the panel base  120  which has a panel support  129  attached a base support  128 . The panel support  128  is arranged to mount a touch panel  170 . As seen in  FIG. 10A , the base support  128  has a recessed area  123  dimensioned to receive the base of the solenoid base  110 . In the recessed area  123  there are two screw holes  124 ,  125  arranged for fastening the solenoid base  110  to the panel base  120  with screws  210  (see  FIG. 4A ). With the solenoid base  110  securely fastened to the panel base  120 , the solenoid base  110  can be inserted into the open area  26  of lock body  20  with the lock body  20  located next to panel support  129 . 
     It should be understood that the electrical power provided to the solenoid  100  can be made through electrical contacts in the solenoid base  110  and the panel base  120 , for example. The electrical power provided to the touch panel  70 , the electronic processor and other electronic circuit components can be made through electrical connectors in the panel base  120 , for example. A power source such as a rechargeable battery required for powering the electronic and electro-mechanical components of the electronic combination lock  10  can be recharged through the charging slot  122  on the panel base  120 . 
     Classification of Users 
     The electronic combination lock  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, can be used by a number of users with different access levels. For example, there can be three access levels and the combination lock users can be classified as master users, regular users and temporary users, associated with different combination codes. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the master users have the highest level of access; the regular users have a second level of access and the temporary users have a third level of access. 
     As disclosed herein, the terms “permanent user” and “regular user” are used interchangeably. 
     Master User: 
     There can be one master code or more than one master code. A user with a master code has an unlimited number of access times (that is, an unlimited number of times to unlock the lock) and can use the reset mode 1) to change the master code, 2) to change or disable a temporary code or a permanent code; and 3) to assign the number of access times for the temporary code user. 
     Permanent or Regular User: 
     There can be one or more permanent or regular codes. A user with a permanent code has an unlimited number of access times. However, the permanent users cannot use the reset mode, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, a permanent code user is allowed to use the reset mode but only to change his/her own code. 
     Temporary User: 
     There can be one or more temporary codes. A user with a temporary code has a limited number of access times. A temporary user is not allowed to use the reset mode. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the use of a code to operate the padlock is described as follows: 
     Unlocking Procedure by any User (Master User, Permanent User or Temporary User, with a Valid User Code as Validated by a Code Storage in the Padlock) 
     1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen. 
     2. On the keypad, enter a combination code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the unlocked mode. 
     3. Manually release the shackle in order to mechanically open the padlock. 
     In one embodiment, the shackle must be manually released within a predetermined period of time. When the predetermined period of time has expired, the padlock automatically returns to the locked state. If the user wants to open the lock again, the user can follow the same procedure. 
     For demonstration purposes, assuming the padlock is configured to store a total of 9 users. User 1 has the master code, and Users 2-6 are regular users which can have unlimited number of access times. Users 7-9 are temporary users having only a limited number of access times to use a code to access to the lock. 
     Reset Procedure for Resetting a Master Code (the User Must have a Master Code as Validated by the Code Storage in the Padlock) 
     1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen. 
     2. On the keypad, enter a master code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the unlocked mode. 
     3. Press the set button and then the home-key to enter the “reset mode” 
     4. Enter the same master code the then press the home-key (optional in one embodiment). 
     5. Press 1 to select the type of code to be changed. 
     6. Enter a new (master) code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the lock mode. 
     Reset Procedure for Resetting a Permanent Code (the User Must have a Master Code as Validated by the Code Storage in the Padlock) 
     1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen. 
     2. On the keypad, enter a master code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the unlocked mode. 
     3. Press the set button and then the home-key to enter the “reset mode”. 
     4. Enter the same master code and then press the home-key (optional in one embodiment) 
     5. Press 2-6 to select the type of code to be changed. 
     6. Enter a new (permanent) code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the lock mode. 
     Reset Procedure for Resetting a Temporary Code (the User Must have a Master Code as Validated by the Code Storage in the Padlock) 
     1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen. 
     2. On the keypad, enter a master code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the unlocked mode. 
     3. Press the set button and then the home-key to enter the “reset mode”. 
     4. Enter the same master code and then press the home-key (optional in one embodiment). 
     5. Press 7-9 to select the type of code to be changed. 
     6. Enter a new (permanent) code and then press the home-key. 
     7. Enter a number between 1 and 9 to set the number of access times and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the locked mode. 
     Reset Procedure for Resetting a Permanent Code by the Permanent User (the User Must have a Permanent Code as Validated by the Code Storage in the Padlock) 
     1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen. 
     2. On the keypad, enter a master code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the unlock mode. 
     3. Press the set button and then the home-key to enter the “reset mode”. 
     4. Enter the same permanent code and then press the home-key (optional in one embodiment). 
     5. Enter a new (permanent) code and then press the home-key to set the padlock in the lock mode. 
     Unlocking and Locking the Combination Lock 
     When the user wants to operate the electronic combination lock  10  in the opened mode, the user can touch the panel  70  to cause the keypads  30 - 39 , home button  50 , and set button  60  to be displayed on the panel. The user can type in a predetermined combination code and then press the home button  50 . The electrical power is transferred to the solenoid  100  in a short period of time, about 10 seconds, for example. As the solenoid  100  is activated, the tip  101  of the solenoid  100  moves downward toward the solenoid body  102 . As the tip  101  of the solenoid  100  moves downward, the cam ball  190  is able to move away from the groove indent  141  in groove  146  of cam  140 . Because the cam  140  is fixedly attached to the turn knob  130 , the cam  140  can be rotated by turning the turn knob  130  in order to release the shackle  40 . As the cam  140  turns away from its locking position, the locking bolt  80  and locking ball  180  can move into the bolt slot  144  and the ball slot  145 . As such, the locking bolt  80  and locking ball  180  are disengaged from the cutouts  43  on the short leg  41  and the long leg  42  of shackle  40 . The shackle  40  is now allowed to move upward under the urging force of the shackle spring  160  to release the short leg  41  from the lock hole  21  of lock body  20 . 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, after the user keys in the correct combination code, there is a period of 10 seconds or so to allow the solenoid to acquire sufficient electrical power in order to attract the tip  101  of solenoid  100  into the downward position. The cam ball  190  is now allowed to move away from the groove  141  indent of cam  140  and the user can now turn the turn knob  130  and the cam  140  to open the lock. With the urge of the shackle spring  160 , the shackle  40  moves upward until the locking ball  180  moves into the retaining groove  44  of shackle  40 . The groove  44  is arranged to prevent the long leg  42  of shackle  40  from completely moving away from the long-leg channel  22  of lock body  20 . After about 10 seconds, the electrical power to the solenoid  100  can be cut off so as to allow the tip  101  of solenoid  100  to move upward. It should be noted that, although the lock  10  is in the opened position, the cam ball  190  is still located on the track  146  of cam  140 . 
     To return the lock  10  to the locked mode, the user simply pushes the shackle  40  downward and the cam  140  is caused to rotate back to its locking position by a cam spring  150  which has a knob-side tail  151  lodged in the spring-tail slot  132  on turn knob  130  and a base-side tail  152  lodged in the spring-tail slot  113  on solenoid base  110  (see  FIG. 12 ). The locking bolt  80  and the locking ball  180  are pushed by the cam  140  into the cutouts  43  of the shackle  40 . The cam ball  190  is also caused to move back to the groove indent  141  of cam  140 , preventing the cam  140  from rotation relative to the lock body  20 . 
     The solenoid base  110  has a threaded-hole  114  which allows a screw  200  to be fastened through the hole  25  on lock body  20 . Once the screw  200  is fastened, the solenoid base  110  cannot be removed from the lock  10 . The panel base  120  has two screws holes  124  and  125  which allow screws  210  to be fastened via holes  115  and  116  on solenoid base  110 . As such, the solenoid-base  110  and the panel-base  120  are securely fastened to the lock body  20 . The panel base  120  also has an opening  121  to allow the user to touch the knob  130 . The panel base  120  also has a charging slot  122  to allow the user to charge the battery embedded in the panel base  120  if needed. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the combination lock  10  has a sealing plug  170  dimensioned for insertion into the lock body  20  to conceal the bolt hole  23  of the lock body  20 . 
     User Instruction to Unlock the Padlock 
     
         
         1. Touch the panel. 
         2. Key in a combination code (or old master code, or any preset User Code) and then press the home key. 
         3. Turn knob clockwise to release the shackle. 
         4. To lock the lock, simply push the shackle back to the lock position and the lock will lock itself automatically.
 
Resetting Master Code for USER 1 (Master User Reset Mode)
 
       
    
     When the user wants to set a new Master code for the electronic combination padlock  10 , the user can touch the touch panel  70  to cause the keypads  30 - 39 , the home button  50 , and the set button  60  to display on the panel. The user can now input a preset combination code (or existing Master code) and press the home key  50 . The user can then press the set button  60  and then press the home key  50  again. The user can then press digit 1 (keypad  31 ) in order to set a new master code. After inputting the new master code by pressing numerical keys  30 - 39 , the user must press the home button  50 . The lock can now be unlocked with the new master code which must have at least 4 digits but can have 15 digits. 
     Resetting Permanent User Code for USERS 2-6 with Unlimited Access Time (Permanent User Reset Mode): 
     When the Master user wants to set a permanent code for the electronic combination padlock  10 , the user can touch the touch panel  70  to cause the keypads  30 - 39 , the home button  50 , and the set button  60  to display on the panel. The user can input a preset combination code (or existing Master code) and press the home button  50 . The user can then press the set button  60  and then the home button  50  again. The user can press one of digits 2-6 (keypads  32 - 36 ) in order to set the user code for the selected user among users 2-6. After inputting the new user code for the selected user by pressing numeral keys  30 - 39 , the user must press the home key  50 . The lock can now be unlocked with the new permanent user code which must have at least 4 digits but can have 15 digits. 
     Reset Temporary User Code for USERS 7-9 with Limited Access Time (Temporary User Reset Mode): 
     When the Master user wants to set the temporary code for the electronic combination padlock  10 , the user can touch the panel  70  to cause the keypads  30 - 39 , the home button  50  and the set button  60  to display on the panel. The user can input a preset combination code (or existing Master code) and press the home button  50 . The user can then press the set button  60  and then the home button  50  again. The user can press one of the numerical keys 7-9 (keypads  37 - 39 ) in order to set the temporary user code for the selected user among users 7-9. After inputting the new user code for the selected user by pressing numeral keys  30 - 39 , the user must press the home button  50 . The new temporary user code must have at least 4 digits but can have 15 digits. The user can select the number 1-9 ( 31 - 39 ) for the number of access times that can be used with this temporary code and then the home button  50 . Typically, the access times for the temporary code can range from 1-9. The lock is now set with the temporary user code for a temporary user. 
     Alternative Embodiment 
     According to a different embodiment of the present invention, the electronic combination lock includes an overriding key locking mechanism as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,209, which is assigned to The Sun Lock Company, Ltd., the assignee of the current application, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 14A-30 , the electronic combination lock  420  has a lock body  220 / 310 , a shackle  240  and a touch panel  270 . The touch panel  270  has a plurality of numerical keys or keypads  230 - 239 , a home button  250  and a reset button  260 . The shackle  240  has a short leg  241  and a long leg  242  with a protrusion  243  and a neck  244 . The touch panel  270  has a green light  271  and a red light  272 . The green light  271  is lit to indicate the input code is correct and the red light  272  is lit to indicate otherwise. As seen in  FIGS. 17A and 22 , the lock body  220 / 310  has a lock-ring cutout  221 / 231  to accommodate a lock ring  290 ; a solenoid-tip cutout  222 / 312  dimensioned to receive the tip  301  of a solenoid  300  (see  FIG. 21 ); a solenoid-body cutout  223 / 313  dimensioned to accommodate the solenoid body  303  of solenoid  300 , and a latch cutout  224 / 314  to house a latch  280 . The lock body  220 / 310  also has screw holes  225 / 315  to receive screws  270  and two holes  226  to receive screw caps  400  to conceal the screws  370  (see  FIG. 14B ). The lock body  220 / 310  has a cam channel  227  for accommodating a rotatable cam  340 , a fixed cam  350  and a blocking plate  360 . The lock body  220 / 310  also has a cylinder cutout  228  for placing a cylinder  330  and a long-leg channel  229  dimensioned to receive the end of the long leg  242  of shackle  240 . The cylinder  330  has two cylinder pins  331 . The rotatable cam  340  has a larger cylindrical body  343  and a smaller body  344 . The end of the larger cylindrical body  343  has two receiving slots  342  dimensioned to receive the cylinder pin  331  of cylinder  330 . The smaller cylindrical body  344  has a cam slot  341 . The latch  280  has a latch hole  281  dimensioned to receive the tip  301  of solenoid  300 , and a latch fork  282  arranged to engage with the ring groove  292  of a locking ring  290  which has two groove slopes  293  near the ring groove  292 . The latch  280  also has a fork slope  283  on the latch fork  282  arranged to contact with the groove slopes  293  of locking ring  290 . The combination lock  420  also has a panel base  320  with a base support  328  and a panel support  329  to support the touch panel  270  (see  FIGS. 23A and 23B ). The panel base  320  also has screw holes  323  to receive screws  370  for fastening the lock body  222 / 312  to the panel support  329  on top of the base support  328 . The base support  328  has an opening  321  to allow a key  410  to be inserted into the cylinder  330  and a charging slot  322 . The fixed cam  350  has a locking hole  351  arranged to receive the short leg  241  of shackle  240 . The fixed cam  350  has a gap  355  sufficiently wide to allow the short leg  241  of shackle  240  to move out of the locking hole  351  through the gap  355 . The blocking plate  360  is positioned adjacent to the gap  355  of fixed cam  350  and has a width sufficient to block the locking hole  351  so as to prevent the short leg  241  from moving out of the locking hole  351  through the gap  355  while the short leg  241  is located in the locking hole  351 . The blocking plate  360  has a locking pin  361  movably engaged with the cam slot  341  of rotatable cam  340 . 
     Locked Mode 
     As seen in  FIGS. 14A, 15, 18, 19, 20A and 20B , the shackle  240  has a short leg  241 , a long leg  242 , a protrusion  243  and a neck  244 . The locking ring  290  has a ring channel  294  dimensioned to receive the long leg  242  of shackle  240  such that the protrusion  243  of shackle  240  is placed on enlarged inner edge  291  of locking ring  20  with a C-clip  390  inserted in the neck  244  of shackle  240 . As such, the long leg  242  can only have a rotational movement relative to the locking ring  290 . When the lock  420  is operated in the locked mode, the tip  301  of solenoid  300  causes the latch fork  282  to engage with the ring groove  292  of locking ring  290 , preventing the shackle  240  from moving upward relative to the lock body  220 . With the solenoid  300  being inactive (not energized), the tip  301  is pushed upward by a solenoid spring  302 , with the tip  301  of solenoid  300  engaged in the latch hole  281  of latch  280 . In this arrangement, the shackle cannot be pulled upward to open the lock. Furthermore, the fixed cam  350  is fixedly attached to lock body  220 / 310 . The fixed cam  350  has a locking hole  351  arranged to receive the short leg  241  of shackle  240 . The fixed cam  350  is not an enclosed cylinder such that the short leg  241  can be swung out of locking hole  351  while the long leg  242  remains in the downward position. However, in the locked mode, the blocking plate  360  is positioned relative to the fixed cam  350  to prevent it from being swung out of the locking hole  350 . 
     The Key-Lock Mechanism 
     As seen in  FIGS. 14A, 16, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 30 , the cylinder pins  331  of cylinder  330  are inserted into the receiving slots  342  at the end of the larger cylindrical body  343  of rotatable cam  340  so that the cylinder  330  and the rotatable cam  340  can only rotate together by a key. The smaller cylindrical body  344  of rotatable cam  340  has a cam slot  341  to receive the locking pin  361  of blocking plate  360 . If an incorrect key is used to unlock the padlock  420 , the cylinder  330  and the rotatable cam  340  cannot be rotated. As the locking pin  361  of blocking plate  360  is engaged in the cam slot  341  of rotatable cam  340 , the blocking plate  360  cannot move downward. As such, the short leg  241  of shackle  240  is prevented from being swung out of the locking hole  351  of fixed cam  350 . 
     Unlock by Combination Code ( FIG. 16 ): 
     When the user wants to operate the padlock  420 , the user can touch the panel  270  to cause the keypad  230 - 239 , the home button  250 , and the set button  260  to be displayed on the panel. The user can type in a predetermined combination code and then press the home button  250 . The electrical power is transferred to the solenoid  300  in a short period of time, about 10 seconds, for example. As the solenoid  300  is activated, the tip  301  of the solenoid  100  moves downward toward the solenoid body  3003 . As the tip  301  of the solenoid  300  moves downward and out of the latch hole  281  of latch  280 , the latch fork  282  is disengaged from the ring groove  292  of locking ring  290 . As such, the user can pull the shackle  240  upward to release the short leg  241  out of the locking hole  351  of fixed cam  350  to operate the padlock in the opened mode. As the shackle  240  is pulled upward, the groove slope  293  of locking ring  290  also causes the latch  280  to move further way from the long leg  242  by pushing the fork slope  283  of latch  280 . After about 10 seconds, the electrical power to the solenoid  300  can be cut off. 
     When the user relocks the padlock, the short leg  241  is moved into the locking hole  351  of fixed cam  350 . At the same time, the locking ring  290 , along with the long leg  242 , move downward such that the groove of  292  aligns with the latch fork  282  of latch  280 . The latch  280  is pushed by the urging force of the spring  380  and the latch fork  282  is caused to engage with the groove  292  of locking ring  290 . As the solenoid  300  is no longer energized, the tip  301  of solenoid  300  is pushed upward by the spring  302  into the latch hole  281  of latch  280 . 
     To Unlock by Key-Lock Mechanism ( FIG. 29A  and  FIG. 29B ): 
     When the padlock  420  is in the locked mode as the protrusion  243  is engaged with the groove  292  of the locking ring  290 , the shackle  240  cannot be pushed upward to unlock the padlock  420 . However, if a correct key  410  is inserted into the cylinder  330 , the cylinder  330  can be rotated along with the rotatable cam  340 . As the rotatable cam  340  is rotated, the cam slot  341  in the smaller cylindrical body  344  causes the locking pin  361  along with the blocking plate  360  to move downward to unblock the locking hole  351 . As such, the short leg  241  of shackle  240  can be swung out of the locking hole  351  of fixed cam  350 . This allows a key-lock user or a security officer to inspect a piece of luggage. To relock the padlock, simply rotate the short leg  241  of shackle  240  back into the locking hole  351  of fixed cam  350  and rotate the cylinder  330  in the opposite direction to remove the key  410 . As the cylinder  300  is rotated in the opposite direction, the pin  361  is caused to move upward along with the blocking plate  360 . As such, the blocking plate  360  prevents the short leg  241  of shackle  240  from being swung out of the locking hole  351 . At all times, the long leg  342  of shackle  240  and the locking ring  290  remain in the downward position. 
     As with the embodiment as described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13 , various users can key in a combination code to unlock the combination lock and to reset the combination codes. The differences in the operating procedures with the embodiment as described and illustrated in  FIGS. 14-30  are the green and red lights. The green light can be used to indicate the key entry is correct. The green light can also be arranged to flash during the reset mode. 
     Exemplary Padlock Components 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the padlock has various components as shown in  FIG. 31 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , the electronic padlock  10  includes: a padlock housing or lock body  20 ; a keypad  70  for keypad entry; a processor  520  for receiving the keypad entry—the processor is programmed to carry out the mode of operation as shown in  FIG. 32 , for example; a memory  500  having a code storage to store codes and types of codes (the memory is a non-transitory for storing codes readable by the processor or a computer); a battery  510  to provide power to all the electronic components and electro-mechanical control; a driving electronic circuit  530  for driving the electro-mechanical mechanism or control  540  such as a solenoid which can change the positions of a mechanical latching device  550 , such that when the mechanical latching device  550  is engaged in a notch or the like on the shackle  40 , it prevents the shackle  40  from being pulled up to open the padlock. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the padlock housing  20  has an optional signal receiver  515  configured to receive an electronic signal from an electronic device indicative of a combination code and conveying the combination code to the processor  520 . 
     Exemplary Mode of Operation 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic padlock can be operated according to processing steps as shown in  FIG. 32  and described as follows: 
     Step  602 : Upon receiving keypad entry from a user, if code is valid (as validated from the code storage) then the combination lock is in the unlocked state (state  604 ) and goes to step  620 . 
     Step  604 : Padlock is set in unlocked state and the process goes to step  606   
     Step  606 : If shackle is pulled up, the process goes to step  608 . If the shackle is pushed down at step  608 , the padlock returns to locked state at step  612 ; if the shackle is not pulled up after a period of time as determined at step  610 , the padlock returns to the locked state at step  612 . 
     Step  620 : the code type is determined: 1) if the code is a permanent code, nothing happens. 2) if the code is a temporary code and it is for the last access as determined at step  622 , the code will be erased at step  630  and the code storage is adjusted accordingly at step  660 ; if the code is a temporary code and it can still be used for two or more times, the number of access times is reduced at step  624  and the code storage is adjusted accordingly; 3) if the code is a master code, it is determined at step  640  whether the user wants to reset the code. If the user wants to reset to code, the process goes to step  642 ; if not, the process goes to step  606 . 
     Step  640 : Upon receiving the reset entry from the user, the process goes to step  642 . 
     Step  642 : The user selects the type of code to be reset: if the type is master code, then the process goes to step  650 , otherwise the process goes to step  644 . 
     Step  644 : If the type is a temporary code, the process goes to step  646 . Otherwise the process goes to step  652 . 
     Step  646 : After the new temporary code is entered, the process goes to step  648 . 
     Step  648 : The user enters the number of access times for the temporary code, the code storage is adjusted accordingly at step  660 . 
     Step  650 : the user inputs a code as the new master code, the code storage is adjusted accordingly at step  660 . 
     Step  652 : the user inputs a code as the new permanent code, the code storage is adjusted accordingly at step  660 . 
     Another Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the use of a touch screen panel  70  is not required. Accordingly, the numerical keypad  30 - 39  is affixed onto the panel-base  120 / 320 . In particular, the numerical pad is already on the panel-base  120 / 320  for a user to input the combination code. 
     Remote Entry of Combination Code 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the combination code can also be conveyed to the electronic processor  520  by an electronic device that is detached from the electronic combination lock. As seen in  FIG. 31 , the padlock housing  20  has a signal receiver  515  electrically connected to the electronic processor  520 . The signal receiver  515  is configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a combination code and to convey the received combination code to the electronic processor  520  to determine if the combination code matches a preset code (stored code). The electronic signal can be a Bluetooth signal from an electronic device such as a cellphone, or a longer-range signal from a remote transmitter. 
     With the signal receiver, a user can open the electronic combination lock by entering the combination code through the touch panel or by sending an electronic signal indicative of the combination code from a detached electronic device. 
     Operations on a Combination Lock from a Detached Mobile Device 
     As seen in  FIG. 31 , the padlock housing  20  has a signal receiver  515  configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a combination code from a detached electronic device. The electronic device can be a hand-held device such as a mobile phone having Bluetooth communication channels or the like. In an embodiment of the present invention, the signal receiver  515  is part of a transceiver module  512  which also has a signal transmitter  517  as shown in  FIG. 33 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the signal transmitter  517  is configured to transmit Bluetooth signals. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device has various components as shown in  FIG. 34 . As shown in  FIG. 34 , the electronic device  700  includes a processor  702 , a memory  704 , a signal transceiver module  706  and a display or display screen  710 . The signal transceiver module  706  is configured for wireless communications, including Bluetooth communications. The display screen  710  is arranged to display information and to receive user input, for example. In other words, the display screen  710  is arranged to allow entry of information to be wirelessly transmitted to the electronic combination locks within a communication range. The information may be indicative of a password, an access level and so forth. The information may include a command to unlock the electronic combination lock if the password matches a preset code in the lock. The memory  704  is a non-transitory memory used for storing Bluetooth pairing information, including identity of a combination lock that has been electronically linked or paired with the electronic device, for example. The processor  702  can be programmed to carry out communications via the transceiver module  706  between the electronic device  700  and one or more electronic combination locks  10 . The electronic device  700  can be a mobile phone or the like. 
     A general mode of operations between the electronic device  700  and the electronic combination locks  10  is shown in  FIGS. 35A-35E . As shown in  FIG. 35A , the electronic device  700  has a display  710  with an application icon  712  (commonly known as App). The application icon  712  is arranged for communication with one or more electronic combination locks  10 . When the application icon  712  is activated, the processor  702  (see  FIG. 34 ) is arranged to provide a wireless signal (such as Bluetooth signal) for searching the electronic combination locks  10  within of the wireless signal range. If the search is successful, the display  710  shows a list of three electronic combination locks  10  found as shown in  FIG. 35B . Each of the electronic combination locks in the list may have an electronic identity associated thereto and a given name. For example, one of the locks has a name “XRDW”. The user of the electronic device  700  may select one of the locks to establish a communication link between the electronic device  700  and the selected lock  10 . It should be noted that the selected lock may or may not have paired with the electronic device. If they have been paired, the user can enter the correct password on the electronic device to open the lock. If they have not been paired, the user can enter on the electronic device a factory-provided “admin code” of the lock or a given preset code stored in the lock for pairing. For example, the “admin code” can be 0-0-0-0. The “admin code” may have been changed to a preset code different from the “admin code”. As shown in  FIG. 35C , the user can use the keypad  715  to enter a password indicative of the “admin code” or the preset code and press “SAVE” in order to add the selected lock as a paired lock in the memory  704  of the electronic device  700  (see  FIG. 34 ). 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 35D , the selected lock “XRDW” is now linked to the electronic device  700 . The user may want to unlock the linked XRDW lock by selecting it from the list. The linked XRDW can be unlocked by a swiping action as indicated on the display  710  as shown in  FIG. 35E . 
       FIG. 36  is a flowchart showing the general operations of the electronic combination lock  10  using a detached electronic device  700  (see  FIGS. 35A-35E ). When the application icon  712  is activated, the electronic device  700  is arranged to search for the electronic combination locks within the search range at step  802 . If no paired locks are found in the search, the electronic device  700  can be activated to search for unpaired locks at step  804 . For example, the display  710  may have a symbol such as “+” to allow the user to initiate the search. If no unpaired locks are found in the search, the search mode of the application icon is terminated. If one or more unpaired locks are found, the display  710  of the electronic device  700  is arranged to display a list of the unpaired locks and the user may select one of the listed locks for pairing purposes at step  806 . For example, the display  710  may show a selection symbol such as “+” associated with each of the listed locks (see  FIG. 35B , for example). The user can click or activate the selection symbol to select one of the locks. The user may provide a name and a password of the selected lock at step  808  and press “SAVE” to complete the pairing process (see  FIG. 35C , for example). The pairing process for the other listed locks can be carried out in the same manner. 
     If one or more paired locks are found in the search at step  802 , the display  710  of the electronic device  700  may provide a list of those paired locks. For example, the display  710  may have a selection symbol “+” to allow the user to select a paired lock from the list for management purposes at step  810 . The user may delete a paired lock from the list by making a certain gesture on the display  710 . At step  812 , the user is required to enter a password associated with the selected lock. If the entered password does not match the stored code in the lock, the display  710  may indicate that the entered password is incorrect and the user may try again. If the entered password is correct, the user may unlock the lock from the electronic device  700  by making a certain gesture (see  FIG. 35E , for example). If the user is a basic user (permanent user or a user of a second access level with a permanent code) or a temporary user (user of a third access level with a limited number of access times), the communications session between the electronic device  700  and the lock may be ended. If the user is an administrator (a user of a first access level with a master code, or the first-level user), the first-level user may choose to perform a certain administrative function on the selected lock by activating a symbol such as “SETTING” to enter into the administration level where the administrator can assign a number of basic users and a number of temporary users or to change the master code. At step  816 , the first-level user may choose to perform an administrative function on one of the access levels. If the chosen access level is the first access level, the first-level user can change the lock name and/or the password and save the changes at step  818 . If the chosen access level is the second access level or third access level, the first-level user may choose a user of those levels at step  820  and change or assign a password for the chosen user at step  822 . In an embodiment of the present invention, if the chosen access level is the second access level, the display  710  of the electronic device  700  may show a list of one or more basic users that are authorized to use the lock an unlimited number of times. For example, the list may contain five users such as user 2, user 3, . . . and user 6 associated with the keypads  32 - 36  on the combination lock  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). The first-level user can assign or change a password for each of the basic users. If the selected access level is the third level, the display  710  of the electronic device  700  may show a list of one or more temporary users that are authorized to use the lock a limited number of times. For example, the list may contain three users such as user 7, user 8 and user 9 associated with the keypads  37 - 39  on the combination lock  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). The first-level user can assign a password for each of the temporary users. The process can be repeated for other users in the same manner. 
     In summary, the present invention provides a method and device for operating one or more electronic combination locks through wireless communications. Preferably, the device is a mobile device such as a mobile phone configured for communications in Bluetooth wireless channels. The mobile device has a display configured to display information and to allow entry of information. The display may have an application icon (commonly known as an App) arranged for communication with a combination lock. The mobile device has an electronic circuit configured to provide a wireless signal when the application icon is activated, the wireless signal indicative of a combination code for operating the combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, wherein the access levels define the number of access times for unlocking the combination lock. The wireless signal may comprise a communication signal for electronically linking the combination lock to the electronic device in a pairing process. The mobile device has a non-transitory memory unit, the memory unit configured for storing identity of the combination lock that has been electronically linked to the electronic device. The display is arranged to show a list of one or more combination locks found in the search range that have been electronically linked to the electronic device, and the display is further configured to allow deletion of one or more combination locks shown on the list from the memory unit. The display may have a graphic keypad to allow entry of information indicative of the combination code for operating the combination lock, wherein if the combination code matches the preset code for said combination lock, the display is arranged to allow making a gesture on the display for unlocking the combination lock. The display is also arranged to allow entry of a new code from the display for replacing the preset code in said combination lock. The display is arranged to allow entry of information from the display indicative of assignment of one or more users of second level and/or third level for said combination lock, and the information may include the number of access times of the users of third levels. The assignment of a user of second level and/or third level may include an entry from the display of a number associated with one of the plurality of numeral keys. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the padlock  10  and its components as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13B and 31  can be unlocked by a combination code entered as a keypad entry via the touch panel  70 . The padlock  420  and its components as illustrated in  FIG. 14A-30  can be unlocked using a combination code entered as a keypad entry via the touch panel  270  or by a key  410  operating on the cylinder  330  (see  FIGS. 29A and 29B , for example). The padlock  10  and the padlock  420  can also be unlocked using a password conveyed via a wireless signal by an electronic device  700  as illustrated in  FIGS. 34-35E . The process of unlocking the padlock  10  or padlock  420  with a keypad entry is illustrated in  FIG. 32 . As illustrated in  FIG. 32 , if the combination code provided in the keypad entry at step  602  is valid, the padlock is set in an unlocked state. As illustrated in  FIG. 36 , if the password conveyed from the electronic device  700  to a paired padlock at step  812  matches a combination code stored in the padlock, the padlock can be unlocked. If the user is an administrator (a user of a first access level with a master code or a first-level user) as determined in step  830 , the user may choose to perform one or more administrative functions. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the keypad entry to the padlock  10  and padlock  420  can be disabled by an administrator using the electronic device  700  via a wireless signal. For example, the display  710  of the electronic device  700  may have an icon  716  as shown in  FIG. 35F . The icon  716  can be a “deactivation” icon associated only with the combination code for the first level. When the deactivation icon is activated, a wireless signal from the electronic device is arranged to block the keypad entry, effectively deactivating the touch panel. Once the keypad entry is blocked, the padlock cannot be unlocked by entering a combination code via the touch panel  70  of padlock  10  or the touch panel  270  of padlock  420 . To re-activate the keypad entry, the display  710  of the electronic device  700  may also have a “re-activation” icon  717  associated only with the combination code for the first level. When the re-activation icon is activated, a wireless signal from the electronic device effectively reactivates the keypad entry to allow a user to unlock the padlock using the touch panel. 
     The deactivation and reactivation of the keypad entry can be carried out in an electronic circuit  900  as shown in  FIG. 37A . The circuit  900  combines the circuit elements of the padlock  10  as shown in  FIG. 31 , and the processing steps in the flowchart  600  as shown in  FIG. 32  and in the flowchart  800  as shown in  FIG. 36 , for example. As seen in  FIG. 37A , the circuit  900  includes a switch  910  to control the keypad entry from the touch panel  70  or  270 . The switch  910  can be an electronic switch made from one or more semiconductor switching elements or an electro-mechanical switch. When the touch panel of the padlock is not deactivated by the electronic device  700 , the switch  910  allows a user to unlock the padlock by entering a combination code on the touch panel  70 / 270 . If the combination code is valid as determined at the keypad entry step  602 , an unlocking signal  901  is conveyed to the driving electronic circuit  530  to unlock the padlock (see  FIG. 31 ). When a wireless signal indicative of a password is conveyed from the electronic device  700  to the signal transceiver circuit  512 , the signal receiver  515  is arranged to send information indicative of the password to the processor  520  (see  FIG. 31 ) to carry out the processing steps as shown in the flowchart  800  (see  FIG. 36 ). In particular, when the password matches the combination code, an unlocking signal  902  or  903  is conveyed to the driving electronic circuit  530  to unlock the padlock. However, if the combination code is a code for the first level and the wireless signal is indicative of a deactivation signal as determined at step  840 , the switch  910  is caused to open by a signal  904 , effectively blocking the unlocking signal  901  from reaching the driving electronic circuit  530 . Nevertheless, a user of the first level, second level or the third level is still able to unlock and relock the padlock  10  or padlock  420  using an electronic device  700 . When the driving electronic circuit  530  receives an unlocking signal ( 901 ,  902  or  903 ), it sends out an activating signal  907  to energize the electro-mechanical device ( 100 ,  300 ) in the padlock ( 10 ,  420 ). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switch  910  functions like a toggle switch in that the switch  910  remains open until a “re-activation” wireless signal is conveyed to the padlock from the electronic device  700 , as initiated by the administrator. The signal  904  is arranged to close the switch  910 , allowing the unlocking signal to reach the driving electronic circuit  530 . Again, only the first-level user or administrator can initiate the deactivation/re-activation function carrying out on an electronic padlock via a wireless signal from the electronic device. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the deactivation function carrying out on an electronic padlock, such as padlock  420  as illustrated in  FIGS. 14A to 30 , is applied to the disabling of the keypad entry, but not the key-lock mechanism. This means that, while the user cannot unlock the padlock using the touch panel  270 , a person having a correct key  410  is still able to unlock the electronic padlock. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the deactivation function is also arranged to disable the key-lock mechanism of an electronic padlock such as padlock  1600  as illustrated in  FIGS. 38-55 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the padlock  1600  can be unlocked in three ways: a combination code entered as keypad entry through a touch panel, a correct key operated on a key-lock mechanism, or a wireless signal conveying a password from a detached electronic device. The touch panel and the key-lock mechanism can be disabled by a wireless signal conveyed from the electronic device to the padlock initiated by a first-level user. Once the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism of the padlock are deactivated, the padlock can only be unlocked and relocked via the electronic device by the first-level user. However, in order to re-activate the key-lock mechanism, the user must use a re-activating key. 
     Active State—Locked Mode ( FIGS. 37A-52 ) 
     When the padlock  1600  is in an active state and operated in the locked mode, the padlock can be unlocked by using the touch panel, the key-lock mechanism or a detached electronic device. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detached electronic device is similar to the electronic device  700  as illustrated in  FIGS. 34-36 . Accordingly, the padlock  1600  also comprises the electronic components as shown in  FIG. 31  and a signal transmitter as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     The padlock  1600  as shown in  FIG. 38  has a shackle  1700  with a short leg  1701  (toe) and a long leg  1704  (heel), and a touch panel  1740  which is similar to the touch panel  270  of padlock  420  (see  FIG. 15 ). The touch panel  1740  also has ten numeral keypads  1741 - 1750 , a home button  1751  and a set button  1752  to allow a user to unlock the padlock  1600 , for example. The touch panel  1740  is electronically linked to an electronic-lock mechanism which controls the locking and unlocking of the padlock  1600 . The padlock  1600  also has a key-lock mechanism to allow a person with a correct key to unlock the padlock  1600 . 
     The padlock  1600  has a lock body  1601  to dispose the electronic-lock mechanism and the key-lock mechanism. The electronic-lock mechanism includes a single-hole latch  1660  (also referred to as a controlling latch), a lock ring  1680  with a ring neck  1681 , a solenoid  1690  having a retractable shaft  1691  and a body-inner case  1710 . The key-lock mechanism includes a blocking plate  1610 , a fixed cam  1620 , a rod  1630  with a rod slope  1631 , a rotatable cam  1640 , a cylinder  1650 , a double-hole latch  1670  (also referred to as a locking latch) which is also linked to the solenoid  1690 . The body-inner case  1710  has various openings to receive the other components, including a shackle channel  1712  dimensioned for placement of the long leg  1704  of the shackle  1700 . The blocking plate  1610  has a driving pin  1611  and a de-activating cutout  1612 . The fixed cam  1620  has a re-activating hole  1621  and a de-activating edge  1622 . The rotatable cam  1640  has a pin slot  1641 , an inner hole  1642  and two cylinder-receiving holes  1643 . The cylinder  1650  has a pair of extended pins  1651  on the upper side and a cylinder slot (not shown) on the lower side arranged to receive a key  1653  (see  FIG. 53 ). The single-hole latch  1660  has a groove  1661  and a locking hole  1662 . The double-hole latch  1670  has an activating hole  1671 , a de-activating hole  1672  and a latch edge  1673 . The long leg  1704  of the shackle  1700  has a pair of protrusions  1702  and a cutout neck  1703 . The locking ring  1680  is assembled between the protrusion  1702  and the cutout neck  1703  of the shackle  1700 , with C-clip  1720  inserted into the cutout neck  1703  to secure the placement of the locking ring  1680  on the shackle  1700 . 
     When the padlock  1600  is operated in the locked mode in the active state, the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  is located in the activating hole  1671  of the double-hole latch  1670  and also received into the locking hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1660 . The groove  1661  of the latch  1660  is received in the ring neck  1681  of the locking ring  1680 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 51 , the blocking plate  1610  and the fixed cam  1620  are placed together as an engaged assembly to receive the short leg  1701  of the shackle  1700  and the upper part of the rotatable cam  1640 . The blocking plate  1610  can be caused to move downward relative to the fixed cam  1620  to release the short leg  1701  of the shackle  1700 . The rotatable cam  1640  is positioned such that the driving pin  1611  of the blocking plate  1610  is movably engaged in the pin slope  1641  of the rotatable cam  1640 . The rotatable cam  1640  is placed on the upper side of the cylinder  1650  such that the extended pins  1651  of the cylinder  1650  are engaged with the cylinder-receiving holes  1643  of the rotatable cam  1640 . 
     There is no rotational movement of the cylinder  1650  relative to the lock body  1601  when there is no key inserted into the cylinder  1650 . As the extended pins  1651  of the cylinder  1650  are engaged with the cylinder-receiving holes  1643  of the rotatable cam  1640 , there is no rotational movement of the rotatable cam  1640  and the position of the pin slope  1641  remains stationary. The position of the driving pin  1611  also remains unchanged such that the short leg  1701  of the shackle  1700  is engaged with the blocking plate  1610  and the fixed cam  1620 , preventing the shackle  1700  from rotating relative to the lock body  1601  to change the padlock  1600  from the locked mode to the opened mode. However, as shown in  FIGS. 39 and 51 , the latch edge  1673  of the double-hole latch  1670  is disengaged from the de-activating cutout  1612  of the blocking plate  1610 . As such, when a correct key is inserted into the cylinder  1650  to rotate the cylinder  1650 , the rotatable cam  1640  is rotated relative to the double-hole latch  1670 . 
     Active State—Unlocked by Electronic-Lock Mechanism ( FIG. 52 ) 
     When the padlock  1600  is in the active state, it can be unlocked by the electronic-lock mechanism as follows. 
     As seen in  FIG. 39 , when the padlock  1600  is operated in the locked mode, the groove  1661  of the single-hole latch  1660  is engaged with the ring neck  1681  of the locking ring  1680 , and the tip of the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  is located in the locking hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1660 . As such, the shackle  1700  cannot be pulled upward to unlock the padlock  1600 . In order to release the shackle  1700  from the single-hole latch  1660 , the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  can be caused to move halfway downward away from the locking hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1600 . As the padlock  1700  also has a processor  520 , a driving electronic circuit  530  as shown in  FIG. 31 , the driving electronic circuit  530  is arranged to cause the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  to move halfway downward upon receiving a combination code from the keypad  1740  (see  FIG. 38 ) or a correct password conveyed in a wireless signal from an electronic device  700  (see  FIGS. 34, 35A-35E ). As the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  is moved halfway downward, the shaft  1691  is disengaged from the locking hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1660  while the shaft  1691  is still located in the activating hole  1671  of the double-hole latch  1670 . 
     While the shaft  1691  is disengaged from the latch hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1660 , a spring  1664  at the single-hole latch  1660  (see  FIG. 51 ) is arranged to urge the single-hole latch  1660  to remain in contact with the locking ring  1680 . However, the shackle  1700  can be pulled upward to disengage the short leg  1701  from the blocking plate  1610 . The shackle  1700  can then be rotated to change the combination lock  1600  from the locked mode to the opened mode as shown in  FIG. 52 . 
     Active State—Unlocked by Key-Lock Mechanism ( FIG. 53 ) 
     When a correct key is inserted into the cylinder  1650  to rotate the cylinder  1650 , the rotatable cam  1640  is also rotated in the same manner. As the driving pin  1611  of the block plate  1610  is movably engaged in the pin slope  1641  of the rotatable cam  1640 , the pin slope  1641  causes the blocking plate  1610  to move downward relative to the fixed cam  1620  so as to release the short leg  1701  of the shackle  1700 . While the single-hole latch  1660  remains engaged with the locking ring  1680 , the shackle  1700  can be rotated to change the padlock  1600  from the locked position to the opened position. 
     Deactivated State ( FIGS. 37B, 54A-54B ) 
     When the padlock  1600  is in the deactivation state as a result of a command from a first-level user of the detached electronic device  700 , the padlock  1600  cannot be unlocked by a correct key or by a combination code entered via the touch panel  1740  by any user. For example, the first-level user can activate the “deactivation” icon  716  on the display  710  of the electronic device  700  to disable both the touch panel  1740  and the key-lock mechanism of the padlock  1600 . 
     When the padlock  1600  is in an active state and operated in the locked mode as shown in  FIG. 39 , the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  is located in both the locking hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1660  and the activating hole  1671  of the double-hole latch  1670 . When a first-level user activates the “deactivation” icon  716  on the display  710  of the electronic device  700 , a wireless signal indicative of the deactivation function is conveyed to the padlock  1600  and received by the signal receiver  515  on the padlock  1600  as shown in  FIG. 37B . As seen in  FIG. 37B , the driving electronic circuit  530  is configured to send out two types of signals for energizing the solenoid  1690 : an activating signal  907  and a deactivating/re-activation signal  908 . As with some of the processing steps as shown in  FIG. 37A , the driving electronic circuit  530  in  FIG. 37B  is arranged to send out the activating signal  907  when the combination code entered via the touch pad  1740  is valid or the password indicated in the wireless signal matches the combination code. However, the deactivation signal  908  is provided only when the user of the first level activates the deactivation icon  716  or the reactivation icon  717  (see  FIG. 35F ). 
     Responding to the activating signal  907 , the shaft  1691  of solenoid  1690  is retracted halfway to release the single-hole latch  1660 . Responding to the deactivating signal  908 , the shaft  1691  of solenoid  1690  is retracted further downward to release both the single-hole latch  1660  and the double-hole latch  1670 . As shown in  FIG. 54A , when the shaft  1691  of solenoid  1690  is moved out of the activating hole  1671  of the double-hole latch  1670 , a spring  1674  at the double-hole latch  1670  (see  FIG. 51 ) urges the double-hole latch  1670  to move into the de-activating cutout  1612  of the blocking plate  1610 . As such, the de-activating hole  1672  of the double-hole latch  1670  is aligned with the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690 . At the same time, the groove  661  of the single-hole latch  1660  is kept in the locking ring  1681  of the locking ring  1680  by the urging force of the spring  1664  (see  FIG. 51 ). As such, the latch hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1660  is also aligned with the shaft  1691 . After a predetermined time period, such as 10 seconds, the shaft  1691  is moved into the de-activating hole  1672  of the double-hole latch  1670  and the latch hole  1662  of the single-hole latch  1660  as shown in  FIG. 54B . As the double-hole latch  1670  is engaged with the de-activating cutout  1612  of the blocking plate  1610 , the blocking plate  1610  cannot move downward, preventing the padlock  1600  from being unlocked by the key-mechanism. Since the touch panel  1740  is also effectively disabled, the padlock  1600  can only be unlocked with a combination code conveyed from the mobile device  700  via a wireless signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, a user of the first, second or third access level can unlock the padlock  1600  with a correct combination code conveyed from the mobile device  700 . In another embodiment of the present invention, only a user of the first access level can unlock the padlock  1600  via the wireless signal. According to a different embodiment of the present invention, a user of the first or second access level can unlock the padlock  1600  remotely. 
     Re-Activation ( FIG. 55 ) 
     When the padlock  1600  is in the deactivated state, only the user of a first level can “re-activate” the padlock  1600  by activating the “re-activation” icon  717 . When a wireless re-activating signal from the electronic device is received by the processor  520  in the padlock  1600 , the driving electronic circuit  530  sends out a deactivating/re-activating signal  908  to cause the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  to retract fully to release both the single-hole latch  1660  and the double-hole latch  1670 . The single-hole latch  1660  is urged by the spring to move away and disengaged from the ring neck  1681  of the locking ring  1680 . As such, the shackle  1700  can be pulled upward to unlock the padlock  1600 . The shackle  1700  can be rotated away from the blocking plate  1610  and the fixed cam  1620  as shown in  FIG. 55 . While the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  is still disengaged from the double-hole latch  1670 , a re-activating key  1730  can be inserted into the re-activating hole  1621  of the fixed cam  1620  to push the rod  1630  downward. As the rod  1630  is moved downward, the rod slope  1631  of the rod  1630  applies a force against the latch edge  1673  of the double-hole latch  1670 , causing the double-hole latch  1670  to move away until the activating hole  1671  of the double-hole latch  1670  is aligned with the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690 . After a predetermined time period, the shaft  1691  is moved back into the activating hole  1671 . As such, the key-lock mechanism can be used to unlock the padlock  1600 . It should be noted that the same signal  908  is used both in the deactivation and the reactivation of the padlock  1600 . The signal  908  is only arranged to cause the shaft  1691  of the solenoid  1690  to retract fully within a predetermined period of the time. Therefore, the “deactivation” icon  716  and the “re-activation” icon  717  are effectively the same. Their only function is to cause the shaft  1691  of the solenoid to retract fully. 
     As with the padlock  40  which as a battery to power the solenoid  100  and a charging slot  122  for charging the battery, or the padlock  420  which has a battery to power the solenoid  300  and a charging slot  322  for charging the battery, the padlock  1600  has also has a battery to power the solenoid  1690  and a charging slot (not shown). A battery  510  as depicted in  FIG. 31  is representative of the battery used in the padlock  10 ,  420  or  1600 . 
     Thus, although the present invention has been described with respect to one or more embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.