Patent Publication Number: US-2019178003-A1

Title: Door lock bezel with touch and wireless capabilities

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/597,890 (Attorney Docket No. 121954-8011.US00), entitled “Door Lock Bezel with Touch and Wireless Capabilities,” by Martin et al., and filed on Dec. 12, 2017. The content of the above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to an electromechanical lock, and in particular a bezel of an electromechanical lock providing touch and wireless capabilities to lock and unlock a door. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Door locks can include a deadbolt as a locking mechanism. For example, the door lock can include a lock cylinder with a key slot on one side of the cylinder. The other side of the cylinder can include a paddle, or a twist knob. The rotation of the cylinder using the key (inserted into the key slot and rotated) or the paddle (moved or rotated to another position) can result in the deadbolt of the lock to retract (e.g., to unlock the door) or extend (e.g., to lock the door). However, some homeowners find it cumbersome to be limited to locking or unlocking the door lock of a door using the key or the paddle. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some of the subject matter described herein includes an electromechanical smart lock to lock and unlock a door of a building, comprising: a housing having a bezel defining an exterior surface of the electromechanical smart lock; a touch sensor circuitry configured to determine presence of a finger upon the bezel, and determine characteristics of the finger upon the determination of the presence of the finger upon the bezel; a deadbolt configured to travel along a linear path between the electromechanical smart lock and a deadbolt slot of a door jamb; a motor configured to retract the deadbolt into the electromechanical lock to operate in an unlock state, and configured to extend the deadbolt into the deadbolt slot in a lock state; and a controller circuit configured to operate the motor to retract or extend the deadbolt based on the characteristics of the finger. 
     Some of the subject matter described herein also includes an electromechanical lock, comprising: a bezel defining an exterior surface of the electromechanical smart lock; a deadbolt configured to retract to be in an unlock state, and configured to extend to be in a lock state; and a controller circuit configured to determine characteristics of a finger disposed upon the bezel, and configured to adjust the deadbolt between the lock state and the unlock state based on the characteristics of the finger. 
     Some of the subject matter described herein also includes a method comprising: determining, by a processor, that a finger is placed upon an electromechanical lock; determining, by the processor, characteristics of the finger; and adjusting a position of a deadbolt based on the characteristics of the finger. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of determining a position of a deadbolt by determining a gravity vector of an accelerometer. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a block diagram for determining information regarding characteristics of a door based on the position of the deadbolt. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of determining characteristics of a door based on a gravity vector and a current draw of a motor of an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a block diagram for adjusting operation of a deadbolt based on characteristics of a door. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another example of adjusting operation of a deadbolt. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an environment for using an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example of an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example of an accelerometer positioned within an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a bezel of an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a touch used to lock or unlock a door. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a block diagram for determining a touch to lock or unlock a door. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an example of an electromechanical lock. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure describes devices and techniques for an electromechanical lock. In one example, an electromechanical lock can be a “smart” lock that can lock or unlock a door by receiving instructions from a wireless electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, etc. The electromechanical lock can include an accelerometer positioned upon a component (e.g., a throw arm) that rotates along an arc, or curved or non-linear path, as the deadbolt of the electromechanical lock retracts away from or extends along a linear path into a deadbolt slot of the door jamb having a deadbolt strike plate to unlock or lock the door, respectively. For example, as the key or the paddle of the electromechanical lock is rotated, this can result in the component that the accelerometer is positioned upon to also rotate. Additionally, the electromechanical lock can receive data from a smartphone requesting that it lock or unlock the door. In this case, it can use a motor to retract or extract the deadbolt, which also causes the component that the accelerometer is positioned upon to rotate. As a result, the accelerometer can also rotate as the electromechanical lock transitions between locked and unlocked states. 
     Each position along the arc can have a corresponding unique gravity vector in comparison to other positions that can be determined by the accelerometer. For example, the gravity vector corresponding to the deadbolt in the unlocked state (e.g., fully retracted, or at one end of its travel range) can be different than the gravity vector corresponding to the deadbolt in the locked state (e.g., fully extended, or it has reached the other end of its travel range) because the accelerometer would be upon different places along the arc and, therefore, at different inclinations. The other positions in between the unlocked state and locked state, for example corresponding to a ten percent extended deadbolt, a fifty percent extended deadbolt, an eighty percent extended deadbolt, etc. can each also have unique gravity vectors. Thus, the accelerometer can provide the gravity vector to a controller circuit which can use the gravity vector to determine the position of the deadbolt. 
     Determining the linear position of the deadbolt (e.g., along a path between the electromechanical lock and the deadbolt slot) using a gravity vector as determined by an accelerometer that rotates along an arc (e.g., along a curved or non-linear path) with a component of the electromechanical lock can allow for a precise determination of the position of the deadbolt. Additionally, an accelerometer can use significantly lower power than other types of sensors. Therefore, the electromechanical lock can operate more often while not draining its battery as quickly as electromechanical locks using different types of sensors. 
     This disclosure also describes touch and wireless capabilities of the electromechanical lock. For example, a capacitive touch sensor of the electromechanical lock can determine the presence of a human finger upon the bezel (or surface) of the electromechanical lock. The presence of that human finger, or a movement of that human finger upon the bezel, can be used to lock or unlock the door. In another implementation, a fingerprint can be recognized and used to lock or unlock the door. Moreover, a near-field communication (NFC) capability can be implemented to allow a smartphone to lock or unlock the door using a smartphone in close proximity with the electromechanical lock. 
     In more detail,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of determining a position of a deadbolt by determining a gravity vector of an accelerometer. In  FIG. 1 , door  105  can include electromechanical lock  110  having a paddle  112  on the inside of an environment (e.g., a home that the door provides access) and a key slot on the outside. Turning paddle  112  in one direction can result in deadbolt  114  to retract into a housing or enclosure of electromechanical lock  110  to unlock door  105 . Turning paddle  112  in the other direction can result in deadbolt  114  to extend into deadbolt slot  115  of a doorjamb to lock door  105 . Inserting the key and rotating in different directions can also unlock or lock door  105 . 
     Electromechanical lock  110  can be a “smart” lock having a variety of functionality including computing devices having wireless communications capabilities that allow it to communicate with other computing devices. For example, the homeowner of the home that door  105  provides access to might have a smartphone that can wirelessly communicate with electromechanical lock  110  via one of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, Bluetooth®, Zigbee, Z-Wave, or other wireless communication techniques. In some implementations, electromechanical lock  110  can access a network such as the Internet via the smartphone. In other implementations, electromechanical lock  110  can access another network on its own without the smartphone as an intermediary. Thus, electromechanical lock  110  and the homeowner&#39;s smartphone can exchange data amongst themselves. For example, electromechanical lock  110  can provide data regarding the state of electromechanical lock  110  to the smartphone so that the homeowner knows whether door  105  is fully locked in a secure state, is unlocked, or other characteristics regarding door  105 , or characteristics of or operation of electromechanical lock  110 . Electromechanical lock  110  can also receive data from the smartphone via wireless communications providing an instruction to unlock or lock door  105 . For example, electromechanical lock  110  can include a motor that can be activated (e.g., turned on) to retract or extract deadbolt  114  without having the homeowner manually use a key or paddle  112 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , electromechanical lock  110  can determine the position of deadbolt  114  to determine characteristics of electromechanical lock  110  and/or door  105 . For example, the position of deadbolt  114  can provide an indication as to whether door  105  is in a locked state or an unlocked state, or even in some partially locked or partially unlocked state. This information can then be provided to a smartphone such that the homeowner can know the state of door  105 . Additionally, electromechanical lock  110  can determine whether to cease operation of the motor (i.e., stop retracting or extending deadbolt  114 ) based on the position of deadbolt  114 . For example, when deadbolt  114  is fully retracted to unlock the door or fully extended to lock the door, the motor can be instructed to cease operation, for example, by providing a control signal that is used to turn on or off the motor. 
     The position of deadbolt  114  can be determined by using accelerometer  140  of electromechanical lock  110  as a sensor. Accelerometer  140  can be a device (e.g., a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based sensor and related circuitry) that can measure the acceleration or tilt (or inclination) of an object that it is positioned upon. In  FIG. 1 , accelerometer  140  can be positioned upon a component of electromechanical lock  110  that rotates as deadbolt  114  retracts or extends. For example, electromechanical lock  110  can include a lock cylinder that rotates as the key slot or paddle  112  rotates, or can be rotated via a motor that is turned on upon receiving instructions from an electronic device such as a smartphone. The rotation of that cylinder can cause other components of electromechanical lock  110  to rotate, for example, a throw arm. If accelerometer  140  is positioned upon that rotatable component (e.g., the throw arm), then accelerometer  140  is itself rotated as electromechanical lock  110  retracts or extends deadbolt  114 . 
     For example,  FIG. 8  illustrates an accelerometer positioned within an electromechanical lock. In  FIG. 8 , accelerometer  140  can be placed on flexible circuit board  820  and printed circuit board  815  can include controller  150 . These circuit boards can be housed within enclosures  805   a  and  805   b  of electromechanical lock  110  having a deadbolt shaft  810  for housing deadbolt  114 . When paddle  112  is rotated, a key is inserted and rotated, or the motor is activated, this can cause deadbolt  114  to extend and for flexible circuit board  820  to rotate as deadbolt  114  extends. Thus, accelerometer  140  positioned upon flexible circuit board  820  also rotates. 
     Therefore, accelerometer  140  can move along a path that can be represented by an arc. As the accelerometer moves along that arc, the position of deadbolt  114  can change. That is, as accelerometer  140  moves along a curved path such as an arc, deadbolt  114  can move along a linear path as it extends from electromechanical lock  110  and into deadbolt slot  115  in the door jamb. The movement from the beginning to end of the arc can therefore represent the full travel range of deadbolt  114  from being fully retracted (e.g., causing door  105  to unlock) to being fully extended (e.g., causing door  105  to be locked) and positions in between. Accelerometer  140  can determine the gravity vector at the different positions. The gravity vector can be used to determine the position of deadbolt  114 . 
     For example, in  FIG. 1 , at position  120 , paddle  112  of electromechanical lock  110  can be at a position that allows for door  105  to be unlocked, for example, deadbolt  114  can be retracted into electromechanical lock  114  as close as its travel range allows. Thus, in  FIG. 1  at position  120 , no part of deadbolt  114  is within deadbolt slot  115  of the door jamb, allowing for door  105  to be unlocked and, therefore the homeowner can open door  105 . Arc  135  at position  120  indicates that accelerometer  140  is at the beginning of its travel range corresponding to the position of paddle  112 . If accelerometer  140  determines its gravity vector, it might be represented by the arrow indicating a downward vector in this simplified example. The gravity vector can represent a three-dimensional vector indicating the direction and/or magnitude of gravity based on the x, y, and z axes. Thus, the gravity vector can be used to determine accelerometer  140 &#39;s orientation within space (e.g. its inclination), which can be different for different positions along arc  140  due to it being rotated as electromechanical lock  110  transitions among locked and unlocked states. 
     At position  125 , paddle  112  is rotated from the initial position of position  120  to begin locking door  105 . Thus, in  FIG. 1 , deadbolt  114  begins to extend into its travel range such that its tip extends farther away from the housing of electromechanical lock  110 . As indicated, the position of accelerometer  140  along arc  135  changes, resulting in the gravity vector also changing. That is, at position  125 , the angle of the gravity vector with respect to earth is different than at position  120  because accelerometer  140  is at a different position along arc  135  due to the rotation of the component. Thus, the gravity vector can represent a tilt or inclination of accelerometer  140  as it rotates along arc  135 . 
     Next, at position  130  paddle  112  might be in a final position such that it cannot be moved further along its current path. This results in deadbolt  114  being fully extended from electromechanical lock  110  and occupying a significant amount of space within deadbolt slot  115  (e.g., more space than at positions  125 ,  120 , or other positions along arc  135 ). This results in door  105  being in a “fully” locked state. Prior positions along arc  135  might have resulted in door  105  being locked (e.g., deadbolt  114  might not occupy as much space within deadbolt slot  115  but door  105  is still locked), but not as secure as in position  130 . As indicated in  FIG. 1 , accelerometer  140  is at the other endpoint of arc  135  from the beginning position  120 . Thus, as accelerometer  140  travels along the full curved travel range of arc  135 , this also causes deadbolt  114  to travel along its full linear travel range to securely lock door  105 . The gravity vector at position  130  is also different than the gravity vectors at positions  120  and  125 . 
     The different positions along arc  135  can cause accelerometer  140  to determine or sense different gravity vectors. As accelerometer  140  moves along arc  135 , gravity vector information  145  can be provided to controller  150  of electromechanical lock  150 . Controller  150  can use the gravity vector information to determine the position of deadbolt  114 . For example, because each different gravity vector is the result of accelerometer being at a different positions along arc  135 , the different gravity vectors correspond go to different positions of deadbolt  114 . Thus, if the gravity vector matches or is similar to a gravity vector stored in memory and accessible by controller  150  for a position associated with position  120 , then controller  150  can determine that deadbolt  114  is in a fully retracted position and door  105  is fully unlocked and can be easily opened. If the gravity vector matches or is similar to a gravity vector associated with position  130 , then controller  150  can determine that deadbolt  114  is in a fully extended position and door  105  is fully and securely locked and, therefore cannot be easily opened. 
     As discussed later herein, upon determining the position of deadbolt  114 , controller  150  can perform a variety of functionalities. For example, controller  150  can provide information to the homeowner&#39;s smartphone to provide an indication as to whether door  105  is locked, unlocked, or even in a partially locked or unlocked state (e.g., not at positions  120  or  130 ). Controller  150  can also perform other functionalities, for example, it can retract and then extend deadbolt  114  again upon determining that the position is not appropriate. Additionally, controller  150  can instruct the motor of electromechanical lock  110  to cease operation upon a determination that the position of the deadbolt along its liner path corresponds to one of the endpoints of the non-linear path (e.g., the beginning or end) of the accelerometer because those endpoints would have different gravity vectors. 
     Using accelerometer  140  to determine the gravity vector and having controller  150  correlate that with the position of deadbolt  114  can provide a lower power solution. For example, accelerometers can use lower power than other types of sensors (e.g., hall effect sensors, rotary encoders, etc.). Additionally, accelerometers can occupy less space and, therefore, can easily fit within the limited space of electromechanical lock  110 . 
     When the homeowner installs electromechanical lock  110  within door  105 , a calibration process can be performed. For example, the homeowner can be requested (e.g., via the smartphone) to switch electromechanical lock from the unlocked state or locked state several times (e.g., by using paddle  112  or a key) such that the gravity vectors at positions  120  and  130  can be determined. That is, electromechanical lock  110  can be installed and then calibrated to determine the gravity vectors for position  120  and position  130  in  FIG. 1 . Electromechanical lock  110  can then be used to determine the position of deadbolt  114 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a block diagram for determining information regarding characteristics of a door based on the position of the deadbolt. In  FIG. 2 , the accelerometer can be positioned ( 205 ). For example, in  FIG. 1 , accelerometer  140  can be moved from position  120  to position  130 . Accelerometer  140  can then determine the gravity vector based on its current position along arc  135 . If the gravity vector changes, this means that the position of deadbolt  114  has changed. Thus, accelerometer  140  can “wake up” controller  150 , for example, turn its power on, wake it up from a lower-power sleep state in which many of its functionalities are turned off, etc. so that it can begin to determine the position of deadbolt  114 . By turning on controller  150  upon a change in the gravity vector, this can reduce power consumption because controller  150  doesn&#39;t have to be on or operational as much as accelerometer  140 . Thus, the accelerometer can then provide the newly acquired gravity vector to the controller ( 215 ). For example, in  FIG. 1 , gravity vector information  145  can be provided to controller  150 . 
     The controller can then receive the gravity vector information ( 220 ). Based on the gravity vector, the position of the deadbolt can then be determined ( 225 ). For example, in  FIG. 1 , if the gravity vector matches or is similar to the gravity vector of position  130 , then this can indicate that the position of deadbolt  114  results in door  105  being securely locked. Information regarding the characteristics of the position of the deadbolt, electromechanical lock  110 , or door  105  can then be provided, for example, to a smartphone of the homeowner or a server accessible via a network such as the Internet ( 230 ). For example, in  FIG. 1 , controller  150  can provide information to a smartphone of the homeowner indicating that electromechanical lock  110  is fully engaged to lock door  105 . 
     The operation of the electromechanical lock can also be adjusted based on the position of the deadbolt ( 235 ). For example, in  FIG. 1 , deadbolt  114  can cease to be extended into deadbolt slot  115  when accelerometer  140  is at position  130  along arc  135 . Thus, if the gravity vector matches or is similar to a gravity vector of one of the endpoints of arc  135  (e.g., positions  120  and  130  in  FIG. 1 ), then this means that electromechanical lock  110  is in a lock state or unlock state and, therefore, deadbolt  114  should cease to be extended or retracted, respectively. This can be done by causing a motor of electromechanical lock to stop, extending or retracting deadbolt  114 . 
     Additional sensors of electromechanical lock  110  can also be used.  FIG. 3  illustrates an example of determining characteristics of a door based on a gravity vector and a current draw of a motor of an electromechanical lock. In  FIG. 3 , controller  305  can instruct motor  305  to retract or extend deadbolt  114  housed within deadbolt assembly  320  (e.g., in response to receiving a command from a smartphone or other electronic device). Battery  310  can provide a power source for motor  305  to use to drive deadbolt assembly  320 . In some implementations, battery  310  can be within deadbolt assembly  320  (e.g., it can be within deadbolt  114 ). In  FIG. 3 , current sensor  315  can determine the current being used, or drawn, by motor  305  as it attempts to position deadbolt  114  within deadbolt assembly  320 . This information can then be provided to controller  150 . 
     Using the information regarding the current being used by motor  305  and the gravity vector information  145  obtained from accelerometer  140 , controller  150  can perform a variety of functionalities. For example, controller  150  can determine the position of deadbolt  114  and how much current is being used by motor  305  to position deadbolt  114 . If the current being used by motor  305  is above a threshold current for the position that deadbolt  114  is currently at, this might indicate that there is some obstruction between deadbolt  114  and deadbolt slot  115 , deadbolt  114  might not be properly aligned with deadbolt slot  115 , etc. For example, an increase in friction can result in motor  305  needing to use more power (e.g., draw more current) to keep extending deadbolt  114  into deadbolt slot  115 . If there is too much friction, then this might be the result of some obstruction, alignment issue, or other problem. Thus, controller  150  might then instruct motor  305  to retract deadbolt  114  and then extend it again. In another implementation, controller  150  might then instruct motor  305  to retract deadbolt  114  (e.g., to position  120  in  FIG. 1 ) and then provide a message to the homeowner&#39;s smartphone that there is a problem with door  105 . 
     Other characteristic regarding the usage of the battery by the motor can also be used when determining how to operate motor  305 . For example, the voltage provided by the battery can also be considered. Additionally, other characteristics regarding electromechanical lock  110  can be considered. For example, the ambient temperature, the temperature within electromechanical lock  110 , humidity or other characteristics of the environment, etc. can also be considered. In one example, if it is determined by controller  150  that the temperature and/or humidity are within a threshold range (e.g., too hot or too humid) then this might be indicative of some potential expansion of the door, door jamb, etc. and therefore there might be an increase in friction or resistance as deadbolt  114  retracts or extracts. Thus, controller  150  can operate motor  305  to use more current such that it has more power to position deadbolt  114 . This can allow for electromechanical lock  105  to compensate for the change in environment. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a block diagram for adjusting operation of a deadbolt based on characteristics of a door. In  FIG. 4 , a controller can receive gravity vector information ( 405 ). For example, in  FIG. 3 , controller  150  can obtain gravity vector information  145  from accelerometer  140 . Using the gravity vector, the position of the deadbolt of the electromechanical lock can be determined ( 410 ). For example, in  FIG. 3 , the position of deadbolt  114  can be determined using gravity vector information  145 . The controller can also receive information regarding the current used by a motor to cause the deadbolt to change positions ( 415 ). For example, in  FIG. 3 , motor  305  can be powered by battery  310  and, therefore, draw current as it pushes or pulls on deadbolt  114  to extend or retract it, respectively. This current can be monitored and determined by current sensor  315  and information regarding that current can be provided to controller  150 . 
     The controller can then determine characteristics of the door, electromechanical lock, or deadbolt based on the position of the deadbolt and/or current used by the motor. For example, in  FIG. 3 , controller  150  can determine whether there is some obstruction blocking the entry of deadbolt  114  into deadbolt slot  115  if the current used by motor  305  is at or above some threshold current and the position of deadbolt  114  is determined to correspond to one of the positions along arc  135  in which it should be within deadbolt slot  115 . The controller can then adjust the operation of the deadbolt based on the characteristics ( 425 ). For example, if it is determined that there is an obstruction, then controller  150  in  FIG. 3  can retract deadbolt  114  and inform the homeowner that there is an obstruction preventing electromechanical lock  110  from locking door  105 . 
     Many of the examples described herein include using the gravity vector as determined by an accelerometer. However, the same or different accelerometer can also provide other types of data. For example, an accelerometer can also provide information regarding acceleration of the component that it is placed upon. As a result, the accelerometer can determine the acceleration (or even merely the presence of acceleration) of the door as it swings towards an open state (after being unlocked) or closed state (to be locked). This information can be provided to a controller and the controller can then retract the deadbolt so that it does not hit the door jamb. This can prevent damage to the door jamb, door, and/or electromechanical lock and also provide a more comfortable homeowner experience if the homeowner uses the smartphone to lock the door while it is swinging. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another example of adjusting operation of a deadbolt. In  FIG. 5 , the controller can determine that the door is swinging ( 505 ). For example, accelerometer  140  in  FIG. 1 or 3  can be used to determine that it is experiencing acceleration. Because accelerometer  140  can be housed within electromechanical lock  140 , this means that door  105  is swinging open or closed. Controller  150  can then adjust operation of the deadbolt based on the determination that the door is swinging ( 510 ). For example, controller  150  can instruct motor  305  in  FIG. 3  to retract deadbolt  114  to a position such that it would not strike the door jamb, for example, fully retracted to position  120  in  FIG. 1  or to position  125  (e.g., a position just before when it would enter deadbolt slot  115 ). 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an environment for using an electromechanical lock. As previously discussed, electromechanical lock  110  can be installed within door  105  and provide information to smartphone  605 , for example, information  615  indicating that door  105  might not be fully locked. For example, if using the techniques disclosed herein that the controller of electromechanical lock  110  determines that the position of deadbolt  114  has only reached eighty percent of its travel range and motor  305  is no longer extending deadbolt  114  (e.g., because current sensor  315  indicates that it is drawing current above a threshold amount from battery  310  and, in some implementations, drawing too much current can result in the power to the motor to be turned off because drawing too much current can indicate the presence of an obstruction within the path of the deadbolt), then controller  150  can generate data and transmit it (e.g., wirelessly using an antenna of electromechanical lock  110 ) to smartphone  605  indicating that the door might be locked, but not to the full potential or capabilities of electromechanical lock  110  (e.g., not at position  130  in  FIG. 1 ). Any of the characteristics or information regarding or generated by door  105 , electromechanical lock  110 , accelerometer  140 , and deadbolt  114  can be provided to smartphone  605 . For example, this can include the position of deadbolt  114 , whether door  105  is in a locked state or unlocked state, the current used motor  305  to operate deadbolt  114 , gravity vector information  145 , etc. Additionally, this information can be provided to server  610 , for example, a cloud server that smartphone  605  can connect with over the Internet. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , door characteristics  620  can be provided to server  610 , but any of the information or characteristics described herein can also be provided to server  610 . For example, characteristics regarding electromechanical lock  110 , deadbolt  114 , motor  305 , etc. can be provided. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a bezel of an electromechanical lock. In  FIG. 9 , electromechanical lock  110  includes a housing having external surfaces front bezel  905  and back bezel  910 . When installed within door  105 , back bezel  910  can be in the interior of the building when the door is shut (and/or locked) and front bezel  905  can be accessible from outside. Thus, paddle  112  can be installed upon back bezel  910  and include much of the circuitry to perform the capabilities described above. Front bezel  905  can include key slot  915  for a user to insert and rotate a key, which results in the deadbolt to retract or extract. 
     In some implementations, the components described herein providing the various functionalities can be installed within an existing door lock bezel. That is, a user might have an ornamental design of a door lock bezel that they like and, therefore, the electromechanical lock described herein can be installed within or between the existing bezels. However, in some implementations, the bezels can be replaced. In  FIG. 9 , front bezel  905  can be used to replace an existing bezel of a door lock. 
     In  FIG. 9 , front bezel  905  can include circuitry and other hardware to provide capacitive touch sensing and nearfield communication (NFC) to allow other techniques to provide an instruction to lock or unlock. The circuitry of front bezel  905  can be powered by tapping into a power source housed within back bezel  910  or within a battery disposed within deadbolt  114 . The battery can be tapped via taps  920   a  and  920   b  which can provide conductive cabling or interconnect such that the battery can power the circuitry and components housed within front bezel  905 . In some implementations, front bezel  905  can also include another battery and taps  920   a  and  920   b  can be used to charge that battery, provide charge from that battery to components housed within back bezel  910 , etc. 
     In some implementations, front bezel  905  can tap a doorbell wiring to tap a power source and provide charge to the components within front bezel  905  or back bezel  910 . That is, the wiring that is used to wire a doorbell on or close to the door can also be used to power the functionality described herein. For example, the wiring can be routed to and coupled with both the doorbell and front bezel  905  or back bezel  910  to power the various components described herein. As a result, the doorbell wiring can provide a power source to provide electric power to the touch sensor circuitry, the motor, the controller circuit, and other components of the electromechanical lock. This can reduce or eliminate the use of a battery within the electromechanical lock, saving costs and reducing the size of the electromechanical lock. 
     In some implementations, front bezel  905  can include capacitive touch capabilities to lock or unlock the door. For example, a capacitive touch sense circuit can be installed on a flex or printed circuit board (PCB) within front bezel  905  to determine that a human finger has touched front bezel  905 . If a human finger is detected, then the door can be unlocked (e.g., the deadbolt can be retracted). In some implementations, the fingerprint of the finger can be detected and imaged, and if that imaged fingerprint is determined to be an authorized fingerprint (e.g., of the homeowner who previously registered his or her fingerprints) then the door can be unlocked. 
     In one example of detecting touch to lock or unlock a door, a homeowner can swipe, or move a finger, along the surface of front bezel  905  or back bezel  910  to lock or unlock the door by adjusting the position of the deadbolt along the linear path, as previously discussed, in response to the movement of the finger.  FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a touch used to lock or unlock a door. 
     In  FIG. 10 , a human finger  1005  can be disposed upon front bezel  905  and move along the surface in a circular path  1010  around the protrusion of the housing surrounding key slot  915 . As finger  1005  moves along circular path  1010 , the deadbolt of the electromechanical lock (e.g., deadbolt  114  in the previously discussed examples) can be positioned along its linear path to lock or unlock the door. For example, finger  1005  might be moved along circular path  1010  and various points of circular path  1010  correspond to different positions for the deadbolt to be positioned to. Thus, finger  1005  might move, or be swiped, along front bezel  905  for a particular threshold distance in order for the deadbolt to be fully extended to lock the door. Likewise, finger  1005  might along be swiped along circular path  1010  to unlock the door by retracting the deadbolt. 
     In some implementations, the movement along circular path  1010  might be in different directions to lock or unlock the door. For example, moving finger  1005  in a clockwise direction might result in the deadbolt to be extended to lock the door, and moving finger  1005  in a counter-clockwise direction might result in the deadbolt to be retracted to unlock the door. In some implementations, the touch of finger  1005  and moving along circular path  1010  might be designated to be along a fixed location, for example, a fixed start and end point for finger  1005  to move along to extend or retract the deadbolt. However, in other implementations, finger  1005  can be initially disposed upon many or any part of front bezel  905  and moved for the particular threshold distance to extend or retract the deadbolt. For example, at a first time, finger  1005  can be swiped along the top part of front bezel  905  above key slot  915 , and at a second time, finger  1005  can be swiped along the bottom part of front bezel  905  below key slot  915 . In another example, finger  1005  can be placed on a different part of front bezel  905 , for example, along circular path  1015  on a part of front bezel  1015  that is facing the person using the electromechanical lock rather than around key slot  915 . Additionally, back bezel  910  can also include similar touch capabilities to lock or unlock the door from the interior of the building. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a block diagram for determining a touch to lock or unlock a door. In  FIG. 11 , presence of a finger upon a surface of an electromechanical lock can be determined ( 1105 ). For example, in  FIG. 10 , finger  1005  can be placed upon front bezel  905  of an electromechanical lock. The electromechanical lock might include a capacitive touch sensor that can determine the presence of finger  1005  upon front bezel  905  via a variety of techniques. For example, the mutual coupling between row and column electrodes can be determined to have been changed which can signify a presence of touch, or the parasitic capacitance can be changed. In some implementations, the change in the capacitance can be determined to be within a threshold capacitance range that can be correlated with a human finger (e.g., human skin). 
     Next, characteristics of the finger can be determined ( 1110 ). For example, in  FIG. 10 , the movement of the finger upon front bezel  905  and along circular path  1010  can be determined. Based on the characteristics, the operation of the deadbolt can be adjusted ( 1115 ). For example, deadbolt  114  as described herein can be extended or retracted to adjust the position of deadbolt  114  along a linear path to lock or unlock a door, respectively. Thus, touch sensor circuitry of the electromechanical lock can be configured to determine presence of a finger upon the bezel, and determine characteristics of the finger upon the determination of the presence of the finger upon the bezel. A controller circuit can then operate the motor of the electromechanical lock to retract or extend the deadbolt based on the characteristics of the finger. 
     Though some of the prior examples describe recognition of a touch and swipe of a finger as the determined characteristics to adjust the deadbolt, other characteristics can be used. For example, merely the touch of a finger can be determined. In another example, a fingerprint reader can be implemented within the electromechanical lock and a person can place a finger upon a front bezel  905  to lock or unlock the door based on the fingerprint of the finger being recognized as an authorized fingerprint. In some implementations, a door can be locked by any fingerprint, but unlocked upon an authorized fingerprint. This can allow for a guest in the home to lock the door, but prevents the door from being unknowingly unlocked for the homeowner. 
     In another implementation, force or pressure sensitive sensors can be used to determine an amount of force or pressure applied to front bezel  905 . The characteristics of the finger can further be based on the amount of force or pressure applied. For example, a certain amount of pressure can be applied and the increase in amount of pressure can result in the deadbolt to extend along the linear path to lock the door. 
     In some implementations, near-field communication (NFC) can also be implemented by circuitry within front bezel  905 . For example, a homeowner can tap front bezel  905  with a smartphone. Using NFC, the smartphone can be recognized by the circuitry that it belongs to the homeowner, for example, by exchanging an identifier of the smartphone. Upon that determination, the door can be unlocked from the locked state, or vice versa. In some implementations, the antenna for the NFC can be housed within front bezel  905 . For example, it can be looped around the interior of a circular front bezel  905  such that it is behind the face of front bezel  905 . In other implementations, the antenna can be placed on the exterior of front bezel  905 . For example, it can be disposed around key slot  915 . In another implementation, the antenna can be embedded within or around key slot  915 . For example, the cylinder that houses key slot  915  and rotates as the key rotates can include the antenna wrapped around it. 
     In some implementations, front bezel  905  can also include a camera, a microphone, motion sensor, or a doorbell.  FIG. 12  illustrates an example of an electromechanical lock. In  FIG. 12 , electromechanical lock  110  can implement the features described herein using a variety of components. In addition to processors  705 , antenna  715 , memory  710 , and lock components  720 , electromechanical lock  110  can also include camera  1205 , microphone  1210 , motion sensor  1215 , doorbell  1220 , and speaker  1225 . 
     For example, camera  1205  can record and provide visual images regarding activities occurring in front of front bezel  905 . This can be used to alert a homeowner regarding who is at the door that is secured via electromechanical lock  110 . In some implementations, the visual images can be still images, a series of still images, video, etc. that can be provided and viewed via a smartphone. 
     Microphone  1210  can record audio content regarding activities occurring in front of front bezel  905 . For example, microphone  1210  can be used to record audio for the video provided using camera  1205 . 
     Speaker  1225  can be used to provide audio output for a person in front of electromechanical lock  110 . For example, using a smartphone, a homeowner inside can have an audio conversation with a person outside. In another example, the speaker can provide an audio output in the form of speech indicating whether the door is locked or unlocked. In another example, the homeowner can ask the door lock whether it is locked or unlocked (e.g., ask for its state). This can be picked up by microphone  1210 , the state of the lock can be determined, and then the audio output indicating the state can be provided using speaker  1225 . 
     Motion sensor  1215  can be used to determine that activity is occurring (e.g., due to the movement of objects detected) and then used to activate camera  11205  and/or microphone  1210  to record content. Motion sensor  1215  can also be used to active other components (e.g., lock components  720 ) described herein. Thus, when components are not activated, the components can be in a low-power state or even powered off. When motion sensor  1215  detects motion, these components can be activated, or switched from a low-power state to a higher-power state in which more functionalities are enabled, or powered on to enable functionalities. 
     Doorbell  1220  can also be implemented by electromechanical lock  110 . For example, a button can be disposed upon front bezel  905 . The button can implement part of a doorbell, which, when pressed, can generate a signal received by processors  705  and used to activate a doorbell chime inside the building. In some implementations, a speaker can be implemented upon back bezel  910  and a doorbell chime can be generated as an audio output using the speaker. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of an electromechanical lock. In  FIG. 7 , electromechanical lock  110  includes a processor  705 , memory  710 , antenna  715 , and lock components  720  (e.g., the components used to implement retracting and extending deadbolt  114  such as those described in  FIGS. 1-6 ). In some implementations, electromechanical lock  110  can also include touchscreen displays, speakers, microphones, as well as other types of hardware such as non-volatile memory, an interface device, camera, radios, etc. to lock components  110  providing the techniques and systems disclosed herein. For example, lock components  720  can implement a variety of modules, units, components, logic, etc. implemented via circuitry and other hardware and software to provide the functionalities described herein along with processor  705  (e.g., implementing controller  150 ). Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for illustrative simplicity. The electromechanical lock in  FIG. 7  is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which any of the components described in the example of  FIGS. 1-6  (and any other components described in this specification) can be implemented. The components of the electromechanical lock can be coupled together via a bus or through some other known or convenient device. 
     The processor  705  may be, for example, a microprocessor circuit such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola power PC microprocessor. One of skill in the relevant art will recognize that the terms “machine-readable (storage) medium” or “computer-readable (storage) medium” include any type of device that is accessible by the processor. Processor  705  can also be circuitry such as an application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), structured ASICs, etc. 
     The memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus. The memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). The memory can be local, remote, or distributed. 
     The bus also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and drive unit. The non-volatile memory is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk; a magnetic-optical disk; an optical disk; a read-only memory (ROM) such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM; a magnetic or optical card; or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory during the execution of software in the computer. The non-volatile storage can be local, remote or distributed. The non-volatile memory is optional because systems can be created with all applicable data available in memory. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor. 
     The software can be stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the drive unit. Indeed, storing an entire large program in memory may not even be possible. 
     Nevertheless, it should be understood that for software to run, it may be necessary to move the software to a computer-readable location appropriate for processing, and, for illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as memory in this application. Even when software is moved to memory for execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware registers to store values associated with the software and make use of a local cache that, ideally, serves to accelerate execution. As used herein, a software program is can be stored at any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers). 
     The bus also couples the processor to the network interface device. The interface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system. The interface can include an analog modem, an ISDN modem, a cable modem, a token ring interface, a satellite transmission interface (e.g., “direct PC”), or other interface for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. The interface can include one or more input and/or output devices. The input and/or output devices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and/or output devices, including a display device. The display device can include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device. 
     In operation, the assistant device can be controlled by operating system software that includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system. The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data, and to store data in the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit. 
     Some items of the detailed description may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electronic or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and/or otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, those skilled in the art will appreciate that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or “generating” or the like refer to the action and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system&#39;s memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices. 
     The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatuses to perform the methods of some embodiments. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be apparent from the description below. In addition, the techniques are not described with reference to any particular programming language, and various embodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programming languages. 
     In further embodiments, the assistant device operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the assistant device may operate in the capacity of a server or of a client machine in a client-server network environment or may operate as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. 
     In some embodiments, the assistant devices include a machine-readable medium. While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” should also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine, and which causes the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or modules of the presently disclosed technique and innovation. 
     In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module, or sequence of instructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programs typically comprise one or more instructions set at various times in various memory and storage devices in a computer that, when read and executed by one or more processing units or processors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elements involving various aspects of the disclosure. 
     Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fully functioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the disclosure applies equally, regardless of the particular type of machine- or computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution. 
     Further examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or computer-readable (storage) media include, but are not limited to, recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, optical disks (e.g., Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROMS), Digital Versatile Discs, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links. 
     In some circumstances, operation of a memory device, such as a change in state from a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versa, for example, may comprise a transformation, such as a physical transformation. With particular types of memory devices, such a physical transformation may comprise a physical transformation of an article to a different state or thing. For example, but without limitation, for some types of memory devices, a change in state may involve an accumulation and storage of charge or a release of stored charge. Likewise, in other memory devices, a change of state may comprise a physical change or transformation in magnetic orientation or a physical change or transformation in molecular structure, such as from crystalline to amorphous or vice-versa. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list in which a change in state for a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versa in a memory device may comprise a transformation, such as a physical transformation. Rather, the foregoing is intended as illustrative examples. 
     A storage medium may typically be non-transitory or comprise a non-transitory device. In this context, a non-transitory storage medium may include a device that is tangible, meaning that the device has a concrete physical form, although the device may change its physical state. Thus, for example, non-transitory refers to a device remaining tangible despite this change in state. 
     The foregoing description of various embodiments of the claimed subject matter has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best describe certain principles and practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the relevant art to understand the subject matter, the various embodiments and the various modifications that are suited to the particular uses contemplated. 
     While embodiments have been described in the context of fully functioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms and that the disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of machine- or computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution. 
     Although the above Detailed Description describes certain embodiments and the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the embodiments can be practiced in many ways. Details of the systems and methods may vary considerably in their implementation details while still being encompassed by the specification. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of various embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosed technique with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless those terms are explicitly defined herein. Accordingly, the actual scope of the technique encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the embodiments under the claims. 
     The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the technique be limited not by this Detailed Description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of various embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the embodiments, which is set forth in the following claims. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.