Patent Publication Number: US-9892579-B2

Title: Control method for smart lock, a smart lock, and a lock system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priorities of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/033,666, filed on Aug. 6, 2014, and No. 62/115,975, filed on Feb. 13, 2015. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a control method for a smart lock, more particularly to a control method for a smart lock by sensing touch inputs to a mobile device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a lock device  100 , such as a conventional one, includes a thumb turn  101  and a latch  102 . When the thumb burn  101  is operated, for example, is rotated by a user in a clockwise direction (direction A), the latch  102  is actuated to extend outwardly (direction B) of a door panel  103 , and the lock device  100  is in a lock state. Once the door panel  103  is fully closed, the latch  102  extends into a strike plate disposed on a door frame (not shown) so as to hold the door panel  103  in a closed condition. On the other hand, when the thumb turn  101  is rotated in an opposite direction, e.g., the counterclockwise direction, the latch  102  is actuated to retract, and the lock device  100  is in an unlock state, such that the latch  102  disengages the strike plate to allow movement of the door panel  103 . 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a control method for a smart lock, the smart lock which is to be mounted on a conventional lock device for remotely controlling locking or unlocking of the conventional lock device, and a lock system. 
     According to a first aspect of the disclosure, the control method of a smart lock is to be implemented by a mobile device which is communicably coupled to the smart lock. The control method includes the steps of: 
     sensing touch inputs performed upon the mobile device so as to generate a sensing signal; 
     determining whether the sensing signal conforms to a preset touch code, which is associated with a predetermined sequence of touch inputs on the mobile device; 
     generating a control signal which is to be transmitted to the smart lock for controlling the smart lock to lock or unlock when it is determined that the sensing signal conforms to the preset touch code; and 
     transmitting the control signal to the smart lock. 
     According to a second aspect of the disclosure, the smart lock is to be removably mounted to a lock device and is to be remotely controlled by a mobile device to cause the lock device to switch between a lock state and an unlock state. The lock device includes a thumb turn. The smart lock includes a housing which is formed with an opening, an intermediate coupling which is to be coupled to the thumb turn of the lock device via the opening of the housing, an actuate unit which is coupled to the intermediate coupling, and which is configured to actuate operation of the intermediate coupling so as to cause rotation of the thumb turn, a wireless unit which is configured to receive a control signal from the mobile device, and a control circuit which is coupled to the wireless unit, and which receives the control signal from the mobile device via the wireless unit. 
     The control circuit is configured to generate an actuate signal in response to receipt of the control signal, and is further coupled electrically to the actuate unit for transmitting the actuate signal generated thereby to the actuate unit to activate the actuate unit. 
     According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a control method of a smart lock is to be implemented by the smart lock, and includes the steps of: 
     sensing touch inputs performed upon the smart lock so as to generate a sensing signal; 
     determining whether the sensing signal conforms to a preset touch code, which is associated with a predetermined sequence of touch inputs on the smart lock; and 
     generating a control signal for controlling the smart lock to lock or unlock when it is determined that the sensing signal conforms to the preset touch code. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, the lock system includes a user device, a service provider server and a smart lock device. 
     The user device is operable to send an electronic key. The service provider server is communicably coupled to the user device for receiving the electronic key. The smart lock device is to be interfaced with a lock device, and includes an actuating unit, a communication gateway, a Bluetooth module and a microcontroller. The actuating unit is to be attached to a thumb turn of the lock device, and when activated turns the thumb turn by a required angle. The communication gateway is in communication with the service provider server via a Wi-Fi router, receives the electronic key from the service provider server, and forwards the electronic key. The Bluetooth module receives the electronic key from the communication gateway. The microcontroller receives the electronic key from the communication gateway via the Bluetooth module, checks whether the electronic key thus received is an acceptable key, and activates the actuating unit when the electronic key is found to be acceptable, so as to cause the lock device to switch between a lock state and an unlock state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional lock device; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a smart lock according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a mobile device and the smart lock; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a control method for a smart lock of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating sub-steps of step S 2  shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a block schematic diagram of a lock system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a first user interface of a smartphone application in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a second user interface of the smartphone application in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a third user interface of the smartphone application in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a method for facilitating interactions between the mobile device and the smart lock in accordance with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , a smart lock  200  of the disclosure is illustrated. The smart lock  200  is to be removably mounted to the lock device  100  and thus disposed on the door panel  103 . The smart lock  200  is remotely controllable by a mobile device  300  to cause the lock device  100  to switch between the lock state and the unlock state. The smart lock  200  includes a housing  201 , a substitute thumb turn  202 , an intermediate coupling  203 , an actuate unit  204 , a control circuit  205  and a wireless unit  206 . The control circuit  205  is a microprocessor, or alternatively, may be a microcontroller. The smart lock  200  is powered by a battery (not shown). Alternatively, the smart lock  200  may be powered by a wired power supply. 
     The housing  201  is formed with a first opening and a second opening, and confines a receiving space for accommodating the substitute thumb turn  202 , the intermediate coupling  203 , the actuate unit  204 , the control circuit  205  and the wireless unit  206 . 
     The substitute thumb turn  202  has a first portion which is disposed in the receiving space confined by the housing  201 , and further has a second portion which extends from the first portion through the first opening of the housing  201  and which is accessible outwardly of the housing  201 . The substitute thumb turn  202  has a structure similar to that of the thumb turn  101  of the lock device  100 , and may also be operated in a rotatable manner. 
     The intermediate coupling  203  is disposed in the receiving space, is coupled to the substitute thumb turn  202 , and is to be further coupled to, such as sleeved on, the thumb turn  101  of the lock device  100  via the second opening of the housing  201 . In this embodiment, the intermediate coupling  203  is a universal fit which is universally adapted for various kinds and sizes of thumb turns, and is implemented by the Oldham coupling. However, in a variation of the embodiment, the intermediate coupling  203  may be implemented by tracks inside or outside a rotational plate. In a condition that the smart lock  200  malfunctions or power failure of the smart lock  200  occurs but locking or unlocking of the lock device  100  is still desired by the user, when the substitute thumb turn  202  is operated, e.g., rotated, by the user, the intermediate coupling  203  is driven by rotation of the substitute thumb turn  202  to drive rotation of the thumb turn  101  of the lock device  100 , so as to control the lock device  100  to switch between the lock state and the unlock state in a fashion similar to directly operating the thumb turn  101  in the conventional way. 
     The actuate unit  204  is coupled to the intermediate coupling  203 , and is configured to actuate, when activated, rotation of the intermediate coupling  203  so as to cause the thumb turn  101  to rotate. The actuate unit  204  is one of a servomotor, a DC motor, a stepper motor, a solenoid actuator, etc. 
     The wireless unit  206  is configured to receive a control signal from the mobile device  300  which is used to remotely control the smart lock  200 . The wireless unit  206  includes an antenna for data transmission using protocols, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), ZigBee, etc. 
     The control circuit  205  is coupled electrically to the wireless unit  206 , and receives the control signal from the mobile device  300  via the wireless unit  206 . The control circuit  205  is configured to generate an actuate signal in response to receipt of the control signal, and is further coupled electrically to the actuate unit  204  for transmitting the actuate signal generated thereby to the actuate unit  204  to activate the actuate unit  204 , so that the actuate unit  204  actuates the rotation of the intermediate coupling  203  so as to cause the thumb turn  101  to rotate. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 3 , the mobile device  300  includes a sensor  301 , a display  302  having a screen, a processor  303 , a wireless module  304 , and a casing  305  for accommodating the aforementioned components of the mobile device  300 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a control method for the smart lock  200  according to the disclosure includes the following steps. 
     In step S 1 , the sensor  301  of the mobile device  300  senses touch inputs performed by the user upon the mobile device  300 , so as to generate a sensing signal. 
     In an embodiment of the control method according to the disclosure, the touch inputs are several consecutive knocks by a finger knuckle of the user on the housing  305  regardless of whether the display  302  is activated or unactivated. In this embodiment, the sensor  301  is a gravity sensor, or an accelerometer, which detects vibration of the mobile device  300  resulting from the knocks performed on the housing  305 . It is noted that the touch inputs are not limited to knocks by the finger knuckle, and may be, for example, quick pats by a hand of the user on the housing  305 , as long as the sensor  301  is able to detect the vibrations of the mobile device  300  resulting from the touch inputs. 
     In step  32 , after receiving the sensing signal from the sensor  301 , the processor  303  of the mobile device  300  determines whether the sensing signal conforms to a preset touch code. 
     In the embodiment of the control method according to the disclosure, in order to distinguish between the vibrations of the mobile device  300  resulting from the knocks on the housing  305  and swings of the mobile device  300  resulting from unintentional movement of the mobile device  300 , step S 2  of the embodiment of the control method includes the following sub-steps. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in step S 21 , the processor  301  receives the sensing signal which includes at least one entry of acceleration. 
     In step S 22 , the processor  301  calculates a normed acceleration for the acceleration of the sensing signal by calculating a square root of the sum of squares of components of the acceleration. In other words, the normed acceleration can be calculated according to the following equation:
 
normed acceleration=sqrt( x   2   +y   2   +z   2 ),
 
where sqrt( ) stands for the square root operation, and x, y and z are the components of the acceleration.
 
     In step S 23 , the processor  301  calculates a jert parameter based on the normed acceleration and a previous normed acceleration which is calculated previously before a predefined period of time. Specifically, the jert parameter is associated with the rate of change of the normed acceleration, and the processor calculates the jert parameter by calculating a difference between the previous normed acceleration and the normed acceleration over the predefined period of time, for example, one second. In other words, the jert parameter can be calculated according to the following equation:
 
jert=(Previous normed acceleration−normed acceleration)/the predefined period of time.
 
     In step S 24 , the processor  301  calculates a rotation parameter, a jerk parameter, and a jounce parameter based on at least one of the acceleration of the sensing signal received in step S 21 , the normed acceleration calculated in step S 22  and the jert parameter calculated in step S 23 . Specifically, the rotation parameter is associated with rotational movement of the mobile device  300 . The jerk parameter is associated with the rate of change of the acceleration; that is, the derivative of the acceleration with respect to time. The jounce parameter is associated with the rate of change of the jerk parameter; that is, the second derivative of the acceleration with respect to time. 
     In step S 25 , the processor  301  calculates an odds parameter based on at least one of the rotation parameter, the jerk parameter and the jounce parameter. Specifically, the odds parameter is associated with the likelihood that a knock is performed by the user on the housing  305 . 
     In step S 26 , the processor  301  determines whether the odds parameter is greater than an odds threshold and the normed acceleration is greater than an acceleration threshold. In this embodiment, the odds threshold is 0.58, and the acceleration threshold is 0.003. When it is determined that the odds parameter is greater than the odds threshold and the normed acceleration is greater than the acceleration threshold, it means that it has been confirmed that a knock is performed on the mobile device  300 , and the flow proceeds to step S 27 . Otherwise, the flow ends. 
     In step S 27 , the processor  301  generates an input code which is associated with the knock thus confirmed in step S 26 . 
     In step S 28 , the processor  301  determines whether the input code thus generated conforms to the preset touch code. In practice, several consecutive knocks may be confirmed in steps S 21  to S 26  based on the sensing signal, and the input code is associated with the several consecutive knocks. The preset touch code may be, for example, predetermined number of times of consecutive touch inputs on the mobile device  300 . When it is determined that the input code conforms to the preset touch code, the flow proceeds to step S 3 . Otherwise, the flow ends. 
     In step S 3 , when it is determined in step S 2  that the sensing signal conforms to the preset touch code, the processor  303  generates a control signal which is to be transmitted to the smart lock  200  for controlling the smart lock  200  to lock or unlock, i.e., to bring the lock device  100  to lock or unlock. 
     In step  34 , the wireless module  304  of the mobile device  300  transmits the control signal to the smart lock  200 . In addition, the mobile device  300  may generate a feedback indication to notify the user that the control signal is transmitted to the smart lock  200  for locking or unlocking the smart lock  200 . The feedback indication is selected from the group consisting of a vibration indication, a sound notice, a visual indication and combinations thereof. The control signal is transmitted to the smart lock  200  over a secure channel, for example, with encryption and decryption mechanisms, so as to ensure secure transmission of the control signal. 
     It is noted that, in order to prevent unintentional control of the smart lock  200  due to unintentional touch inputs to the mobile device  300 , in step S 2  of the control method, the preset touch code can be set by the user in advance in a manner that the touch inputs are arranged in a specific frequency, such as one touch input per second. Alternatively, each time interval between any consecutive two of the touch inputs can be required to comply with a preset value, for example, the first and second touch inputs should have a time interval of substantially 0.5 seconds, and the second and third touch inputs should have a time interval of substantially one second; otherwise, the control signal will not be generated. In this way, higher security of the smart lock  200  may be achieved. 
     It should be noted herein that this disclosure is not limited to having the touch inputs be entered when the display  302  of the mobile device  300  is in the unmotivated state. In some implementations, the mobile device  300  may be configured such that certain touch inputs entered when the display  302  is activated are used to control the smart lock  200 . 
     In the embodiment of the control method, both of the wireless unit  206  of the smart lock  200  and the wireless module  304  of the mobile device  300  are provided with Bluetooth functionalities, and may be paired in advance. Generally, the sensor  301  (gravity sensor) is unmotivated while the mobile device  300  is under ordinary operation. When the mobile device  300  is brought into proximity of the smart lock  200 , the wireless module  304  detects the presence of the smart lock  200  by virtue of a Bluetooth network formed between the wireless module  304  and the wireless unit  206 , and causes the processor  303  to activate the sensor  301  accordingly, so that the sensor  301  is able to sense the touch inputs performed by the user in step S 1 . In this way, the smart lock  200  can be locked or unlocked only when, the mobile device  300  is brought into proximity of the smart lock  200 , and the door panel  103  may not be unintentionally opened while the user is away from the smart lock  200 . It is noted that the wireless unit  206  and the wireless module  304  are not limited to be provided with Bluetooth functionalities, and may be provided with other short-range communication technologies, such as Near Field Communication (NFC). 
     Moreover, in a variation of the embodiment of the control method, the sensor  301  (gravity sensor) is provided in the smart lock  200 , instead of the mobile device  300 , and is coupled electrically to the control circuit  205 . The touch inputs are several consecutive knocks by the finger knuckle of the user on the door panel  103 . In this way, the sensor  301  provided in the smart lock  200 , which is disposed on the door panel  103 , is able to detect vibration of the smart lock  200  resulting from the knocks performed on the door panel  103 . It is noted that the sensor  301  of the smart lock  200  is initially operated in a standby mode, in which the sensor  301  is unactivated when the smart lock  200  is locked, and is activated by the control circuit  205  only when the wireless unit  206  detects the presence of the mobile device  300  by virtue of the Bluetooth network formed between the wireless unit  206  and the wireless module  304 . In this way, the sensor  301  of the smart lock  200  is activated only when the user having the mobile device  300  with him/her is near the smart lock  200 , so as to achieve an effect of energy conservation. 
     Specifically, when the Bluetooth network, formed between the wireless unit  206  of the smart lock  200  and the wireless module  304  of the mobile device  300  lasts for more than a predefined first time period, for example, ten minutes, it means that the user may have entered a house with an entrance controlled by the door panel  103 . Accordingly, the control circuit  205  is configured to deactivate the sensor  301 . In this way, the smart lock  200  cannot be locked or unlocked by other individuals outside the house who performs the correct consecutive knocks on the door panel  103 , and a higher security of the smart lock  200  may be ensured. 
     On the other hand, when the Bluetooth network formed between the wireless unit  206  of the smart lock  200  and the wireless module  304  of the mobile device  300  has ended for more than a predefined second time period, for example five minutes, it means that the user may have left the house. Accordingly, the control circuit  205  is configured to control the sensor  301  to operate in the standby mode once again. 
     In addition, the wireless unit  206  of the smart lock  200  is configured to detect signal properties, such as orientations and magnitudes of waveforms, associated with the Bluetooth network, which is formed between the wireless unit  206  of the smart lock  200  and the wireless module  304  of the mobile device  300 , so as to determine whether the user carrying the mobile device  300  is in the house or outside the house. In this way, the aforementioned comparison operations related to whether the Bluetooth network lasts for more than the first time period or has ended for more than the second time period may be omitted. Alternatively, the detection of signal properties may be utilized in cooperation with the comparison operations so as to achieve higher accuracy of determination as to whether the user is in the house or has left the house. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a block schematic diagram of a lock system including a smart lock device  500  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The smart lock device  500  may be interfaced with the conventional lock device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). The smart lock device  500  includes a microcontroller  502  and an actuating unit  504 . The actuating unit  504  may be a servo motor, a DC motor, a stepper motor, a solenoid actuator, etc. The smart lock device  500  may also include a magnetic sensor  506  that detects the positioning of the door panel  103  (see  FIG. 1 ) based on a magnetic strip (not shown) positioned on the door frame. When the magnetic sensor  506  detects presence of the magnetic strip, it indicates that the door panel  103  is closed and when the magnetic sensor  506  detects absence of the magnetic strip, it indicates that the door panel  103  is open. The smart lock device  500  also includes an LED  508  connected to the microcontroller  502 . The LED  508  may indicate the status of the lock device  100 . The smart lock device  500  may be powered using a battery (not shown). 
     The microcontroller  502  is operably connected to the actuating unit  504  via a driver with feedback control  510  for checking configuration of the lock device  100  (e.g., a mechanical lock). The microcontroller  502  can activate the actuating unit  504  by sending a trigger signal to the driver with feedback control  510  having a potentiometer or a decoder. For example, the microcontroller  502  may send pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals to the driver with feedback control  510 , which then actuates the actuating unit  504 . The actuating unit  504  is attached to the thumb turn  101  (see  FIG. 1 ), such that when activated the actuating unit  504  turns the thumb turn  101  by a required angle. The actuating unit  504  is calibratable to adapt to various positions of original lock states of different lock devices. 
     In addition, the smart lock device  500  further includes a Wi-Fi module  512 , which is connected to a Wi-Fi router  514 . The Wi-Fi module  512  is in communication with the microcontroller  502  through a Bluetooth module  516  and another Bluetooth module  518 . The Bluetooth module  516  and the Bluetooth module  518  may be Bluetooth 4.0 compliant. The Wi-Fi module  512  and/or the Bluetooth module  516  act as a communication gateway  511 , which may be used to control multiple lock devices within a certain range. The Wi-Fi module  512  may be an Arduino Yún board that has a Wi-Fi module built on board. An AC to DC power supply  520  powers the Wi-Fi module  512  and the Bluetooth module  516 . 
     A user may use a user device  522  to connect to a service provider server  524 , which is in communication with the Wi-Fi module  512  via the Wi-Fi router  514 . The user device  522  may be a smartphone, a smart TV, Google Glass, or any other similar electronic communication device. Further, the user device  522  includes a software application that sends and receives signals from the smart lock device  500  through the Wi-Fi module  512 . This will be explained in further detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 . Further, the software application executed by the user device  522  may use bioinformatic approaches, such as voice recognition, touch ID, facial recognition, etc., to provide a rich interaction experience to the user during his/her interaction with the smart lock device  500 . The service provider server  524  maintains a user database of the user using the smart lock device  500 . Further, the service provider server  524  provides a secure channel for the user to communicate with the smart lock device  500 . Still further, the service provider server  524  may be provided and maintained by the manufacturer/provider of the smart lock device  500  or the lock device  100 . The smart lock device  500  updates its status, e.g. lock, unlock, door open or more, in real time via the service provider server  524  which communicates with the user device  522 . In a local area network scenario, status update is transmitted via the Bluetooth modules  516  and  518 . 
     In a normal operation, the user device  522  communicates with the microcontroller  502  via a communication path indicated by  526 ,  528 ,  530 ,  532 . However, if the Wi-Fi network is not working, then the user device  522  communicates with the microcontroller  502  via a communication path indicated by  534 ,  536  over Bluetooth connections. Further, if the AC to DC power supply  520  is not working, then both the Wi-Fi module  512  and the Bluetooth module  516  are not functional. In such a scenario, the user device  522  directly communicates with the microcontroller  502  via a communication path  538  over a Bluetooth connection. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a first user interface  1100  of a “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. A user may interact with the smart lock device  500  using the “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102  installed on a smartphone  1104  (i.e., the user device  522 ). The first user interface  1100  shows a lock button  1106  and an unlock button  1108 . Further, the unlock button  1106  is highlighted which indicates the unlock state to be a current state of the corresponding smart lock device  500 . The first user interface  1100  shows a real time update. 
     Further, the user may use the lock button  1106  to lock the smart lock device  500 . The smart lock device  500  may be locked or unlocked using electronic keys. An electronic key is an encrypted code that is unique to a specific smart lock device  500 . Further, users can share their electronic keys with other users by sending the electronic keys using the “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102 . Users can share their electronic keys with other users such as family members, friends, babysitters, cleaning personnel and roommates. Further, users may share electronic keys, which are enabled to operate only within a certain period every day. For example, the user may share an electronic key with the cleaning personnel such that they may use the electronic key from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM only. Yet further, the users may deactivate electronic keys shared earlier with other users. To register a specific smart lock device  500  with the “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102 , the user must have access to the corresponding electronic key. 
     The “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102  also helps users initial setup of the smart lock device  500 , share electronic keys, receive electronic keys, track electronic keys, view history of lock activity. The smart lock device  500  is able to alarm users immediately if the smart lock device  500  is physically being hacked. Configuration of other available features is also possible. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a second user interface  1200  of the “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102  may be used to interact with multiple smart locks. The second user interface  1200  lists multiple smart locks that the user has registered with the “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102 . The user may register one or more smart locks installed on their own homes, for example, a smart lock, indicated as “Home-Front”  1202  and a smart lock “Home-Back”  1204 . Further, the user may register smart locks for which they have received electronic keys from corresponding owners of the smart locks including friends (for example, a smart lock indicated as “Tom&#39;s place”  1206 ) and family members (for example, a smart lock indicated as “Grandma&#39;s place”  1208 ). Yet further, the user may register smart locks of their hotel rooms (for example, a smart lock indicated as “Room No. 41”  1210 ). The electronic key for the smart locks of hotel rooms may be shared by the hotel management. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a third user interface  1300  of the “My Lock App” smartphone application  1102  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The My Lock App” smartphone application  1102  allows users to track their locks and electronic keys. The third user interface  1300  shows history of activity for a particular user. In the depicted example, a list of various activities including “locked by Sam” activity  1302 , “unlocked by Kim” activity  1304 , “key accepted by Alisha” activity  1306 , “key sent by Mike” activity  1308  and “key deleted by Roz” activity  1310  is displayed. The detailed time of operation is shown in  1312 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a method  1400  for facilitating interaction with a particular smart lock device  500 , in accordance with the disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 10  in combination with  FIGS. 3, 7, 8 and 9 , in step  1402 , a user uses the “My Lock App” smartphone phone application  1102 , browses to the first user interface  1100  and uses the lock button  1106  to initiate a process to lock the particular smart lock device  500 . Next, in step  1404 , the user device  522  sends the corresponding electronic key to the particular smart lock device  500  over the Internet via the service provider server  524  and the Wi-Fi router  514 . Thereafter, in step  1406 , the Wi-Fi module  512  of the smart lock device  500  receives the electronic key, and then forwards the electronic key to the microcontroller  502 , which checks if the received electronic key is an acceptable key. If the received electronic key is found to be wrong, then the microcontroller  502  may send an error message back to the user device  522 . Further, if the microcontroller  502  determines that the door is not closed based on the magnetic sensor  506  that detects the positioning of the door according to the magnetic strip (not shown) positioned on the door frame, then again the microcontroller  502  may send a “door not closed” message back to the user device  522 , or send a “closed but not locked” message if the door is closed but the smart lock device  500  is unlocked. However, if the received electronic key is found to be acceptable, then the microcontroller  502  activates the actuating unit  504  in step  1408 . Finally, the actuating unit  504  locks the smart lock device  500 , and in turn locks the lock device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) in step  1410 . Further, an LED indication (not shown) of the smart lock device  500  may be turned on once the smart lock device  500  is locked. 
     In summary, by use of the smart lock  200  of this disclosure, locking and unlocking of the lock device  100 , specifically, switching of the thumb turn  101  between the lock and unlock states, may be controlled by physically operating the substitute thumb turn  202  of the smart lock  200 , or by remotely entering touch inputs in a predefined manner on the mobile device  300 , even when the display  302  of the mobile device  300  is unactivated. 
     While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.