Patent Description:
Electronic lock systems may be employed for operating electronic locks. Such electronic lock systems have been disclosed for instance in U. Patent Publications Nos. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, British Patent Publication No. <CIT> and International (PCT) <CIT> and <CIT>. Existing electronic lock systems have various shortcomings relative to certain applications. For example, existing lock systems include electronic locks that are only able to communicate with standard electronic devices for which the lock system was specifically designed. Integrating custom or non-standard electronic devices into the lock system may be difficult if not impossible to achieve. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.

An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus comprising an electronic lock according to independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation on the scope of the invention is hereby intended.

Referring to <FIG>, illustrated therein is an electronic lock system <NUM> according to one form of the present invention. The electronic lock system <NUM> generally includes an electronic lock <NUM> and a mobile device <NUM>. The electronic lock <NUM> is operatively attached to a door <NUM> or another type of access restriction structure, the details of which are known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The mobile device <NUM> may be a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a tablet, a portable computer, and/or any other mobile computing or communication device. The electronic lock system <NUM> may include one or more other wireless devices <NUM> such as, for example, a wireless doorbell or input signal device, a wireless door chime or annunciator device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a network bridge, a router, a server and/or database, or any other computing or communication device suitable for use in association with the electronic lock system <NUM>. The electronic lock system <NUM> may include one or more electronic locks <NUM>, one or more mobile devices <NUM>, and/or one or more wireless devices <NUM>. A plurality of the mobile devices <NUM> may be provided that are each configured to communicate with one or more of the electronic locks <NUM>.

The electronic lock system <NUM> may be used in association with an external or internal door <NUM> on a building such as, for example, a residential home. However, it is also contemplated that the electronic lock system <NUM> may be used in association with a window or other types of access restriction structures, and in association with apartment buildings, commercial buildings, storage units, and/or any other structure or building that utilizes one or more of the electronic locks <NUM> to restrict access to one or more access-controlled areas.

The electronic lock <NUM> may be configured to detect certain events and/or to perform an action or function based upon a detected event such as, for example, sending a message or data to the mobile device <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> in response to an event. The electronic lock <NUM> and the mobile device <NUM> communicate with one another wirelessly, preferably via Bluetooth communication such as, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy ("BLE") communication. As used herein, the term Bluetooth may also refer to BLE. Similarly, the electronic lock <NUM> and the wireless device <NUM> communicate with one another wirelessly, preferably via Bluetooth communication, and more preferably via BLE communication. Additionally, the mobile device <NUM> and the wireless device <NUM> may communicate with one another wirelessly, preferably via Bluetooth communication, such as, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy ("BLE") communication. However, it is contemplated that a wireless communication protocol other than Bluetooth or BLE communication may be used in association with the electronic lock system <NUM> to provide a wireless communication link between the electronic lock <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM>, and the wireless device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the electronic lock <NUM> may be provided with wireless alarm capabilities via Bluetooth or BLE communication. In another embodiment, once the electronic lock <NUM> is installed, an appropriate program or application may be installed on the mobile device <NUM> (e.g., a smartphone) for use in association with the electronic lock <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM>. It is also contemplated that the manufacturer of the electronic lock <NUM> does not necessarily have to supply or specify a particular mobile device <NUM> and/or a particular wireless device <NUM>. Instead, various types of mobile devices <NUM> and/or wireless devices <NUM> could be provided by an end user or a third party for integration into the electronic lock system <NUM> and for communication with the electronic lock <NUM>.

In a further embodiment, a customizable Bluetooth or BLE message, information or data <NUM> could be sent from the electronic lock <NUM> to the mobile device <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM>, and from the mobile device <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> to the electronic lock <NUM>. In other embodiments, customizable Bluetooth or BLE signals or data could also be sent between the mobile device <NUM> and the wireless device <NUM>. In one particular embodiment, the electronic lock <NUM> could send a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> to the mobile device <NUM> in response to a trigger event such as, for example, the opening or closing of the door <NUM>, movement of the door handle or deadbolt on either side of the door <NUM>, tampering with the electronic lock <NUM>, and/or a shock event such as, for example, a door kick-in. The Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> may indicate to the user of the mobile device <NUM> the type of event that has occurred, the time of the event, and/or an inquiry as to whether the user would like to take some type of action in response to the event.

The electronic lock <NUM> may also be configured to communicate with a wireless device <NUM> such as, for example, a computer, which in turn may be configured to trigger alarms, send text messages or other communications, place emergency phone calls, and/or perform other appropriate actions or functions. The wireless device <NUM> and/or the electronic lock <NUM> may also be configured to communicate with a "Nexia-like" back end computing/communication device. For example, the electronic lock <NUM> may communicate with a wireless device <NUM>, such as a computer having Bluetooth or BLE capabilities, via Bluetooth or BLE communication in response to a trigger event. The wireless device <NUM> (e.g., a computer) may receive a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> from the electronic lock <NUM> indicating that the computer should communicate with a server on the Internet to trigger an alarm, send a text message or other communication, place an emergency phone call, and/or perform any other appropriate action or function.

In one specific embodiment, the wireless device <NUM> could be configured as a wireless input device such as, for example, a wireless doorbell input or button that communicates with the electronic lock <NUM> when pressed, and which may trigger the electronic lock <NUM> to send an appropriate Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> to the mobile device <NUM>. It is contemplated that the wireless doorbell button may be located in proximity to the door <NUM>, at a location remote from the door <NUM>, or may be incorporated into the electronic lock <NUM>. The electronic lock <NUM> may also be configured to trigger or activate another wireless Bluetooth or BLE device <NUM> such as, for example, a wireless indicator or annunciator such as a wireless door chime that could be triggered or activated by the electronic lock <NUM> via a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> when a button or input device near the door <NUM> or incorporated into the electronic lock <NUM> is pressed. It is further contemplated that the electronic lock <NUM> may send a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> to the wireless door chime or another type of indicator or annunciator in response to a different triggering event.

In some embodiments, the mobile device <NUM> may include a microphone that can be used to create audio memos or files that could then be sent to the electronic lock <NUM> via a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM>. The electronic lock <NUM> may be provided with a speaker configured to replay the audio memos/files for a person having the proper credentials such as, for example, via the same mobile device <NUM> used to create the audio memo/file or via a different mobile device <NUM>. A speech-to-text feature could also be incorporated into the electronic lock system <NUM> to create other types of memos/files such as, for example, grocery lists, to-do lists, and the like, with such memos/files stored in a memory of the electronic lock <NUM> for subsequent retrieval (e.g., such as before heading out the door or for leaving a reminder when coming home). For example, a parent could leave a to-do list or other instructions/requests for a child when they come home from school. Thus, when a particular person leaves or comes home, the mobile device <NUM> of that person would receive a message including the list and/or reminders.

Referring to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a computing device <NUM> that may be used in association with the electronic lock system <NUM>. The computing device <NUM> is one example of a device that may be used in association with the electronic lock <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM>, and/or the wireless device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the computing device <NUM> includes a processing device <NUM>, an input/output device <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and operating logic <NUM>. Additionally, the computing device <NUM> may communicate with one or more external devices <NUM>.

The input/output device <NUM> is configured to allow the computing device <NUM> to communicate with the external device <NUM>. For example, the input/output device <NUM> may comprise a transceiver having Bluetooth or BLE capabilities, a network adapter, a network card, an interface, or one or more communication ports (e.g., USB port, serial port, parallel port, analog port, digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT <NUM> or any other type of communication port or interface). The input/output device <NUM> may include hardware, software, and/or firmware. It is also contemplated that the input/output device <NUM> may include more than one adapters, cards, or communication ports.

The external device <NUM> may be any type of device that allows data to be inputted to or outputted from the computing device <NUM>. For example, the external device <NUM> may constitute a lock, a wireless device, a mobile device, a reader device, electronic equipment, a handheld computer, a diagnostic tool, a controller, a computer, a server, a processing system, a printer, a display, an alarm, an illuminated indicator such as a status indicator, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch screen display. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the external device <NUM> may be integrated into the computing device <NUM>. It is further contemplated that there may be more than one external device <NUM> in communication with the computing device <NUM>.

Processing device <NUM> can be a programmable-type, a dedicated hardwired state machine, or any combination of thereof. The processing device <NUM> may further include multiple processors, Arithmetic-Logic Units (ALUs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), or the like. Processing devices <NUM> with multiple processing units may utilize distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing. Processing device <NUM> may be dedicated to performance of just the operations described herein, or may be utilized in one or more additional applications. In one embodiment, the processing device <NUM> is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and processes data in accordance with operating logic <NUM>, as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware) stored in memory <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, operating logic <NUM> for processing device <NUM> is at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware. Processing device <NUM> may include one or more components of any type suitable to process the signals received from input/output device <NUM> or elsewhere, and to provide desired output signals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination of both.

Memory <NUM> may be of one or more types, such as a solid-state variety, electromagnetic variety, optical variety, or a combination of these forms. Furthermore, memory <NUM> can be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of these types, and some or all of memory <NUM> can be of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, or the like. Additionally, memory <NUM> can store data/information that is manipulated by the operating logic <NUM> of processing device <NUM>, such as data/information representative of signals received from and/or sent to the input/output device <NUM> in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructions defining operating logic <NUM>, just to name one example. As shown in <FIG>, memory <NUM> may be included with processing device <NUM> and/or coupled to the processing device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary process <NUM> for an electronic lock <NUM> that is configured to communicate with a mobile device <NUM> and/or a wireless device <NUM>. Operations illustrated for all of the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and operations may be combined/divided and/or added/removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

Process <NUM> begins with an operation/step <NUM>. At operation/step <NUM>, the electronic lock <NUM> determines whether or not a triggering event has occurred. A triggering event may include any number of the following scenarios as well as others not specifically listed herein: pressing a button; activating an input device; ringing a doorbell; turning a door handle or knob; opening a door; closing a door; unlocking a door; locking a door; tampering with an electronic lock; kicking in a door; and/or sensing when an electronic device (e.g., a mobile device <NUM>) comes into communication range with the electronic lock <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic lock <NUM> may be fitted with an accelerometer or a similar sensing device that is capable of detecting shock events from as little as knocking on the door to kicking in the door. If no triggering event has occurred, the electronic lock <NUM> may be configured to continuously monitor for a triggering event or periodically monitor for a triggering event.

Process <NUM> then proceeds from operation/step <NUM> to operation/step <NUM>. At operation/step <NUM>, the electronic lock <NUM> determines an action to take based upon or in response to the triggering event. The electronic lock <NUM> performs an action which may include, for example, sending a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> to the mobile device <NUM> and/or a wireless device <NUM> which may include initially determining which external device (e.g., mobile device <NUM> and/or wireless device <NUM>) the message <NUM> is to be sent based on the detected triggering event.

Process <NUM> then proceeds from operation/step <NUM> to operation/step <NUM>. At operation/step <NUM>, the electronic lock <NUM> performs the appropriate action such as, for example, sending a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> to the mobile device <NUM> and/or to the wireless device <NUM>.

Process <NUM> then proceeds from operation/step <NUM> to operation/step <NUM>. At operation/step <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> receives the Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> and determines what action to take, if any, based on the message transmitted from the electronic lock <NUM>.

Process <NUM> then proceeds from operation/step <NUM> to operation/step <NUM>. At operation/step <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> performs the action determined at operation/step <NUM>. The action taken by the mobile device <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> may be to ignore the message, call an emergency number, send or forward the message to another device, send a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> to the electronic lock <NUM> to perform another action of function such as, for example, to lock or unlock the electronic lock <NUM> and/or to trigger or sound an alarm.

The user may customize the action(s) to be taken for any given triggering event. In addition, the user may determine which mobile devices <NUM> and/or wireless devices <NUM> will receive a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> from the electronic lock <NUM> for any given action and/or triggering event. For example, a triggering event may include someone pressing a button on or near the electronic lock <NUM>, such as pressing a door bell. In such a situation, the electronic lock <NUM> may send a Bluetooth or BLE message <NUM> only to the external devices <NUM> that are within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock <NUM>, and ignore those external devices <NUM> that are out of Bluetooth communication range. This may include a variety of external devices <NUM>, such as a mobile device <NUM> of any occupant within the building, which would alert the occupant to the presence of someone at the door <NUM>. Those mobile devices <NUM> out of communication range may likely be carried by someone not in the building and therefore incapable of answering the door. If the only external device <NUM> within range is a computer and/or a network bridge, then such a triggering event may be logged in a database by the computer and/or network bridge which may be subsequently retrieved by the end user of the electronic lock system <NUM>. In addition, the computer and/or network bridge may communicate the message (or the message contents) to a computer connected to the Internet which may utilize a relevant service such as a texting service, cloud home intelligence service, or any other communication-based service.

However, even if there are no mobile devices <NUM> within communication range, the end user may still be able to customize the electronic lock <NUM> to send a message to one, all, or any number of the mobile devices <NUM> associated with the electronic lock <NUM>. For example, the external device <NUM> (e.g., a wireless device <NUM> such as a computer) that receives this message from the electronic lock <NUM> may also determine an action to be taken, which may include acknowledging the notification, ignoring the notification, or unlock the door. Furthermore, the wireless device <NUM> that receives such a message from the electronic lock <NUM> may send a message to one or more of the mobile devices <NUM> via an Internet connection. Additionally, if there are no mobile devices <NUM> or other wireless devices <NUM> in range, the lock is capable of storing the event or message until a mobile device <NUM> or wireless device <NUM> comes within range.

If someone tries to break in or kick in the door, the electronic lock <NUM> may send a message to some or all of the mobile devices <NUM> and/or the wireless devices <NUM> associated with the electronic lock system <NUM>. This may include sending a Bluetooth or BLE message to all external devices <NUM> associated with the electronic lock <NUM> that are within Bluetooth communication range and/or sending a message to a computer or network bridge that is within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock <NUM>, and through an application or executable software or firmware program on the computer or network bridge, send a message to all external devices outside of the Bluetooth communication range associated with the electronic lock <NUM> via the Internet (e.g., using an Internet service) or via a cellular network (e.g., using an SMS message). In such a situation indicative of a break-in, the electronic lock <NUM> may send an alarm message to some or all of the mobile devices <NUM> and/or wireless devices <NUM> associated with the electronic lock <NUM>. The electronic lock <NUM> may also send a message to a third-party security company that may in turn notify the appropriate emergency responders or other personnel. The mobile devices <NUM> and/or wireless devices <NUM> that receive the message of a kicked in door may also determine an action to be taken, which may include calling an emergency number or canceling the call by the third-party security company if it is determined to be a false alarm.

Another example of a triggering event may include determining if/when a specific mobile device <NUM> comes within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock <NUM>. In such a scenario, a person may take one or more of the following actions: create/send a text or audio message with an external device <NUM> (e.g., a mobile device <NUM> or a computer <NUM>); store the message in the electronic lock <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM>, the wireless device <NUM>, and/or on a cloud drive; and/or determine the triggering event for replaying the message such as transmitting that message to the target external device when it comes within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock <NUM>. One example may include a parent leaving an audio message for a child to hear when they come home from school. When the child unlocks the electronic lock <NUM>, the electronic lock <NUM> may play the audio message/file or the electronic lock <NUM> may cause the mobile device <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> to play the message/file. The action taken by the external device <NUM> that receives the message may be to dismiss/ignore the message or to send/forward a message to whatever device <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> that sent the original message to acknowledge receipt of the message.

Another example of a triggering event may include determining when a specific device is within Bluetooth communication range when the electronic lock <NUM> is in a locked state. In such a scenario, a person may create a text and/or audio message via an external device <NUM>, such as a mobile device <NUM> or computer <NUM>. The text and/or audio message may be stored in a database by the electronic lock <NUM>, a mobile device <NUM>, a wireless device <NUM>, and/or in a cloud drive. The electronic lock <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM>, and/or the wireless device <NUM> may be configured to take an appropriate action in response to a triggering event which may be individually determined by the user. For example, the determined action may be to transmit the text and/or audio message from the mobile device <NUM> and/or wireless device <NUM> to the same external device <NUM> that created the message when the electronic lock <NUM> is locked and when that device is within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock <NUM>. A person may leave a reminder message for themself upon leaving the house. When the person unlocks the electronic lock <NUM>, a Bluetooth or BLE message may be sent to the mobile device <NUM>. The Bluetooth message may include the audio message, or the audio message may be stored on the mobile device <NUM> in which the Bluetooth message identifies the audio message to be played. It is contemplated that the electronic lock <NUM> may store and play the audio message.

In other embodiments, the electronic lock <NUM> may be configured with alarms, text messages, emergency phone calls, and the like by the end user or with default settings. A doorbell may be connected to the electronic lock <NUM> that could be configured to send a message wirelessly to an external device <NUM>. The electronic lock <NUM> may also be capable of triggering another wireless Bluetooth or BLE device such as, for example, a wireless door chime that could be triggered by a button near or on the electronic lock <NUM>.

The various aspects of the process <NUM> illustrated and described above may be implemented in operating logic <NUM> as operations by software, hardware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, or any combination thereof, or at least partially performed manually by a user or operator. In certain embodiments, operations represent software elements such as a computer program encoded on a computer readable medium, wherein the electronic lock <NUM> and/or the external device <NUM> perform the described operations when executing the computer program.

One aspect of the present application may include a method, comprising: determining via an electronic lock whether a triggering event has occurred; generating a message based on the triggering event; identifying a mobile device to receive the message based on the triggering event; and transmitting the message from the electronic lock to the mobile device via wireless communication.

Features of the aspect of the present application may include: the wireless communication is Bluetooth communication; the message includes at least one of an audio message, an alarm message, and a notification message; the triggering event includes at least one of unlocking a door, locking a door, moving a door, moving a door handle, opening a door, closing a door, pressing a button near the electronic lock, pressing a button on the electronic lock, and sensing an alarm condition; the method further comprises taking a responsive action using the mobile device; the method further comprises transmitting the responsive action to the electronic lock.

Another aspect of the present application may include a method, comprising: determining via an electronic lock whether a triggering event has occurred; generating a message based on the triggering event; identifying a wireless device to receive the message; transmitting the message from the electronic lock to the wireless device via wireless communication; and performing an action with the wireless device based on the message.

Features of the aspect of the present application may include: the wireless communication is Bluetooth communication; the message includes at least one of an audio message, an alarm message, and a notification message; the triggering event includes at least one of unlocking a door, locking a door, moving a door, moving a door handle, opening a door, closing a door, pressing a button near the electronic lock, pressing a button on the electronic lock, and sensing an alarm condition; the wireless device comprises at least one of a doorbell, a door chime, a computer, a bridge, a router, and a mobile device; the identifying a wireless device to receive the message is based on the triggering event; the performing the action includes at least one of logging the triggering event in a database, transmitting the message to a third party, and transmitting the message to a mobile device; the method further comprises identifying a mobile device to receive the message based on the triggering event; and transmitting the message from the electronic lock to the mobile device via Bluetooth.

Yet another aspect of the present application may include a system comprising an electronic lock and a wireless device. The electronic lock is configured to: determine whether a triggering event has occurred; generate a message based on the triggering event; identify a wireless device to receive the message based on the triggering event; and transmit the message from the electronic lock to the wireless device via wireless communication. The wireless device is configured to: receive the message; process the message; and perform an action based on the message.

Features of the aspect of the present application may include: the wireless communication is Bluetooth communication; the wireless device is further configured to relay the message to a third party or to a mobile device; the wireless device is a door chime, a computer, or a mobile device; the message includes at least one of an audio message, an alarm message, and a notification message.

Another aspect of the present application may include an apparatus comprising: an electronic lock configured with non-transitory computer executable instructions to determine whether a triggering event has occurred, generate a Bluetooth message based on the triggering event, identify a wireless device to receive the Bluetooth message, and transmit the Bluetooth message to the wireless device via Bluetooth communication, wherein the Bluetooth message includes information about the triggering event.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, and that all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claim 1:
An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic lock (<NUM>) configured to:
determine whether a triggering event has occurred, wherein the triggering event is selected from a plurality of triggering events including kicking or breaking in a door (<NUM>) associated with the electronic lock (<NUM>);
transmit a first message (<NUM>) to at least a first wireless device (<NUM>, <NUM>) associated with the electronic lock via Bluetooth communication in response to the triggering event in which the door associated with the electronic lock is kicked in or broken into and when the at least first wireless device (<NUM>, <NUM>) is within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock (<NUM>); and
in response to the triggering event in which the door (<NUM>) associated with the electronic lock (<NUM>) is kicked in or broken into, transmit a second message (<NUM>) via Bluetooth communication to a computer or a network bridge that is within Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock (<NUM>) to send a third message to all external devices (<NUM>) associated with the electronic lock outside of the Bluetooth communication range of the electronic lock (<NUM>) via an Internet or a cellular network.