Installation-free rechargeable door locking apparatus, systems and methods
OwnerDominick S. Leeinventor
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Abstract
An installation-free rechargeable access control system is disclosed which automates the action of locking and unlocking a single-cylinder deadbolt on a door. In various embodiments, the present teachings provide a portable electronic module that can enhance the usage of deadbolts in place, instead of replacing the deadbolt mechanism itself. In various embodiments, the access control system can authenticate users and rotate a deadbolt using one or more peripheral sensing sources and wireless protocols.
Claims14
A method for a smart-lock apparatus magnetically mounted adjacent a dead-bolt apparatus for locking and unlocking a door, comprising a microcontroller, and a memory associated with said microcontroller, programmed for a configuration mode allowing viewing, adding, modifying, and removing identifiers held in the memory for one or more peripheral devices used for authentication:
- (a) setting said microcontroller into the configuration mode,
- (i) connecting a first peripheral device for electrical communication with said smart-lock apparatus;
- (ii) connecting a second peripheral device for data communication with said smart-lock apparatus;
- then,
- (iii) using at least said second peripheral device, transmitting one or more registration authentication keys for storage in the memory;
- and,
- (b) exiting said microcontroller out from the configuration mode,
- (i) connecting a third peripheral device for data communication with said smart-lock apparatus;
- (ii) transmitting a log-in key to said third peripheral device;
- (iii) forwarding the transmitted log-in key, using at least said third peripheral device, to the microcontroller in said smart-lock apparatus;
- (iv) retrieving the one or more registrations keys stored in the memory into the microcontroller;
- (v) comparing the transmitted log-in key against the one or more retrieved registration keys for a match;
- then,
- (vi) based upon the results of the comparing step, upon finding a match, unlocking the dead-bolt mechanism.
A smart-lock apparatus for tool-free mounting adjacent a turn-thumb, which turn-thumb is rotatable about a first axis, of an already-installed deadbolt lock of a door, comprising:
- a housing, comprising plural sidewalls defining an internal chamber;
- wherein at least one of the sidewalls defines an opening;
- and wherein at least one of the sidewalls defines at least one aperture;
- and further wherein a volume of a respective geometric shape defined by the perimeter of each aperture is less than a volume of a geometric shape defined by the perimeter of the opening;
- one or more magnets disposed at one or more respective positions of the sidewall that defines the opening;
- a microcontroller, and a memory associated with said microcontroller, supported within the housing;
- an accessory port, disposed for communication with the microcontroller, and accessible from outside the housing via said at least one aperture;
- a motor supported within the housing, disposed for electrical communication with the microcontroller;
- and,
- a gripper mechanically linked to the motor for causing bi-directional rotation of the gripper about a second axis, as desired;
- wherein the gripper is disposed for engaging said turn-thumb, upon mounting said smart-lock apparatus, for inducing rotation of the turn-thumb, via rotation of the gripper by the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.