Capacitive data transfer in an electronic lock and key assembly
AssigneeKnox Company
InventorKeith T. Wolski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic key may include a partial capacitor comprising a capacitive metal plate in communication with a processor. The capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor is configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the metal plate of the lock. Data may be transferred from the key to the lock using a capacitor formed by combining the two metal plates, wherein a common ground is established between the metal plate of the key and the metal plate of the lock through a parasitic capacitance present between the key and lock circuitry.
Claims27
An electronic key comprising:
- a housing;
- a power source disposed within the housing;
- a processor in communication with the power source;
- and
- a partial capacitor comprising a first capacitive metal plate in communication with the processor, the first capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding second capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the second capacitive metal plate of the lock;
- wherein the processor is programmed to transfer data signals at least partially by using the partial capacitor.
A method for communicating with an electronic lock, the method comprising:
- capacitively coupling a first metal plate of a key assembly with a second metal plate of a lock assembly;
- and
- transmitting data from the key assembly to the lock assembly by applying a data signal to the first metal plate.
An electronic lock comprising:
- a housing;
- a locking mechanism disposed within the housing;
- a processor disposed within the housing;
- and
- a partial capacitor comprising a first capacitive metal plate in communication with the processor, the first capacitive metal plate configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding second capacitive metal plate of a key when brought into proximity with the second capacitive metal plate of the key;
- wherein the processor is programmed to process data signals received through the partial capacitor to actuate the locking mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.