US-12618264-B1 - Privacy system for electronic door locks

US12618264B1US 12618264 B1US12618264 B1US 12618264B1US-12618264-B1

Abstract

Current privacy notices on door are inadequate for electronic door locks. An electronic door lock “do not disturb” privacy device is presented.

Inventors

Peter L. Levy

Assignees

Peter L. Levy

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20250924

Claims (11)

1 . A portable privacy device for attachment to an standard electronic door lock for providing “do not disturb” privacy for room occupants, the portable privacy device comprising: a cover of a shape and material configured for covering a standard electronic door lock housing such that the cover having dimensions larger than the electronic door lock housing when covering the electronic door lock housing, wherein the electronic door lock housing comprises an electronic reader mechanism; the cover is made to conformably fit above and shield the electronic door lock housing from allowing for the general operation of the electronic reader mechanism for releasing an electronic door lock for opening the door; the cover has a lip at least substantially perpendicular to the cover and of dimensions configured for the cover's placement above the electronic reader mechanism and the electronic door lock housing, for protecting the electronic reader mechanism from card insertion or from receiving a wireless electronic lock unlocking signal; the cover includes two horizontal edges, with one horizontal edge extending across the width of the cover and the other horizontal edge having a curved edge configured for adjacently conforming with a door handle base; a flexible band with two ends further coupling the cover to the door; a magnet is affixed to the inside of the cover for magnetically coupling the cover to the electronic door lock housing, where the cover extends over electronic reader mechanism; and the cover being configured with continuous conductive barrier layers, the barrier layers are configured without gaps so as to shield any one or more of an electromagnetic signal, physical contact, light, and/or a wireless electronic signal from reaching the electronic door lock reader mechanism: whereby the portable privacy device is configured to provide a removable privacy device shielding for the electronic door lock that will prevent unlocking the electronic door lock, thereby acting as a “do not disturb” sign.
2 . The portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 1 further comprising a cover that is conformable to various standard electronic door lock housing shape.
3 . The portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 1 further comprising a flexible band end coupled to the cover and the other flexible band end extended around to the inside of the door and coupled to the door inside door handle.
4 . The portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 1 wherein the cover material comes from a set of material including plastic, composite and light weight synthetics.
5 . The portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 1 wherein the continuous conductive barrier without gap layers material comes from a set of materials including aluminum, copper, RF-shielding fabrics, graphene and other metals.
6 . A method for providing a portable privacy device for an electronic door lock, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cover of shape configured for covering an electronic door lock housing and the cover having dimensions larger than an electronic door lock housing and an electronic reader mechanism: making the cover configured to fit above and shield the electronic door lock housing from general operation of the electronic reader mechanism for preventing operation of an electronic door lock mechanism via the electronic reader mechanism: creating a lip on the cover at least substantially perpendicular to the cover and of dimensions configured for the cover's placement above the electronic door lock reader and electronic door lock housing, for protecting the electronic door lock reader from card insertion or from receiving an electronic lock wireless unlocking signal; configuring the cover with two horizontal edge, with one horizontal edge extending across the width of the cover and the other horizontal edge having a curved edge configured for adjacently conforming with a door handle base: providing a flexible band with two ends further coupling the cover to the door; affixing a magnet to the inside of the cover for magnetically coupling the cover to the electronic door lock housing such that the cover extends over electronic reader mechanism, and layering continuous conductive barrier layers without gaps on the cover to shield electromagnetic wireless signals, physical contact, light and/or wireless electronic signals from reaching the electronic door lock reader mechanism: whereby an electronic door lock with the removable privacy device covering and shielding the electronic door lock will prevent unlocking the electronic door lock thereby acting as a “do not disturb” sign without intention.
7 . The method for a portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 6 further comprising the step of shaping the cover that is conformable to various standard electronic door lock housing.
8 . The method for a portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 6 further comprising the step of adding an illumination strip on the cover.
9 . The method for a portable privacy device for an electronic door lock in as claim 6 further comprising the step of providing one flexible band end coupled to the cover and the other flexible band end extended around to the inside of the door and coupled to the door inside door handle.
10 . The method for a portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 6 wherein the cover material comes from a set of material including plastic, composite and light weight synthetics.
11 . The method for a portable privacy device for an electronic door lock as in claim 6 wherein the continuous conductive barrier without gap layers material comes from a set of materials including aluminum, copper, RF-shielding fabrics, graphene and other metals.

Description

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to electronic door locks and specifically to electronic door lock occupant privacy. Background of the Invention There are several ways to let non-occupants in a hotel/motel know that an occupant secured by an electronic lock require privacy and do not wish to be disturbed currently. The reasons are, even when available, current hotel “Do Not Disturb” signs, and there are several, have practical use and design shortcomings. First, there are the visibility issues: signs often fall off or get knocked down, leaving guests unprotected, sometimes small size makes them hard to see from a distance, poor contrast/colors make them difficult to read in dim hallway lighting and single-sided design means they're not visible from all angles. What is needed are ways to clearly indicate that Privacy is required no matter the visibility of the electronic door lock. Second, communication problems: Binary system-only “disturb” or “don't disturb” with no nuance, there are no way to communicate specific needs (clean later, deliver packages, emergency contact OK), no indication of when the guest will be available, and there are language barriers for international travelers or language illiterate staff. What needed are more definitive Privacy indications where the communication is not ambiguous and specific. Third, physical durability: Cheap paper/cardboard that tears or becomes illegible, fading text from repeated handling, and no weather resistance if used on outdoor-facing doors. What is needed are privacy display solutions that do not fade or weather away, and can be seen even in the dark if the lights were to go out for any reason. Forth, security concerns: advertises that someone is in the room, potential security risk, and no way to verify if it's legitimate or placed by someone else. Sometimes this doesn't prevent well-meaning staff from knocking “just to check”. What is needed are a more a system that doesn't increase security risk. Last, a lack of Integration: there is no connection to hotel systems (housekeeping schedules, room service), staff can't remotely see room status, and there is no digital tracking or confirmation. What is needed is some kind of integration method for house keeping and administration staff. What is needed are 21st century solutions to privacy in an increasingly digital hospitality environment. What is needed are simple privacy devices which can be quickly installed or even replaced from existing devices for electronic door locks. SUMMARY The present invention discloses a portable electronic door lock privacy device. A cover for the device is of shape configured for a an electronic door lock housing and dimensions larger than an electronic door lock housing an electronic reader mechanism. The cover is made to fit above and shield the electronic door lock housing from general electronic lock opening mechanisms in the elock reader and has a lip more-or-less perpendicular to the cover and of dimension configured for the cover placement above the electronic door lock reader and electronic door lock housing, for protecting the electronic door lock reader from card insertion or electronic lock unlocking signal. The cover has two horizontal edges, with one horizontal edge extending across the width of the cover and the other horizontal edge having a curved edge adjacently conforming with a door handle base. The device has a flexible band with two ends further coupling the cover to the door and a magnet affixed to the inside of the cover magnetically coupling the cover to the electronic door lock housing which extends over electronic reader. On the cover surface is a continuous conductive barrier layers without gaps to shield electromagnetic signal, physical contact, light and or wireless electronic signal from reaching the electronic door lock reader such that an electronic door lock with the removable privacy device shielding the electronic door lock will prevent unlocking the electronic door lock acting as a modern “do not disturb” sign. The device cover is conformable to various standard electronic door lock housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures: FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic door lock privacy device in an embodiment of the invention FIG. 2 shows a detailed illustration of a rectangular cover privacy device 201 for an electronic door lock locked slightly below a door handle. FIG. 3 illustrates a flexible band coupling to a door in an aspect of the invention. FIG. 4 shows a detailed illustration of the privacy device cover and cover conductive barrier layers to provide shielding for an electronic door lock. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it wil