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US-20260125932-A1 - Electronic Rotational Lock System

US20260125932A1US 20260125932 A1US20260125932 A1US 20260125932A1US-20260125932-A1

Abstract

The embodiments presented within provide methods, devices, and systems that improve access control through the use of smart cylinder locks. In one embodiment, a smart cylinder may perform a process including measuring a rotation of a knob, comparing an angle of the rotation with a predetermined value, and engaging a mechanism operatively coupled to a locking device that allows the locking device to unlock when the angle of the rotation matches the predetermined value.

Inventors

  • John Joseph Ryan

Assignees

  • John Joseph Ryan

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251229

Claims (14)

  1. 1 . A process performed by a smart cylinder, comprising: measuring a rotation of a knob; comparing an angle of the rotation with a predetermined value; and engaging a mechanism operatively coupled to a locking device that allows the locking device to unlock when the angle of the rotation matches the predetermined value.
  2. 2 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a key; emitting electromagnetic radiation from an energy source; detecting a change in the electromagnetic radiation due to a physical property of the key; determining the physical property of the key from the change in the electromagnetic radiation; comparing the physical property with a second predetermined value; and engaging the mechanism operatively coupled to the locking device that allows the locking device to unlock when the physical property matches the second predetermined value and when the angle of the rotation matches the predetermined value.
  3. 3 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving power through an inductive antenna; storing the power in a storage device; and operating the smart cylinder with the power.
  4. 4 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving power through a solar cell placed behind an optically transmissive lock face; storing the power in a storage device; and operating the smart cylinder with the power.
  5. 5 . The process of claim 4 wherein the optically transmissive lock face comprises a ceramic lock face.
  6. 6 . The process of claim 4 wherein the optically transmissive lock face comprises a plastic lock face.
  7. 7 . The process of claim 4 wherein the optically transmissive lock face comprises a sapphire lock face.
  8. 8 . The process of claim 4 wherein the storage device comprises one of a super-capacitor and a battery.
  9. 9 . The process of claim 8 further comprising a power management unit that selects between the solar cell, the super-capacitor, and the battery to power the smart cylinder.
  10. 10 . The process of claim 1 further comprising: displaying a first symbol and a second symbol on an active display on a surface of the smart cylinder; setting the predetermined value based on a location of the first symbol and the second symbol.
  11. 11 . The process of claim 10 wherein the first symbol and the second symbol may be placed to change a rotational sequence.
  12. 12 . The process of claim 1 further comprising: engaging the mechanism through an electromagnetic device at least partially housed in the smart cylinder; and powering the smart cylinder with energy generated in the electromagnetic device when configured to function as a generator.
  13. 13 . A smart cylinder, comprising: a plug body comprising a knob and a mechanism operatively coupled to a locking device; and a control module operatively coupled to the knob and the mechanism configured to measure a rotation of the knob, compare an angle of the rotation with a predetermined value, and engage the mechanism that allows the locking device to unlock when the angle of the rotation matches the predetermined value.
  14. 14 . An electronic lock system, comprising: a smart cylinder comprising: a plug body comprising a knob and a mechanism operatively coupled to a locking device, and a control module operatively coupled to the knob and the mechanism configured to measure a rotation of the knob, compare an angle of the rotation with a predetermined value, and engage the mechanism that allows the locking device to unlock when the angle of the rotation matches the predetermined value; and a control system configured to provide the predetermined value to the control module.

Description

FIELD The present disclosure is directed to a lock system, specifically an electronic lock system. The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/335,951 filed Jun. 1, 2021 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63/033,571 filed Jun. 2, 2020 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/062,166 filed Aug. 6, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND Door locks are by far one of the most common security measures in both residential and commercial settings. The basic structure of locks has not changed in several hundred years. A user seeking to open a door inserts a key with an irregular, toothed shape into the lock. The teeth correspond to, and physically interact with, pins in the lock. If all of the pins are raised to the correct level by their corresponding key teeth, the user can disengage the locking mechanism. While this system has enjoyed widespread use, it does have limitations. Because only one configuration of teeth may open a given lock, if a key is lost, copied, or stolen, then the lock is no longer secure. Once that happens, the entire lock must be replaced or rekeyed, with new keys given to all users, a cumbersome and time consuming process. Because the lock is purely mechanical in nature, it does not create an entry record of who opened a door or when it was opened. A physical lock face typically must be strong with a high hardness to endure malicious attacks. In some locks, this is achieved by adding small steel pieces to a brass lock face where it would be easy to drill and bypass. In other locks, the full face is made out of strong steel to be able to protect the entire face. In regards to radio-frequency identification (RFID) locks, an electromagnetic signal is not able to pass through a plane of metal. As such, one common solution is to use a plastic face with the RFID reader with the locking mechanism attached on the inside of the door lock. If the plastic face is drilled through, the actual locking mechanism is not readily available. Some other locks use glass. One lock uses Gorilla Glass, a chemically strengthened glass developed by Corning. Glass is amorphous and progressively softens under heat. Users have attempted to solve these problems through the use of electronic locks, which require a token, code, biometric input, or other unique identifier to open. Because these systems are electronic, they require a power source, such as line power or batteries. If the lock's batteries run out or it is cut off from power lines, then the lock becomes useless. A combination lock may have its code given out to other unauthorized users. A keycard for a lock may get confused with other cards or lost. Furthermore, the locks do not fit conventional door knobs and must be specially installed. There is an unmet need in the art for an electronic lock system that can be retrofit to existing doors and lock systems and that solves the problems above. SUMMARY The embodiments presented within provide methods, devices, and systems that improve access control through the use of locks. Some embodiments presented include mortise and key-in-knob form-factor locks. In one embodiment, a smart cylinder may perform a process comprising receiving a key, emitting an energy source of electromagnetic radiation; detecting a change in the energy source due to a physical property of the key, determining the physical property of the key from the change in the energy source, comparing the physical property with a predetermined value, and engaging a mechanism operatively coupled to a locking device that allows the locking device to unlock when the physical property matches the predetermined value. In another embodiment, a smart cylinder may implement the energy source as light. In another embodiment, a smart cylinder may implement the physical property of the key as the shape of the key. In another embodiment, the key is designed to work in any combination of a traditional pin-tumbler, a wafer-tumbler, a disc-tumbler, and a lever-tumbler. In another embodiment, the energy source is emitted from an energy emission array and wherein the change in the energy source is detected in an energy detection array. In another embodiment, the energy source is polarized in a polarizing filter. In another embodiment, the energy source is unique to a particular smart cylinder. In another embodiment, the key is received in a keyway. In another embodiment, the change in the energy source is measured in a two-dimensional array of sensors. In another embodiment, a smart cylinder further implements the process of engaging the mechanism through an electromagnetic device at least partially housed in the smart cylinder; and powering the smart cylinder with energy generated in the electromagnetic device when configured to function as a generator. In another embodiment, the physical property of the key is the shape of two or more sides of th