AU2007101231B4 - Smart Lock - Google Patents

Description

"Smart Lock" Field of the Invention This invention relates to a portable electronic multi-functional Lock that is a Nphysical barrier, as well as an electronic surveillance and monitoring apparatus.

5 Background Art (Ni The conventional Lock is a well known mechanical deterrent for the security of Sdoors, windows in homes, office buildings and sheds. Other variations include i locks that incorporate electronics to monitor said openings. A particular recent variation utilises RFID (Radio frequency identification) and electronic for monitoring doors windows and the like.

RFID tags implanted in cards and key like tabs are used to activiate mechanical components to release the door so as to enable a person to open it In most instances electronic locks are fixed to doors and are not easily mobilised form door to door as in the case of a conventional mechanical lock. Many variations utilise monitoring and tracking software, as part of the security incorporated in the locking system The preceding discussion of the background art to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. The object of this invention is to provide a multi-function lock that is an electronic sentry, and can be easily moved from location to location, as in the case of a conventional mechanical lock.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a Lock comprising a body that incorporates a ball lock mechanism, the lock also comprises: -2- SElectronic monitoring, Video and sound recording and up down counting circuitry.

O The lock is combined with remote monitoring units, as well as the Information gathering and storage modules, that are an interregnal part of the lock.

The lock incorporates trip wires that provide a mechanical barrier; and Coded electronics incorporating RFID/GPS technology and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the Sscope of the present invention.

The present invention can be used on any door window or gate and when removed from the latch it is stored in the receptacle alongside the open door window or gate providing surveillance across the opening by means of the electronics contained within. The flexibility and mobility of the lock will provide the user a combination of uses wherein any lock can be used in any location as a physical deterrent or an electronic audio visual deterrent.

Typically the present invention will incorporate an upside down bolt with steel balls, and springs that when engaged provide the physical locking and completes the integrity of the lock. The lock when engaged activates the electronics contained within, and communications to the remote Information gathering and storage module is initiated. This invention also includes these variations.

Preferably the lock is released by swiping a RFID card or tag that activities a low power solenoid or similar coil activated latch. The lock combined with multiple alarm outputs that can be hooked up to a standard FM receiver and monitored remotely. The flexibility of the lock is such that the lock can be used to monitor any opening by placing a lock or other sensors either side, the mobility of the lock is such that the lock can be re programmed and used to secure doors, windows at nearby premises.

SObviously the locks flexibility make the lock very useful in securing any object temporary by clipping onto any two points by any means to form part of the integrity of the system without moving away from the sprit of this invention.

NPreferably the lock is, used to secure two points by means of the bolt, such that when the two points are engaged within the bolt, and when depressing the bolt will engage the balls into its receptacle. Preferably the static guide will engage the steel balls into its slot and the spring pressure within the lock will complete the mechanical integrity of the lock.

N Preferably the lock also comprises a plurality of trip wires that may be easily drawn out and secured either side of the lock providing additional physical perimeter surveillance. The present invention when placed in the remote monitoring unit, monitors movement, reads RFID/GPS tags across any opening and transmits information to the information gathering and storage module The present invention combines with a receptacle refereed to as the" information gathering and storage module" the locks are positioned in this module to charge upload and down load data. Programming is via any PC The information gathering and storage unit provides the wireless link to the locks and continuously monitor the status of all locks, with the means to transmit data to any remote PC.

Preferably the lock can be opened or de activated by means of personal RFID/GPS swipe cards, and by means of any remote PC having security clearances and codes.

Each lock sensor means may incorporate RFID/GPS technology as would be known to the person skilled in the art.

The Lock can be easily "locked" at any location in an array or other sequences to track passage of equipment of personnel in building. The feature of the lock is such that when placed in any location for tracking, provides its own security Description of the drawings a The invention is better understood by reference to the following description of a C' specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a complete lock (Ni Figure 2 is a view of the docking station with locks Fig 3 is a view of the ball lock detail engaged Fig 4 is a view of the ball lock disengaged Fig 5 is a view of the ball lock detail when engaged Fig 6 is a view of the lock securing a gate with the trip wire engaged Fig 7 is a view of the lock in the remote monitoring unit monitoring the opening Best mode for carrying out the invention As can be seen in figure 1 (a complete view of the lock) the 11 ball lock assembly fully engaged and locked in by the spring 12 and 13 the solenoid 14 is armed and activates 14 internal electronic module the 16 bolt doubles as the antenna that transmits information to the Information gathering and storing module (not shown) the 17 trip wire is pulled out and activated 18 status lights, also shown is the 19 opening monitoring transmitting device. The unit is powered by 20 rechargeable batteries and the lock is activated by swiping RFID key card (not shown) across 21 the RFID sensor. Figure 2 shows 22 the lock and 23 the remote monitoring unit docked into the information gathering and storage module, that is connected to a pc (not shown) Communication to the locks and the remote monitoring unit is made via the 24 antennas. Figure 3 shows the lock engaged on a 25 closed gate with 17 the trip wire pulled out and activated.

Figure 4 shows a 26 open gate with the lock in the 23 remote monitoring unit and 19 the opening monitoring transmitting device activated. Figure 5 is a detail of N the 11 ball lock assembly disengaged. Figure 6 shows a detail of 11 ball lock 1) engaged. Figure 7 shows close view of the 11 ball lock engaged in the lock.

Claims (3)

1. 2. The lock assembly according to claim 1 wherein each lock has ball lock means to allow each lock to be engaged in a multitude of position.
2. 3. The lock assembly according to claim 2 wherein each ball lock incorporates a fourth sensing means to detect the status of the lock.
3. 4. The Lock assembly according to claim 2 wherein each lock incorporates RFID and GPS technology. The lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lock is monitored by a information gathering and storage module.