WO2017072800A1

WO2017072800A1 - Controller for electric locks and closing elements

Info

Publication number: WO2017072800A1
Application number: PCT/IT2015/000257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fausto Fustini
Original assignee: Cisa S.P.A.
Priority date: 2015-10-27
Filing date: 2015-10-27
Publication date: 2017-05-04

Abstract

A controller (1) for electric locks (A) and electric closing elements (B) which are electrically powered by the mains electricity of a pre-existing system (C) and are controlled by at least one opening button (2) and by an opening/closing lock cylinder (3) associated with a respective key (4). The controller (1) comprises at least one apparatus (5, 6) for transmission of at least one encoded signal, at least one transceiver unit (7), a processor (8) connected to the unit (7) and to the control circuit (9) of a device (10) of the type of an electric command button. The device ( 10) is arranged in parallel to the at least one button (2) for opening a component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B). The reception of the encoded signal, corresponding to the encoding set in the processor (8), activates the control circuit (9) of the device (10) for opening the component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B).

Description

CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC LOCKS AND CLOSING ELEMENTS

The present invention relates to a controller for electric locks and closing elements.

It is common, especially in apartment blocks and in large residential complexes, for there to be at least one gate and at least one main door which are both provided with an electrically-operated lock (i.e. which can be opened indifferently with a key or by way of an electrical command issued with a button from inside the building).

Someone who needs to access a specific building unit must necessarily use the key (or keys) in their possession to open the at least one gate and the at least one main door, prior to arriving at the entrance door to their unit, where they will have to use a specific key.

The user therefore finds himself/herself forced to take out the bunch of keys from their pockets (or bag) many times, in order to use them to open the at least one gate and the at least one main door.

Installations of this type can therefore be inconvenient for some users, especially if they are carrying material of some kind and therefore find themselves forced to put down the material in order to be able to use the keys.

Some electric locks allow the use of a remote control for opening, an accessory that facilitates access but which still requires the user to hold said remote control (an operation that is not always possible if the user is carrying bags or packages).

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a controller for electric locks and closing elements which enables the user to gain access without having to take out and hold the key or the remote control.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a controller for electric locks and closing elements of the type that is easily installable on pre-existing systems. Another object of the invention is to provide a controller for electric locks and closing elements which does not require the purchase of further activation accessories by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a controller for electric locks and closing elements which is low cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe in use.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a controller for electric locks and electric closing elements of the type electrically powered by the mains electricity of a pre-existing system which are controlled by at least one opening button and by an opening/closing lock cylinder associated with a respective key, characterized in that it comprises at least one apparatus for transmission of at least one encoded signal, at least one transceiver unit, a processor connected to said unit and to the control circuit of a device of the type of an electric command button, said device being arranged in parallel to the said at least one button for opening a component chosen from between an electric lock and an electric closing element, the reception of said encoded signal, corresponding to the encoding set in the processor, activating the control circuit of said device for opening said component chosen from between an electric lock and an electric closing element.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the controller for electric locks and closing elements according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non- limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a first schematic view of a controller for electric locks and closing elements according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a second schematic view of a controller for electric locks and closing elements according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a further controller for electric locks and closing elements according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the methods of installation of controllers for electric locks and closing elements according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a controller for electric locks A and closing elements B.

The controller 1 is electrically powered by the mains electricity of a pre-existing system C and is controlled by at least one opening button 2 and by an opening/closing lock cylinder 3 associated with a respective key 4.

The controller 1 comprises at least one apparatus 5, 6 for transmission of at least one encoded signal, at least one transceiver unit 7, a processor 8 connected to the unit 7 and to the control circuit 9 of a device 10 of the type of an electric command button.

The device 10 of the type of an electrical button is arranged in parallel to the at least one button 2 for opening a component chosen from between an electric lock A and an electric closing element B.

The reception (by the transceiver unit 7) of the encoded signal generated and transmitted by the transmission apparatus 5, 6 and corresponding to the encoding set in the processor 8 will result in the activation of the control circuit 9 of the device 10 for opening the component chosen from between an electric lock A and an electric closing element B.

According to specific applicative solutions of particular practical interest, the apparatus 5, 6 for transmission of at least one encoded signal is preferably chosen from among cellular phones, smartphones 5, tablet computers, smartwatches, transponders 6 and the like.

In particular transmission apparatuses 5, 6 that can be easily carried by the user will be preferred.

For example a smartphone 5 can usually be kept in a pocket by the user: when the user approaches the lock A or the electric closing element B, the signal emitted by the smartphone 5 will be received by the transceiver 7 of the controller 1 which, upon receiving a correct encoding signal, will result in the processor 8 sending the pulse for the temporarily closing (through the control circuit 9 for the device 10 for opening the component chosen from between an electric lock A and an electric closing element B).

It is therefore evident that it is sufficient for the user to approach the electric lock A or the electric closing element B, with the smartphone 5 in his/her pocket, in order to produce the automatic opening thereof, without having to carry out any specific action (the user will not therefore have to use the key 4 or a remote control, if any ).

Similarly, the same result can be obtained by using other electronic contrivances such as tablet computers, cellular phones, smartwatches and the like.

In an embodiment of undoubted practical interest, it is possible to adopt a transponder 6 for sending the encoded signal to the transceiver 7 of the controller 1.

The transponder 6 (for example of the RFID type) can advantageously be provided in the grip portion of the key 4 so as to minimize the number of items that the user has to keep on his/her person.

It should further be noted that the at least one apparatus 5, 6 for transmission of at least one encoded signal is of the type preferably chosen from among a Bluetooth© transmitter, an NFC® transmitter, a radiofrequency transmitter, a wireless LAN transmitter, an infrared transmitter, a magnetic field generator, an electrical field generator and the like.

Of those cited, it should be noted that infrared transmitters, as they require optical alignment of transmitter and receiver, are those of least applicative interest.

Similarly, the at least one transceiver unit 7 associated with the processor 8 can preferably be chosen from among a Bluetooth® transceiver, a NFC© transceiver, a radiofrequency transceiver, a wireless LAN transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a magnetic field detector, an electrical field detector and the like.

In general the transmission apparatus 5, 6 and the transceiver unit 7 will generally be constituted by conventional antennae.

It should further be noted that the component chosen from between an electric lock A and an electric closing element B is connected to a power supply circuit that is usually open, and is provided with the at least one button 2 for the at least temporary closure thereof: the device 10 controlled by the processor 8 will be wired to the power supply circuit that is usually open, in parallel to the at least one button 2.

Advantageously the device 10 controlled by the processor 8 can therefore be wired in parallel to the at least one button 2 in existing electrical systems: this means that the controller 1 can therefore be installed on any previously-existing electric power supply circuit/command for electric locks A and electric opening elements B.

It will therefore be possible to install the controller 1 in existing systems (for example in apartment blocks, detached houses, residential, commercial and industrial buildings, and public facilities) in order to facilitate the entry of authorized persons (who will not need to take out the key 4 or the remote control).

The at least one transceiver unit 7, the processor 8 and the device 10 will preferably be accommodated in a housing 1 1 , so as to define an electrical apparatus that can be installed proximate to the component chosen from between an electric lock A and an electric closing element B.

Such electrical apparatus will comprise a corresponding terminal board provided with terminals for connection to a source of electricity (for example the mains electricity C, although the possibility is not excluded of adopting battery power) and with terminals for wiring the device 10 in parallel to the at least one button 2, of the device 10. It should be noted that the housing 1 1 can be selected from box-like bodies in use in the electrical plant engineering sector; the possibility is not excluded of adopting housings 1 1 constituted by flush-mounted box-like bodies so as to be able to accommodate them in existing spaces. For example they could be installed in existing spaces (intended for electrical connections, such as sockets, switches and the like) or in adapted areas of an electrical switchboard.

In order to ensure an optimal operation and therefore a convenient and efficacious result for the user, each controller 1 will positively be able to comprise a plurality of electrical apparatuses (i.e. the housing 1 1 containing the transceiver unit 7, the processor 8 and the device 10); each one of these can be installed at a respective component chosen from between an electric lock A and an electric closing element B.

The plurality of electrical apparatuses will comprise a same encoding of the respective processor 8 for activating the corresponding control circuit 9 of the device 1 0, so as to be able to achieve the automatic opening of the component chosen from between an electric lock A and an electric closing element B, when the user is proximate thereto.

Finally, it should be noted that the smartphone 5, the tablet computer, and the smartwatch that constitute the transmission apparatus will comprise a software for setting the respective encodings.

In this manner, for example, the user, by downloading an application on his/her smartphone 5, can program it with the encoding credentials of each door, main door, gate and the like, in order to subsequently be able to ensure the automatic opening thereof upon his/her approach (when the user is carrying the smartphone 5 and the like).

Advantageously the present invention solves the above mentioned problems, by providing a controller 1 for electric locks A and closing elements B which enables the user to gain access without having to take out and hold the key 4 or the remote control. It is therefore particularly useful in all those cases in which the user is carrying bags or packages, in that it will not be necessary to put them down in order to take out and hold the key 4: the electric locks A and the electric opening elements B, in fact, will open automatically when the user who is carrying the transmission apparatus 5, 6 approaches them.

Profitably the controller 1 is easily installable on existing systems. In fact it is sufficient to connect the terminals corresponding to the device 10 in parallel to the existing buttons 2, and supply a source of electricity, for a complete installation of the controller 1.

Positively the controller 1 does not require the purchase of further activation accessories by the user: the user in fact can use his/her own cellular telephone, or smartphone 5, or tablet computer, or smartwatch and the like, simply by enabling them as transmission apparatuses, for example by installing a specific application/software.

Conveniently the controller 1 for electric locks A and closing elements B is easily and practically implemented and is low cost, and this makes it a technical solution which is safe in practical use.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

The possibility is not excluded of having the processor 8 control a memory unit as well, which registers events and therefore stores the credentials of all the persons who enter by automatically activating the lock A or opening element B.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art. Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1 . A controller for electric locks (A) and electric closing elements (B) of the type electrically powered by the mains electricity of a pre-existing system which are controlled by at least one opening button (2) and by an opening/closing lock cylinder (3) associated with a respective key (4), characterized in that it comprises at least one apparatus (5, 6) for transmission of at least one encoded signal, at least one transceiver unit (7), a processor (8) connected to said unit (7) and to the control circuit (9) of a device ( 1 0) of the type of an electric command button, said device (10) being arranged in parallel to the said at least one button (2) for opening a component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B), the reception of said encoded signal, corresponding to the encoding set in the processor (8), activating the control circuit (9) of said device (10) for opening said component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B).

2. The controller according to claim 1 , characterized in that said apparatus (5, 6) for transmission of at least one encoded signal is preferably chosen from among cellular phones, smartphones (5), tablet computers, smartwatch.es, transponders (6) and the like.

3. The controller according to claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one apparatus (5, 6) for transmission of at least one encoded signal is of the type chosen from among a Bluetooth® transmitter, an NFC® transmitter, a radiofrequency transmitter, a wireless LAN transmitter, an infrared transmitter, a magnetic field generator, an electrical field generator and the like.

4. The controller according to claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one transceiver unit (7) associated with said processor (8) is of the type chosen from among a Bluetooth® transceiver, a NFC® transceiver, a radiofrequency transceiver, a wireless LAN transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a magnetic field detector, an electrical field detector and the like,

5. The controller according to claim 1 , characterized in that said component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B) is connected to a power supply circuit that is usually open, and is provided with at least one button (2) for the at least temporary closure thereof, said device (10) controlled by said processor (8) being arranged in parallel to said at least one button (2).

6. The controller according to claim 5, characterized in that said device ( 10) controlled by said processor (8) can be wired in parallel to said at least one button (2) in existing electrical systems.

7. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one transceiver unit (7), said one processor (8) and said device ( 10) of the type of an electric command button are accommodated in a housing (1 1), so as to define an electrical apparatus that can be installed proximate to said component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B), said electrical apparatus comprising a corresponding terminal board provided with terminals for connection to a source of electricity and with terminals for wiring in parallel to said at least one button (2) of said device (10) of the type of an electric command button.

8. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of electrical apparatuses, each one installed at a respective component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B), said plurality of electrical apparatuses comprising a same encoding of the respective processor (8) for the activation of the corresponding control circuit (9) of said device (10) for opening said component chosen from between an electric lock (A) and an electric closing element (B).

9. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said smartphone (5), tablet computer, and smartwatch comprise a software for setting the respective encodings.