Lock actuating device and an access control system

Abstract

A lock actuating device is presented for mounting to a door leaf of a door. The lock actuating device has a transceiver capable of interaction with a wireless key device by short-range wireless data communication. A controller of the lock actuating device is coupled to the transceiver and capable of generating a control signal. A lock actuator has an electric motor and is adapted for actuation of an internal lock mechanism of a lock inside the door leaf upon receipt of the control signal from the controller. A local battery power unit serves as a sole power source for powering the lock actuating device. The lock actuating device has a sleep mode, in which elements of the lock actuating device are inactive and consume negligible power, and an operational mode. The controller has a control input for receiving a wake-up control signal indicative of the presence of a user in a vicinity of the lock actuating device, and causing the lock actuating device to switch from sleep mode to operational mode.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A lock actuating device for mounting to a door leaf of a door, the lock actuating device comprising:
 a transceiver capable of interaction with a wireless key device by short-range wireless data communication;   a controller coupled to the transceiver and capable of generating a control signal;   a lock actuator comprising an electric motor and adapted for actuation of an internal lock mechanism of a lock inside the door leaf upon receipt of the control signal from the controller; and   a local battery power unit as a sole power source for powering the lock actuating device,   wherein the lock actuating device has a sleep mode, in which elements of the lock actuating device are inactive and consume negligible power, and an operational mode, and   wherein the controller has a control input for receiving a wake-up control signal indicative of the presence of a user in a vicinity of the lock actuating device, and causing the lock actuating device to switch from sleep mode to operational mode.   
     
     
         24 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 23 , wherein the lock actuating device comprises an RF (Radio Frequency) sensor adapted to detect the wireless key device carried by the user and cause generation of the wake-up control signal. 
     
     
         25 . A lock actuating device for mounting to a door leaf of a door, the lock actuating device comprising:
 a transceiver capable of interaction with a wireless key device by short-range wireless data communication;   a controller coupled to the transceiver and capable of generating a control signal;   a lock actuator comprising an electric motor and adapted for actuation of an internal lock mechanism of a lock inside the door leaf upon receipt of the control signal from the controller; and   a local battery power unit as a sole power source for powering the lock actuating device,   wherein the lock actuating device has a sleep mode and an operational mode, and wherein the lock actuating device further comprises:   a wake-up arrangement including a proximity sensor and associated circuitry, the proximity sensor being positioned to detect the presence of a user in a vicinity of the lock actuating device, and the circuitry being adapted to generate a wake-up control signal to the controller upon detection of the user, so as to cause the lock actuating device to switch from sleep mode to operational mode.   
     
     
         26 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , wherein the proximity sensor is an acoustic sensor, vibration sensor or microphone which is adapted to detect door knocks on the door leaf. 
     
     
         27 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 26 , wherein the circuitry of the wake-up arrangement is programmed or designed to apply predetermined wake-up criteria when deciding whether or not to generate the wake-up control signal, and wherein the wake-up criteria include at least one of the detection of more than one door knock within a certain time frame, and a given sequence of short and long door knocks. 
     
     
         28 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , wherein the proximity sensor is positioned on or at a door handle of the door to electrically detect interaction by the user on the door handle. 
     
     
         29 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , wherein the proximity sensor is selected from the group consisting of: an IR (Infra-Red) sensor, an ultra-sound sensor, an optical sensor, an RF (Radio Frequency) sensor or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         30 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , wherein the proximity sensor is an RF (Radio Frequency) sensor adapted to detect mobile telecommunications traffic to or from a mobile terminal which implements the wireless key device. 
     
     
         31 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , wherein the controller puts itself in sleep mode after a certain period of inactivity. 
     
     
         32 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , adapted for mounting to the door leaf of said door on an external surface thereof which faces towards the inside of premises protected by the door. 
     
     
         33 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , comprising:
 a rotatable lock axle coupled to or engaging with the internal lock mechanism of the lock; and   transmission means for translating mechanical power provided by the electric motor into turning of the rotatable lock axle to actuate the lock mechanism.   
     
     
         34 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 33 , comprising:
 a lock knob mounted to one end of the rotatable lock axle for allowing a user to manually unlock the lock by turning of the lock knob.   
     
     
         35 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 33 , wherein the internal lock mechanism of the lock comprises a lock catch being retractable from an extended locking position to a retracted releasing position upon actuation of the lock mechanism. 
     
     
         36 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 33 , wherein the transmission means comprises a first gear wheel coupled to the rotatable lock axle and a second gear wheel coupled to a rotatable motor axle of the electric motor. 
     
     
         37 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 36 , the transmission means further comprising carrier means, wherein actuation by the first gear wheel of the rotatable lock axle is disengageable by the carrier means. 
     
     
         38 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a rotatable lock axle coupled to or engaging with the internal lock mechanism of the lock,   wherein the electric motor is a step motor positioned and adapted to actuate the rotatable lock axle directly without disengageable carrier means.   
     
     
         39 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , wherein the transceiver is capable of interaction with the wireless key device by short-range wireless data communication in compliance with the Bluetooth standard. 
     
     
         40 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 25 , wherein the transceiver is capable of interaction with the wireless key device in the form of a mobile telecommunication terminal. 
     
     
         41 . An access control system for allowing users of respective wireless key devices to interact with a plurality of lock actuating devices according to  claim 23 , the access control system further comprising:
 a system server being configured for addition of a new user/key device to the system, and for changing the authority for an existing user/key device to control a lock actuating device among said plurality and cause actuation of the internal lock mechanism of the lock in the door leaf of the door to which the lock actuating device is mounted.   
     
     
         42 . The access control system according to  claim 41 , wherein the wireless key devices are mobile telecommunication terminals connected to a mobile telecommunications network compliant with a mobile telecommunications standard. 
     
     
         43 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 23 , adapted for mounting to the door leaf of said door on an external surface thereof which faces towards the inside of premises protected by the door. 
     
     
         44 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 23 , wherein the controller puts itself in sleep mode after a certain period of inactivity. 
     
     
         45 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 23 , wherein the transceiver is capable of interaction with the wireless key device by short-range wireless data communication in compliance with the Bluetooth standard. 
     
     
         46 . The lock actuating device according to  claim 23 , wherein the transceiver is capable of interaction with the wireless key device in the form of a mobile telecommunication terminal.