Dispenser with electronic lock

Abstract

A lock assembly for a dispenser, wherein the lock assembly comprises a mechanical lock assembly and an electronic lock assembly arranged to lock an openable part to a fixed part. The mechanical lock assembly comprises a user accessible, movably mounted operating part for allowing a user to operate the mechanical lock assembly, and a latch connected to the operating part such that when the user operates the operating part, the latch moves from a locking position to an unlocking position. The electronic lock assembly is provided for blocking operation of the mechanical lock assembly, the electronic lock assembly comprising a blocking member movable between a blocking position, in which the mechanical lock assembly is blocked from operation, and an unblocking position, in which the mechanical lock assembly is allowed to operate, an electric actuator arranged to move the blocking member between the blocking position and the unblocking position, a receiver for receiving an unlock signal, a control unit for comparing the received unlock signal to at least one pre-stored value and controlling the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the blocking position to the unblocking position upon determining that the unlock signal matches one of the at least one pre-stored value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dispenser having a dispenser housing for containing a dispensable product and an electronic lock assembly for locking and unlocking the dispenser housing. BACKGROUND

[0002] Dispensers of some consumable products, such as paper towel products, liquid soap, etc., can require access to the interior of the dispenser in order to be able to periodically remove or refill the product. Depending on the location of the dispenser, for example in a public area, it can also be desirable to lock the dispenser to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing to remove the entire contents of the dispenser. Known dispensers have mechanical locks that are operable by a key to unlock and open the dispenser housing. SUMMARY

[0003] It is desirable to provide a dispenser with an electronic lock that is simple in construction, robust and / or requires low power consumption.

[0004] These and other objects can be achieved by the subject matter of the individual claims.

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a dispenser housing having an internal volume for containing a dispensable product, the dispenser housing having a fixed portion and an openable portion that is movable or detachable relative to the fixed portion to provide access to the internal volume for refilling the dispensable product. The dispenser comprises a mechanical lock assembly for locking the openable portion to the fixed portion of the dispenser housing and an electronic lock assembly for blocking operation of the mechanical lock assembly. The mechanical lock assembly can comprise a user-accessible, movably mounted operating portion for allowing a user to operate the mechanical lock assembly and a latch connected to the operating portion such that the latch moves from a locked position to an unlocked position when the user operates the operating portion. The electronic lock assembly can comprise a blocking member movable between a locked position in which it blocks operation of the mechanical lock assembly and an unlocked position in which it allows operation of the mechanical lock assembly, an electrically powered actuator arranged to move the blocking member between the blocked position and the unblocked position, a receiver for receiving an unlock signal and a control unit configured to compare the received unlock signal to a pre-stored value and, upon determining that the unlock signal matches the pre-stored value, control the electrically powered actuator to move the blocking member from the blocked position to the unblocked position.

[0006] As used herein, the term "unlocking signal" is meant to encompass any signal comprising instructions or codes that are interpreted by the control unit as an authorization or instruction to unlock the dispenser housing (by operating the electric actuator). Examples are signals comprising instructions for the control unit to operate the electric actuator and unlock the mechanical lock assembly, codes or IDs obtained from an electronic key (e.g. an RFID key held in the vicinity of the receiver), etc.

[0007] One advantage of the above-described dispenser is that the entrance of the dispenser can be integrated with other electronic entrance control systems commonly used in many buildings today. For example, the same electronic key or identification used for entering the building itself can be used as the electronic key for entering the dispenser. This eliminates the need to provide and manage a set of mechanical keys.

[0008] In embodiments according to the present disclosure, the electronic lock assembly can be mounted on the stationary part of the dispenser housing. The mechanical lock assembly can also be mounted on the stationary part of the dispenser housing. An advantage of such embodiments is that they avoid adding weight to the openable part of the dispenser housing, i.e. they avoid adding the weight of at least the electronic lock assembly to the openable part of the dispenser housing. Another advantage of such embodiments is that they can avoid moving the electronic lock assembly when opening and closing the openable part of the dispenser housing, which in turn minimizes wear and tear or damage to the electronic lock assembly, making it more robust and / or reliable in operation.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the mechanical lock assembly can comprise a resilient member biasing the latch towards the locking position. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the latch can be shaped to engage behind a counterpart on the dispenser housing in the locking position, and to be pushed away from the latch by the counterpart overcoming the bias of the resilient member when the openable part of the dispenser housing is pushed closed. In this way, the openable part of the dispenser housing can be pushed closed by a user without having to operate the mechanical lock assembly.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the user-accessible operating part of the mechanical lock assembly can comprise or be formed by a push button. The latch can be directly connected to the push button. In particular, in certain embodiments, the latch can be connected to the push button via a motion transmission mechanism. For example, such a motion transmission mechanism can be configured to convert axial motion of the push button into rotational motion of the latch. In embodiments according to the present disclosure, a blocking member can be provided for blocking motion of the latch. These and other features can contribute to a simple structure of the mechanical lock assembly and / or the electronic lock assembly.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the receiver can be adapted to receive wireless communication signals, e.g. short-range wireless communication signals such as Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy, infrared, radio frequency communication, near field communication (NFC), ultra-wideband, and From the perspective of achieving low power operation, the selected communication standard used in the dispenser can be low energy and / or radio frequency communication.

[0012] The receiver can constitute part of an electronic key reader, such as an RFID reader, an NFC key reader, an optical key reader (bar code, QR code, etc.) or other type of reader. In other embodiments, the receiver can be configured to receive the unlock signal via one of the above-mentioned short-range wireless communication standards.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, the control unit can be configured to control the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the blocking position to the unblocking position upon detecting that a lock signal is received by the receiver. The lock signal is a signal having instructions or a code to lock the electronic key assembly.

[0014] The control unit can be configured for controlling the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the unblocking position to the blocking position a predetermined length of time, such as a time period between 1 and 5 minutes, after the blocking member has been moved from the blocking position to the unblocking position. In this way, it can not be necessary to provide the electronic key assembly with a lock signal, i.e. a signal having instructions or a code to lock the electronic key assembly. This can contribute to achieving low power operation of the dispenser, since the control unit does not need to monitor for reception of a lock signal. Furthermore, this can ensure that the dispenser is electronically locked, e.g. if for some reason a lock signal cannot be received.

[0015] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a system comprising at least one dispenser as described herein, and a remote unit configured to send an unlock signal to the at least one dispenser. In this way, it can be avoided to provide a key reader or the like in each dispenser. In a certain room or area, one remote unit can be provided, which controls access to a plurality of dispensers within that room or area. The remote unit itself can be integrated in a dispenser.

[0016] In embodiments according to the disclosure, the remote unit can comprise an electronic key reader and be configured to send an unlock signal to the at least one dispenser upon detecting an authorized electronic key, i.e. an electronic key matching an authorization to access the at least one dispenser.

[0017] In embodiments according to the disclosure, the remote unit can be further configured to send a lock signal to the at least one dispenser. The remote unit can be configured to send the lock signal upon a second detection of the authorized electronic key or upon detecting that the authorized electronic key is removed from the remote unit. Alternatively or in combination, the remote unit can be configured to send the lock signal a predetermined length of time, such as a time period between 5 and 10 minutes, after sending the unlock signal.

[0018] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a separate lock assembly suitable for use with a dispenser comprising a mechanical lock assembly and an electronic lock assembly as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The present disclosure will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electronic lock assembly according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 2A -B shows an embodiment of a dispenser according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3A -C shows an embodiment of a dispenser according to the present disclosure and the operation of its electronic lock assembly.

[0023] Figure 4A -C shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a mechanical lock assembly for a dispenser according to the present disclosure and the operation thereof.

[0024] Figure 5A -C shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a mechanical lock assembly for a dispenser according to the present disclosure and the operation thereof.

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure comprising a remote unit and a plurality of dispensers is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present disclosure will be discussed with reference to certain embodiments with reference to certain drawings but the present disclosure is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements can be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the application.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the present disclosure can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0028] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0029] Furthermore, although referred to as "preferred," the various embodiments should be interpreted merely as examples of how the invention can be implemented, and not as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0030] Different aspects of this disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein.

[0031] refer to Figure 1 -3 describes a first embodiment of the dispenser. Figure 2 shows a dispenser 1, which includes a dispenser housing 50 having an internal volume for receiving dispensable products. The dispenser housing 50 has a fixed portion 2 and an openable portion 3, in this embodiment, the openable portion 3 being hinged to the fixed portion 2. Figure 2 shows the openable portion 3 in the open position, providing access to the internal volume for refilling the dispensable products. The dispenser includes a mechanical locking assembly 20 for locking the openable portion 3 of the dispenser housing 50 to the fixed portion 2, and an electronic locking assembly for preventing operation of the mechanical locking assembly. The mechanical locking assembly 20 (see Figure 3) includes a user-accessible, movably mounted operating portion (in this embodiment, a button 22 for allowing the user to operate the mechanical locking assembly) and a latch 23 connected to the operating portion. When the user operates the button 22, the latch 23 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position (if not blocked by the electronic locking assembly). See also Figure 1 As shown in Figure 3, the electronic lock assembly 10 includes a blocking member 15, which can be in a blocking position ( Figure 3A ) and the position of unblocking ( Figures 3B-3C The electronic lock assembly 10 includes an electric actuator 14, such as a motor with a drive mechanism, configured to move the blocking member 15 between the blocking and unlocking positions, a receiver 12 for receiving an unlocking signal, and a control unit 13 configured to compare the received unlocking signal with a pre-stored value and, upon determining that the unlocking signal matches the pre-stored value, control the electric actuator 14 to move the blocking member 15 from the blocking position to the unlocking position. The electronic lock assembly 10 also includes a power source 11, such as one or more batteries, which provides power to the receiver 12, control unit 13, and electric actuator 14.

[0032] In any of the embodiments described herein, the electric actuator 14 can generally comprise any electrically driven component that converts the control signal it receives from the control unit 13 into movement of the blocking member 15. Possible actuator examples include: electric motors, solenoids, stepper motors. It is possible that the electric actuator 14 can comprise a transmission that transmits the movement of the electrically driven component to the blocking member 15.

[0033] In any of the embodiments described herein, the receiver 12 can be configured to receive wireless communication signals, for example short-range wireless communication, using signals that travel from a few centimetres to a few metres. Examples of suitable short-range wireless communication standards are Bluetooth®, low-energy, infrared, radio frequency communication, near field communication, ultra-wideband and

[0034] Figure 1 The operation of the embodiment of -3 is as follows. The receiver 12 receives an unlock signal, i.e. a signal containing instructions or code for the control unit 13 to unlock the dispenser. The unlock signal can be received from a remote unit, as described elsewhere herein, or the unlock signal is obtained by scanning or reading an electronic key held in the vicinity of the dispenser. The receiver 12 passes the received signal to the control unit 13, which compares it with a pre-stored value representing a “unlock” instruction or one or more pre-stored values representing authorised personnel, e.g. ID codes of personnel allowed access to the dispenser. Upon determining that there is a match, i.e. that the dispenser can be unlocked, the control unit 13 operates the electric actuator 14 to move the blocking member 15 from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

[0035] Figure 3A The blocking member 15 is shown in the blocking position. It prevents movement of the latch 23, which is in the locked position and engages with the counterpart 24 on the dispenser housing 50, thereby preventing the dispenser housing 50 from being opened.

[0036] Figure 3B The blocking member 15 is shown moved to the unblocking position. In the embodiment shown, the electric actuator 14 pulls the top side of the blocking member 15 backwards, as indicated by the arrow, so that the blocking member 15 tilts and moves away from the path of the latch 23.

[0037] Figure 3CThe operation of the mechanical lock assembly 20 is shown, as the blocking member 15 has been moved away, the mechanical lock assembly 20 can now be operated. The movement is indicated by the arrow. To open the dispenser housing 50, the user presses the button 22, which is movably mounted in the housing 21 of the mechanical lock assembly 20. The internal mechanism of the mechanical lock assembly 20 converts the axial movement of the button 22 into a rotational movement of the latch 23. This internal mechanism is known per se and therefore does not need to be further explained here (see for example the button operation mode of the lock described in US 2011 / 0120200). By operating the button 22, the latch 23 is pushed against the bias provided by a resilient member (not shown). In this way, the latch 23 moves away from the counterpart 24 on the dispenser housing 50, so that the dispenser housing 50 can be opened. When the button 22 is released, the resilient member pushes the latch 23 back into the locked position.

[0038] As Figure 3A In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the latch 23 is shaped for engaging the counterpart 24, and is also shaped to be pushed away from the counterpart 24 against the bias of the resilient member. This means that the user does not have to operate the button 22 again when closing the dispenser housing 50; when the user pushes the openable part 3 onto the fixed part 2 of the dispenser housing 50, the counterpart 24 will push the latch 23 away, and as soon as the hook-shaped part of the latch 23 has passed the edge of the counterpart 24, the latch will spring back into the locked position due to the resilient member pushing it back. Then, the latch 23 engages the counterpart 24, and the dispenser housing 50 is closed.

[0039] Next, the control unit 13 can operate the electric actuator 14 to move the blocking member 15 from the unblocked position to the blocked position, and to lock the dispenser housing 50. The control unit 13 can do this upon receiving a lock signal (i.e. an instruction or code to lock the dispenser housing 50 as described elsewhere herein) by the receiver 12, or after a predetermined length of time, for example a few minutes, has elapsed (e.g. a period of time between 1 and 5 minutes). Such a period of time can be chosen in dependence of an estimated time needed to refill the dispenser 1 with dispensable product.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the electronic lock assembly 10 is mounted on the fixed part 2 of the dispenser housing 50, and the mechanical lock assembly 20 is mounted on the openable part 3 of the dispenser housing 50. This has the advantage that the weight of the openable part 3 remains low, and that the electronic lock assembly 10 is not moved during operation. Furthermore, the electronic lock assembly 10 can be less affected by movements or vibrations that can occur for example when closing the openable part 3 of the dispenser housing 50. Thus, a robust electronic lock assembly with reliable operation and a long service life can be obtained.

[0041] Figures 4 and 5 show other embodiments of lock assemblies usable with dispensers according to the present disclosure and their operation.

[0042] Figure 4A -C shows an embodiment in which the mechanical lock assembly 20 comprises a resilient portion of the dispenser housing 50 which forms the operating portion 122 and the latch 123, and the electronic lock assembly 10 comprises a longitudinally movable blocking member 115. Figure 4A The latch 123 is shown in the locked position, engaged with a counterpart 124 on the dispenser housing 50, and the blocking member 115 is in the blocking position. Figure 4B The movement of the blocking member 115 from the blocking position to the unblocking position by an electric actuator (not shown) of the electronic lock assembly 10 is shown. Figure 4C The blocking member 115 is shown in the unblocking position and the operating portion 122 / latch 123 is operated to move from the locked position to the unlocked position in which the latch 123 is disengaged from the counterpart 124.

[0043] Figure 5A -C shows an embodiment in which the mechanical lock assembly 20 comprises a vertically movable portion which comprises as an integral part thereof a button 222 and a latch 223. The electronic lock assembly 10 comprises a longitudinally movable blocking member 215. Figure 4A The latch 223 is shown in the locked position, engaged with a counterpart 224 on the dispenser housing 50, and the blocking member 215 is in the blocking position. Figure 4B The movement of the blocking member 215 from the blocking position to the unblocking position by an electric actuator (not shown) of the electronic lock assembly 10 is shown. Figure 4C The blocking member 215 is shown in the unblocking position and the button 222 and latch 223 are pushed downwardly so that the latch 223 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position in which the latch 223 is disengaged from the counterpart 224.

[0044] Figure 6 A schematic view of an embodiment of a system comprising a remote unit 200 and a plurality of dispensers 101, 102, 103 is shown. The dispensers can be used for the same dispensable product or for different dispensable products.

[0045] The remote unit 200 is configured to send an unlock signal to at least the dispensers 101, 102, 103. For example, the remote unit 200 can be an electronic key reader configured to send an unlock signal to a dispenser upon detection of an authorized electronic key, i.e. an electronic key matching the authorization to access the dispenser. This eliminates the need to provide a key reader or the like in each dispenser. In a particular room or area, one remote unit 200 can be provided which controls access to a plurality of dispensers within that particular room or area. The remote unit 200 itself can be integrated in a dispenser.

[0046] In a particular embodiment, the remote unit 200 can also be configured to send a lock signal to the dispensers 101, 102, 103. The remote unit 200 can be configured to transmit a lock signal upon a second detection of an authorized electronic key, i.e. when the user applies his / her electronic key to the remote unit / key reader again. In a particular embodiment, the remote unit 200 can be configured to send an unlock signal upon detection of the presence of an electronic key, and to send a lock signal upon detection of the removal of the electronic key, meaning that the electronic key needs to be present on the remote unit as long as access to the dispensers 101, 102, 103 is required. In certain embodiments, the remote unit 200 can be configured to send a lock signal to the dispensers 101, 102, 103 a predetermined length of time after sending an unlock signal, for example a period of time between 5 and 10 minutes. Such a period of time can be chosen in accordance with an estimated time needed to refill the dispensers 101, 102, 103 with their respective dispensable product.

[0047] The remote unit 200 can be configured to communicate with a server system or central management system or the like, and can receive instructions from this system to unlock and / or lock the dispensers 101, 102, 103.

[0048] It is contemplated that the embodiments described herein can be used in combination with and / or for a dispenser 1, more in particular a dispenser comprising a dispenser housing 50 having an internal volume adapted to contain a dispensable product, such as but not limited to a paper towel product, soap, cotton paper or the like. It is also conceivable that such a dispenser can have an openable portion to provide access to the interior, such that the dispensable product can be partially or fully periodically refilled and / or removed.

[0049] It will be appreciated that the application is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can vary within the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A lock assembly suitable for use in a dispenser, wherein the dispenser has an openable portion and a fixed portion, the lock assembly comprising: a mechanical lock assembly provided for locking the openable portion to the fixed portion, the mechanical lock assembly comprising a user-accessible, movably mounted operating portion for allowing a user to operate the mechanical lock assembly, and a latch connected to the operating portion so as to move from a locked position to an unlocked position upon the user operating the operating portion; and an electronic lock assembly provided for blocking operation of the mechanical lock assembly, the electronic lock assembly comprising: a blocking member movable between a blocking position, in which the mechanical lock assembly is blocked from operation, and an unblocking position, in which the mechanical lock assembly is allowed to operate, an electric actuator arranged for moving the blocking member between the blocking position and the unblocking position, a receiver for receiving an unlock signal, a control unit configured to compare the received unlock signal to at least one pre-stored value, and upon determining that the unlock signal matches one of the at least one pre-stored values, control the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the blocking position to the unblocking position, wherein the electronic lock assembly is mounted on the fixed portion, wherein the latch is movable in a first direction from the unlocked position to the locked position, and in a second direction opposite the first direction from the locked position to the unlocked position, wherein the latch comprises a first portion facing the first direction and a second portion facing the second direction, the first portion being configured to abut and latch onto a counterpart on the dispenser in the locked position, wherein when the blocking member is in the blocking position, the blocking member abuts the second portion to prevent the latch from moving in the second direction to the unlocked position, and wherein when the blocking member is in the unblocking position, the blocking member is in a position not abutting the second portion, so that the latch is movable in the second direction to the unlocked position. the mechanical lock assembly comprises a resilient member biasing the latch towards the locked position.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein, the latch is shaped to engage behind a counterpart on a dispenser housing in the locked position, and to be pushed away by the counterpart against the bias of the resilient member when the openable portion of the dispenser housing is pushed closed.

3. The lock assembly of claim 2, wherein, the user-accessible operating portion of the mechanical lock assembly comprises a push button.

4. The lock assembly of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, the latch is directly connected to the push button.

5. The lock assembly of claim 4, wherein, the latch is connected to the push button via a motion transmission mechanism configured to convert axial motion of the push button to rotational motion of the latch.

6. The lock assembly of claim 4, wherein, the blocking member is arranged to block motion of the latch.

7. The lock assembly of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, 8. The lock assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the receiver is adapted to receive a short-range wireless communication signal.

9. The lock assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the receiver is comprised in an electronic key reader. ​ 10. The lock assembly of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The control unit is configured to control the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the unblocking position to a blocking position a predetermined length of time after the blocking member has been moved from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

11. The lock assembly of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The control unit is configured to control the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the unblocking position to the blocking position upon detecting that a lock signal is received via the receiver.

12. A dispenser comprising: a dispenser housing having an internal volume for containing a dispensable product, the dispenser housing having a fixed portion and an openable portion that is movable or removable relative to the fixed portion to provide access to the internal volume for refilling the dispensable product; and a lock assembly according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the mechanical lock assembly comprises a resilient member biasing the latch towards the locked position.

14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the latch is shaped to engage behind a counterpart on the dispenser housing in the locked position, and the latch is pushed away by the counterpart against the bias of the resilient member when the openable portion of the dispenser housing is pushed closed.

15. The dispenser of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the user-accessible operating portion of the mechanical lock assembly comprises a push button.

16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the latch is directly connected to the push button. The latch is connected to the push button via a motion transmission mechanism configured to convert axial motion of the push button into rotational motion of the latch.

17. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein, 18. The dispenser of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the blocking member is arranged to block motion of the latch.

19. The dispenser of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the receiver is adapted to receive short-range wireless communication signals.

20. The dispenser of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the receiver is comprised in an electronic key reader. The control unit is configured to control the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the unblocking position to a blocking position a predetermined length of time after the blocking member has been moved from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

21. The dispenser of any one of claims 12-14, wherein, The control unit is configured to control the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the unblocking position to the blocking position upon detecting that a lock signal is received via the receiver.

22. The dispenser of any one of claims 12-14, wherein, 23. A system comprising: at least one dispenser according to any one of claims 12-22, and a remote unit configured to send an unlock signal to the at least one dispenser. The remote unit comprises an electronic key reader and is configured to send the unlock signal upon detecting an authorized electronic key.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein, The remote unit is further configured to send a lock signal to the at least one dispenser.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein, ​ 26. The system of claim 25, wherein, The remote unit is configured to send the lock signal upon a second detection of the authorized electronic key or upon a detection of removal of the authorized electronic key from the remote unit.

27. The system of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The remote unit is configured to send the lock signal a predetermined length of time after sending the unlock signal.

Images