Electronic lock and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic lock and a control method thereof, which solve the problem of insufficient cruising ability of a secret key electronic lock and optimize user experience. The control method of the electronic lock specifically comprises the steps that adjustable light intensity sampling frequency and a light intensity judgment threshold value are preset in the electronic lock, and environment illumination intensity is detected in real time through a built-in photosensitive sensor; and calculating an ambient light intensity variable quantity by utilizing the ambient light intensity sampled before and after, comparing the ambient light intensity variable quantity with a light intensity judgment threshold value so as to judge the current use state of the electronic lock, and switching the circuit working mode of the electronic lock according to the current use state. The electronic lock comprises a microprogram controller, a photosensitive sensor, a secret key module and a power supply; the control method of the electronic lock is realized when the microprogram controller executes a control program. The photosensitive sensor is used for collecting the ambient light intensity around the electronic lock and sending an illumination signal; the secret key module is used for realizing related functions of the electronic lock; the power supply supplies power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electronic lock technology, and specifically refers to an electronic lock and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Key-operated electronic locks are locks that combine modern electronic technology for enhanced security, convenience, and efficiency. They utilize a built-in microprogram controller (MCU) for intelligent management. Users can authenticate their identity using preset passwords, fingerprints, RFID cards, and other methods.

[0003] Existing key-based electronic locks on the market (including those with card swiping, touch buttons, and biometric features such as fingerprints) have relatively high power consumption, resulting in poor battery life and frequent maintenance (battery replacement and charging). This leads to high maintenance costs and a poor user experience. For example, key-based electronic locks using NFC for interaction rely on NFC as the key module. However, due to the size and transmission power of the NFC transmitting coil, the lock cannot reliably obtain NFC card swiping information, resulting in reduced card swiping sensitivity and a poor user experience. Furthermore, most key-based electronic locks typically use photosensitive sensors to collect ambient light, which consumes significant power due to the influence of photocurrent. Additionally, the lack of a switching mode for the collection circuit limits the range of light intensity that can be collected; it can only collect light intensities in either low or high light conditions, failing to simultaneously accommodate both. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide an electronic lock and its control method to solve the problem of insufficient battery life of key-operated electronic locks and optimize the user experience.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, one solution of the present invention is: A control method for an electronic lock, wherein the electronic lock is preset with an adjustable light intensity sampling frequency and a light intensity judgment threshold, and detects the ambient light intensity in real time through a built-in photosensitive sensor; calculates the change in ambient light intensity using the ambient light intensity of the previous and subsequent samples, and compares the change in ambient light intensity with the light intensity judgment threshold to determine the current usage state of the electronic lock, and switches the circuit working mode of the electronic lock according to the current usage state.

[0006] The control method for the electronic lock specifically includes the following steps: Step S1. Set the light intensity sampling frequency, light intensity judgment threshold, and light intensity baseline used to distinguish between strong light environment, weak light environment and dark environment; Step S2. According to the light intensity sampling frequency, the ambient light intensity is detected in real time by the photosensitive sensor and compared with the light intensity baseline to determine whether the current environment is a strong light environment, a weak light environment, or a dark environment. If the current environment is a dark environment, the electronic lock is switched to standby mode; otherwise, proceed to step S3. Step S3. Calculate the change in ambient light intensity using the ambient light intensity from the previous and subsequent samples, and compare the change in ambient light intensity with the light intensity judgment threshold. When the change in light intensity is negative and the absolute value of the change in light intensity is greater than the light intensity judgment threshold, switch the electronic lock to working mode. When the change in light intensity is positive and the absolute value of the change in light intensity is greater than the light intensity judgment threshold, switch the electronic lock to standby mode.

[0007] Preferably, in step S2, there are two light intensity reference lines. When the ambient light intensity is greater than the larger value of the two light intensity reference lines, it is a strong light environment. When the ambient light intensity is between the two light intensity reference lines, it is a weak light environment. When the ambient light intensity is less than the smaller value of the two light intensity reference lines, it is a dark environment.

[0008] When the electronic lock is in standby mode, it is periodically woken up to detect the ambient light intensity.

[0009] The photosensitive sensor's acquisition circuit has three sub-circuits corresponding to strong light, weak light, and dark environments, which are used to acquire high illuminance signals, medium illuminance signals, and low illuminance signals, respectively.

[0010] The photosensitive sensor is a photoresistor, a phototransistor, a phototube, or a photomultiplier tube.

[0011] The second solution of the present invention is: An electronic lock includes a microprogram controller, a photosensitive sensor, a key module, and a power supply; the microprogram controller implements the control method of the electronic lock when executing a control program; the photosensitive sensor is used to collect the ambient light intensity around the electronic lock and send an illuminance signal; the key module is used to implement the relevant functions of the electronic lock; and the power supply is used to provide power.

[0012] The electronic lock also includes a photosensitive control module; the photosensitive control module has several acquisition circuits corresponding to different illuminance levels, and the illuminance signal sent by the photosensitive sensor is transmitted to the microprogram controller through one of its acquisition circuits; the microprogram controller receives the illuminance signal and switches the acquisition circuit of the photosensitive control module according to a preset illuminance threshold.

[0013] The electronic lock also includes a key control module electrically connected to the key module; the key module has different power consumption operating modes, and the key control module is used to switch the operating modes of the key module.

[0014] The types of electronic locks include NFC locks, combination locks, fingerprint locks, and iris locks.

[0015] After adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following technical effects: This invention reduces the overall power consumption of locks, extends battery life, and decreases the frequency of battery replacement, thereby lowering maintenance costs. Reducing battery replacement frequency helps minimize the environmental impact of discarded batteries and lowers the risk of equipment malfunction due to improper battery replacement. Users no longer need to replace batteries frequently, improving product usability and optimizing user experience. Furthermore, this invention enhances the unlocking stability of key locks, improving the user experience. In addition, the adaptive parameter algorithm enables compatible acquisition of light intensity under both high and low illumination conditions. In summary, products using this invention can increase market competitiveness, improve market acceptance, expand the sales market, and reduce environmental pollution. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the acquisition circuit in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the key control module in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of icon numbers: 10-Electronic lock; 11-Microprogram controller; 12-Photosensitive sensor; 13-Key module; 14-Power supply; 13-Photosensitive control module; 16-Key control module. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To further explain the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments.

[0022] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the present invention discloses a control method for an electronic lock. The electronic lock is preset with an adjustable light intensity sampling frequency and a light intensity judgment threshold, and the ambient light intensity is detected in real time through a built-in photosensitive sensor 12. The ambient light intensity change is calculated by using the ambient light intensity sampled before and after, and the ambient light intensity change is compared with the light intensity judgment threshold to determine the current use status of the electronic lock, and the circuit working mode of the electronic lock is switched according to the current use status.

[0023] The following shows a specific implementation of the above control method.

[0024] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the above control method specifically includes the following steps: Step S1. Set the light intensity sampling frequency, light intensity judgment threshold, and light intensity baseline used to distinguish between strong light environment, weak light environment and dark environment; Step S2. According to the light intensity sampling frequency, the ambient light intensity is detected in real time by the photosensitive sensor 12 and compared with the light intensity baseline to determine whether the current environment is a strong light environment, a weak light environment, or a dark environment. If the current environment is a dark environment, the electronic lock is switched to standby mode; otherwise, proceed to step S3. Specifically, there are two light intensity baselines. When the ambient light intensity is greater than the larger value of the two light intensity baselines, it is a strong light environment. When the ambient light intensity is between the two light intensity baselines, it is a weak light environment. When the ambient light intensity is less than the smaller value of the two light intensity baselines, it is a dark environment. Step S3. Calculate the change in ambient light intensity using the ambient light intensity from the previous and subsequent samples, and compare the change in ambient light intensity with the light intensity judgment threshold. When the change in light intensity is negative and its absolute value is greater than the light intensity judgment threshold, it indicates that the electronic lock is blocked by an object (card or human body). In this case, it can be determined that "a card or human body is approaching the electronic lock," and the electronic lock can be switched to working mode to increase sensitivity by turning on the power, increasing the transmission power, or increasing the operating frequency. When the change in light intensity is positive and its absolute value is greater than the light intensity judgment threshold, it indicates that the object has left the range of the electronic lock. In this case, it can be determined that "a card or human body has left the electronic lock," and the electronic lock can be switched to standby mode to reduce power consumption by turning off the power, reducing the transmission power, or reducing the operating frequency.

[0025] Furthermore, the above control methods also include: When the electronic lock is in standby mode, it is periodically woken up to detect the ambient light intensity, thus eliminating the need for continuous detection and further reducing power consumption.

[0026] In addition, the above control methods also include: The aforementioned photosensitive sensor 12 has three sub-circuits configured for strong light, weak light, and dark environments, respectively for acquiring high illuminance signals (>30 LUX), medium illuminance signals (2~30 LUX), and low illuminance signals (less than 2 LUX), thus achieving simultaneous compatibility with high and low illuminance light intensity acquisition. When in a dark environment (ambient light intensity less than the smaller of the two light intensity baselines), the circuit switches to low illuminance for optimal light intensity acquisition; when in a strong light environment (ambient light intensity greater than the larger of the two light intensity baselines), it switches to high illuminance for optimal light intensity acquisition; otherwise, it switches to medium illuminance for optimal light intensity acquisition. This enables adaptive switching of the photosensitive sensor 12's acquisition circuit, achieving simultaneous compatibility with high and low illuminance light intensity acquisition while reducing power consumption. Specifically, refer to... Figure 3 As shown, the electronic lock initially uses a low-illuminance acquisition circuit (low power consumption, small acquisition range) by default. When the illuminance exceeds the range of the low-illuminance acquisition circuit, a switch selects a medium-illuminance acquisition circuit (medium power consumption). When the illuminance exceeds the range of the medium-illuminance acquisition circuit, a switch selects a high-illuminance acquisition circuit (higher power consumption, larger acquisition range). Some circuits consistently use the high-illuminance acquisition circuit, resulting in high power consumption and inaccurate low-illuminance detection. This solution reduces power consumption while providing more accurate detection.

[0027] The aforementioned photosensitive sensor 12 can be a photoresistor, a phototransistor, a phototube, a photomultiplier tube, etc.

[0028] Through the above-described solution, this invention can reduce the overall power consumption of the lock, extend battery life, and reduce the frequency of battery replacement, thereby lowering maintenance costs. Reducing battery replacement frequency helps minimize the environmental impact of discarded batteries and lowers the risk of equipment malfunction due to improper battery replacement. Users do not need to replace batteries frequently, improving product usability and optimizing user experience. Simultaneously, this invention also enhances the unlocking stability of key locks, improving the user experience. Furthermore, the adaptive parameter algorithm enables compatible acquisition of light intensity under both high and low illumination conditions. In summary, products applying this invention can increase market competitiveness, improve market acceptance, expand the sales market, and reduce environmental pollution.

[0029] refer to Figure 2As shown, the present invention also discloses an electronic lock 10, including a microprogram controller 11 (MCU), a photosensitive sensor 12, a key module 13, and a power supply 14; the microprogram controller 11 implements the above-mentioned control method when executing the control program; the photosensitive sensor 12 is used to collect the ambient light intensity around the electronic lock 10 and send an illuminance signal; the key module 13 is used to realize the electronic lock 10's locking and unlocking, password modification, and other related functions, and can be connected to the controller of the electronic lock 10 via signal connection (including contact, non-contact, etc.); the power supply 14 is used for power supply.

[0030] The following shows a specific implementation of the above-mentioned electronic lock.

[0031] The aforementioned electronic lock 10 also includes a photosensitive control module 15; the photosensitive control module 15 has several acquisition circuits corresponding to different illuminances, and the illuminance signal sent by the photosensitive sensor 12 is transmitted to the microprogram controller 11 through one of its acquisition circuits; the microprogram controller 11 receives the illuminance signal and switches the acquisition circuit of the photosensitive control module 15 according to the preset illuminance threshold. This invention integrates a photosensitive sensor 12 and its photosensitive control module 15 on an electronic lock 10. The photosensitive control module 15 has several different acquisition sub-circuits. Based on the light intensity signal corresponding to the ambient light intensity around the electronic lock 10 acquired by the photosensitive sensor 12, the microprogram controller 11 can automatically and flexibly switch the acquisition circuit of the photosensitive sensor 12. It can be compatible with high and low light intensity acquisition and achieve a large light intensity acquisition range. Specifically: (1) When the ambient light intensity signal is less than the light threshold of a weak light environment (<2 LUX), the photosensitive sensor acquisition circuit with low light intensity acquisition is more ideal; (2) When the ambient light intensity signal is between the light threshold of a weak light environment and the light threshold of a strong light environment (2~30 LUX), the photosensitive sensor acquisition circuit with medium light intensity acquisition is more ideal; (3) When the ambient light intensity signal is greater than the light threshold of a strong light environment (>30 LUX), the photosensitive sensor acquisition circuit with high light intensity acquisition is more ideal. The above enables the present invention to achieve adaptive switching of the acquisition circuit of the photosensitive sensor 12, which can simultaneously meet the light intensity acquisition requirements of high and low illumination and reduce the power consumption of the lock 10.

[0032] The aforementioned electronic lock 10 also includes a key control module 16 electrically connected to the key module 13; the key module 13 has different power consumption operating modes, and the key control module 16 is used to switch the operating modes of the key module 13. Specifically, refer to... Figure 4As shown, when the change in ambient light intensity exceeds the light intensity judgment threshold, the MCU controls the power supply of the key module 13 through IO, turning off the power supply of the key module 13 to reduce power consumption; or the module power supply is not turned off, and the MCU and the key module communicate to reduce the module's transmission power or reduce the operating frequency through control commands.

[0033] The types of electronic locks 10 mentioned above include, but are not limited to, NFC locks, combination locks, fingerprint locks, iris locks, etc. Therefore, the signal connection methods between the key module 13 and the controller 2 include, but are not limited to, swiping a card, touching a button (entering a password), touching a fingerprint collector, and looking at an iris collector. The corresponding controller 2 types are NFC cards, button panels, fingerprint collectors, iris collectors, etc.

[0034] The power source 14 mentioned above can be a built-in or external battery, or an external wire. Generally, a built-in battery is preferred.

[0035] The above embodiments and figures are not intended to limit the product form and style of the present invention. Any appropriate changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art should be considered as not departing from the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for an electronic lock, characterized in that: The electronic lock is preset with an adjustable light intensity sampling frequency and a light intensity judgment threshold, and detects the ambient light intensity in real time through a built-in photosensitive sensor; it calculates the change in ambient light intensity using the ambient light intensity of the previous and subsequent samples, and compares the change in ambient light intensity with the light intensity judgment threshold to determine the current usage status of the electronic lock, and switches the circuit working mode of the electronic lock according to the current usage status.

2. The control method for the electronic lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that... Specifically, the following steps are included: Step S1. Set the light intensity sampling frequency, light intensity judgment threshold, and light intensity baseline used to distinguish between strong light environment, weak light environment and dark environment; Step S2. According to the light intensity sampling frequency, the ambient light intensity is detected in real time by the photosensitive sensor and compared with the light intensity baseline to determine whether the current environment is a strong light environment, a weak light environment, or a dark environment. If the current environment is a dark environment, the electronic lock is switched to standby mode; otherwise, proceed to step S3. Step S3. Calculate the change in ambient light intensity using the ambient light intensity from the previous and subsequent samples, and compare the change in ambient light intensity with the light intensity judgment threshold. When the change in light intensity is negative and the absolute value of the change in light intensity is greater than the light intensity judgment threshold, switch the electronic lock to working mode. When the change in light intensity is positive and the absolute value of the change in light intensity is greater than the light intensity judgment threshold, switch the electronic lock to standby mode.

3. The control method for the electronic lock as described in claim 2, characterized in that... In step S2, there are two light intensity reference lines. When the ambient light intensity is greater than the larger value of the two light intensity reference lines, it is a strong light environment. When the ambient light intensity is between the two light intensity reference lines, it is a weak light environment. When the ambient light intensity is less than the smaller value of the two light intensity reference lines, it is a dark environment.

4. The control method for the electronic lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that... Also includes: When the electronic lock is in standby mode, it is periodically woken up to detect the ambient light intensity.

5. The control method for the electronic lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that... Also includes: The photosensitive sensor's acquisition circuit has three sub-circuits corresponding to strong light, weak light, and dark environments, which are used to acquire high illuminance signals, medium illuminance signals, and low illuminance signals, respectively.

6. The control method for the electronic lock as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The photosensitive sensor is a photoresistor, a phototransistor, a phototube, or a photomultiplier tube.

7. An electronic lock, characterized in that... The device includes a microprogram controller, a photosensitive sensor, a key module, and a power supply; the microprogram controller implements the control method of the electronic lock as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 when executing the control program; the photosensitive sensor is used to collect the ambient light intensity around the electronic lock and send an illuminance signal; the key module is used to implement the relevant functions of the electronic lock; and the power supply is used to provide power.

8. The electronic lock as described in claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a photosensitive control module; the photosensitive control module has several acquisition circuits corresponding to different illuminances, and the illuminance signal sent by the photosensitive sensor is transmitted to the microprogram controller through one of its acquisition circuits; the microprogram controller receives the illuminance signal and switches the acquisition circuit of the photosensitive control module according to a preset illuminance threshold.

9. The electronic lock as described in claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a key control module electrically connected to the key module; the key module has different power consumption operating modes, and the key control module is used to switch the operating modes of the key module.

10. The electronic lock as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The types of electronic locks include NFC locks, combination locks, fingerprint locks, and iris locks.

Images