Locking system for a door of a building

Abstract

Locking system for a door of a building, with - at least one locking unit (3, 4) with at least one locking element, - at least one motor unit (5) which operates on the locking unit (3, 4), - at least one mobile transponder (9), - at least one transponder reading unit (10) arranged in the area of ​​the door, which is equipped or connected to an evaluation unit (11) which, after checking and verifying the transponder signal received from the transponder (9), sends an unlocking signal to the motor unit (5), wherein the locking unit (3, 4) is moved from a locked position to an unlocked position via the motor unit (5) and wherein the locking unit (3, 4) is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position via the motor unit (5) or mechanically as soon as the door is closed, wherein a touch sensor (13) is arranged on the door or a door leaf (1) which generates a touch signal when touched by a person, wherein the transponder (9) is designed as an active transponder with its own power source, wherein the evaluation unit (11) is configured such that, after checking and verifying the transponder signal, the unlocking signal is only transmitted to the motor unit (5) if the touch signal is generated at the same time, wherein the evaluation unit (11) is configured such that the generation of an unlocking signal within a specified time interval after closing the door is prevented by triggering the time interval through a contact unit (8) located in the area of ​​the door.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking system for a door of a building, e.g. a drive rod lock with multiple locking, with - at least one locking unit with at least one locking element, - at least one motor unit which operates on the locking unit or its locking element, - at least one mobile transponder and - at least one transponder reading unit arranged in the area of ​​the door, which is equipped with or connected to an evaluation unit which, after checking and verifying the transponder signal received from the transponder, sends an unlocking signal to the motor unit.

[0002] Preferably, within the scope of the invention, a locking system with multiple locking points is involved, e.g., a connecting rod lock, in which a central lock and one or more additional locking devices are provided as locking units, the additional locking devices being connected to the central lock via connecting rods. The connecting rods are guided behind a lock face. The central lock, the additional locking devices, and the motor unit are preferably attached to the back of this lock face. The locking system also generally comprises a power supply unit, e.g., a power supply unit, connected to the motor unit via a connecting cable. The motor unit serves, in particular, to unlock the door lock, triggered by a corresponding transponder signal. However, the invention also encompasses single-point locks and, consequently, mortise locks without multiple locking points.

[0003] A locking system of the type described above is known, for example, from DE 20 2010 002 632 U1. It is a motor lock with access control, as verification is performed by checking a transmission signal.

[0004] Furthermore, US 2005 / 0 083 174 A1 describes a sensor for detecting a specific object, e.g., a hand, preferably in the vicinity of a vehicle. It also describes its use in a building door.

[0005] Incidentally, a contactless opening system for a motor vehicle is known from EP 0 735 219 A2. For this application, the possibility of preventing automatic unlocking for a certain time interval is described. The reason for this is that after closing the vehicle door, a user frequently checks the locking status by pulling the door handle again. In such a case, the lock should not be immediately unlocked again.

[0006] In practice, such motor locks are increasingly being used for residential and commercial doors requiring sophisticated security and convenience, both as single-point and multi-point locking systems. Such locks have the advantage of automatically locking whenever the door leaf is in the closed position. Furthermore, they offer the added security and convenience of eliminating the need for the user to manually unlock the door using a profile cylinder. Unlocking is achieved via the lock's drive motor. As a convenient and secure alternative to mechanical locking cylinders, various access control systems have established themselves as user-friendly and secure solutions for such motor locks. These include radio handheld transmitters, fingerprint scanners, and numeric code locks, as well as transponders and transponder readers.Transponders are contactless identification devices known as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) that are used in many access control systems. These systems compare whether the person assigned to the transponder serial number is authorized to access the facility. This comparison can be made against a central database or a locally stored list. There are two different types of transponders: passive transponders and active transponders. Passive transponders do not have their own power source; they draw their energy from the same antenna used for data exchange between the reader and transponder. This functionality requires that the transponder be brought very close to the reading unit, usually within 5 cm. Passive transponders are therefore only suitable for close-range detection.

[0007] To improve ease of use, the use of active transponders has already been proposed in practice. These transponders have their own power source (e.g., a battery) and can therefore transmit their transponder serial number to a reader over a much greater range of up to 5 m, for example. In contrast to passive transponders, it is not necessary to first pick up the transponder and hold it directly in front of a reading unit to unlock the door. In the systems known in practice, the corresponding readers for active transponders are usually mounted next to the door, often on the masonry. The evaluation electronics, on the other hand, are located in the protected interior of the building. This is where the transponder serial numbers granting access are stored, and from here the potential-free or powered switching signal is also transmitted via cable to the motor lock in the door.The advantage of active transponder access control for the user is that they don't have to remove the transponder from their pocket or jacket and hold it in front of a reader. They simply move within range of the door, so their active transponder is recognized by the reader, and the door opens automatically without the user having to perform any specific action ("keyless entry").

[0008] Quite apart from the fact that the systems used in practice with active transponders are relatively complex and require special measures in the door area, e.g., a reader in the masonry and evaluation electronics in the protected interior of the housing, there is another significant disadvantage. Due to the relatively large and only partially adjustable detection radius of the transponder reading unit, there is a risk that an authorized person with the active transponder could walk past the door inside or outside at a short distance without intending to open it. Since the control unit cannot detect this, there is a risk that the door will be unlocked in such a case. Unintentional door openings or unlockings therefore represent a significant disadvantage of this type of access control.To mitigate this problem and prevent incorrect operation, it has already been proposed to install a wall button near the door, both inside and outside the building. This button is connected to the transponder reader's evaluation electronics via cable or radio. These buttons are auxiliary buttons, so that when the active transponder is detected, the opening signal is only transmitted to the motor lock when a person actually presses the button. However, pressing the additional button to initiate the opening command represents an undesirable "additional action" that counteracts the desired convenience of a true "keyless entry" door opening. This is where the invention comes in.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of creating a locking system for a building door of the type described above, which is characterized by a simple and cost-effective construction, particularly easy operation and at the same time high security.

[0010] To achieve this object, the invention teaches a locking system with the features of claim 1. In a locking system of the type described above, a touch sensor is arranged on the door, which generates a touch signal when touched by a person. The evaluation unit is configured such that, after checking and verifying the transponder signal, an unlocking signal is only generated or transmitted to the motor unit if a touch signal is also generated. The transponder is designed as an active transponder with its own power source.

[0011] The invention is based, first and foremost, on the realization that the ease of use of a locking system can be increased while simultaneously maintaining high security standards by using a mobile transponder, and in particular an active transponder. To ensure true keyless entry, a touch sensor is provided in the area of ​​the door, namely on the door leaf. An additional activation button outside the door is therefore unnecessary. As soon as an authorized person approaches the door with the transponder and touches the touch sensor on the door to open the door, automatic unlocking occurs. The touch sensor is particularly preferably arranged on a door handle, e.g., on a grab bar, a doorknob, a push handle, or a push plate. The contactless sensor is particularly preferably formed by the door handle itself. For this purpose, the touch sensor can be designed as a capacitive sensor.

[0012] This can be achieved, for example, by making a handle that is already attached to the outside of the door (on the outside), e.g., a pull handle, a push plate, or even a doorknob, electrically conductive and – in the case of a metal door leaf – insulated or galvanically separated from the door leaf. For wooden or plastic doors, such separation is not necessary at all. The handle configured in this way is connected via cable to the transponder reader or evaluation unit in order to use touching the handle with the hand as the decisive (capacitive) switching signal to trigger the unlocking pulse for the motor lock. The motor lock therefore only unlocks and opens the door when the user touches the outside handle and actually wants to open the door. As an alternative to the cable connection, the switching signal from the handle to the evaluation module can also be configured as a radio signal.

[0013] Consequently, access control using an active transponder for motorized lock doors is created, eliminating the need for additional, externally mounted activation buttons to prevent incorrect operation. However, the opening impulse is only given when the person requesting access performs a "normal" action / activity that is required to open the door anyway.

[0014] The evaluation unit is configured in such a way that a (renewed) unlocking signal is not generated within a predetermined time interval or period after the door has been closed. This ensures that when leaving the building, the motor lock does not receive an unlocking pulse if the person exiting the building, equipped with an active transponder, touches the touch sensor, e.g., the handle, to close the door leaf. This therefore prevents a door that automatically locks itself when a person exits after closing the door, from immediately unlocking again. It is assumed that the person will generally release the touch sensor, e.g., the handle, within a certain period of time. According to this aspect of the invention, a switching signal delay is therefore configured to prevent unwanted re-unlocking.To trigger the switching delay, a signal is used which depends on the door's closed position. This can therefore be a switch, e.g. a plunger contact. For example, the power interruption of the plunger contact assembly on the door hinge side can be used to trigger the switching signal delay. If an authorized person unlocks the door mechanically from the inside using the normal door handle and swings it open, the reading module is briefly de-energized. If the authorized person leaves the door and pulls the door leaf closed using the handle bar, for example, the reading module receives power again for the last 10 to 20 cm of the closing movement and then deliberately waits for a specific period of time, e.g. 1 to 10 seconds, preferably 2 to 5 seconds, e.g. around 3 seconds, before querying an authorized active transponder reader again.In combination with the plunger contacts, this ensures a time-controlled delay that prevents incorrect operation when leaving the door.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the transponder reading unit and the evaluation unit are integrated into a common control module, which is preferably attached or will be attached to the motor unit. This can, for example, be a control module structurally comparable to the control module known from DE 20 2010 002 632 U1. This can, for example, be inserted into a pocket-like housing recess in the motor housing and secured therein. Such a control module is preferably connected to the motor unit with at least one connecting cable.

[0016] According to a further proposal, the control module is provided with at least one input button for entering function commands and / or the control module with at least one optical display for outputting status and / or control information or the like. The input button can be made as a fiber optic button made of a transparent material, to which an LED is assigned as an optical display. This enables the programming of new, authorized transponders. The input button forms a programming button and is accessible from the front of the faceplate when the door leaf is open. Unauthorized programming of new transponders can be prevented by master transponder protection. The control module can be connected to the motor unit, for example, via a three-wire cable. This cable connection provides the reading module with its operating current and also transmits the opening impulse to the motor drive via the cable.

[0017] The locking system according to the invention is designed as a motor lock. This means that at least one unlocking of the locking system occurs via the motor unit, i.e., the locking units (central lock and / or additional locking) are moved from a locked position to an unlocked position via the motor unit. The locking system can be designed as a fully motorized lock, in which not only the unlocking but also the locking is carried out by an electric motor. In this case, the locking units are also moved from the unlocked position to the locked position via the motor unit, namely as soon as the door is closed. Alternatively, however, the invention also encompasses motor locks designed as "semi-motorized" locks, in which unlocking is carried out by an electric motor, but locking is carried out mechanically as soon as the door is closed.

[0018] Overall, the invention provides access control using an active transponder for motor-locked doors, which eliminates the need for additional, externally mounted activation buttons to prevent incorrect operation. Nevertheless, it is guaranteed that an opening impulse is only issued when the person requesting access performs a "normal" action / activity that would be required to open the door anyway. This ensures that the opening command is not accidentally triggered when leaving the building, so that the lock latch is not retracted by motor at the very moment the door is supposed to be closed / closed. The reading unit and the evaluation electronics of the active transponder are compact, concealed, protected, and easy to install, located directly inside the door leaf, on the lock side.

[0019] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1 a locking system installed in the area of ​​a door and Fig. 2 an enlarged section of the locking system according to Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the motor unit.

[0020] The figures show a locking system for a door. The door or door leaf 1 and the door frame 2 can be seen. In the exemplary embodiment, it is a locking system with multiple locking, which has a central lock 3 as locking units 3, 4 on the one hand and additional locking devices 4 on the other. A motor unit 5 can also be seen, which acts on the locking units 3, 4 at least for the purpose of unlocking the locking units 3, 4. For this purpose, the motor unit 5 is coupled to the locking units via one or more drive rods, with these drive rods being guided behind a lock face. The locking units 3, 4 and the motor unit 5 are attached to the back of the lock face. The motor unit 5 is connected to a power supply unit 7 via a connecting cable 6.In the exemplary embodiment, it can be seen that the transmission from the door leaf to the door panel takes place via a tappet contact unit 8. However, other solutions are also possible.

[0021] The illustrated example is a self-locking locking system, meaning the locking system locks automatically as soon as the door leaf 1 falls into the door frame 2. This locking can be done mechanically (semi-motorized version) or triggered via the motor unit (fully motorized version).

[0022] In any case, it is possible to unlock the locking system via the motor unit 5, specifically with the help of the mobile transponder 9, which is designed as an active transponder and thus equipped with its own power source. A transponder reading unit 10 is arranged in the area of ​​the door and is equipped with or connected to an evaluation unit 11, so that after checking and verifying the transponder signal received by the transponder 9, an unlocking signal is sent to the motor unit 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the transponder reading unit 10 and the evaluation unit 11 are integrated into a common control module 10, 11, which is attached to the motor unit 5 and connected to the motor unit 5 via a connecting cable 12.

[0023] The transponder reading unit 10 or the evaluation unit 11 thus checks the user authorization of the person approaching with the transponder 9, whereby it is not necessary for the person to deliberately point the mobile transponder 9 into the area of ​​the reading unit. Since it is an active transponder, such a transponder 9 can remain in the user's pocket in a conventional manner, thus implementing "keyless entry."

[0024] A fundamental problem with using such an active transponder 9 is that unlocking would occur even if the person were, for example, walking near door 1 inside the house. To prevent such unintentional unlockings, a "plausibility check" is carried out within the scope of the invention, as it were, because an additional touch sensor 13 is provided in the area or on the door, which generates a touch signal, wherein the evaluation unit 11 is designed such that, after checking and verifying the transponder signal, an unlocking signal is only generated if a touch signal is present at the same time. In the exemplary embodiment, this touch sensor 13 is formed by the handle attached to the door. It is a metallic handle bar or push handle, which, in the case of metal door leaves, is galvanically separated or insulated from the door leaf.In the case of a wooden or plastic door, such a separation is not necessary. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle forming the touch sensor 13 is connected to the evaluation unit 11 or the control module 10, 11 via an additional cable 14. Through this connection, which can in principle also be implemented wirelessly, touching the handle with the hand is used as the decisive, capacitive switching signal to trigger the unlocking pulse for the motor lock. The motor lock therefore only unlocks and opens the door when the user touches the outside handle and therefore actually wants to open the door. If the user merely stays inside the house or outside the house near the door without touching it, unlocking will not occur despite the proximity of the transponder.

[0025] To prevent the door from automatically locking and then being immediately unlocked when the door is closed by touching the handle when leaving the building, a "switching signal delay" is implemented within the scope of the invention. The evaluation unit 11 is set up in such a way that a (renewed) unlocking signal is not generated within a predetermined time interval after the door has been closed. This time interval can be, for example, 2 to 4 seconds. It can be triggered, for example, by using a power interruption as a switching signal delay. This power interruption can be initiated via the hinge-side plunger contact unit 8. If an authorized person unlocks the door mechanically from the inside using the normal door handle and swings it open, the reading module is briefly de-energized.If the authorized person exits the door and closes the door leaf 1 using the metal handle or push handle, the reading module receives power again during the last 10 to 20 cm of the closing movement, for example, and then deliberately waits for a period of, for example, 3 seconds before querying an active transponder reader authorized to open the door again. Consequently, in combination with the plunger contact unit 8, a time-controlled switching delay is ensured, preventing incorrect operation when exiting the door.

[0026] It has already been pointed out that the transponder reading unit 10 and the evaluation unit 11 can be integrated into a common control module 10, 11. This control module is attached to the motor unit 5 and, in the exemplary embodiment, is inserted into a pocket-like recess 15 of the motor housing and fixed in this recess 15. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical contact is not established during this insertion, but rather with the aid of a separate connecting cable 12, which is connected to the control module 10, 11 and is contacted by the plug 16 of the connecting cable 6.

[0027] The module is secured by means of a plug-in or snap-in connection. For this purpose, the module housing can have a locking lug that engages with a corresponding locking receptacle on the motor housing. Guides or similar components can also be provided. Details are not shown.

[0028] To teach new, authorized transponders, the control module is equipped with an input button 17 for entering function commands. The control module is also equipped with an optical display 18 for outputting status and / or control information. The input button 17 can be a fiber optic button made of a transparent material, with an LED inside the module serving as an optical display. Details are described, for example, in DE 20 2010 002 632 U1, which can be referenced here.

Claims

[1] Locking system for a door of a building, with - at least one locking unit (3, 4) with at least one locking element, - at least one motor unit (5) which operates on the locking unit (3, 4), - at least one mobile transponder (9), - at least one transponder reading unit (10) arranged in the area of ​​the door, which is equipped with or connected to an evaluation unit (11) which, after checking and verifying the transponder signal received from the transponder (9), sends an unlocking signal to the motor unit (5), wherein the locking unit (3, 4) is transferred from a locking position to an unlocking position via the motor unit (5), and wherein the locking unit (3, 4) is transferred from the unlocking position to the locking position via the motor unit (5) or mechanically as soon as the door is closed, wherein a touch sensor (13) is arranged on the door or a door leaf (1), which generates a touch signal when touched by a person, wherein the transponder (9) is designed as an active transponder with its own power source, wherein the evaluation unit (11) is configured such that, after checking and verifying the transponder signal, the unlocking signal is only transmitted to the motor unit (5) if the touch signal is generated at the same time, wherein the evaluation unit (11) is configured such that the generation of an unlocking signal within a predetermined time interval after closing the door is prevented by triggering the time interval by a contact unit (8) arranged in the region of the door. [2] Locking system according to claim 1, characterized bythat the touch sensor (13) is arranged in the area of ​​or on a door handle and generates the touch signal when the door handle is touched. [3] Locking system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the touch sensor (13) is designed as a capacitive sensor. [4] Locking system according to claim 3, characterized by that the capacitive sensor (13) is formed by the door handle itself. [5] Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the time interval is at least 1 second. [6] Locking system according to claim 5, characterized by that the time interval is 1 second to 10 seconds. [7] Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the time interval is triggered by a tappet contact unit (8) arranged on the door hinge side. [8] Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the transponder reading unit (10) and the evaluation unit (11) are integrated in a common control module (10, 11) which is attached or can be attached to the motor housing. [9] Locking system according to claim 8, characterized by that the control module (10, 11) has at least one input button (17) for entering function commands and / or that the control module (10, 11) has at least one optical display (18) for outputting status and / or control information or the like. [10] Locking system according to claim 9, characterized by that the input button (17) is made as a fiber optic button from a transparent material to which a light-emitting diode is assigned as an optical display (18). [11] Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 10, in the embodiment as a fully motorized lock, in which the locking unit (3, 4) can be transferred by means of the motor unit (5) from the locking position into the unlocking position and from the unlocking position into the locking position. [12] Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 10, in the embodiment as a semi-motorized lock, in which the locking unit (3, 4) can be transferred by means of the motor unit (5) only from the locking position to the unlocking position.

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