Method and system for locking and unlocking - Patents.com

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for locking an item, the item being locked in a housing including a cavity for receiving the item. The housing includes electronic circuitry for receiving commands from a user terminal to lock or unlock the item in the cavity of the housing. A motor is in the housing, actuated by the electronic circuitry based on the command received from the user terminal. The housing further includes a housing lock for locking or unlocking the item upon actuation of the motor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to locks and, more particularly, to systems and methods for locking and unlocking items coupled to the lock. [Background technology]

[0002] When a manufacturer produces a product, the product may be placed within an object. The object is typically transported from the manufacturer's location to some retail outlet where the object may be sold to an end consumer. Before the object reaches the end consumer, an unauthorized user may open the object and access the contents of the object. The unauthorized user may adulterate the contents present within the object to reduce the quality of the product, consume the contents within the object, or remove the original product within the object and place a counterfeit product within the object.

[0003] To prevent humans from accessing the contents of the goods, several solutions have been proposed over the years. One possible solution is to employ several personnel who can protect the contents of the goods from unauthorized access / use before the goods reach the end consumer. Another solution can include the use of cameras in the transport unit in which the goods are transported to the retail store. Additionally, location tracking of the goods has been used. However, existing solutions do not provide an effective mechanism to prevent the contents of the goods from being protected from unauthorized access / use before the goods reach the end consumer. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned problems of existing solutions, there is a need for an effective and efficient system and method for preventing unauthorized access / use of the contents of an item before the item reaches the end consumer. There is also a need to restrict someone from tampering with the contents of the item. There is also a need to maintain the integrity of the contents within the item until the item reaches the end consumer. A system and method are disclosed for solving the problems of existing solutions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Various embodiments of the present invention describe a housing comprising a cavity configured to receive an item within the housing. The housing comprises electronic circuitry for receiving a command from a user terminal to lock or unlock the item in the cavity of the housing. A motor within the housing is actuated by the electronic circuitry based on the command received from the user terminal. The housing further comprises a housing lock configured to lock or unlock the item in the cavity upon actuation of the motor.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the housing lock comprises a perforation that accommodates the shaft of a motor for locking an article.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the command is a lock or unlock command received from a user terminal over a short range network.

[0008] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the user terminal sends a command to lock the housing when a user of the user terminal sends a lock command from a user application.

[0009] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shaft of the motor disengages from the bore upon receiving an unlock command from the user terminal.

[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the shaft of the motor engages the bore upon receiving a lock command from a user terminal.

[0011] In a different embodiment of the invention, the motor is a stepper motor.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the housing lock is rotated counterclockwise and then the shaft of the motor engages the bore upon receiving a lock command.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, after receiving an unlock command and the motor shaft is disengaged from the bore, the housing lock is rotated clockwise.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, the shaft is connected to the housing lock for vertical movement.

[0015] In a different embodiment of the invention, the housing further comprises a battery for powering the electronic circuitry and the motor.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the user terminal for locking the item is different from the user terminal for unlocking the item.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for locking or unlocking an item in a housing is disclosed. The method includes placing the item in a cavity of the housing. The method further includes receiving a command from a user terminal by an electronic circuit to lock or unlock the item in the cavity of the housing. A motor is actuated by the electronic circuit based on the command received from the user terminal. The item is locked or unlocked in the cavity upon actuation of the motor.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the housing lock comprises a bore for receiving the shaft of a motor for locking an article.

[0019] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the user terminal sends a command to lock the housing when a user of the user terminal sends a lock command from a user application.

[0020] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shaft of the motor disengages from the bore upon receiving an unlock command from the user terminal.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the shaft of the motor engages the bore upon receiving a lock command from a user terminal.

[0022] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the housing lock is rotated counterclockwise and then the shaft of the motor engages the bore upon receiving a lock command.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, after receiving an unlock command and the shaft of the motor is disengaged from the bore, the housing lock is rotated clockwise.

[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, the user terminal for locking an item is different from the user terminal for unlocking the item.

[0025] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0026] Other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1A]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary article with a lock, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary article including a lock, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A-1D illustrate a procedure for locking an item equipped with a lock according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is an interior view of an article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of different components of an article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1A illustrates locking an item according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B illustrates unlocking an item according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1A-1D illustrate a procedure for unlocking an item according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a method for practicing the present invention, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

[0029] Described herein are techniques comprising systems and methods for locking or unlocking an article coupled to a lock. The techniques allow for the integrity of the article while it travels to various destinations or end users. Different embodiments of the present invention describe a housing comprising a cavity for receiving an article. The cavity may be designed to receive an intended article. The housing further comprises electronic circuitry for receiving a command from a user terminal to lock or unlock the article in the cavity. Upon receiving a command from the user terminal, the electronic circuitry activates a motor. A housing lock is provided for locking or unlocking the article in the cavity based on the activation of the motor.

[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, the housing is an enclosure in which different components reside, such as electronic circuitry, a motor, a battery, etc. The housing also comprises a cavity for receiving an item to be locked. An item, such as a vial, is attached to the housing and locked therein using a housing lock. The housing also includes a housing lock that is removable from the housing. After the item is placed in the cavity, the housing lock is attached to the housing. The housing lock is rotated counterclockwise to engage the cavity for the lock. The housing lock is rotated clockwise to disengage the housing lock from the housing cavity.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the cavity of the housing can be any shape, such as round, square, rectangular, etc. The cavity is configured to accommodate an item. A housing lock can be applied at a designated location within the housing to lock the item therein.

[0032] In some embodiments of the invention, the electronic circuitry comprises at least a receiver for receiving commands from a user terminal. The electronic circuitry also comprises a switch for actuating a motor to lock and unlock an item. The electronic circuitry may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and coupled to the motor. The electronic circuitry may also include a processor, memory for performing various operations. The receiver of the electronic circuitry is communicatively coupled to the user terminal. The user terminal transmits commands that are received by the receiver of the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry receives a lock or unlock command from the user terminal. Upon receiving a command from the user terminal, the electronic circuitry may determine whether the command is a "lock command" or an "unlock command". The electronic circuitry may determine a "lock command" or an "unlock command" using the processor.

[0033] If the command is an "unlock command," the processor can direct the motor to rotate in a direction to disengage the shaft from the perforations in the housing lock and release the article. If the command is a "lock command," the processor can direct the motor to rotate in a direction to engage the shaft in the perforations in the housing lock and lock the article.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the user terminal may be a desktop computer or a handheld device such as a mobile phone with a network connection. A user may also be associated with the user terminal. The user terminal may also be connected to a server via a network. Examples of user terminals may include stand-alone devices, computers, desktops, workstation PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, etc. The user terminal may have at least near-field wireless communication capabilities.

[0035] The user terminal may be operated by a manufacturer of the article. Using the user terminal, the manufacturer may send a lock command to the housing. Upon receiving the lock command, the electronic circuitry may activate a motor. The motor may move a shaft associated with the motor in the direction of a bore associated with the housing lock. The shaft of the motor may be placed into the bore to lock the article within the cavity of the housing.

[0036] The motors described herein may be DC motors that receive instructions from a processor for operation. The processor provides instructions for the motor to rotate the shaft of the motor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the motor may be a stepper motor that may receive digital sequences from the processor for operation. DC motors and stepper motors are operated as known to those skilled in the art. The motors described herein are not limited and various other motors known to those skilled in the art may be used for operation.

[0037] There may be a separate user terminal operated by an end user. The end user may use the separate user terminal to unlock the article from the housing. Unlocking of the article may be performed when the user inputs an unlock command. The unlock command is sent to a receiver in the electronic circuit. Upon receiving the unlock command, the electronic circuit activates the motor using a switch. The switch may be a semiconductor switch operating under the control of the processor. The switch may be operable to direct current into the motor so that it moves into engagement with the perforations in the housing lock for locking or away from the perforations in the housing lock for unlocking. The motor rotates and disengages the shaft from the perforations in the housing. The housing lock may be disengaged to remove the article from the cavity of the housing.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, lock and unlock commands from a user terminal may be sent using a user application, which may be associated with user credentials, which may include, but are not limited to, a password, a pin number, a voice command, biometric data, or any such user credentials known in the art.

[0039] The user terminal may use wireless communication, such as a personal area network (e.g., a Bluetooth network, a Wi-Fi network, a short-range network, or a ZigBee network). The electronic circuitry in the housing may include a corresponding receiver for communicating with the user terminal. A user of the user terminal may send commands to lock or unlock an item using the communication network described herein. The wireless communication may also be cellular communication between the user terminal and the electronic circuitry in the housing. The user terminal may use various other communication modes known to those skilled in the art.

[0040] 1A shows a system 100A comprising a housing coupled to an article, the article being locked within the housing. The system comprises a housing 104 having a housing lock 106. An article 102, such as a vial, is locked within the housing. The housing lock 106 is removable only after an unlock command is received from a user terminal 100B. The housing comprises a cavity (not shown) for receiving the article, and after the article is received in the cavity, the housing lock 106 is inserted. The housing lock 106 is secured, thereby locking the article.

[0041] FIG. 1B shows an exploded view of the system 100C (same as 100A in FIG. 1A). The individual components of the system are shown. The housing 104 includes electronics, motor, battery, processor, memory, and other components for carrying out the invention. When an item is locked to the housing 104, the item is accommodated in a cavity 108 shown at the bottom of the housing 104. After the item is accommodated in the cavity 108, the housing lock 106 is applied to the housing and inserted into the cavity to lock the item. When the housing lock is inserted, a motor (not shown) in the housing 104 is activated to lock the item. The shape and configuration of the cavity and the housing lock are such that they fit together such that the housing lock 106 secures and locks the item 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing for locking the item is applied to the neck of the item to prevent the item from opening while it is locked.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, which illustrates the process of locking an article to a housing 104, the housing 104 is shown with a cavity 108 at A. At B, the article 102 is received in the cavity 108 of the housing 104. The housing lock 106 is inserted into the cavity 108 to surround the article 102 and the cavity in the cavity 108, as shown at C. The housing lock 106 is then rotated counterclockwise, as shown at D, to cover the article and the cavity inside the cavity 108. The article 102 is locked in the cavity of the housing 104 by the action of the motor. As mentioned above, a command is received from the user terminal 100B by the electronic circuitry of the housing 104. Upon receiving the command, the electronic circuitry activates the motor in the housing. If the command is an unlock command, the shaft of the motor moves towards the housing lock and engages with the perforation of the housing lock 106. Thus, the article is locked at E.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, an inside view of the housing 104 with various components is provided. The housing 104 comprises an electronic circuit 110 having various electronic elements such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc. for operating the circuit. The various elements of the electronic circuit may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The electronic circuit 110 comprises at least a receiver for receiving commands from the user terminal 100B and a processor for determining the commands and operating the motor based on the commands. The housing further comprises a battery 114 for providing power to the electronic circuit 110 and the motor 112. The motor 112 may be operated by a switch by the electronic circuit 110. The switch may be a semiconductor switch that is automatically activated upon receipt of a command from the user terminal by the electronic circuit 110. The item 102 is placed inside the cavity of the housing 104.

[0044] FIG. 4 discloses a block diagram 400 of electronic components in a housing. The aforementioned electronic circuit 110 comprises a cellular transceiver 402, a short-range transceiver 404 (e.g., Bluetooth), one or more sensors 406, an initiation unit 408, a processor 410, and a memory 412. The elements of the electronic circuit are not limited to those described herein. The block diagram further shows a battery 114 and an electric motor 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 114 and the electric motor 112 are disposed adjacent to the electronic circuit 110. The short-range receiver 404 may be a Bluetooth transceiver for communicating with a user terminal. The various units described herein are representative. The present invention may be implemented using one or more units. For example, the tasks performed by the transceiver 404, one or more sensors 406, the initiation unit 408, the processor 410, and the memory 412 may be performed by one unit. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented using more units than those described herein.

[0045] FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the housing 104 showing the operation of the motor 112 in the housing 104 when a command is received from the user terminal. FIG. 5A shows the item 102 locked in the cavity of the housing. The motor shaft 502 is engaged in the perforation 504 of the housing lock 106, thereby locking the item 102. FIG. 5B shows the motor shaft in a disengaged state. Upon receiving an unlock command from the user terminal 100B, the electronic circuit 110 of the housing 104 sends a signal to the activation unit determining that the shaft needs to be disengaged from the perforation 504. In other words, upon receiving the unlock command, the shaft moves upwards and disengages from the perforation 504. The housing lock 106 is not fixed and can be moved out of the cavity by rotating in a clockwise direction. Thus, the item is disengaged from the cavity and in an unlocked state.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates unlocking of an article 102 from a housing 104. At A, the article is shown in a locked state. An unlock command is sent from a user terminal to electronic circuitry present within the housing 104. As previously described, the motor within the housing is actuated, disengaging the motor shaft from the perforation of the housing lock 106. The housing lock 106 is then rotated clockwise out of the cavity 108 of the housing 104. Further at B, the housing lock is pushed downwards to disengage the housing lock 106 from the housing cavity 108. At C, the housing lock is shown disengaged from the housing. The housing lock can be manually removed. At D, the article is finally separated from the housing for further use.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating steps of a method for carrying out the present invention. The method 700 starts at 702. At step 704, a command to lock or unlock an item in a cavity of the housing is received from a user terminal. As previously described, the item is accommodated in the cavity 108. The item may be present in the cavity 108 and may be unlocked, or the item may be accommodated in the cavity 108 for locking. At step 706, upon receiving a command from the user terminal, the motor is activated. The motor is activated by determining whether the command is a "lock command" or an "unlock command". The determination of the command may be made by a processor. In response to locking or unlocking the item, the shaft of the motor engages or disengages from a perforation of the housing lock 106, respectively, at step 708. The engagement and disengagement of the shaft from the perforation is controlled by the electronic circuitry 110 in the housing 104. The flow chart ends at step 710.

[0048] The present invention is applicable and can be used in various fields / industries such as, but not limited to, pharmaceuticals, food processing, logistics, etc., without being limited thereto, and will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

[0049] The present invention provides the following technical advantages over existing solutions in that it provides a tamper-proof mechanism while an ingredient (e.g., a medicine, food or other such product) is transported from a source to a destination: It also provides an integrity check while the location of the item is tracked. Furthermore, the item can be locked and unlocked using commands from a user terminal, thus providing authorized access to the item. Furthermore, the locking and unlocking mechanism described herein is reusable, and due to the simplicity of the locking mechanism, it is very durable and reliable.

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention discussed herein are representative, and various modifications and alterations to those skilled in the art are within the scope of the present invention.

[0051] Although described in connection with a representative computing system environment, examples of the invention can be implemented with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments, configurations or devices.

[0052] The order of performance or execution of operations in the examples of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, operations may be performed in any order unless otherwise specified, and examples of the invention may include more or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, performing or executing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is contemplated within the scope of aspects of the invention.

[0053] Additionally, terms such as "user terminal," "user equipment," "mobile device," "equipment," and the like are used interchangeably throughout this specification. Additionally, "electronic device," "electronic element," or "electronic component" are used interchangeably. Additionally, the terms "lock" and "housing" are used interchangeably. Terms are used interchangeably unless the context dictates a specific difference or differences between the terms. Such terms can refer to human entities or automated components that can provide simulated vision, sound recognition, and the like, and that are supported by artificial intelligence (e.g., the ability to reason based on complex mathematical formalisms).

[0054] When introducing elements of an aspect of the invention or examples thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The term "representative" is intended to mean "an example of." The phrase "one or more of the following: A, B, and C" means "at least one of A and / or at least one of B and / or at least one of C."

[0055] Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Because various changes can be made in the above-described structures, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0056] Although the present subject matter has been described in specific language for structural features and / or acts, it is to be understood that the present subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A housing, the housing comprising: a cavity configured to receive an item within the housing; an electronic circuit for receiving commands from a user terminal to lock or unlock the item within the cavity of the housing; a motor configured to be actuated by the electronic circuitry based on the commands received from the user terminal; a housing lock configured to lock or unlock the item within the cavity upon actuation of the motor; the housing cavity and the housing lock are configured with a shape that mates with one another such that the housing lock locks the item within the cavity; the housing lock has a bore for receiving a shaft of the motor for locking the article; the shaft is connected to the housing lock for movement in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the housing lock moves to lock or unlock an article in the cavity; The housing, wherein the user terminal for locking the item is different from the user terminal for unlocking the item.

2. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the command is a lock or unlock command received from the user terminal over a short range network.

3. The housing of claim 2 , wherein the user terminal sends the command to lock the housing when a user of the user terminal sends the lock command from a user application.

4. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the motor disengages from the bore upon receiving an unlock command from the user terminal.

5. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the motor engages the bore upon receiving a lock command from the user terminal.

6. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the motor is a stepper motor.

7. The housing of claim 5 , wherein the housing lock is rotated counterclockwise and then, upon receiving the lock command, the shaft of the motor engages the bore.

8. The housing of claim 4 , wherein the housing lock is rotated clockwise after receiving the unlock command and disengaging the shaft of the motor from the bore.

9. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a battery for powering the electronic circuitry and the motor.

10. receiving, by the electronic circuitry, a command from a user terminal to lock or unlock an item in the housing cavity; operating a motor via the electronic circuitry based on the commands received from the user terminal; and locking or unlocking the article in the cavity upon actuation of the motor, wherein the housing comprises a cavity for receiving the item, and a housing lock configured to lock or unlock the item within the cavity upon actuation of the motor; the housing cavity and the housing lock are configured with a shape that mates with one another such that the housing lock locks the item within the cavity; the housing lock has a bore for receiving a shaft of the motor for locking the article; the shaft is connected to the housing lock for movement in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the housing lock moves to lock or unlock an article in the cavity; The method, wherein the user terminal for locking the item is different from the user terminal for unlocking the item.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the user terminal transmits the command to lock the housing when a user of the user terminal transmits a lock command from a user application.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the shaft of the motor disengages from the bore upon receiving an unlock command from the user terminal.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the shaft of the motor engages the bore upon receiving a lock command from the user terminal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the housing lock is rotated counterclockwise and then, upon receiving the lock command, the shaft of the motor engages the bore.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the housing lock is rotated clockwise after receiving the unlock command and disengaging the shaft of the motor from the bore.

Images