Integrated Wireless Door Lock and Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of separate electronic door locks and cameras for home security systems makes them expensive for consumers, and existing solutions do not effectively integrate these devices to reduce costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated wireless door lock and camera apparatus that includes a camera for video or still image capture, a receiver for wireless signals, an electromechanical locking assembly, memory for processor-executable instructions, and a transmitter to send images to a local-area network, activated by signals such as a doorbell press or person proximity, allowing remote viewing and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate electronic door locks and cameras are used for home security, then security functionality is provided, but the overall cost becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a camera apparatus and an electronic door lock into a single integrated housing, merging two previously separate security devices into one unified system. This integration reduces the overall cost by eliminating redundant components and simplifying installation, while maintaining both security and monitoring functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as both a security door lock and a surveillance camera system. The device can lock/unlock the door electronically while simultaneously capturing and transmitting video images, providing universal security coverage that replaces multiple separate devices.
2Reliability
If separate electronic door locks and cameras are installed, then comprehensive security monitoring is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the camera apparatus and electronic door lock into a single integrated unit, the patent reduces the number of separate devices from two to one. This consolidation simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive security monitoring capabilities through coordinated operation of integrated components.
3Reliability
If the camera is always active to provide continuous monitoring, then security surveillance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera apparatus operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only in response to specific triggering events such as doorbell signals or motion detection. This periodic operation mode maintains effective security surveillance by capturing critical moments while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the camera is triggered by external signals (doorbell, motion sensors) that indicate when monitoring is necessary. This feedback-driven activation ensures the camera operates only when security events occur, optimizing the balance between surveillance effectiveness and energy efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integration of door locks and cameras into a single device lowers the overall cost, enabling remote monitoring and unlocking while providing convenience to homeowners, and can be used with existing doorbell systems, both wireless and wired.
Implementation Method 1
a camera for providing video or still images of an area in proximity to a door of a residence
Implementation Method 2
a microphone for receiving sound pressure waves and for converting the sound pressure waves into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of an integrated wireless door lock and camera are disclosed. A wireless door lock comprises a camera that is activated upon the occurrence of certain events, such as when a person approaches a door where the integrated wireless door lock and camera are installed or when a doorbell is pressed. When activated, the camera sends video or still images to a networked user device for viewing an area outside, proximate to the door. If the person in the viewable area is recognized, a wireless signal may be sent to the integrated wireless door lock and camera to unlock the door.