Multi-Mode Lock System with Energy Harvesting

The patent segments the power supply system into two distinct parts: a battery unit for powering the control circuit and a separate energy harvesting unit (mechanical, thermal, or RF) for powering the access modes. This segmentation allows each access mode to operate independently using harvested energy while the battery provides baseline power, eliminating frequent battery replacements.

The system implements self-service by incorporating energy harvesting mechanisms that automatically capture and store energy from environmental sources (mechanical movement, temperature differences, or RF signals). This self-powered approach supplements the battery, allowing the lock to sustain operations without regular maintenance or battery replacement.

The patent implements a universal control circuit that can manage multiple types of access modes (mechanical key, thermal sensing, RF communication, numerical code) through a single integrated architecture. This multi-functional design allows the system to support various access methods without proportionally increasing complexity, as the control circuit handles different mode types uniformly.

The control circuit serves as an intermediary layer between the diverse access modes and the core locking mechanism. It translates different access mode inputs (mechanical, thermal, RF, numerical) into a unified control signal, simplifying the overall system architecture by mediating between heterogeneous inputs and the single locking output.