HK40024985B - Electronic combination lock with different levels of access control - Google Patents

Description

Electronic combination lock with different access control levels

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 15/700,502 filed on 11/9/2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background

In the market today, there are many electronic locking devices. Many of these locking devices allow a user to use the electronic device to send an electronic signal to unlock the locking device.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides an electronic combination lock that can be unlocked by an electronic lock mechanism or a key lock mechanism, the electronic lock mechanism responding to a keypad input through a touch panel on the electronic combination lock or a wireless signal transmitted from a separate electronic device such as a mobile phone. According to some embodiments of the invention, access to the combination lock may have different levels. For example, a homeowner may allow limited access to the homeowner's premises to temporary users by issuing temporary passwords. Once such a temporary password has been used a specified number of times, the password will expire. An electronic combination lock has a memory for storing one or more preset passwords corresponding to different levels of access, including a first level, a second level, and a third level. The electronic combination lock may be unlocked and the preset combination stored in the combination lock may also be changed by a separate electronic device configured to communicate with the wireless combination lock. Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides an electronic combination lock operable in a locked mode, an open mode and a reset mode, the combination lock comprising:

electronic circuitry configured to communicate with a mobile device via a wireless signal, the wireless signal indicating a combination code for operating an electronic combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, the plurality of access levels including at least a first level and a second level;

a touch panel configured to receive information indicating a keypad input code to operate the combination lock independently of the mobile device;

a non-transitory memory configured to store a plurality of preset passwords including at least a current password for a first level and a preset password for a second level;

a processor configured to compare a plurality of preset passwords with a keypad input code from the touch panel or a combination code received from the mobile device, and allow access to the combination lock if the keypad input code or the received combination code is one of the preset passwords, wherein

A second level of preset code indicating permission to access the combination lock, an

The first level of the preset combination indicates a preset combination that allows unlimited access to the combination lock and allows all levels of access to be changed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination code of the second level further indicates that unlimited access to the combination lock is allowed, wherein the plurality of access levels further includes a third level, wherein the combination code of the third access level indicates that limited access to the combination lock is allowed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device includes a display configured with an application icon configured to communicate with the combination lock via wireless signals upon activation of the application icon.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display of the mobile device is further configured to have an deactivation icon associated with only the preset password of the first level, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal is set such that the touch panel does not receive information indicating the key input code.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the display is further configured to have a reactivation icon associated with only the first level of preset passwords, and the wireless signal is set to terminate disabling of the touch panel when the reactivation icon is activated, thereby allowing the touch panel to receive information indicative of keyboard input.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination lock further comprises:

a lock body having a first body side, an opposite body side, and an inner housing positioned between the first body side and the second body side, the inner housing having a shackle channel;

a shackle having a short leg and a long leg, the long leg being disposed in the shackle channel, the short leg being located on the first body side of the lock body when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode;

a control latch having a latch hole, the control latch configured to engage the long leg of the shackle when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode to prevent the shackle from moving in a first direction toward a first body side of the lock body to unlock the combination lock;

a solenoid having a retractable shaft, wherein when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode, the shaft is received in the latch aperture, securing the control latch in position in engagement with the long leg of the shackle; and

a flap engageable with the short leg of the shackle when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shutter includes a drive pin, the shutter is positionable in a first plate position and a second plate position, the combination lock further includes a key lock mechanism configured to unlock the combination lock independently of a keypad entry code and a mobile device when the combination lock is operating in a locked mode, the key lock mechanism including:

a cylinder having a first cylinder end and an opposing second cylinder end, the second cylinder end arranged to receive a key for operating the combination lock;

a rotatable cam having a first section and a second section, the second section engaging the first cylinder end of the cylinder for rotation therewith, the first section having a pin slot for receiving the drive pin of the baffle;

a stationary cam fixedly disposed in the lock body proximate the first body side, the stationary cam having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having an opening sized to receive the first section of the rotatable cam, wherein the drive pin of the blocker is received in the pin slot of the rotatable cam, the first portion configured to engage the blocker to receive the short leg of the shackle when the blocker is in the first plate position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cylinder is rotatable with the rotatable cam when the key is received into the second cylinder end, and the pin slot in the rotatable cam is configured to move the drive pin of the tumbler in a second direction opposite the first direction to move the tumbler from the first plate position to the second plate position, wherein when the tumbler is in the second plate position, the shackle can be rotated relative to the shackle channel to switch the combination lock from the locked mode to the open mode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the barrier further comprises a failure slot positioned in relation to the drive pin, the combination lock further comprising:

a locking latch operable between a latched position and a released position, the locking latch having a latch edge and an activation aperture, wherein

When the locking latch is positioned in the latched position, the latch edge contacts the defeat slot of the flapper preventing the flapper from moving from the first plate position to the second plate position, wherein

When the locking latch is positioned in the release position, the latch edge is spaced from the disabling slot to move the flapper from the first plate position to the second plate position, wherein when the control latch is engaged with the long leg of the shackle to maintain the combination lock operating in the locking mode, the shaft of the solenoid is also engaged in the activation hole of the locking latch to maintain the locking latch in the release position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the combination lock is operating in the locked mode, the shaft of the solenoid may be caused to retract from the latch hole of the control latch, thereby allowing the long leg of the shackle to move in the first direction to unlock the combination lock.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the keypad input code or the received combination code is one of the preset password determined by the processor, the shaft of the solenoid is retracted from the latch hole of the control latch.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the keyed lock mechanism further includes a first spring arranged to urge the locking latch to move toward the disabling slot of the blocking plate, and wherein when the combination lock is operating in the locking mode, the shaft of the solenoid may be disengaged from the activation hole of the locking hole and the latch plate moved from the release position to the blocking position, preventing the blocking plate from moving from the first plate position to the second plate position to unlock the combination lock.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the display of the mobile device is further configured to have an deactivation icon associated with only the first level of the preset passcode, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal is configured such that the touch panel does not receive information indicative of a keyboard entry code, and the wireless signal is further configured to disengage the shaft of the solenoid from the activation hole of the locking latch.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking latch further comprises a disabling hole positioned in relation to the activation hole, the combination lock further comprising a second spring arranged to urge the control latch towards the long leg of the shackle, wherein when the locking latch is in the locked position, the disabling hole of the locking latch and the latch hole of the control latch are both aligned with a shaft of the solenoid, the shaft of the solenoid engaging the disabling hole of the locking latch and the latch hole of the control latch to prevent the stop plate from moving from the first plate position to the second plate position and to prevent the long leg of the shackle from moving towards the first direction to unlock the combination lock.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the key lock mechanism further comprises a lever positioned in relation to the bezel, the lever having a lever ramp arranged to contact the locking edge of the deadbolt when the latching edge of the locking latch is positioned in the latched position, and wherein the display of the mobile device is further configured with a reactivation icon associated with the first level of the preset combination, the wireless signal being arranged to terminate disabling the touch panel from receiving information indicative of the keypad input code when the reactivation icon is activated, and the wireless signal being further arranged to disengage the shaft of the solenoid from the disabling aperture of the locking latch and the locking aperture of the control latch, the long leg of the shackle being movable in a first direction to unlock the combination lock to disengage the short leg from the bezel when the shaft of the solenoid is disengaged from the locking aperture of the control latch, and the long leg of the shackle being movable in a second direction to disengage the short leg from the disabling aperture of the control latch, the lever may be moved in a second direction to disengage the latching edge of the locking latch from the disabling slot of the bezel.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a mobile device comprising:

a display configured to have an application icon arranged for communication with the combination lock, an

An electronic circuit configured to provide a wireless signal upon activation of an application icon, the wireless signal indicating a combination code for operating a combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, the access levels including at least a first level and a second level, wherein

A second level of combination code indicating permission to access the combination lock, an

The combination code of the first level indicates a combination code that allows unlimited access to the combination lock and allows all levels of access to be changed, wherein the combination lock includes a touch panel for receiving information indicative of a keypad input to operate the combination lock independently of a wireless signal, wherein the display is further configured to have a deactivation icon associated only with the combination code of the first level, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal is set such that the touch panel does not receive information indicative of a keypad input.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination lock further comprises a key lock mechanism configured to unlock the combination lock by a key independently of the keypad input and the wireless signal, wherein when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal is also set to disable the key lock mechanism.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the display is further configured to have a reactivation icon associated with only the first level of combination codes, and the wireless signal is set to terminate disabling of the touch panel when the reactivation icon is activated, thereby allowing the touch panel to receive information indicative of keyboard input.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination code of the second level further indicates that unlimited access to the combination lock is allowed, wherein the plurality of access levels further includes a third level, wherein the combination code of the third access level indicates that limited access to the combination lock is allowed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the key lock mechanism further comprises a reactivation mechanism to terminate disabling of the key lock mechanism independent of the wireless signal.

The present invention will become apparent upon reading the description taken in conjunction with figures 1 to 55.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic combination lock according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an electronic combination lock in an open mode with the shackle released.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the combination lock showing the various mechanical components of the lock.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the combination lock in the locked mode.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the combination lock in an unlocked mode.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the combination lock in an open mode.

Fig. 4B is a bottom view of the combination lock.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lock body.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a shackle.

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a solenoid tip guide slot.

Fig. 8 shows an example of a solenoid.

Fig. 9A shows a top view of the solenoid base.

Fig. 9B shows a bottom view of the solenoid base.

Fig. 10A shows a top view of the panel base.

Fig. 10B shows a bottom view of the panel base.

Fig. 11A and 11B show different views of the cam.

Fig. 12 shows a bottom view of the knob.

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of a cam spring.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a combination lock in a locked mode according to various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 14B is a bottom view of the combination lock of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the combination lock of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the combination lock of FIG. 14A when the lock is operating in an open mode.

Figures 17A and 17B show different views of a first half of a lock body.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a shackle.

Fig. 19A and 19B show different views of the latch.

Figures 20A and 20B show different views of the locking collar.

Fig. 21 shows a solenoid.

Figure 22 shows a cross-sectional view of the second half of the lock body.

Fig. 23A and 23B show different views of the panel base.

Fig. 24 is an isometric view of a cylinder.

Fig. 25 is an isometric view of a cam.

Fig. 26 is an isometric view of a fixed cam.

Fig. 27 shows a view of the baffle.

Fig. 28 shows a view of the screw.

Figure 29A shows a cross-sectional view of a lock opened by a key.

Fig. 29B shows a bottom view of the lock opened by the key.

FIG. 30 is an exploded view of the lock showing various components of the lock.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing some of the electronic components in the lock.

FIG. 32 is a flow diagram illustrating an operational mode according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 33 shows a block diagram of a transceiver module with a signal transmitter and a signal receiver according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 34 shows a block diagram of some of the electronic components in a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 35A shows a display of a mobile device with application icons.

FIG. 35B illustrates a display screen of a mobile device with a list of combination locks that have not been electronically linked or paired with the mobile device.

FIG. 35C shows a display screen of a mobile device having an electronic keyboard to allow entry of codes.

FIG. 35D illustrates a display screen of a mobile device having a list of combination locks, one of which has been electronically linked with the mobile device.

FIG. 35E illustrates a display screen of a mobile device having a gesture graphical indication for unlocking a selected combination lock.

FIG. 35F illustrates a display screen of a mobile device having a deactivation/reactivation icon associated with a first level of users.

FIG. 36 illustrates a flow chart of an operational mode of a mobile device communicating with one or more electronic combination locks.

FIG. 37A shows a flow diagram for displaying deactivation and reactivation of a touch panel by an electronic circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37B illustrates a flow chart for electronic circuitry deactivating and reactivating the touch screen and key lock mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 illustrates an electronic combination lock with a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic combination lock of fig. 38.

FIG. 40 illustrates a baffle according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 41 illustrates a fixed cam according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 illustrates a rod having a rod bevel, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 illustrates a rotatable cam according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 shows a cylinder according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 45 shows a control latch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 shows a locking latch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 shows a shackle to be installed on a shackle long leg portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 48 illustrates a solenoid with a retractable shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 shows a shackle according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 50 illustrates a portion of an inner shell of a body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 illustrates various interconnected components of a combination lock, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 52 illustrates a combination lock unlocked by the electronic lock mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 illustrates a combination lock unlocked by a key lock mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54A shows the shaft of the solenoid fully retracted to allow the locking latch to connect with the rod in the key lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 54B shows the shaft of the solenoid engaged in both the control latch and the locking latch to disable both the key lock mechanism and the electronic lock mechanism.

Fig. 55 shows the reactivation of the key lock mechanism and the electronic lock mechanism.

Detailed Description

As seen in fig. 1-13, an electronic combination lock 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention, has a lock body 20, a shackle 40, and a touch panel 70. The touch panel 70 has a plurality of numeric keys or keypads 30-39, a home button 50 and a reset button 60. Shackle 40 has a short leg 41 and a long leg 42. The lock body 20 has a lock aperture 21 and a long leg passage 22, the lock aperture 21 being sized to receive the short leg 41 and the long leg passage 22 being sized to receive the long leg 42 of the shackle 40. The long leg passage 22 defines a longitudinal axis for rotation. Each of the short leg portion 41 and the long leg portion 42 has a cutout 43 as a part of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a latch 80 and a locking ball 180, the latch 80 and the locking ball 180 engaging the notch 43 on the short leg 41 and the notch 43 on the long leg 42 when the combination lock 10 is operated in the locked mode and in the unlocked mode (fig. 1). The position of the latch 80 and the locking balls 180 is controlled by the rotatable cam 140. Cam 140 has a keyway 144 and a keyway 145, keyway 144 and keyway 145 being positioned so as to allow latch 80 and lock bead 180 to move away from cutout 43 when cam 140 is rotated a particular angle. Thus, the shackle 40 may be pushed upward by the shackle spring 160 to release the short leg 41 of the shackle 40 from the lock hole 21 of the lock body 20 to operate the combination lock in the open mode (fig. 2). The shackle 40 can now be rotated along the long leg 42 as the axis of rotation. The cam 140 has a groove 146 (see fig. 11B), the groove 146 having a groove pocket (index) 141 in engaging relation with the cam bead 90. The position of the cam bead 90 is controlled by a solenoid 100 having a slug or tip 101 (see fig. 8). When the combination lock 10 is operating in the locked mode, the tip 101 or solenoid 100 is arranged to push the cam ball 90 against the recessed pocket 141 so that the cam 140 is not rotatable to release the shackle 40, as shown in FIG. 3A.

When the user uses the touch panel 70 to enter the correct combination code using the keypad 30-39, the solenoid 100 is energized such that the tip 101 moves inwardly toward the solenoid body 102 and the combination lock is in the unlocked mode, as shown in FIG. 3B. Thus, the cam ball 90 may be moved away from the recessed pocket 141, allowing the user to rotate the cam 140 to release the shackle 40 to operate the combination lock in the open mode, as shown in FIG. 4A. As seen in fig. 4A and 4B, the combination lock 10 has a panel base 120, the panel base 120 being connected to the lock body 20. The panel base 120 has a base support 128, the base support 128 being connected to a panel support 129. The panel support 129 is arranged to support the touch panel 70. As seen in fig. 12, the base support 128 has a base opening 121 to receive a knob 130. The knob 130 has a slot 131, the slot 131 being fixedly attached to a flat surface 143 of the cam 140, such that when the cam bead 90 has moved away from the recessed pocket 141, a user can use the knob 130 to rotate the cam 140 to release the shackle 40 to operate the lock 10 in the open mode.

It should be understood that some of the components of the electronic combination lock 10 are not shown in the drawings as shown in fig. 1-30. For example, the electronic combination lock 10 has: a non-transitory memory unit for storing a combined code; an electronic processor for determining whether a user's keypad input matches the stored combination code; an electronic drive circuit for driving the solenoid; a power supply or battery for providing power to various electronic and electromechanical components; and a battery charger. These components are shown in the block diagram of fig. 31. Further, the touch panel 70 may be any type of touch panel or touch screen. For illustrative purposes only, in the touch panel 70 described herein, the numeric keypad with keys 30-39, home button 50, and set button 60 are only presented on the touch panel 70 long enough for keypad entry. According to one embodiment of the invention, for example, batteries, electronic processors, and other electronic circuitry are housed in the panel base 120.

As seen in fig. 4B, fig. 4B shows a bottom view of combination lock 10, with faceplate base 120 having a charging slot 122, charging slot 122 being arranged for charging a battery in faceplate base 120.

As seen in fig. 5, the lock body 20 has: a locking hole 21, the locking hole 21 being sized to receive the short leg 41 of the shackle 40; a long leg channel 22, the long leg channel 22 sized to receive the shackle spring 160 and the long leg 42 of the shackle 40; a bolt hole 23, the bolt hole 23 is used for placing the lock bolt 80 and the lock bead 180 inside the lock body 20; a cam hole 24, the cam hole 24 being for placing the cam 140; an open area 26, the open area 26 to receive a portion of the solenoid base 110; and a screw hole 25 below the lock hole 21, the screw hole 25 serving to allow the screw 200 to fasten the lock body 20 to the solenoid base 110.

As seen in fig. 6, shackle 40 also has a retaining groove 44, retaining groove 44 being arranged along with locking bead 180 to prevent long leg 42 of shackle 40 from moving completely away from long leg passage 22 of lock body 20.

As seen in fig. 11A and 11B, the cam 140 has a larger cylindrical body 148 and a smaller cylindrical body 149. The upper portion of the larger cylindrical body 148 has a keyway 144 and a bead groove 145. The lower portion of the larger cylindrical body 148 has fins 142, the fins 142 extending over the upper portion of the smaller cylindrical body 149. The lower portion of the smaller cylindrical body 149 has a reduced end 147, the reduced end 147 having two opposing flat surfaces 143. The lower portion of the larger cylindrical body 148 also has a groove 146 and a recess 141 at one end of the groove 146. The groove 146 serves to retain the cam ball 90 on the track as the cam 140 rotates.

As seen in fig. 9A, the solenoid base 110 has a cylindrical outer wall 111 and a cylindrical inner wall 117. The inner diameter of the outer cylindrical wall 111 is sized to receive the larger cylindrical body 148 of the cam 140, while the inner diameter of the inner cylindrical wall 117 is sized to receive the smaller cylindrical body 149 of the cam 140. The inner wall 117 has an edge 118, the edge 118 being arranged to stop the fin 142 of the cam 140 to limit rotation of the cam 140. Solenoid base 110 also has an opening 119, opening 119 being sized to receive solenoid 100.

As seen in fig. 9B and 13, the solenoid base 110 has a base recess 112 to receive a cam spring 150, the cam spring 150 having a knob side tail 151 and a base side tail 152. At the periphery of the base depression 112 there is a slot 113, the slot 113 being arranged to receive the base side tail 152 of the cam spring 150.

Fig. 7 shows the solenoid tip guide 90 on top of the solenoid 100. The solenoid tip guide 90 has an opening 91, the opening 91 sized to receive the tip 101 of the solenoid 100. The placement of the solenoid guide unit 90 limits the lateral movement of the cam ball 190 when the tip 101 of the solenoid 100 is retracted inwardly toward the solenoid body 102 to allow the lock 10 to operate in the open mode.

Fig. 10A and 10B show different views of the panel base 120, the panel base 120 having a panel support 129 attached to the base support 128. The panel support 128 is arranged to mount a touch panel 170. As seen in fig. 10A, the base support 128 has a recessed area 123, the recessed area 123 being sized to receive the base of the solenoid base 110. In the recessed area 123, there are two screw holes 124, 125, the two screw holes 124, 125 being arranged for fastening the solenoid base 110 to the panel base 120 with the screw 210 (see fig. 4A). With the solenoid base 110 securely fastened to the panel base 120, the solenoid base 110 may be inserted into the open area 26 of the lock body 20 with the lock body 20 located near the panel support 129.

It should be understood that power to the solenoid 100 may be obtained, for example, through electrical contacts in the solenoid base 110 and the panel base 120. Power to the touch panel 70, electronic processor, and other electronic circuit components may be obtained, for example, through electrical connectors in the panel base 120. The power source (such as a rechargeable battery) required to power the electronic and electromechanical components of the electronic combination lock 10 may be recharged through a charging slot 122 on the panel base 120.

Classification of users

According to one embodiment of the present invention, electronic combination lock 10 may be used by multiple users having different levels of access. For example, there may be three levels of access and combination lock users may be classified as primary, ordinary, and temporary users associated with different combination codes. According to one embodiment of the invention, the primary user has the highest access level; the normal user has a second level of access and the temporary user has a third level of access.

As disclosed herein, the terms "permanent user" and "ordinary user" are used interchangeably.

Master user：

There may be one master password or more than one master password. A user with a master password has an unlimited number of accesses (i.e., an unlimited number of times to unlock the lock) and may use reset mode 1) to change the master password, 2) to change or disable the temporary or permanent password; and 3) to specify the number of accesses to the temporary password user.

Permanent or general users：

One or more permanent or plain passwords may be present. A user with a permanent password has an unlimited number of accesses. However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reset mode is not available to permanent users. In another embodiment of the invention, a permanent password user is allowed to use the reset mode, but only to change his/her own password.

Temporary user：

One or more temporary passwords may be present. A user with a temporary password has a limited number of accesses. Temporary users are not allowed to use the reset mode.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the use of a combination to operate a padlock is described below:

any user (primary, permanent or temporary, with verification as by means of a password storage in a padlock Valid user password for certificate) unlocking process

1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen.

2. On the keypad, a combination code is entered, and then a home key is pressed to set the padlock in the unlocked mode.

3. The shackle is manually released to mechanically open the padlock.

In one embodiment, the shackle must be manually released within a predetermined period of time. The padlock is automatically restored to the locked state when the predetermined time period has expired. If the user desires to open the lock again, the user may follow the same procedure.

For illustrative purposes, assume that the padlock is configured to store a total of 9 users. User 1 has a master password and users 2-6 are ordinary users who may have an unlimited number of accesses. Users 7-9 are temporary users that have only a limited number of accesses to access the lock using the combination.

Reset procedure for resetting a master code (the user must have the code storage device as authenticated in the padlock Master code of (2)

1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen.

2. On the keypad, the master password is entered, and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the unlocked mode.

3. A set button is pressed and then a home key is pressed to enter a "reset mode".

4. The same master password is entered and then the home key (optional in one embodiment) is pressed.

5. Press 1 to select the type of password to be changed.

6. A new (master) code is entered and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the locked mode.

Reset procedure for resetting a permanent code (the user must have the code storage device as verified by the padlock Main code of certificate)

1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen.

2. On the keypad, the master password is entered, and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the unlocked mode.

3. A set button is pressed and then a home key is pressed to enter a "reset mode".

4. The same master password is entered and then the home key (optional in one embodiment) is pressed.

5. Press 2-6 to select the type of password to be changed.

6. A new (permanent) code is entered and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the locked mode.

Reset procedure for resetting temporary passwords (the user must have the password storage device as verified by the padlock Main code of certificate)

1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen.

2. On the keypad, the master password is entered, and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the unlocked mode.

3. A set button is pressed and then a home key is pressed to enter a "reset mode".

4. The same master password is entered and then the home key (optional in one embodiment) is pressed.

5. Press 7-9 to select the type of password to be changed.

6. Enter a new (permanent) password and then press the home key.

7. A value between 1 and 9 is entered to set the number of access times and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the locked mode.

Reset procedure for resetting a permanent password by a permanent user (who must have the password stored as in a padlock) Permanent password verified by storage device

1. Touch anywhere on the screen to cause the keypad to appear on the screen.

2. On the keypad, the master password is entered, and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the unlocked mode.

3. A set button is pressed and then a home key is pressed to enter a "reset mode".

4. The same permanent password is entered and then the home key (optional in one embodiment) is pressed.

5. A new (permanent) code is entered and then the home key is pressed to set the padlock in the locked mode.

Unlocking and locking combination lock

When a user desires to operate the electronic combination lock 10 in the open mode, the user may touch the panel 70 such that the keypads 30-39, home button 50 and set button 60 are displayed on the panel. The user may type in a predetermined combination code and then press the home button 50. Power is delivered to the solenoid 100 for a short period of time (e.g., about 10 seconds). As the solenoid 100 is activated, the top end 101 of the solenoid 100 moves downward toward the solenoid body 102. As the tip 101 of the solenoid 100 moves downward, the cam bead 190 can move away from the recessed pocket 141 in the recess 146 of the cam 140. Because the cam 140 is fixedly attached to the knob 130, the cam 140 can be rotated by turning the knob 130 to release the shackle 40. As cam 140 rotates away from its locked position, latch 80 and lock bead 180 may move into latch groove 144 and bead groove 145. Thus, latch 80 and lock bead 180 disengage from cut-outs 43 in short leg 41 and long leg 42 of shackle 40. The shackle 40 is now allowed to move upward under the urging force of the shackle spring 160 to release the short leg 41 from the lock hole 21 of the lock body 20.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, after the user enters the correct combination code, there is a period of time of about 10 seconds to allow the solenoid to draw sufficient power to draw the top end 101 of the solenoid 100 to the down position. The cam ball 190 is now allowed to move away from the recessed pocket 141 of the cam 140 and the user can now turn the knob 130 and cam 140 to open the lock. Due to the urging force of the shackle spring 160, the shackle 40 moves upward until the lock balls 180 move into the retaining grooves 44 of the shackle 40. The notch 44 is arranged to prevent the long leg 42 of the shackle 40 from moving completely away from the long leg passage 22 of the lock body 20. After about 10 seconds, power to the solenoid 100 may be cut off to allow the tip 101 of the solenoid 100 to move upward. It should be noted that the cam bead 190 is located on the track 146 of the cam 140 despite the lock 10 being in the open position.

To return lock 10 to the locked mode, the user simply pushes shackle 40 downward and cam 140 is caused to swing back to its locked position by cam spring 150, cam spring 150 having knob side tail 151 and base side tail 152 (see fig. 12), knob side tail 151 being stored in spring tail slot 132 on knob 130 and base side tail 152 being stored in spring tail slot 113 on solenoid base 110. Latch 80 and lock bead 180 are pushed by cam 140 into cutout 43 of shackle 40. The cam ball 190 is also caused to move back into the recessed pocket 141 of the cam 140, thereby preventing rotation of the cam 140 relative to the lock body 20.

The solenoid base 110 has a threaded hole 114, the threaded hole 114 allowing the threaded rod 200 to be tightened through the hole 25 in the lock body 20. Once the screw 200 is tightened, the solenoid base 110 is not removable from the lock 10. The panel base 120 has two screw holes 124 and 125, the two screw holes 124 and 125 allowing the screw 210 to be fastened through the holes 115 and 116 on the solenoid base 110. Thus, the solenoid base 110 and the faceplate base 120 are securely fastened to the lock body 20. The faceplate base 120 also has an opening 121 to allow a user to access the knob 130. The panel base 120 also has a charging slot 122 to allow a user to charge the batteries embedded in the panel base 120, if desired.

As seen in fig. 3, the combination lock 10 has a sealing plug 170, the sealing plug 170 being sized for insertion into the lock body 20 to conceal the keyhole 23 of the lock body 20.

User instructions to unlock padlocks

1. A touch panel.

2. The combination code (or old master password, or any preset user password) is entered and then the home key is pressed.

3. The knob is turned clockwise to release the shackle.

4. To lock the lock, the lock will automatically lock itself simply by pushing the shackle back to the locked position.

Reset user 1 master password (master user reset mode)

When a user desires to set a new master code for the electronic combination padlock 10, the user may contact the touch panel 70 to cause the keypads 30-39, home button 50 and set button 60 to be displayed on the panel. The user can now enter a preset combination code (or existing master password) and press home key 50. The user may then press the set button 60 and then press the home key 50 again. The user may then press the number 1 (keypad 31) to set the new master password. After entering a new master password by pressing the number keys 30-39, the user must press the home button 50. The lock can now be unlocked with a new master code that must have at least 4 digits but may have 15 digits.

Resetting permanent user password for user 2-6 with unlimited number of accesses (permanent user reset mode)

When the master user desires to set a permanent combination for the electronic combination lock 10, the user may contact the touch panel 70 to cause the keypads 30-39, home button 50 and set button 60 to be displayed on the panel. The user may enter a preset combination code (or an existing master password) and press the home button 50. The user may then press the set button 60 and then press the home button 50 again. The user may press one of the numbers 2-6 (keypad 32-36) to set the user password for the selected user between users 2-6. After entering the new user password for the selected user by pressing the numeric keys 30-39, the user must press the home key 50. The lock can now be unlocked with a new permanent user code that must have at least 4 digits but may have 15 digits.

Resetting temporary user password for user 7-9 with limited number of accesses (temporary user reset mode)

When the master user desires to set a temporary pass code for the electronic combination lock 10, the user may contact the panel 70 to cause the keypads 30-39, home button 50 and set button 60 to be displayed on the panel. The user may enter a preset combination code (or an existing master password) and press the home button 50. The user may then press the set button 60 and then press the home button 50 again. The user may press one of the number keys 7-9 (keypads 37-39) to set a temporary user password for the selected user between users 7-9. After entering the new user password for the selected user by pressing the number keys 30-39, the user must press the home button 50. The new temporary user password must have at least 4 digits but may have 15 digits. The user may select the numbers 1-9(31-39) to set the number of access times that the temporary password can be used, and then press the home button 50. Generally, the number of accesses of the temporary password may be in the range of 1 to 9. The lock is now set with a temporary user password for the temporary user.

Alternative embodiments

According to various embodiments of The present invention, an electronic combination Lock includes an overlay key locking mechanism as disclosed in U.S. patent No.7,140,209 issued to Sun Lock limited (The Sun Lock Company, Ltd.) (The assignee of The present application) and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

As seen in fig. 14A-30, the electronic combination lock 420 has a lock body 220/310, a shackle 240, and a touch panel 270. The touch panel 270 has a plurality of numeric keys or keypads 230 and 239, a home button 250 and a reset button 260. Shackle 240 has a short leg 241 and a long leg 242, with long leg 242 having a tab 243 and a neck 244. The touch panel 270 has a green light 271 and a red light 272. The green light 271 illuminates to indicate that the input code is correct and the red light 272 illuminates to indicate other aspects. As seen in fig. 17A and 22, the lock body 220/310 has: lock ring cutout 221/231 to receive lock ring 290; a solenoid tip cutout 222/312 sized to receive the tip 301 of the solenoid 300 (see fig. 21); a solenoid body cutout 223/313 sized to receive the solenoid body 303 of the solenoid 300, and a latch cutout 224/314 to receive the latch 280. The lock body 220/310 also has a screw hole 225/315 to receive the screw 270 and two holes 226 to receive the screw cap 400 to conceal the screw 370 (see fig. 14B). Lock body 220/310 has cam channel 227 for receiving rotatable cam 340, fixed cam 350 and fence 360. The lock body 220/310 also has a cylinder cutout 228 for placement of the cylinder 330 and has a long leg passage 229 sized to receive the end of the long leg 242 of the shackle 240. The cylinder 330 has two cylinder pins 331. The rotatable cam 340 has a larger cylindrical body 343 and a smaller body 344. The end of the larger cylindrical body 343 has two receiving slots 342 sized to receive the cylinder pins 331 of the cylinder 330. The smaller cylindrical body 344 has a cam slot 341. The latch 280 has a latch bore 281 sized to receive the tip 301 of the solenoid 300 and has a latch prong 282 arranged to engage an annular groove 292 of the locking ring 290, the locking ring 290 having two groove ramps 293 near the annular groove 292. The latch 280 also has a prong ramp 283 on the latch prong 282, the prong ramp 283 being arranged to contact a groove ramp 293 of the locking ring 290. The combination lock 420 also has a panel base 320 and a panel support 329 to support the touch panel 270, the panel base 320 having a base support 328 (see fig. 23A and 23B). The panel base 320 also has a screw hole 323 that receives a screw 370, the screw 370 for securing the lock body 222/312 to a panel support 329 on top of the base support 328. The base support 328 has an opening 321 and a charging slot 322, the opening 321 allowing the key 410 to be inserted into the cylinder 330. The fixed cam 350 has a locking hole 351, the locking hole 351 being arranged to receive the short leg 241 of the shackle 240. The fixed cam 350 has a gap 355, the gap 355 being sufficiently wide to allow the short leg 241 of the shackle 240 to move out of the locking hole 351 through the gap 355. The blocking plate 360 is positioned adjacent to the gap 355 of the fixed cam 350 and has a width sufficient to block the locking hole 351 to prevent the short leg 241 from moving out of the locking hole 351 through the gap 355 when the short leg 241 is located in the locking hole 351. The bezel 360 has a locking pin 361, the locking pin 361 movably engaging the cam slot 341 of the rotatable cam 340.

Locked mode

As seen in fig. 14A, 15, 18, 19, 20A and 20B, shackle 240 has a short leg 241, a long leg 242, a protrusion 243 and a neck 244. Shackle 290 has an annular channel 294, annular channel 294 sized to receive long leg 242 of shackle 240 such that tab 243 of shackle 240 rests on enlarged inner edge 291 of shackle 20, enlarged inner edge 291 having a C-shaped clip 390 that inserts into neck 244 of shackle 240. Thus, the long leg 242 may only have rotational movement relative to the locking ring 290. When the lock 420 is operating in the locked mode, the tip 301 of the solenoid 300 causes the latch prongs 282 to engage the annular groove 292 of the shackle 290, thereby preventing the shackle 240 from moving upward relative to the lock body 220. Since the solenoid 300 is not in use (not energized), the tip 301 is pushed upward by the solenoid spring 302, wherein the tip 301 of the solenoid 300 engages in the latch hole 281 of the latch 280. In this arrangement the shackle cannot be pulled upwards to open the lock. In addition, fixed cam 350 is fixedly attached to lock body 220/310. The fixed cam 350 has a locking hole 351, the locking hole 351 being arranged to receive the short leg 241 of the shackle 240. The fixed cam 350 is a non-closed cylinder such that the short leg 241 can be rotated out of the locking hole 351 while the long leg 242 remains in the downward position. However, in the locked mode, the blocking plate 360 is positioned relative to the fixed cam 350 to prevent it from being rotated out of the locking hole 350.

Key lock mechanism

As seen in fig. 14A, 16, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 30, the cylinder pin 331 of the cylinder 330 is inserted into a receiving slot 342 at the end of the larger cylindrical body 343 of the rotatable cam 340 so that the cylinder 330 and the rotatable cam 340 can be rotated together only by a key. The smaller cylindrical body 344 of the rotatable cam 340 has a cam slot 341 to receive the locking pin 361 of the stop plate 360. If the wrong key is used to unlock the padlock 420, the cylinder 330 and rotatable cam 340 may not rotate. With the locking pin 361 of the blocking plate 360 engaged in the cam slot 341 of the rotatable cam 340, the blocking plate 360 cannot move downward. Therefore, the short leg 241 of the shackle 240 is prevented from being unscrewed out of the locking hole 351 of the fixed cam 350.

Unlocking by combination code (fig. 16)：

When the user desires to operate the padlock 420, the user may contact the panel 270 such that the keypad 230 and 239, the home button 250, and the set button 260 are displayed on the panel. The user may type in a predetermined combination code and then press the home button 250. Power is delivered to the solenoid 300 for a short period of time (e.g., about 10 seconds). As the solenoid 300 is activated, the top end 301 of the solenoid 100 moves downward toward the solenoid body 3003. As the top end 310 of the solenoid 300 moves downward and out of the latch hole 281 of the latch 280, the latch prongs 282 disengage from the annular groove 292 of the locking ring 290. Accordingly, the user may pull up on the shackle 240 to release the short leg 241 out of the locking hole 351 of the fixed cam 350 to operate the padlock in the open mode. As the shackle 240 is pulled upward, the groove ramp 293 of the catch 290 also causes the latch 280 to move further away from the long leg 242 by pushing on the prong ramp 283 of the latch 280. After about 10 seconds, power to the solenoid 300 may be cut off.

When the user relocks the padlock, the short leg portion 241 moves into the locking hole 351 of the fixed cam 350. At the same time, the locking ring 290 moves downwardly along with the long leg 242 so that the groove 292 is aligned with the latch fork 282 of the latch 280. The latch 280 is urged by the urging force of the spring 380 and causes the latch prongs 282 to engage the grooves 292 of the locking ring 290. With the solenoid 300 de-energized, the tip 301 of the solenoid 300 is urged upward by the spring 302 into the latch hole 281 of the latch 280.

Unlocking by key lock mechanism (FIGS. 29A and 29B)：

When the padlock 420 is in the locked mode due to the engagement of the tab 243 with the groove 292 of the shackle 290, the shackle 240 cannot be pulled upward to unlock the padlock 420. However, if the correct key 410 is inserted into the cylinder 330, the cylinder 330 may rotate along with the rotatable cam 340. As the rotatable cam 340 rotates, the cam slot 341 in the smaller cylindrical body 344 causes the locking pin 361 to move downward along with the flapper 360 to open the locking hole 351. Thus, the short leg 241 of the shackle 240 may be rotated out of the locking hole 351 of the fixed cam 350. This allows a key lock user or security personnel to inspect the piece of luggage. To relock the padlock, the short leg 241 of shackle 240 is simply rotated back into the locking hole 351 of stationary cam 350 and cylinder 330 is rotated in the opposite direction to remove key 410. As the cylinder 300 rotates in a relatively opposite direction, the pin 361 is caused to move upward along with the blocking plate 360. Thus, the flapper 360 prevents the short leg 241 of the shackle 240 from backing out of the lock hole 351. Long leg 342 of shackle 240 and shackle 290 remain in the downward position at all times.

As with the embodiments described and illustrated in fig. 1-13, various users may enter a combination code to unlock a combination lock and to reset the combination code. The operation differs from the embodiment described and shown in fig. 14 to 30 in that the green light and the red light. A green light may be used to indicate that the key input is correct. The green light may also be arranged to flash during the reset mode.

Exemplary Padlock component

In one embodiment of the invention, the padlock has various components as shown in figure 31. As shown in fig. 31, the electronic padlock 10 includes: a padlock housing or body 20; a keypad 70 for keypad input; a processor 520 for receiving keypad inputs (e.g., programmed to execute the mode of operation shown in FIG. 32); a memory 500, the memory 500 having a password storage to store a password and a password type (the memory being non-transitory for storing code readable by a processor or computer); a battery 510, the battery 510 to power all electronic components and electromechanical controls; a drive electronics circuit 530, the drive electronics circuit 530 for driving an electromechanical mechanism or control 540 (such as a solenoid that can change the position of the mechanical lockout device 550) such that when the mechanical lockout device 550 is engaged in a notch or the like on the shackle 40, it prevents the shackle 40 from being pulled upward to open the padlock. According to one embodiment of the invention, the padlock housing 20 has an optional signal receiver 515, the signal receiver 515 being configured to receive an electronic signal from the electronic device indicative of the combined code and to transmit the combined code to the processor 520.

Exemplary modes of operation

In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic padlock may operate according to the process steps as shown in fig. 32 and described as follows:

step 602. after receiving keypad input from the user, if the password is valid (as verified from the password storage), the combination lock is in the unlocked state (state 604) and jumps to step 620.

Step 604, the padlock is set in the unlocked state and the process jumps to step 606.

If the shackle is pulled up, step 606, the process jumps to step 608. If the shackle is pushed down at step 608, the padlock returns to the locked state at step 612; if the padlock is not pulled upward after the time period as determined at step 610, the padlock reverts to the locked state at step 612.

Step 620: cipher type determination: 1) if the password is a permanent password, nothing happens. 2) If the password is a temporary password and it is used for the last access as determined at step 622, then the password will be erased at step 630 and the password storage adjusted accordingly at step 660; if the password is a temporary password and it is still usable two or more times, then the number of access times is reduced at step 624 and the password storage is adjusted accordingly; 3) if the password is the master password, then at step 640 it is determined whether the user desires to reset the password. If the user desires to reset the password, then the process jumps to step 642; if not, the process jumps to step 606.

At step 640, after receiving a reset input from the user, the process jumps to step 642.

In step 642, the user selects the type of password to be reset: if the type is primary, then the process jumps to step 650, otherwise the process jumps to step 644.

At step 644, if the type is a temporary password, then the process jumps to step 646. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 652.

In step 646, after the new temporary password is entered, the process jumps to step 648.

Step 648-the number of access times the user entered the temporary password and the password storage device adjusted accordingly at step 660.

Step 650: the user enters a password as the new master password and the password storage device adjusts accordingly at step 660.

Step 652: the user enters a password as the new permanent password and the password storage device adjusts accordingly at step 660.

Another embodiment of the invention

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the touch screen panel 70 need not be used. Thus, the numeric keypads 30-39 are attached to the panel base 120/320. In particular, a numeric keypad has been on panel base 120/320 for the user to enter a combination code.

Remote entry of combination codes

In one embodiment of the present invention, the combination code may also be transmitted to the electronic processor 520 by an electronic device that is separate from the electronic combination lock. As seen in fig. 31, the padlock housing 20 has a signal receiver 515, the signal receiver 515 being electrically connected to an electronic processor 520. The signal receiver 515 is configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a combined code and to transmit the received combined code to the electronic processor 520 to determine whether the combined code matches a preset password (stored password). The electronic signal may be a bluetooth signal derived from an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, or a longer range signal derived from a remote transmitter.

With the signal receiver, a user may open the electronic combination lock by inputting a combination code through the touch panel or by sending an electronic signal indicating the combination code from a separate electronic device.

Operation of a combination lock from a separate mobile device

As shown in fig. 31, the padlock housing 20 has a signal receiver 515, the signal receiver 515 being configured to receive an electronic signal from a separate electronic device indicative of a combination code. The electronic device may be a handheld device, such as a mobile phone having a bluetooth communication channel or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, signal receiver 515 is part of transceiver module 512, which also has signal transmitter 517, as shown in fig. 33. In an embodiment of the present invention, the signal transmitter 517 is configured to transmit bluetooth signals.

In one embodiment of the invention, an electronic device has various components as shown in FIG. 34. As shown in fig. 34, electronic device 700 includes a processor 702, a memory 704, a signal transceiver module 706, and a display or display screen 710. The signal transceiver module 706 is configured for wireless communications, including bluetooth communications. For example, the display screen 710 is arranged to display information and receive user input. In other words, the display screen 710 is arranged to allow the input of information to be wirelessly transmitted to an electronic combination lock within communication range. The information may indicate a password, access level, etc. The information may include a command to unlock the electronic combination lock if the combination matches a preset combination in the lock. The memory 704 is a non-transitory memory for storing bluetooth pairing information including, for example, a determination that the combination lock has been electronically linked or paired with an electronic device. Processor 702 may be programmed to perform communications between electronic device 700 and one or more electronic combination locks 10 via transceiver module 706. The electronic device 700 may be a mobile phone or the like.

The normal mode of operation between the electronic device 700 and the electronic combination lock 10 is illustrated in fig. 35A-35E. As shown in fig. 35A, the electronic device 700 has a display 710 that displays application icons 712 (commonly referred to as applications). Application icon 712 is configured for communication with one or more electronic combination locks 10. When the application icon 712 is activated, the processor 702 (see fig. 34) is arranged to provide a wireless signal (e.g., a bluetooth signal) for searching for an electronic combination lock 10 within range of the wireless signal. If the search is successful, display 710 displays a list including three electronic combination locks 10, as shown in FIG. 35B. Each electronic combination lock in the list may have an electronic identification and a given name associated therewith. For example, one of the locks is named "XRDW". A user of electronic device 700 may select one of the locks to establish a communication link between electronic device 700 and the selected lock 10. It should be noted that the selected lock may or may not already be paired with the electronic device. If they have been paired, the user can enter the correct password on the electronic device to unlock the lock. If there is no pairing, the user may enter a factory provided "admin code" for the lock or a given preset code stored in the lock on the electronic device for pairing. For example, the "management password" may be 0-0-0-0. The "management password" may have been changed to a preset password different from the "management password". As shown in fig. 35C, the user may enter a password indicating "manage password" or preset password using the keyboard 715 and then press "save" to add the selected lock as a paired lock in the memory 704 of the electronic device 700 (see fig. 34).

As shown in FIG. 35D, selected lock "XRDW" is now linked to electronic device 700. The user may wish to unlock the linked XRDW by selecting it from the list. The linked XRDW can be unlocked by a sliding operation as shown in display 710 shown in fig. 35E.

Fig. 36 is a flowchart of the normal operation of electronic combination lock 10 using a separate electronic device 700 (see fig. 35A-35E). At step 802, when application icon 712 is activated, electronic device 700 is configured to search for electronic combination locks within a search scope. At step 804, if a pairing lock is not found in the search, the electronic device 700 may be activated to search for an unpaired lock. For example, the display 710 may have a symbol, such as a "+" to allow the user to initiate a search. If no unpaired lock is found in the search, the search mode of the application icon terminates. At step 806, if one or more unpaired locks are found, the display 710 of the electronic device 700 is arranged to display a list of unpaired locks, and the user may select one of the listed locks for pairing purposes. For example, the display 710 may display a selection symbol, such as "+" (e.g., see fig. 35B), associated with each listed lock. The user may click or activate a selection symbol to select one of the locks. At step 808, the user may provide the name and password of the selected lock and then press "Save" to complete the pairing process (see, e.g., FIG. 35C). The pairing process for the other listed locks can be performed in the same manner.

If one or more pairing locks are found in the search of step 802, display 710 of electronic device 700 may provide a list of these pairing locks. For example, display 710 may have a selection symbol "+" to allow the user to select a pairing lock from the list for management at step 810. The user may remove the pairing lock from the list by making some gesture on the display 710. At step 812, the user is asked to enter a password associated with the selected lock. If the entered code does not match the stored code in the lock, the display 710 may indicate that the entered code is incorrect and the user may retry. If the entered passcode is correct, the user may unlock the lock from the electronic device 700 by making some gesture (see, e.g., FIG. 35E). If the user is a basic user (a permanent user with a permanent password or a second access level user) or a temporary user (a third access level user with limited access), the communication between the electronic device 700 and the lock may be ended. If the user is an administrator (a first access level user with a master password, or a first level user), the first level user may enter an administrative level by activating a symbol (e.g., "set") to select a particular administrative function to be performed on the selected lock, at which the administrator may assign a number of primary users and a number of temporary users, or modify the master password. At step 816, the first level user may choose to perform administrative functions at one of these access levels. If the selected access level is a first access level, the first level user may change the lock name and/or password and save the change at step 818. If the selected access level is the second access level or the third access level, the first level user may select users of those levels at step 820 and change or assign the password of the selected user at step 822. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the selected access level is the second access level, the display 710 of the electronic device 700 may display a list of one or more primary users authorized to use the lock an unlimited number of times. For example, the list may contain five users, such as user 2, user 3, … …, user 6 (see FIG. 1) associated with keys 32-36 on combination lock 10. The first level user may assign or change a password to each basic user. If the selected access level is the third access level, display 710 of electronic device 700 may display a list of one or more temporary users authorized to use the lock a limited number of times. For example, the list may contain three users, such as user 7, user 8, and user 9 (see FIG. 1) associated with keys 37-39 on combination lock 10. The first level user may assign a password to each temporary user. This process may be repeated for other users in the same manner.

In general, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for operating one or more electronic combination locks via wireless communication. Preferably, the device is a mobile device, such as a mobile phone configured for communication in a bluetooth wireless channel. The mobile device has a display configured to display information and to allow entry of information. The display may have an application icon (commonly referred to as an APP) for communicating with the combination lock. The mobile device has electronic circuitry configured to provide a wireless signal upon activation of the application icon, the wireless signal indicating a combination code for operating the combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, wherein the access levels define a number of accesses for unlocking the combination lock. The wireless signals may include communication signals for electronically linking the combination lock to the electronic device during the pairing process. The mobile device has a non-transitory memory unit configured to store an identification of a combination lock that has been electronically linked to the electronic device. The display is arranged to display a list of one or more combination locks found in the search range that have been electronically linked to the electronic device, and the display is further configured to allow deletion of the one or more combination locks displayed on the list from the memory unit. The display may have a graphical keyboard to allow entry of information indicative of a combination code for operating the combination lock, wherein the display is arranged to allow a gesture to be made on the display to unlock the combination lock if the combination code matches a preset combination code of the combination lock. The display is also configured to allow a new combination to be entered from the display for replacement of a preset combination in the combination lock. The display is configured to allow input from the display indicating assignment of one or more second level and/or third level user information to the combination lock, which information may include the number of accesses by the third level user. The assignment of the second level and/or third level users may include entering a number associated with one of the plurality of numeric keys from the display.

According to embodiments of the present invention, padlock 10 and its components as shown in fig. 1-13B and 31 may be unlocked by a combination code entered by the keypad of touch panel 70. The padlock 420 and its components as shown in fig. 14A-30 may be unlocked using a combination code entered through the touch panel 270 keypad or by a key 410 operating on the cylinder 330 (see, e.g., fig. 29A and 29B). Padlock 10 and padlock 420 may also be unlocked using a combination transmitted by electronic device 700 via wireless signals, as shown in FIGS. 34-35E. Fig. 32 shows a process of unlocking padlock 10 or padlock 420 using keypad input. As shown in fig. 32, if the combination code provided by the keypad entry in step 602 is valid, the padlock is set to the unlocked state. As shown in fig. 36, if the passcode transmitted from the electronic device 700 to the paired padlock in step 812 matches the combination code stored in the padlock, the padlock may be unlocked. If the user is an administrator (a user with a first level of access to the master password or a first level user) as determined in step 830, the user may choose to perform one or more administrative functions.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an administrator may disable keypad entry of padlock 10 and padlock 420 using electronic device 700 via a wireless signal. For example, the display 710 of the electronic device 700 may have an icon 716 as shown in FIG. 35F. Icon 716 may be an "invalid" icon associated with only the first level of the combined code. When the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal in the slave electronic device is set to prevent keyboard entry, effectively deactivating the touch panel. Once keypad entry is prevented, a combination code cannot be entered through touch panel 70 of padlock 10 or touch panel 270 of padlock 420 to unlock the padlock. To reactivate keyboard input, the display 710 of the electronic device 700 may also have a "reactivate" icon 717 that is associated with only the first level of combination codes. When the reactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal from the electronic device effectively reactivates the keypad input to allow the user to unlock the padlock using the touch panel.

As shown in fig. 37A, the deactivation and reactivation of the keypad input may be performed in the electronic circuit 900. Circuit 900 combines the circuit components of padlock 10 as shown in fig. 31, as well as the processing steps in flowchart 600 as shown in fig. 32 and the processing steps in flowchart 800 as shown in fig. 36. As shown in fig. 37A, the circuit 900 includes a switch 910 to control keyboard input from the touch panel 70 or 270. The switch 910 may be an electronic switch or an electromechanical switch made of one or more semiconductor switching components. When the touch panel of the padlock is not performing a disabling operation by the electronic device 700, the switch 910 allows the user to unlock the padlock by entering a combination code on the touch panel 70/270. If the combination code is valid as determined in the keypad entry step 602, an unlock signal 901 is transmitted to the drive electronics 530 to unlock the padlock (see FIG. 31). When a wireless signal indicative of a password is transmitted from the electronic device 700 to the signal transceiver circuit 512, the signal receiver 515 is arranged to send information indicative of the password to the processor 520 (see fig. 31) to perform the processing steps shown in the flowchart 800 (see fig. 36). In particular, when the combination code matches the combination code, an unlock signal 902 or 903 is transmitted to the drive electronics 530 to unlock the padlock. However, if the combined code is a first level password and it is determined in step 840 that the wireless signal indicates a disable signal, then the switch 910 is opened by the signal 904, effectively preventing the unlock signal 901 from reaching the driver circuit 530. However, users of the first, second, or third levels are still able to unlock and re-lock padlock 10 or padlock 420 using electronic device 700. When the driver electronics 530 receives the unlock signal (901, 902, or 903), it issues an activation signal 907 to activate the electromechanical device (100, 300) in the padlock (10, 420). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switch 910 functions similar to a toggle switch in that the switch 910 remains open until an administrator initiates the transmission of a "reactivated" wireless signal from the electronic device 700 to the padlock. The signal 904 is set to close the switch 910, allowing the unlock signal to reach the drive electronics 530. Furthermore, only the first level user or administrator may initiate the disable/reactivate function performed on the electronic padlock through a wireless signal from the electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the disabling function performed on an electronic padlock (such as padlock 420 shown in fig. 14A-30) is applied to the disabling of keypad entry, rather than the disabling of a key lock mechanism. This means that although the user cannot unlock the padlock using the touch panel 270, the person with the correct key 410 is still able to unlock the electronic padlock. According to another embodiment of the invention, the disabling function is further configured to disable a key lock mechanism of an electronic padlock (such as padlock 1600 shown in fig. 38-55).

According to embodiments of the invention, the padlock 1600 may be unlocked in three ways: a combination code entered through the touch panel keyboard, a correct key operating on the key lock mechanism, or a wireless signal that transmits a password from a separate electronic device. The touch panel and key lock mechanism may be disabled by a wireless signal initiated by a first level user transmitted from the electronic device to the padlock. Once the touch panel and key lock mechanism of the padlock fail, the padlock can only be unlocked and re-locked by the first level user through the electronic device. However, to reactivate the key lock mechanism, the user must use the reactivation code.

Active State-locking mode (FIGS. 37A-52)

When the padlock 1600 is active and operating in the locked mode, it may be unlocked by using a touch panel, a key lock mechanism, or a separate electronic device. The separate electronic device is similar to the electronic device 700 shown in fig. 34-36, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the padlock 1600 also includes the electronic components shown in fig. 31 and the signal transmitter shown in fig. 33.

As shown in fig. 38, the padlock 1600 has a shackle 1700 and a touch panel 1740, the shackle 1700 having a short leg 1701 (toe) and a long leg 1704 (heel), the touch panel 1740 being similar to the touch panel 270 of the padlock 420 (see fig. 15). Touch panel 1740 also has ten numeric keys 1741-1750, a home button 1751, and a set button 1752 that allow a user to unlock, for example, padlock 1600. Touch panel 1740 is electronically linked to an electronic lock mechanism that controls the locking and unlocking of padlock 1600. The padlock 1600 also has a key lock mechanism that allows a person with the correct key to unlock the padlock 1600.

The padlock 1600 has a lock body 1601 for arranging an electronic lock mechanism and a key lock mechanism. The electro-lock mechanism includes a single hole latch 1660 (also referred to as a control latch), a lock ring 1680 with a collar 1681, a solenoid 1690 with a telescoping shaft 1691, and a main body inner housing 1710. The key lock mechanism includes a bezel 1610, a fixed cam 1620, a lever 1630 with a lever ramp 1631, a rotatable cam 1640, a cylinder 1650, a dual-aperture latch 1670 (also referred to as a locking latch) also linked with a solenoid 1690. The body inner shell 1710 has a plurality of openings for receiving other components, including a shackle channel 1712 for placement of the long leg 1704 of the shackle 1700. Baffle 1610 has drive pins 1611 and a failure slot 1612. The fixed cam 1620 has a reactivation aperture 1621 and a deactivation edge 1622. The rotatable cam 1640 has a pin slot 1641, an internal bore 1642 and two cylindrical receiving bores 1643. Cylinder 1650 has a pair of extending pins 1651 on an upper side and a cylindrical slot (not shown) on a lower side arranged to receive key 1653 (see fig. 53). The single-hole latch 1660 has a recess 1661 and a locking hole 1662. The dual aperture latch 1670 has an activation aperture 1671, a deactivation aperture 1672, and a latch edge 1673. The long leg 1704 of the shackle 1700 has a pair of protrusions 1702 and a slotted neck 1703. Lock ring 1680 fits between protrusion 1702 and slotted neck 1703 of shackle 1700, and C-clip 1720 is inserted into slotted neck 1703 to secure lock ring 1680 in place on shackle 1700.

When the padlock 1600 is operating in the lockout mode in the active state, the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 is located in the activation aperture 1671 of the dual aperture latch 1670 and is also received into the lockout aperture 1662 of the single aperture latch 1660. The groove 1661 of the latch 1660 is received in the collar 1681 of the catch 1680.

As shown in fig. 51, the flap 1610 and the fixed cam 1620 are placed together as a meshing assembly to receive the short leg 1701 of the shackle 1700 and the upper portion of the rotatable cam 1640. The flap 1610 may be moved downward relative to the fixed cam 1620 to release the short leg 1701 of the shackle 1700. The rotatable cam 1640 is positioned such that the drive pin 1611 of the baffle 1610 is movably engaged in the pin ramp 1641 of the rotatable cam 1640. The rotatable cam 1640 is placed on top of the cylinder 1650 such that the extended pin 1651 of the cylinder 1650 engages the cylinder receiving hole 1643 of the rotatable cam 1640.

When no key is inserted into the cylinder 1650, no rotational movement of the cylinder 1650 relative to the lock body 1601 occurs. Since the extended pin 1651 of the cylinder 1650 engages the cylinder receiving hole 1643 of the rotatable cam 1640, there is no rotational movement of the rotatable cam 1640 and the position of the pin ramp 1641 remains unchanged. The position of the drive pin 1611 also remains unchanged, such that the short leg 1701 of the shackle 1700 engages the stop 1610 and the fixed cam 1620, preventing the shackle 1700 from rotating relative to the lock body 1601 to prevent the padlock 1600 from changing from the locked mode to the open mode. However, as shown in fig. 39 and 51, the latch edge 1673 of the dual hole latch 1670 disengages from the failure slot 1612 of the bezel 1610. Thus, when the correct key is inserted into the cylinder 1650 to rotate the cylinder 1650, the rotatable cam 1640 rotates relative to the double-hole latch 1670.

Active state-unlocking by electronic lock mechanism (fig. 52)

When the padlock 1600 is active, it may be unlocked by an electronic lock mechanism, as described below.

As shown in fig. 39, when the padlock 1600 is operated in the locking mode, the groove 1661 of the one-hole latch 1660 engages the collar 1681 of the lock ring 1680, and the tip of the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 is positioned in the locking hole 1662 of the one-hole latch 1660. Thus, shackle 1700 cannot be pulled upward to unlock padlock 1600. To release the shackle 1700 from the single-hole latch 1660, the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 may be moved half way down from the lock hole 1662 of the single-hole latch 1600. Since the padlock 1700 also has a processor 520, drive electronics 530 as shown in fig. 31, the drive electronics 530 is configured to move the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 downward upon receiving a combination code from the keypad 1740 (see fig. 38) or a correct password transmitted in a wireless signal from the electronic device 700 (see fig. 34, 35A-35E). When the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 moves downward, the shaft 1691 separates from the locking aperture 1662 of the single aperture latch 1660, while the shaft 1691 remains in the activation aperture 1671 of the dual aperture latch.

When the shaft 1691 is disengaged from the latch aperture 1662 of the single aperture latch 1660, a spring 1664 (see fig. 51) at the single aperture latch 1660 is provided to urge the single aperture latch 1660 to remain in contact with the catch 1680. However, the shackle 1700 may be pulled upward to disengage the short leg 1701 from the flap 1610. Shackle 1700 may then be rotated to change combination lock 1600 from the locked mode to the open mode, as shown in FIG. 52.

Active state-unlocking by key lock mechanism (fig. 53)

When the correct key is inserted into cylinder 1650 to rotate cylinder 1650, rotatable cam 1640 also rotates in the same manner. Since the drive pin 1611 of the shutter 1610 is movably engaged in the pin ramp 1641 of the rotatable cam 1640, the pin ramp 1641 moves the shutter 1610 downward relative to the fixed cam 1620, thereby releasing the short leg of the shackle 1700. When the single-hole latch 1660 remains engaged with the shackle 1680, the shackle 1700 may be rotated to change the padlock 1600 from the locked position to the open position.

Failure state (FIGS. 37B, 54A-54B)

When the padlock 1600 is disabled by a command of a first level user of the detached electronic device 700, any user cannot unlock the padlock 1600 using the correct key or combination code entered through the touch panel 1740. For example, a first level user may activate an "invalidate" icon 716 on display 710 of electronic device 700 to disable touch panel 1740 and the key lock mechanism of padlock 1600.

When the padlock 1600 is active and operating in the locking mode as shown in fig. 39, the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 is located in the locking aperture 1662 of the single aperture latch 1660 and the activation aperture 1671 of the dual aperture latch 1670. When the first level user activates the "disable" icon 716 on the display 710 of the electronic device 700, a wireless signal indicating the disabled function is transmitted to the padlock 1600 and received by the signal receiver 515 on the padlock 1600, as shown in fig. 37B. As shown in fig. 37B, the drive electronics 530 is configured to send two types of signals for energizing the solenoid 1690: an activation signal 907 and a deactivation/reactivation signal 908. As with some of the processing steps shown in fig. 37A, the drive electronics 530 in fig. 37B is arranged to transmit the activation signal 907 when the combined code entered via the touch pad 1740 is valid or the passcode indicated in the wireless signal matches the combined code. However, the deactivation signal 908 is provided only when the first level user activates the deactivation icon 716 or the reactivation icon 717 (see fig. 35F).

In response to the activation signal 907, the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 retracts half to release the single-hole latch 1660. In response to the disable signal 908, the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 retracts further downward to release the single-aperture latch 1660 and the dual-aperture latch 1670. As shown in fig. 54A, when the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 moves out of the activation aperture 1671 of the dual-aperture latch 1670, a spring 1674 (see fig. 51) at the dual-aperture latch 1670 urges the dual-aperture latch 1670 into the deactivation slot 1612 of the flapper 1610. Thus, the failure aperture 1672 of the dual aperture latch 1670 is aligned with the axis 1691 of the solenoid 1690. At the same time, the slot 661 of the one-hole latch 1660 is retained in the catch 1681 of the catch 1680 by the urging force of the spring 1664 (see fig. 51). Thus, the latch aperture 1662 of the single aperture latch 1660 is also aligned with the shaft 1691. After a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 seconds), the shaft 1691 is moved to the defeat aperture 1672 of the dual aperture latch 1670 and the latch aperture 1662 of the single aperture latch 1660, as shown in FIG. 54B. Because the double-hole latch 1670 engages the failed slot 1612 of the baffle 1610, the baffle 1610 cannot move downward, thereby preventing the padlock 1600 from being unlocked by the key mechanism. Since touch panel 1740 is also effectively disabled, padlock 1600 can only be unlocked by a combination code transmitted by a wireless signal from mobile device 700. In one embodiment of the invention, users of the first, second or third access levels may unlock the padlock 1600 using the correct combination code transmitted from the mobile device 700. In another embodiment of the invention, only users of the first level of access may unlock the padlock 1600 via a wireless signal. According to various embodiments of the invention, users of the first or second access level may remotely unlock the padlock 1600.

Reactivation (FIG. 55)

When the padlock 1600 is in a disabled state, only a first level of users can "reactivate" the padlock 1600 by activating the "reactivate" icon 717. When the processor 520 receives a wireless reactivation signal from the electronic device in the padlock 1600, the drive electronics 530 sends a disable/reactivation signal 908 to cause the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 to fully retract to release the single-aperture latch 1660 and the dual-aperture latch 1670. The spring urges the single hole latch 1660 away from the collar 1681 of the catch 1680. Thus, shackle 1700 can be pulled upward to unlock padlock 1600. As shown in fig. 55, shackle 1700 may be rotated away from baffle 1610 and fixed cam 1620. While the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 is still disengaged from the dual-orifice latch 1670, the reactivation key 1730 may be inserted into the reactivation orifice 1621 of the fixed cam 1620 to push the rod 1630 downward. As the rod 1630 moves downward, the rod bevel 1631 of the rod 1630 applies a force to the latch edge 1673 of the dual-aperture latch 1670, causing the dual-aperture latch 1670 to move away until the activation aperture 1671 of the dual-aperture latch 1670 is aligned with the axis 1691 of the solenoid 1690. After a predetermined period of time, the shaft 1691 is moved back to activate the aperture 1671. In this way, the key lock mechanism can be used to unlock the padlock 1600. It should be noted that the same signal 908 is used for deactivation and reactivation of the padlock 1600. The signal 908 is configured to cause only the shaft 1691 of the solenoid 1690 to fully retract within a predetermined time. Thus, the "deactivate" icon 716 and the "reactivate" icon 717 are effectively the same. Its only function is to fully retract the solenoid shaft 1691.

Just as padlock 40 has a battery for powering solenoid 100 and a charging slot 122 for charging the battery, or padlock 420 has a battery for powering solenoid 300 and a charging slot 322 for charging the battery, padlock 1600 also has a battery for powering solenoid 1690 and a charging slot (not shown). Battery 510 as shown in fig. 31 represents a battery used in padlock 10, 420 or 1600.

Thus, while the invention has been described with reference to one or more embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

Claims (18)

1. An electronic combination lock operable in a locked mode, an open mode and a reset mode, comprising:

electronic circuitry configured to communicate with a mobile device via a wireless signal indicative of a combination code for operating an electronic combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, the plurality of access levels including at least a first level and a second level;

a touch panel configured to receive information indicating a keypad input code to operate the combination lock independently of a mobile device;

a non-transitory memory configured to store a plurality of preset passwords including at least a preset password for a first level and a preset password for a second level;

a processor configured to compare a plurality of preset passwords with a keypad input code from the touch panel or a combination code received from the mobile device, and allow access to the combination lock if the keypad input code or the received combination code is one of the preset passwords, wherein

The second level of the preset combination indicates permission to access the combination lock, an

The first level of the preset combination indicates that unlimited access to the combination lock is allowed and that all levels of access are allowed to be changed, wherein the mobile device includes a display configured with an deactivation icon associated only with the first level of the preset combination, and the wireless signal is configured such that the touch panel does not receive information indicative of a keyboard entry code when the deactivation icon is activated.

2. The electronic combination lock of claim 1, wherein the combination code of the second level further indicates that unlimited access to the combination lock is allowed, wherein the plurality of access levels further comprises a third level, wherein the combination code of the third access level indicates that limited access to the combination lock is allowed.

3. The electronic combination lock of claim 1, wherein the display is configured with an application icon configured to communicate with the combination lock via wireless signals upon activation of the application icon.

4. The electronic combination lock of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured to have a reactivation icon associated with only a first level of preset passcodes, and the wireless signal is configured to terminate disabling of the touch panel when the reactivation icon is activated, thereby allowing the touch panel to receive information indicative of a keyboard input.

5. An electronic combination lock operable in a locked mode, an open mode and a reset mode, comprising:

electronic circuitry configured to communicate with a mobile device via a wireless signal indicative of a combination code for operating an electronic combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, the plurality of access levels including at least a first level and a second level;

a touch panel configured to receive information indicating a keypad input code to operate the combination lock independently of a mobile device;

a non-transitory memory configured to store a plurality of preset passwords including at least a preset password for a first level and a preset password for a second level;

a processor configured to compare a plurality of preset passwords with a keypad input code from the touch panel or a combination code received from the mobile device, and allow access to the combination lock if the keypad input code or the received combination code is one of the preset passwords, wherein

The second level of the preset combination indicates permission to access the combination lock, an

The first level of preset combination indicates an unlimited number of accesses to the combination lock and a preset combination that allows all levels of access to be changed, the electronic combination lock further comprising:

a lock body having a first body side, an opposing second body side, and an inner housing positioned between the first body side and the second body side, the inner housing having a shackle channel;

a shackle having a short leg and a long leg, the long leg disposed in the shackle channel, the short leg being located on the first body side of the lock body when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode;

a control latch having a latch hole, the control latch configured to engage with the long leg of the shackle when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode to prevent the shackle from moving in a first direction toward a first body side of the lock body to unlock the combination lock;

a solenoid having a retractable shaft, wherein when the combination lock is operated in a locked mode, the shaft is received in the latch aperture, securing the control latch in position in engagement with the long leg of the shackle; and

a flap engageable with a short leg of the shackle when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode, wherein the flap includes a drive pin, the flap being positionable in a first plate position and a second plate position, the combination lock further including a key lock mechanism configured to unlock the combination lock independent of a keypad entry code and a mobile device when the combination lock is operated in the locked mode, the key lock mechanism comprising:

a cylinder having a first cylinder end and an opposing second cylinder end, the second cylinder end arranged to receive a key for operating a combination lock;

a rotatable cam having a first segment and a second segment, the second segment engaging a first cylinder end of a cylinder for rotation therewith, the first segment having a pin slot for receiving the drive pin of the baffle;

a stationary cam fixedly disposed in the lock body proximate the first body side, the stationary cam having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having an opening sized to receive the first section of the rotatable cam, wherein the drive pin of the bezel is received in the pin slot of the rotatable cam, the first portion configured to engage the bezel to receive the short leg of the shackle when the bezel is in the first plate position.

6. The electronic combination lock of claim 5, wherein the cylinder is enabled to rotate with the rotatable cam when the key is received into the second cylinder end, and the pin slot in the rotatable cam is configured to move the drive pin of the tumbler in a second direction opposite the first direction to move the tumbler from the first plate position to the second plate position, wherein when the tumbler is in the second plate position, the shackle is enabled to rotate relative to the shackle channel to convert the combination lock from the locked mode to the open mode.

7. The electronic combination lock of claim 6, wherein the shutter further comprises a deactivation slot positioned in relation to the drive pin, the combination lock further comprising:

a locking latch operable between a latched position and a released position, the locking latch having a latch edge and an activation aperture, wherein

When the locking latch is positioned in the latched position, the latch edge contacts the defeat slot of the flapper preventing the flapper from moving from the first plate position to the second plate position, wherein

When the locking latch is positioned in the release position, the latch edge is spaced from the disabling slot to move the flapper from the first plate position to the second plate position, wherein when the control latch is engaged with the long leg of the shackle to maintain the combination lock operating in the locked mode, the shaft of the solenoid is also engaged in the activation hole of the locking latch to maintain the locking latch in the release position.

8. The electronic combination lock of claim 7, wherein when the combination lock is operating in a locked mode, a shaft of a solenoid can be caused to retract from a latch hole of a control latch, allowing a long leg of a shackle to move in a first direction to unlock the combination lock.

9. The electronic combination lock of claim 8, wherein the shaft of the solenoid is retracted from the latch bore of the control latch when the keypad entry code or the received combination code is one of the preset combination codes determined by the processor.

10. The electronic combination lock of claim 7, wherein the keyed lock mechanism further comprises a first spring arranged to urge movement of the locking latch toward the disabling slot of the blocking plate, and wherein when the combination lock is operating in the locking mode, the shaft of the solenoid can be disengaged from the activation hole of the locking hole and the latch plate moved from the released position to the latched position, preventing movement of the blocking plate from the first plate position to the second plate position to unlock the combination lock.

11. The electronic combination lock of claim 10, wherein the mobile device comprises a display configured with an deactivation icon associated with only the first level of the preset combination, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal is configured such that the touch panel does not receive information indicative of the keypad entry code, and the wireless signal is further configured to disengage the shaft of the solenoid from the activation aperture of the lock latch.

12. The electronic combination lock of claim 11, wherein the locking latch further comprises a defeat hole positioned in relation to the activation hole, the combination lock further comprising a second spring configured to urge the control latch toward the long leg of the shackle, wherein when the locking latch is in the locked position, the defeat hole of the locking latch and the latch hole of the control latch are both aligned with an axis of the solenoid, the axis of the solenoid engaging the defeat hole of the locking latch and the latch hole of the control latch to prevent the stop plate from moving from the first plate position to the second plate position and to prevent the long leg of the shackle from moving in the first direction to unlock the combination lock.

13. The electronic combination lock of claim 12, wherein the key lock mechanism further comprises a lever positioned in relation to the fence, the lever having a lever ramp arranged to contact a locking edge of the deadbolt when the latching edge of the deadbolt is positioned in the latched position, and wherein the display of the mobile device is further configured with a reactivation icon associated with only the first level of preset combination, the wireless signal being arranged to terminate disabling the touch panel from receiving information indicative of the keypad entry code when the reactivation icon is activated, and the wireless signal being further arranged to disengage the shaft of the solenoid from the disabling aperture of the deadbolt and the locking aperture of the control latch, the long leg of the shackle being movable in a first direction to unlock the combination lock to disengage the short leg from the fence when the shaft of the solenoid is disengaged from the locking aperture of the control latch, and when the shaft of the solenoid is disengaged from the defeat hole of the locking latch, the rod can be moved in a second direction to disengage the latch edge of the locking latch from the defeat slot of the flapper.

14. A mobile device, comprising:

a display configured to have an application icon arranged for communication with the combination lock, an

An electronic circuit configured to provide a wireless signal upon activation of an application icon, the wireless signal indicating a combination code for operating a combination lock at one of a plurality of access levels, the access levels including at least a first level and a second level, wherein

A second level of combination code indicating permission to access the combination lock, an

The combination code of the first level indicates a combination code that allows unlimited access to the combination lock and allows all levels of access to be altered, wherein the combination lock includes a touch panel for receiving information indicative of a keypad input to operate the combination lock independently of a wireless signal, wherein the display is further configured to have a deactivation icon associated with only the combination code of the first level, and when the deactivation icon is activated, the wireless signal is set such that the touch panel does not receive information indicative of a keypad input.

15. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the combination lock further comprises a key lock mechanism configured to unlock the combination lock with a key independent of the keypad input and the wireless signal, wherein the wireless signal is also set to disable the key lock mechanism when the deactivation icon is activated.

16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the key lock mechanism further comprises a reactivation mechanism to terminate disabling of the key lock mechanism independent of the wireless signal.

17. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the display is further configured to have a reactivation icon associated with only the first level of combination codes, and the wireless signal is set to terminate disabling of the touch panel when the reactivation icon is activated, thereby allowing the touch panel to receive information indicative of keyboard input.

18. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the second level of combination codes further indicates that unlimited access to the combination lock is allowed, wherein the plurality of access levels further comprises a third level, wherein a combination code of a third access level indicates that limited access to the combination lock is allowed.