The present invention is an improved electronic lock for use on cargo containers, storage trailers, tractor-trailers, houses, sheds, vehicles or other structures. The improved electronic lock communicates with a mobile wireless communication device such as a smart phone, and may be selectively locked or unlocked. The improved electronic lock may be configured as two independent locking mechanisms within one locking unit and having a traditional shackle-style locking portion and another locking shank portion for securing (or sealing) door latch bars commonly found on tractor-trailer cargo doors. The improved electronic lock further includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) so that the secured (or sealed) cargo container or trailer can be tracked by the improved lock device's location.

A system and method for providing access to a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of capacitive sensors circumferentially spaced from one another in a circular arrangement defining a plurality of sensor nodes for receiving a touch input from a user in the form of a touch or a swipe. A controller unit is coupled to the plurality of capacitive sensors and a power source and is in communication with a plurality of vehicle systems and a latch mechanism. The controller unit detects a plurality of changes in capacitance of the plurality of capacitive sensors due to the touch input and determines whether the plurality of changes in capacitance matches a gesture sequence within a predetermined amount of time. The controller unit controls the latch mechanism in response to the communication with vehicle systems and changes in capacitance matching the gesture sequence within the predetermined amount of time.

A locking and unlocking system includes: a mobile terminal; and a key unit, wherein the mobile terminal includes a terminal transmission unit configured to transmit first authentication information and a first request signal to the key unit, the key unit includes: a key unit reception unit configured to receive the first authentication information and the first request signal from the mobile terminal; a first authentication unit configured to perform authentication; and a locking and unlocking processing unit configured to perform a process of unlocking or locking the door, and the first authentication unit is configured to prohibit the authentication of the mobile terminal in a case where the first authentication unit has once performed the authentication.

An apparatus may include a capacitance sensor, a processor in communication with the capacitance sensor, and memory having programmed instructions that cause the processor, when executed, to determine a closure status of a closure member based on a measurement from the capacitance sensor.

An access control device including a keypad member and an communication module. The keypad member may include a substrate layer having a mounting surface and an internal surface, and a capacitive sensing layer mounted on the internal surface of the substrate layer and including a keypad circuit having a plurality of capacitive sensors defining a plurality of keys. They keypad circuit may include a clear conductive ink. The keypad member may further include a user interface layer mounted on the capacitive sensing layer. The access control device may be configured to be in communication with the capacitive sensing layer and have a mounting structure positioned at a spacing distance from the mounting surface of the substrate layer and a communication link electrically connecting the communication module and the capacitive sensing layer.

A pattern recognition locking system and method is operable to lock and unlock an object through a sequence of knocks, rotations, and ambient vibrations that are measured by an accelerometer as acceleration, and a gyroscope as orientation. The sequence and intensity of vibrations and intensity are processed by a microcontroller that utilizes a pattern recognition algorithm to: recognize the intensity and sequence of acceleration and orientation; identify the most intense motion from the degrees of freedom; and, after identifying a sequence of the most intense motions for respective degree of freedom, the microcontroller transmits a signal to lock mechanism to lock or unlock an object if sequence of degrees of motion match a stored passcode. A sleep module powers off the system when no motion or vibrations detected. A new sequence of ambient vibrations and motion are created through a learning module. A reset switch reprograms the sequence of motions.

A method of operating a door system includes sensing a user on an exterior side of a door panel in physical propinquity to the lock such that the lock transitions from a sleep state to an active state, authenticating the user when the lock is in the active state before converting the lock from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration, and converting the lock from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to transition to the active state. Authenticating the user includes receiving an authentication signal from a remote device on the user in physical propinquity to the to the lock.

A method of operating a door system includes receiving a signal from a pressure sensor disposed in a sill or a frame of the door system, authenticating the user after receiving the signal, shifting the lock from a locked configured to an unlocked configuration in response to receiving the signal after authenticating the user, and moving the door panel from a closed position to an ajar position in response to receiving the signal.

A combination lock has a touch panel to receive a keypad entry code indicative of a combination code for unlocking the lock with various access levels, including a first level and second level. The combination lock is also arranged to receive the combination code from a mobile device via wireless signals. The combination lock also has an independent key-lock mechanism for unlocking the lock with a key. The mobile device has an application icon, when activated, prompting the wireless signals indicative of the combination code. The mobile device also has a deactivation icon and re-activation associated with the combination code of the first level. The deactivation icon causes the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated. The re-activation icon terminates the disablement of the touch panel and the key-lock mechanism when activated.

An access control device including a keypad member and an communication module. The keypad member may include a substrate layer having a mounting surface and an internal surface, and a capacitive sensing layer mounted on the internal surface of the substrate layer and including a keypad circuit having a plurality of capacitive sensors defining a plurality of keys. They keypad circuit may include a clear conductive ink. The keypad member may further include a user interface layer mounted on the capacitive sensing layer. The access control device may be configured to be in communication with the capacitive sensing layer and have a mounting structure positioned at a spacing distance from the mounting surface of the substrate layer and a communication link electrically connecting the communication module and the capacitive sensing layer.