ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF THE LOCKING STATUS OF A UTILITY LOCKING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for outputting a notification about the existence of a status of a locking system that is to be avoided, with the locking system having an electronic knob and a locking device which may be actuated with the electronic knob, with a force being transmitted from the electronic knob to the locking device in order to transfer the locking system from a bolted to an unbolted status and/or from an unbolted status to a bolted status. The method includes: detecting an actual status of the locking system, determining a target status of the locking system depending on predefined criteria, comparing the actual status with the target status of the locking system and determining whether there is a discrepancy between the actual status and target status of the locking system, and outputting at least one notification if there is a discrepancy between the actual status and target status.

Claims

1. A method for outputting a notification about the existence of a status of a utility locking system to be avoided, wherein the utility locking system comprises an electronic knob and a locking device which can be actuated with the electronic knob, wherein a force may be transmittable or is transmitted manually from the electronic knob to the locking device in order to transfer the utility locking system from a bolted to an unbolted status and/or from an unbolted status to a bolted status, having the steps: Detecting an actual status of the utility locking system, Determining a target status of the utility locking system depending on predefined criteria, Comparing the actual status with the target status of the utility locking system and determining whether there is a discrepancy between the actual status and the target status of the utility locking system, Outputting at least one notification if there is a discrepancy between the actual status and the target status of the utility locking system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic knob is electrically and/or mechanically coupled, to the locking device, and wherein the electronic knob is electrically and/or mechanically detachable from the locking device in a non-destructive manner.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic knob and a mobile terminal are configured to communicate with one another wirelessly and to transmit at least access authorizations and/or opening commands and/or position data.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force that is transmitted from the electronic knob to the locking device in order to transfer the utility locking system from a bolted to an unbolted status and/or from an unbolted status to a bolted status is accompanied by a translatory and/or rotary movement of the electronic knob relative to the locking device carried out manually by a user, wherein the force is a torque.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the at least one notification is output, a first, notification is output on the electronic knob, wherein the notification is an acoustic and/or haptic and/or visual notification.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the at least one notification is output, a second, notification is output on a mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal is designed and configured to communicate with the utility locking system, the electronic knob and/or with the locking device, wherein the notification is an acoustic and/or haptic and/or visual notification.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actual status of the utility locking system comprises an unbolted and a bolted status, wherein the locking status of the utility locking system is determined by data of at least one sensor arranged in or on the electronic knob, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the following sensor types: Acceleration sensor, gyroscope, and pressure sensor.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actual status of the utility locking system comprises a determined characteristic value which is derived from signal characteristic values of wireless communication between the electronic knob and a mobile terminal, wherein a distance between the mobile terminal and the electronic knob can be derived from the signal characteristic values of the wireless communication, and wherein the target status comprises a threshold characteristic value, and wherein the determined characteristic value is a signal strength characteristic value and the threshold characteristic value is a signal strength threshold value.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actual status of the utility locking system comprises a user status of a user of a mobile terminal, which is designed and configured to communicate wirelessly with the electronic knob and/or with the locking device, wherein the user status is detected on the basis of acceleration data and/or speed data and/or temperature data, wherein the acceleration data and/or speed data and/or temperature data are recorded by means of sensors of the mobile terminal.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein there is a deviation of the actual status from the target status when the locking device is in the unbolted status, and a mobile terminal, which has previously communicated with the electronic knob to unbolt the utility locking system, is moving or has moved away from the electronic knob, wherein the mobile terminal moving away from the electronic knob is determined by a signal strength of the wireless connection and/or by location data and/or by acceleration data and/or speed data of the mobile terminal.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the utility locking system comprises information about whether a mobile terminal, which is designed and configured to communicate with the electronic knob and/or with the locking device, is located within a predefined spatial region, wherein if there is a deviation of the actual status from the target status, a notification is only output if the mobile terminal is located outside of the predefined spatial region.

12. The method according to claim 1, whereby dynamically adjusting the target status depending on a time and/or depending on a period of time between points in time at which a locking status of the locking device is changed and/or depending on a period of time after the electronic knob has been actuated.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein a position determination, relating to a position of the utility locking system or the electronic knob, is carried out using a locating device, of the mobile terminal, wherein the position of the utility locking system or the electronic knob is equated to the position of the mobile terminal, if the distance between the mobile terminal and that of the utility locking system or the electronic knob is below a threshold value, and wherein the position of the utility locking system or the electronic knob is stored in a database, and/or in that identification information of the utility locking system or the electronic knob is determined or obtained by the mobile terminal, wherein a position determination, relating to a position of the utility locking system or the electronic knob, is carried out using the identification information, and using a database comparison.

14. An electronic knob as a component of a utility locking system for use in a method according to claim 1 with: a processor, a memory, at least one sensor that is configured to determine an actual status of the utility locking system, and an interface for wireless communication with a mobile terminal.

15. A utility locking environment for carrying out the method according to claim 1, comprising an electronic knob having a processor, a memory, at least one sensor configured to determine an actual status of the utility locking system, and an interface for wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and a locking device, wherein the utility locking environment comprises a mobile terminal.

16. A computer program comprising commands, which cause an electronic knob having a processor, a memory, at least one sensor configured to determine an actual status of the utility locking system, and an interface for wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and/or a mobile terminal designed and configured to communicate with the electronic knob, and/or a utility locking environment for carrying out the method according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0109] Further details and advantages of the disclosure will be explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures. They show:

[0110] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a utility locking system according to one embodiment of the disclosure,

[0111] FIG. 2 a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the disclosure,

[0112] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of an electronic knob and of a locking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0113] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of an electronic knob and of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and

[0114] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of a plurality of distributed locking systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0115] The same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals in the different figures, which is why they are generally also only described once.

[0116] FIG. 1 shows a utility locking system 1 in a schematic representation. The utility locking system 1 has an electronic knob 2 and a locking device 3 which can be actuated with the electronic knob 2.

[0117] The utility locking system 1 is suitable for use on a building and/or on an access solution for a room in which equipment and/or devices to be maintained or checked are installed, which are also to be checked or inspected in compliance with certain time periods, which may be predefined as standard. In particular, the locking device 3 can be designed as a locking cylinder fora building door, a room door and/or for a furniture door, without the exemplary naming of such locking cylinders being intended to be restrictive. The locking device 3 can also be configured as a padlock, merely by way of example.

[0118] A torque may be transmittable, in particular can be transmitted, from the electronic knob 2 to the locking device 3 which is represented schematically using the connecting arrow 5.

[0119] According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the utility locking system 1 also has a mobile terminal 4, which is designed e.g. as a mobile telephone. The mobile terminal is designed and configured to communicate with the electronic knob 2 and thus with the utility locking system 1, which is represented by the arrows 6 and 7.

[0120] In FIG. 2, a flow diagram of a method 10 is indicated for outputting a notification about the existence of a status of the utility locking system 1 to be avoided, with the utility locking system 1 having the electronic knob 2 and the locking device 3 which can be actuated with the electronic knob 2, as well as, by way of example, the mobile terminal 4.

[0121] The method 10 comprises at least the steps: [0122] Detecting an actual status of the utility locking system 1, [0123] Determining a target status of the utility locking system 1 depending on predefined criteria, [0124] Comparing the actual status with the target status of the utility locking system 1 and determining whether there is a discrepancy between the actual status and the target status of the utility locking system 1, [0125] Outputting at least one notification if there is a discrepancy between the actual status and the target status of the utility locking system 1.

[0126] The method 10 begins in the start step 100, with the actual status of utility locking system 1 on the one hand being detected in step 200. In step 300, the target status of the utility locking system 1 is determined. Both statuses are supplied to the comparison step 400.

[0127] If a discrepancy is found, for example by comparing a target status and an actual status of the utility locking system, preferably by the mobile terminal, a notification, in particular a first notification 401, is output on the electronic knob 2, and/or a notification, in particular a second notification 402, is output on the mobile terminal 4.

[0128] Provision can be made for the actual status of the utility locking system 1 to comprise a determined characteristic value which is derived from signal characteristic values of the wireless communication between the electronic knob 2 and the mobile terminal 4. The target status may comprise a threshold characteristic value with which the actual status can be compared. In this embodiment, the determined characteristic value is a signal strength characteristic value and the threshold characteristic value is a signal strength threshold value.

[0129] The actual status of the locking system 1 can additionally or alternatively comprise a user status of a user of the mobile terminal 4. In this case, the user status can be detected on the basis of acceleration data and/or speed data and/or temperature data, which are recorded by means of sensors of the mobile terminal 4.

[0130] If no discrepancy is found, the start step 100 is returned to, with the method being repeated.

[0131] A schematic representation of an electronic knob 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 3. The electronic knob 2 is connected to a locking device 3, in particular placed in a locking cylinder. The locking device 3, in particular the locking cylinder, is electromechanically bolted in a bolted status. The locking device can be unbolted using a manual rotation of the electronic knob 2 relative to the locking device 3. With a further rotation, the locking device 3 can be unbolted again. The electronic knob 2 can be designed according to the coupling principle or according to the blocking principle.

[0132] The electronic knob 2 has sensors 21, 22 which can monitor the actual status, in particular the locking status of the locking device 3. Furthermore, the electronic knob 2 has an interface 20 for wireless communication, in particular with a mobile terminal. An energy storage device, such as a battery, can be integrated into the electronic knob 2.

[0133] In FIG. 4, a schematic representation of an electronic knob 2 with a locking device 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, with the electronic knob 2 being designed for communication with a mobile terminal 4. In order to form a wireless communication connection 50 between the electronic knob 2 and the mobile terminal 4, the electronic knob 2 has an interface in particular a communication interface. The mobile terminal 4 also has a communication interface 40 for establishing the wireless communication connection 50. The wireless communication connection 50 can be formed using Bluetooth, for example. Other communication technologies and/or protocols are also possible.

[0134] It is conceivable that the actual status of the locking system 1 comprises a determined characteristic value which is derived from signal characteristic values of wireless communication between the electronic knob 2 and the mobile terminal 4 using the wireless communication connection 50. In this case, the target status preferably comprises a threshold characteristic value for comparison with the determined characteristic value.

[0135] In a comparison of the actual status with the target status of the utility locking system 1, it can thus be determined whether there is a discrepancy between the actual status and the target status of the utility locking system 1 in such manner that the determined characteristic value, which is derived from signal characteristic values of the wireless communication between the electronic knob 2 and the mobile terminal 4 using the wireless communication connection 50, meets or does not meet a target status or a target criterion, which comprises the threshold characteristic value or is based thereon. At least one notification is output depending on this comparison, in particular when there is a discrepancy between the actual status and the target status of the utility locking system 1.

[0136] It is possible, for example, for the at least one notification to be output if the comparison between the determined characteristic value and the threshold characteristic value shows that the signal strength of the wireless communication connection is below a definable threshold and/or falls below a definable threshold and the utility locking device 1 is unbolted. From this, it can be concluded in a number of situations that the mobile terminal 4 is moving away from the utility locking device 1 and it has been forgotten to bolt the utility locking device 1.

[0137] The electronic knob 2 preferably comprises a device for outputting a first notification, for example a loudspeaker, a signal lamp and/or a screen.

[0138] The mobile terminal 4 preferably has a playback device 4, in particular a screen, which is configured to output and/or display a second notification. As an alternative or in addition to a screen, the mobile terminal 4 can also comprise a loudspeaker for outputting a second notification, for example.

[0139] Furthermore, sensors 21, 22 of the electronic knob 2, represented schematically, are shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the locking status of the locking device 3 or of the utility locking system 1 can be determined by means of data of the sensors 21, 22. The sensors 21, 22 can be arranged at least partially in the electronic knob 2 and/or in the locking device 3.

[0140] The sensor 21 can be an acceleration sensor 21 or a gyroscope 21. The reference numeral 21 is therefore also used below for the terms acceleration sensor and gyroscope. The sensor 22 is, for example, an arrangement of pressure sensors 22, with at least two pressure sensors 22 preferably being provided in order to detect the transmission of a torque to a lock when bolting and unbolting. The reference numeral 22 is therefore also used below for the term pressure sensor. The accuracy of the detection can be increased by providing more than two pressure sensors 21, for example two on each side.

[0141] By recording and processing sensor data of the sensors 21, 22, it can be ensured that the respective locking status can be generated in its actual status at any time. Using an acceleration sensor 21, gyroscope 21 and/or pressure sensor 22 of the electronic knob 2, the locking status of the locking device 3 or of the locking system 1 can thus advantageously be determined.

[0142] The use of an acceleration sensor 21 is advantageous with regard to its particularly low power consumption, but also with regard to its inexpensive procurement. The use of a gyroscope 21 is advantageous with regard to its high accuracy. The use of pressure sensors 22 is advantageous with regard to the particularly simple derivation of the locking status and the simple structural design. A particularly simple arrangement of the pressure sensors 22 can be inferred from FIG. 4. Here the pressure sensors 22 are arranged at points of the electronic knob 2 which allow a direction of rotation of the electronic knob 2 to be detected when a torque is transmitted to the locking device 3 and the locking status of the locking system 1 to be derived therefrom.

[0143] In particular, provision can be made for the locking system 1 to comprise information about whether the mobile terminal 4, which has a wireless communication connection to the electronic knob 2, is located within a predefined spatial region. If the actual status deviates from the target status, it can be provided that a notification is only output if the mobile terminal 4 is located outside of the predefined spatial region.

[0144] This function prevents a user from receiving a notification while, for example, maintenance work is being carried out at a designated location that is secured by the locking system 1. In other words: A user who carries the mobile terminal 4 with them and is moving in a predefined spatial region, for example in a room in which maintenance work has to be carried out by the user, does not receive a notification while they are in the predefined spatial region. This avoids the user being disturbed by unnecessary notifications while carrying out maintenance work, for example. Furthermore, false alarms are avoided.

[0145] Provision can also be made for the target status to be dynamically changeable depending on a time and/or depending on a period of time between points in time at which a locking status of the locking device 3 is changed.

[0146] By providing this function, a target status can be defined for example for specific times, according to which the locking status of the locking device 3 should be a bolted locking status. In this way, undesired locking statuses can be linked directly to the times of day or periods of time. An additional increase in the security and reliability of the locking system can be achieved as a result.

[0147] In FIG. 5, a plurality of distributed locking systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. A number of buildings and/or devices are present, each of which can be closed by a door 60, 60, 60, 60. The buildings and/or devices may be in different locations. It is conceivable, for example, for technical maintenance work and/or repair work to be carried out in the buildings and/or on the devices. The doors 60, 60, 60, 60 are each secured using locking devices 3, 3, 3, 3. An electronic knob 2 is configured and set up to open the locking devices 3, 3, 3, 3. The electronic knob 2 is carried along, for example, by a person who carries out the maintenance work and/or repair work.

[0148] The locking devices 3, 3, 3, 3 preferably each have identification information which uniquely identifies the locking devices 3, 3, 3, 3 in each case. This identification information is read out and/or received by a mobile terminal 4. By keeping track of the identification information in a database, it can thus be determined where the mobile terminal 4 was located or which locking devices 3, 3, 3, 3 were shut down. Time information relating to the time at which the electronic knob 2 interacted with the corresponding locking device 3, 3, 3, 3 is preferably also recorded.

[0149] The method according to the disclosure can be carried out with the embodiments of the present disclosure represented in the figures.