U.S. patent application number 14/461128 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-18 for secure remote actuation system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Craig Boswell, Mark Hall. Invention is credited to Craig Boswell, Mark Hall.
Application Number | 20160050082 14/461128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55016953 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160050082 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; Mark ; et al. |
February 18, 2016 |
Secure Remote Actuation System
Abstract
A secure remote actuation system may comprise a network and a
remote input receptor. One or more acceptable inputs may be stored
on the network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user
interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user. The
remote input receptor may further comprise a microcontroller for
obtaining and comparing the acceptable inputs to the user inputs.
In the present invention, the microcontroller obtains the one or
more acceptable inputs from the network after the user begins to
use the user interface.
Inventors: |
Hall; Mark; (Springville,
UT) ; Boswell; Craig; (Draper, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hall; Mark
Boswell; Craig |
Springville
Draper |
UT
UT |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55016953 |
Appl. No.: |
14/461128 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/736 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 25/10 20130101;
H04B 1/38 20130101; H04M 1/72533 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101;
H04W 4/046 20130101; G05B 15/02 20130101; G08C 2201/12 20130101;
H04L 12/2803 20130101; H04L 67/36 20130101; G08B 25/008 20130101;
H04W 52/0212 20130101; Y02D 70/22 20180101; G06F 3/04847 20130101;
H04W 12/08 20130101; Y02D 70/162 20180101; H04L 67/10 20130101;
H04L 67/1097 20130101; H04N 7/18 20130101; Y02D 70/142 20180101;
H04L 67/125 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; H04W 84/12 20130101; H04L
12/2818 20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101; H04W 76/27 20180201; H04L
41/22 20130101; H04L 41/28 20130101; H04M 11/007 20130101; G08C
17/02 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; Y02D 70/144 20180101; H04L
67/02 20130101; H04L 41/082 20130101; H04W 24/04 20130101; H04W
84/18 20130101; G08C 2201/32 20130101; H04W 4/40 20180201; H04W
12/00503 20190101; Y02D 70/166 20180101; H04L 12/2816 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/28 20060101
H04L012/28; G06F 3/0484 20060101 G06F003/0484; H04L 12/24 20060101
H04L012/24; H04N 7/18 20060101 H04N007/18; G08C 17/02 20060101
G08C017/02; G08B 25/10 20060101 G08B025/10; G08B 25/00 20060101
G08B025/00 |
Claims
1. A secure remote actuation system, comprising: a network storing
one or more acceptable inputs; a remote input receptor comprising:
a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user;
and a microcontroller for obtaining and comparing said one or more
acceptable inputs to said one or more user inputs; wherein the
microcontroller obtains said one or more acceptable inputs from the
network after the user begins to use the user interface.
2. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the input
receptor further comprises an internal memory unit for storing:
said one or more acceptable inputs; said one or more user inputs; a
history of user inputs; one or more input parameters; or a
combination thereof.
3. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
remote input receptor further comprises one or more communication
devices for receiving said one or more acceptable inputs.
4. The secure remote actuation system of claim 3, wherein said one
or more communication devices is a radio frequency transceiver.
5. The secure remote actuation system of claim 4, wherein the radio
frequency transceiver is a universal device capable of
communicating with a plurality of other devices by reciprocating
various radio frequency transmissions.
6. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
remote input receptor further comprises a portable power
source.
7. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
remote input receptor executes a low power function after said one
or more acceptable inputs is compared to said one or more user
inputs, and exits said low power function when the user begins to
use the user interface.
8. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
remote input receptor further comprises a surveillance device to
detect the user.
9. The secure remote actuation system of claim 8, wherein the
surveillance device comprises a camera, a microphone, a proximity
sensor, or a combination thereof.
10. The secure remote actuation system of claim 8, wherein the
remote input receptor executes a low power function after said one
or more acceptable inputs is compared to said one or more user
inputs, and exits said low power function when the surveillance
device detects a user.
11. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the user
interface comprises buttons, a visual display, one or more
capacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, a
proximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice
recognition module, or a combination thereof.
12. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
remote input receptor comprises one or more data connection
ports.
13. The secure remote actuation system of claim 12, wherein the one
or more data connection ports is disposed in an interior of the
remote input receptor.
14. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
network comprises a combination of computer systems interconnected
by telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to
be exchanged.
15. The secure remote actuation system of claim 14, wherein said
network comprises a software application to control said one or
more acceptable inputs.
16. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
network comprises a network device comprising a radio frequency
transceiver.
17. The secure remote actuation system of claim 16, wherein the
radio frequency transceiver is a universal device capable of
communicating with a plurality of other devices by reciprocating
various radio frequency transmissions.
18. The secure remote actuation system of claim 16, wherein the
network device comprises one or more memory units for storing: said
one or more acceptable inputs; a history of acceptable inputs, one
or more input parameters, or a combination thereof.
19. The secure remote actuation system of claim 1, wherein the
network is operably connected to and controls one or more
actionable devices.
20. The secure remote actuation system of claim 19, wherein said
one or more actionable devices is an access control device, a
thermostat, a television, an automated window, automated blinds, a
ventilation system, a sprinkler system, a lighting element, an
indoor positioning system, or a combination thereof.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No.
14/323,549 filed on Jul. 3, 2014 and entitled "Secure Remote
Actuation System" and U.S. Pat. No. 14/323,618 filed on Jul. 3,
2014 and also entitled "Secure Remote Actuation System" which are
incorporated by reference herein for all that they contain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to remote actuation
systems comprising devices capable of performing remote operations.
Examples of typical remote actuation systems include thermostats,
which may control heating and cooling devices from a remote
location, and garage door openers, which may provide remote access
to secured areas. The remote portions of such devices commonly
require a portable power source, such as a battery or photovoltaic
cell. It is also typical of such devices to comprise communications
means, such as a radio frequency transceiver, to receive and/or
relay information.
[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,331,544 to Kraus et al., which
is incorporated herein for all that it discloses, describes a
system that remotely operates a door lock. The door lock may be
powered by a battery and be configured to send and receive radio
frequency signals as part of a mesh network. In such a mesh
network, each connected device acts as a communication node that
can send and receive packets of information to any other device in
the network. The door lock may further comprise a memory module
where individual user codes are stored and a logic module to
compare user codes to input codes at the door to allow access
decisions to be made at the door without transmissions.
[0004] Such systems typically require continuing communications
over a network that may cause rapid consumption of power. Thus,
various attempts have been made to conserve power in such systems.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,945 to Brunius, et al., which is
incorporated herein for all that it discloses, describes
communicating information between a plurality of instrument
monitoring units to a remotely located data collection unit. The
monitoring units are radio frequency transponder circuits that are
operatively connected to one or more instruments whose parameters
are being monitored. The transponders continuously monitor one or
more parameters of the instrument(s) with which they are
associated. The transponders collect and accumulate parameter
information and/or data from their associated instruments and
continually listen for a "wake-up" signal from an interrogate
receiver/data collection unit.
[0005] Despite these advances in the art, improved means of
conserving power in remote actuation systems is desirable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A secure remote actuation system may comprise a remote input
receptor operably connected to a network. Such a network may
comprise a combination of computer systems interconnected by
telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to be
exchanged. One or more acceptable inputs may be stored within the
network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interface
for receiving one or more user inputs from a user. The remote input
receptor may further comprise a microcontroller for obtaining and
comparing the acceptable inputs to the user inputs. In the present
invention, the microcontroller obtains the one or more acceptable
inputs from the network after the user begins to use the user
interface.
[0007] The remote input receptor may also comprise an internal
memory unit. The internal memory unit may store acceptable inputs,
user inputs, a history of user inputs, or various input parameters.
The remote input receptor may additionally comprise at least one
communication device, such as a radio frequency transceiver, for
receiving the acceptable inputs. Such a radio frequency transceiver
may be a universal device such that it is capable of communicating
with a plurality of other devices by reciprocating various radio
frequency transmissions. The remote input receptor may furthermore
comprise a portable power source, such as a battery or solar
panel.
[0008] The remote input receptor may be capable of executing a low
power function after it compares the acceptable inputs to the user
inputs, wherein power is cut from unneeded subsystems and reduced
in others until reactivated. The remote input receptor may exit the
low power function when the user begins to use the user interface
or when a surveillance device, forming part of the remote input
receptor, detects a user. The surveillance device may comprise a
camera, a microphone, a proximity sensor, or a combination
thereof.
[0009] The user interface may comprise buttons, a visual display,
capacitive sensors, a microphone, a vibration recognition module, a
proximity sensor, a fingerprint scanner, a retina scanner, a voice
recognition module, or a combination thereof as a means for
receiving acceptable inputs from a user.
[0010] The remote input receptor may further comprise at least one
data connection port. Such a data connection port may be disposed
in an interior of the remote input receptor.
[0011] A software application may allow a user to control the
acceptable inputs stored on the network. For example, a software
application may allow the user to edit, add, or delete acceptable
inputs from the network, change parameters, change personal
settings, alter system firmware, and/or conduct diagnoses. The
network may also store a history of acceptable inputs or input
parameters.
[0012] The network may be operably connected to and control one or
more actionable devices such as a thermostat, a television, an
automated window, automated blinds, a ventilation system, a
sprinkler system, a lighting element, an indoor positioning system,
or an access control device.
[0013] The access control device may be an electromechanical
locking mechanism or a garage door opener that may secure an
enclosed area, room, building, or delivery box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a
network device operably connected to a network.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an
embodiment of a network device forming part of a network, the
network device comprising a plurality of components supported by a
printed circuit board disposed therein.
[0016] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote
input receptor.
[0017] FIG. 3b is a partially cutaway perspective view of an
interior of the remote input receptor shown in FIG. 3a comprising a
plurality of components supported by a printed circuit board
disposed therein.
[0018] FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c are perspective views of an embodiment
of a portion of a user and a remote input receptor comprising a
user interface and operably connected to a network.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of elements of an embodiment of
a remote secure actuation system associated with an enclosed
area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a network device 1200 forming
a part of a network 110. The network 110 may comprise a combination
of computer systems interconnected by telecommunications equipment
or cables allowing information to be exchanged. In various
embodiments, network devices may comprise a desktop or laptop
computer, a cell phone, a computer server, or other devices capable
of communicating on such a network.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an interior 206 of an embodiment of a network
device 2200 forming part of a network 210. The network device 2200
may comprise a plurality of components supported by a printed
circuit board 209 disposed therein. For instance, the embodiment of
the network device 2200 shown comprises a microcontroller 211 and
an internal memory unit 212 capable of obtaining and storing one or
more acceptable inputs and/or input parameters. The network device
2200 may also comprise a communication device 213, such as a radio
frequency transceiver, for transmitting one or more acceptable
inputs to a remote input receptor (not shown) after a user begins
to enter one or more user inputs. In the current embodiment, the
communication device 213 communicates at a sub-1 GHz radio
frequency, but in other embodiments, a communications device may be
used to communicate at a variety electromagnetic frequencies,
including those used for communicating over internet, satellite,
telephone, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-wave applications. The
communication device 213 may also receive an actuation signal from
the remote input receptor after the user has supplied one or more
user inputs and those user inputs have been found to be acceptable.
When the network device 2200 receives an actuation signal from a
remote input receptor, the network device 2200 may send a command
over the network 210 to at least one actionable device to perform
an operation.
[0022] In various embodiments, an actionable device may comprise an
access control device, such as an electromechanical door lock, a
garage door motor, or another access restricting mechanism.
Actuation of the access control device may comprise an opening of a
door or an engagement or disengagement of a lock. In these
embodiments, a user may gain access to a secure area by supplying
inputs to a remote input receptor that match one or more acceptable
inputs. In other embodiments, an actionable device may comprise a
thermostat, a television, an automated window, automated blinds, a
ventilation system, a sprinkler system, a lighting element, an
indoor positioning system, or other such devices known in the
art.
[0023] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a perspective view and a
partially-cutaway perspective view, respectively, of an embodiment
of a remote input receptor 300b comprising an interface 301a and an
interior 306b with a plurality of components supported by a printed
circuit board 309b disposed therein.
[0024] The printed circuit board 309b may support a microcontroller
311b, an internal memory unit 302b, and a communication device
303b. A user may begin using the remote input receptor 300b by
supplying a user input to the interface 301a. After this occurs,
the microcontroller 311b may obtain a list of acceptable inputs
from a network (not shown) via the communication device 303b and
store them in the internal memory unit 302b. After a user has
supplied one or more user inputs to the interface 301a, the
microcontroller 311b may compare the user input to the acceptable
inputs. If the user input corresponds to one or more of the
acceptable inputs, then the remote input receptor 300b may transmit
an actuation signal to the network.
[0025] The communication device 303b may comprise a radio frequency
transceiver or other known communication apparatus. Such a radio
frequency transceiver may be a universal device such that it is
capable of communicating with a plurality of other devices, such as
by reciprocating various radio frequency transmissions. Such a
radio frequency transceiver may also communicate at a sub-1GHz
frequency. It may be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art that communications at sub-1GHz frequencies may be more capable
of propagating through environmental obstacles, such as a plurality
of walls in a residential home, than communications at frequencies
higher than 1 GHz. It may therefore be desirable for said
communication device 303b to transmit signals at a sub-1GHz
frequency. In some applications, however, it may be desirable to
communicate at other frequencies to achieve compatibility with
other devices, such as those that communicate using ZigBee, Z-Wave,
Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. Satellite terminals or cables, such as fiber
optic cables, may also be used to connect to a network.
[0026] The remote input receptor 300b may be powered by a portable
power source 304b, such as one or more galvanic or voltaic
batteries, one or more solar cells, or other known means of
portable power. The remote input receptor 300b may execute a low
power function after a user has submitted a user input to the user
interface 301 a. Such a low power function may be executed for a
predetermined amount of time or until a user starts to use the user
interface 301a again. When the low power function is executed, the
remote input receptor 300b may cut power from unneeded subsystems
and reduce power in others until reactivated. This low power
function, combined with not requiring continuous intermittent
communication with the network, may enable the portable power
source 304b of the remote input receptor 300b to last significantly
longer than portable power sources of other known remote actuation
systems.
[0027] The remote input receptor 300b may further comprise one or
more surveillance devices 305b, such as a security camera, a
microphone, a proximity sensor, or other known surveillance means.
For example, a security camera may be disposed within the interior
306b of the remote input receptor 300b, with a lens of the camera
extending through an exterior 307b of the remote input receptor
300b. The one or more security devices 305b may continuously gather
and transmit information from an environment to a network (as shown
in FIG. 1). Additionally, the one or more surveillance devices 305b
may trigger the remote input receptor 300b to exit the low power
function when the one or more surveillance devices 305b detect a
user.
[0028] The remote input receptor 300b may comprise one or more data
connection ports 308b for interacting with firmware of the remote
input receptor 300b, such as altering or updating the firmware,
running system diagnostics, or managing acceptable inputs and/or
input parameters. In some embodiments, such firmware functions may
also be performed via a network. The one or more data connection
ports 308b may be disposed on the interior 306b of the remote input
receptor 300b to aid in preventing undesired access or accumulation
of debris from the surrounding environment. The one or more data
connection ports 308b may be able to be accessed by detaching a
portion of the exterior 307b of the remote input receptor 300b.
[0029] FIG. 4a shows an embodiment of a remote input receptor 400a,
a network 410a, and a user 420a. The remote input receptor 400a may
comprise a user interface 401 a for receiving one or more user
inputs from the user 420a. The user interface 401 a shown comprises
one or more buttons 402a. Such user interfaces may also comprise a
visual display, one or more capacitive sensors, a microphone, a
vibration recognition module, a proximity sensor, a fingerprint
scanner, a retina scanner, a voice recognition module, or other
known interfacing means.
[0030] FIG. 4b shows an embodiment of a user 420b entering one or
more user inputs into a remote input receptor 400b by pressing at
least one button 402b on a user interface 401b. When the user 420b
begins to use the user interface 401b, the remote input receptor
400b may receive a permission signal 430b from a network 410b
comprising at least one or more acceptable inputs.
[0031] FIG. 4c shows an embodiment of a user 420c after entering
one or more user inputs into a user interface 401c by pressing at
least one button 402c. At this point, a remote input receptor 400c
may send an actuation signal 440c to a network 410c. The actuation
signal 440c may direct the network 410c to perform some
operation.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an enclosed area 550
comprising an access barrier 560, such as a door, for blocking or
allowing access to the enclosed area 550. The access barrier 560
may comprise an actionable device 570, such as a door lock or a
garage door motor, for permitting or denying access to the enclosed
area 550. The actionable device 570 may be operably connected to a
network 510, wherein the network 510 may be capable of actuating
the actionable device 570.
[0033] A remote input receptor 500 capable of receiving one or more
user inputs may be disposed in, near, or on an exterior 551 of the
enclosed area 550. The remote input receptor 500 may be operably
connected to the network 510 via a wireless connection 530. As a
user begins supplying a user input to the remote input receptor
500, the network 510 may send a list of acceptable inputs to the
remote input receptor 500 over the wireless connection 530. If the
user input is found to be acceptable at the remote input receptor
500, such as being one of the acceptable inputs received, the
remote input receptor 500 may send an actuation signal to the
network 510 over the wireless connection 530 indicating that the
network should perform a given operation, such as opening or
closing the access barrier 560, or engaging or disengaging a door
lock.
[0034] The network 510 may comprise one or more electronic devices
5100. In the embodiment shown, the one or more electronic devices
5100 comprises a smartphone. However, other embodiments may
comprise a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet, or other devices
capable of communicating over such a network. The one or more
electronic devices 5100 may comprise a software application for
management of the network 510, including creating, deleting, or
editing one or more acceptable inputs.
[0035] Additionally, the software application may be used to
create, delete, or edit one or more input parameters. Such input
parameters may be used to determine one or more conditions upon
which an actuation system may operate. For example, input
parameters may include a time window during which the remote input
receptor 500 may send an actuation signal to the network 510, a
limitation on which one or more user inputs may be supplied to gain
access to the secure area 550, or a limitation on how many times
one or more user inputs may be used for sending an actuation signal
to the network 510.
[0036] Whereas the present invention has been described in
particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be
understood that other and further modifications apart from those
shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit
of the present invention.
* * * * *