Abstract: An electronic lock can enter a lockdown mode in response to a lockdown command comprising a mechanical command, e.g. a button or door handle being pressed on the lock in a predefined time-series sequence, or touching the lock in a time-series sequence). Alternatively, an audio or visual command can be issued, e.g. saying certain words or making a hand gesture. The lock may require additional authentication before executing the lockdown command, e.g. recognizing an authorized electronic key. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic lock can enter a lockdown mode in response to a lockdown command comprising a mechanical command, e.g. a button or door handle being pressed on the lock in a predefined time-series sequence, or touching the lock in a time-series sequence). Alternatively, an audio or visual command can be issued, e.g. saying certain words or making a hand gesture. The lock may require additional authentication before executing the lockdown command, e.g. recognizing an authorized electronic key. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A multifunction electronic key is provided with at least one wireless communication interface that can function as an access control key to unlock an electronic lock when the key is placed in proximity of an electronic lock that has been previously configured to allow temporal access to the said electronic key, and at least one of the following functions: a) Measure the electric field experienced by the device, process it and optionally send it to a second wireless device; b) A physical button to communicate a distress signal to a second wireless device, in response to which the second wireless device estimates the position of the electronic key and generates a system alarm indicating the identity of the electronic key that generated the alarm and its position estimate; c) Measures the device's motion, process it and optionally send it to a second wireless device; d) One or two way audio communication via the wireless link; e) Measures ionizing radiation.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide multifunctional device that provides two or more of the following functions: a) EKey; b) Ecall capability; c) Body Electric Field measurement; d) Body proximity measurement; e) External Electric Field measurement; f) One or two way voice announcement; g) Motion sensor. Some embodiments provide an Ekey that operates from battery energy and energy harvested by one or more of the following transducers: a) Photo voltaic cell; b) Radio Frequency antenna; c) Mechanical vibration, flexing; c) thermo-electric transducer. Some embodiments provide a planar Ekey encapsulated in an insulator matrix and comprising: a) antenna realized on a flat substrate; b) Electronic circuits realized on a flat substrate that provided interconnection to electronic components and is parallel to antenna plane; b) A conformal shaped ES device that conforms above the electronic components. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: Wireless communication protocols are provided for wireless device discovery, preferably (but not necessarily) with low power consumption. Some protocols are suitable for wireless locks and keys (e.g. smart cards and card readers).

Abstract: A method significantly reduces the average power for radio communication in a communication system, such as a system that has applications requiring low communication latency. The method may use a low power radio communication circuit (e.g., a non-heterodyne receiver) to wait for a communication request, taking advantage of the low power consumption of the radio communication circuit. Subsequent to receiving and validating the communication request, the communication system may switch to a more efficient—but higher power—communication circuit. Thus, effective communication is achieved without making undesirable tradeoffs, such as reduced sensitivity.

Abstract: An antenna and a method for using the antenna in a wireless appliance are provided. The antenna includes a conducting surface having a length and a width; a dielectric slit having a slit length portion oriented along either the length or the width, the slit forming two lips on the conducting surface; the slit having an opening on one of the length and the width, the opening having a flare size; a feed-point element connecting the two lips; wherein the dimensions of the length, the width, the slit length portion, and the flare size are smaller than an effective propagation wavelength of the RF radiation in the antenna. An antenna including a conducting surface having a conductive plate with a plate area defined by a plate perimeter overlaying a portion of a conducting surface is also provided. A method to provide an antenna as above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method significantly reduces the average power for radio communication in a communication system, such as a system that has applications requiring low communication latency. The method may use a low power radio communication circuit (e.g., a non-heterodyne receiver) to wait for a communication request, taking advantage of the low power consumption of the radio communication circuit. Subsequent to receiving and validating the communication request, the communication system may switch to a more efficient—but higher power—communication circuit. Thus, effective communication is achieved without making undesirable tradeoffs, such as reduced sensitivity.

Abstract: A sensing system senses whether or not a lock's bolt (140), e.g. deadbolt, is aligned with a hole (150) which the bolt is to engage in the locked state. In electronic locks, the bolt is not driven into the hole until the sensing system indicates that the bolt is aligned with the hole. Another sensing system senses the position of the bolt and/or a dead-latch bar (1310). This sensing system is spaced from the bolt's end engaging the hole in order not to interfere with the alignment sensing. The two sensing systems are used to determine whether the lock is locked or unlocked. A magnet system provides alignment assistance to align the bolt with the hole before the bolt is driven into the hole. Position encoding for lock and non-lock devices, and other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A sensing system senses whether or not a lock's bolt (140), e.g. deadbolt, is aligned with a hole (150) which the bolt is to engage in the locked state. In electronic locks, the bolt is not driven into the hole until the sensing system indicates that the bolt is aligned with the hole. Another sensing system senses the position of the bolt and/or a dead-latch bar (1310). This sensing system is spaced from the bolt's end engaging the hole in order not to interfere with the alignment sensing. The two sensing systems are used to determine whether the lock is locked or unlocked. A magnet system provides alignment assistance to align the bolt with the hole before the bolt is driven into the hole. Position encoding for lock and non-lock devices, and other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A radio device and a method to operate a non-heterodyne receiver are provided. The radio device is configured to receive a signal waveform and to provide a wake-up signal to a second communication circuit when the signal waveform is a valid communication request; wherein the second communication circuit switches from a power saving state to an operating state upon receiving the wake-up signal from the non-heterodyne receiver. The non-heterodyne receiver further including an Electromagnetic interference (EMI) rejection circuit, including a narrow band filter and a broadband filter to reject an EMI signal. A filter circuit for a narrow passband circuit is also provided. The filter including a buffer circuit; a crystal oscillator coupled to the output of the buffer circuit; and an inverting amplifier coupled in parallel to the crystal oscillator.

Abstract: A mobile device (110), e.g. a token, holds a current key and one or more previous (expired) keys in memory (130). If the token needs to communicate with another device (144), e.g. with a reader, and the reader does not have the current key but has a previous key, the token encrypts the current key with the previous key and sends the ciphertext to the reader, which decrypts the current key. The token use different cryptographic material for communication with respective different facilities. Rather than requesting the reader to identify the facility, the token assumes that the facility is the same as in the most recent successful authentication. If the authentication fails, only then the token requests the reader to identify the facility. Authentication time and electric power are saved if the facility is the same. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Improved access control systems (100) are provided which control access to resources. Among other things, improved techniques are provided for checking for access control data integrity. These techniques are not limited to access control data or systems.

Abstract: A method significantly reduces the average power for radio communication in a communication system, such as a system that has applications requiring low communication latency. The method may use a low power radio communication circuit (e.g., a non-heterodyne receiver) to wait for a communication request, taking advantage of the low power consumption of the radio communication circuit. Subsequent to receiving and validating the communication request, the communication system may switch to a more efficient—but higher power—communication circuit. Thus, effective communication is achieved without making undesirable tradeoffs, such as reduced sensitivity.

Abstract: Wireless communication protocols are provided for wireless device discovery, preferably (but not necessarily) with low power consumption. Some protocols are suitable for wireless locks and keys (e.g. smart cards and card readers).

Abstract: A sensing system senses whether or not a lock's bolt (140), e.g. deadbolt, is aligned with a hole (150) which the bolt is to engage in the locked state. In electronic locks, the bolt is not driven into the hole until the sensing system indicates that the bolt is aligned with the hole. Another sensing system senses the position of the bolt and/or a dead-latch bar (1310). This sensing system is spaced from the bolt's end engaging the hole in order not to interfere with the alignment sensing. The two sensing systems are used to determine whether the lock is locked or unlocked. A magnet system provides alignment assistance to align the bolt with the hole before the bolt is driven into the hole. Position encoding for lock and non-lock devices, and other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A mobile device (110), e.g. a token, holds a current key and one or more previous (expired) keys in memory (130). If the token needs to communicate with another device (144), e.g. with a reader, and the reader does not have the current key but has a previous key, the token encrypts the current key with the previous key and sends the ciphertext to the reader, which decrypts the current key. The token use different cryptographic material for communication with respective different facilities. Rather than requesting the reader to identify the facility, the token assumes that the facility is the same as in the most recent successful authentication. If the authentication fails, only then the token requests the reader to identify the facility. Authentication time and electric power are saved if the facility is the same. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An antenna and a method for using the antenna in a wireless appliance are provided. The antenna includes a conducting surface having a length and a width; a dielectric slit having a slit length portion oriented along either the length or the width, the slit forming two lips on the conducting surface; the slit having an opening on one of the length and the width, the opening having a flare size; a feed-point element connecting the two lips; wherein the dimensions of the length, the width, the slit length portion, and the flare size are smaller than an effective propagation wavelength of the RF radiation in the antenna. An antenna including a conducting surface having a conductive plate with a plate area defined by a plate perimeter overlaying a portion of a conducting surface is also provided. A method to provide an antenna as above is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a universal key that enables a user to have access to any type of secured portal, both physical and electronic, in a wireless, hands-free, distance-independent manner without requiring contact or line of sight access between the key and the secured portal. The universal key is not distance-dependent, and each secured portal can be provided with its own prescribed activation range, if desired. Some portals may be provided with long range activation, such as 50 feet, while other portals may be provided with short range activation of a few feet or less. The type of portal being secured and the range of activation may be selected by the user and is not limited by the universal key. In addition, the universal key will provide access to the secured portals in a hands-free fashion so that the user need not push any buttons or take any other action in order to obtain access to the portal.