Patents by Inventor William B. Ainley

William B. Ainley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11795731
    Abstract: An access control device generally includes an electromechanical actuator operable to transition the access control device between a locked state and an unlocked state, an energy storage device operable to store electrical power from a power supply, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to direct a first electrical power from the energy storage device to the electromechanical actuator in response to one or more first criteria. In a fail secure mode, the first electrical power is configured to cause the electromechanical actuator to transition the access control device to the locked state. In a fail safe mode, the first electrical power is configured to cause the electromechanical actuator to transition the access control device to the unlocked state. Certain embodiments further include a user-adjustable switch operable to transition the control circuitry between the fail secure mode and the fail safe mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: John C. Carpenter, William B. Ainley
  • Publication number: 20230175289
    Abstract: An illustrative access control system includes a locking assembly operable in locked and unlocked states, and a drive assembly operable to actuate the locking assembly. The drive assembly includes an electromechanical actuator, and energy storage device, and a control system. The electromechanical actuator is operable, upon receiving power, to transition the locking assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electromechanical actuator, and configured to store electrical power from the power supply when the drive assembly is coupled to the power supply. The control system is configured to couple the drive assembly to the power supply in response to a first condition, and to thereafter transmit energy only from the energy storage device to power the electromechanical actuator, based at least in part upon a level of energy stored in the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: John C. Carpenter, William B. Ainley
  • Publication number: 20230122401
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electronic deadbolt control system including a deadbolt configured to extend or retract between a locked position and an unlocked position, respectively. An output shaft connected between a final gear and the deadbolt is configured to transmit an actuation force to the deadbolt from an electric motor. A first magnet and a second magnet are associated with the final gear to define a home position for either a left hand deadbolt or a right hand deadbolt. A cam is positioned on the output shaft to engage with a switch such that, in combination with a threshold current motor output, the control system determines whether the deadbolt is in an extended position or a retracted position. A thumb-turn shaft is disengaged from the final gear in the home position to permit manual actuation of a thumb-turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: William B. Ainley, David M. Baty, David Newby, Justin D. Seacat
  • Patent number: 11408203
    Abstract: An access control device generally includes an electromechanical actuator operable to transition the access control device between a locked state and an unlocked state, an energy storage device operable to store electrical power from a power supply, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to direct a first electrical power from the energy storage device to the electromechanical actuator in response to one or more first criteria. In a fail secure mode, the first electrical power is configured to cause the electromechanical actuator to transition the access control device to the locked state. In a fail safe mode, the first electrical power is configured to cause the electromechanical actuator to transition the access control device to the unlocked state. Certain embodiments further include a user-adjustable switch operable to transition the control circuitry between the fail secure mode and the fail safe mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: John C. Carpenter, William B. Ainley
  • Patent number: 11371262
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electronic deadbolt control system including a deadbolt configured to extend or retract between a locked position and an unlocked position, respectively. An output shaft connected between a final gear and the deadbolt is configured to transmit an actuation force to the deadbolt from an electric motor. A first magnet and a second magnet are associated with the final gear to define a home position for either a left hand deadbolt or a right hand deadbolt. A cam is positioned on the output shaft to engage with a switch such that, in combination with a threshold current motor output, the control system determines whether the deadbolt is in an extended position or a retracted position. A thumb-turn shaft is disengaged from the final gear in the home position to permit manual actuation of a thumb-turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: William B. Ainley, David M. Baty, David Newby, Justin D. Seacat
  • Patent number: 11282311
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism is disclosed that includes door lock and alarm features. The mechanism includes a controller and a sensor useful to detect motions that are representative of attempted access through a door to which the door lock mechanism is attached. The controller can set an alarm condition if a measured motion, such as a measured acceleration, meet and/or exceeds a threshold. If an appropriate access control credential is provided through a user device then the alarm condition may not be set by the controller. The door lock mechanism can be coupled to a remote station via a communications link if needed, such as a radio frequency link. The remote station can additionally be in communication with the door lock mechanism via a network. The remote station can be used to send and receive messages regarding door lock mechanism status, configuration, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Timothy N. Comerford, David M. Baty, William B. Ainley, Raymond F. Rettig, John R. Ahearn, Joseph W. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20210174618
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism is disclosed that includes door lock and alarm features. The mechanism includes a controller and a sensor useful to detect motions that are representative of attempted access through a door to which the door lock mechanism is attached. The controller can set an alarm condition if a measured motion, such as a measured acceleration, meet and/or exceeds a threshold. If an appropriate access control credential is provided through a user device then the alarm condition may not be set by the controller. The door lock mechanism can be coupled to a remote station via a communications link if needed, such as a radio frequency link. The remote station can additionally be in communication with the door lock mechanism via a network. The remote station can be used to send and receive messages regarding door lock mechanism status, configuration, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy N. Comerford, David M. Baty, William B. Ainley, Raymond F. Rettig, John R. Ahearn, Joseph W. Lyon
  • Patent number: 11015369
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A locking system includes a locking mechanism with a controller configured to provide an actuation signal to an electronic actuator to extend or retract a locking mechanism and to adjust an allowable peak current for operating the electronic actuator to throw the deadbolt based on whether the allowable peak current is sufficient for the locking mechanism to achieve its locked or unlocked positions. The allowable peak current can be adjusted over time between a minimum and maximum peak current, thus optimizing the actual current draw from the electronic actuator required to throw the locking mechanism and minimizing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: David M. Baty, Donald L. Beene, Raymond F. Rettig, William B. Ainley
  • Publication number: 20210102404
    Abstract: An illustrative access control system includes a locking assembly operable in locked and unlocked states, and a drive assembly operable to actuate the locking assembly. The drive assembly includes an electromechanical actuator, and energy storage device, and a control system. The electromechanical actuator is operable, upon receiving power, to transition the locking assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electromechanical actuator, and configured to store electrical power from the power supply when the drive assembly is coupled to the power supply. The control system is configured to couple the drive assembly to the power supply in response to a first condition, and to thereafter transmit energy only from the energy storage device to power the electromechanical actuator, based at least in part upon a level of energy stored in the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: John C. Carpenter, William B. Ainley
  • Patent number: 10808423
    Abstract: An access control system including a locking assembly and a drive assembly operable to actuate the locking assembly. The drive assembly includes an electromechanical actuator, an energy storage device, and a control system. The electromechanical actuator is operable, upon receiving power, to transition the locking assembly between a locked state and an unlocked state. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electromechanical actuator, and is configured to store electrical power from the power supply when the drive assembly is coupled to the power supply. The control system is configured to couple the drive assembly to the power supply in response to a first condition, and to thereafter transmit energy only from the energy storage device to power the electromechanical actuator, based at least in part upon a level of energy stored in the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: John C. Carpenter, William B. Ainley
  • Publication number: 20200240175
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electronic deadbolt control system including a deadbolt configured to extend or retract between a locked position and an unlocked position, respectively. An output shaft connected between a final gear and the deadbolt is configured to transmit an actuation force to the deadbolt from an electric motor. A first magnet and a second magnet are associated with the final gear to define a home position for either a left hand deadbolt or a right hand deadbolt. A cam is positioned on the output shaft to engage with a switch such that, in combination with a threshold current motor output, the control system determines whether the deadbolt is in an extended position or a retracted position. A thumb-turn shaft is disengaged from the final gear in the home position to permit manual actuation of a thumb-turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: William B. Ainley, David M. Baty, David Newby, Justin D. Seacat
  • Patent number: 10720000
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism is disclosed that includes door lock end alarm features. The mechanism includes a controller and a sensor useful to detect motions that are representative of attempted access through a door to which the door lock mechanism is attached. The controller can set an alarm condition if a measured motion, such as a measured acceleration, meet and/or exceeds a threshold. If an appropriate access control credential is provided through a user device then the alarm condition may not be set by the controller. The door lock mechanism can be coupled to a remote station via a communications link if needed, such as a radio frequency link. The remote station can additionally be in communication with the door lock mechanism via a network. The remote station can be used to send and receive messages regarding door lock mechanism status, configuration, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Timothy N. Comerford, David M. Baty, William B. Ainley, Raymond F. Rettig, John R. Ahearn, Joseph W. Lyon
  • Patent number: 10713875
    Abstract: An access control device including a credential reader circuit configured to enter a standby mode, awaken from a standby mode, and receive data from a nearby credential. The access control device further includes a credential detection circuit having a memory configured to store program instructions, an antenna, and a processor electrically coupled to the antenna and to the credential reader circuit, wherein the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to: transmit an interrogation signal, receive a reflected interrogation signal with the antenna, transmit an activation signal to the credential reader circuit in response to the received reflected interrogation signal wherein the reflected interrogation signal includes I and Q values, receive a false detection signal from the credential reader circuit, and adjust at least one of the I and Q threshold values of the reflected interrogation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: David I. Newby, Frank A. Nardelli, William B. Ainley, Michael Reuter, David Smith, Jineesh Kunnoth
  • Patent number: 10676963
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for electronic locks with a selectable power off function. The electronic lock includes an electronic controller disposed within a lock housing and operable to control a state of the lock between locked and unlocked positions. An electronic actuator electrically coupled to the controller is movable between first and second positions corresponding to a locked position and an unlocked position of the lock, respectively. The electronic lock further includes at least one electrical energy storage device and a selector switch coupled to the controller to define a desired state of the lock between one of an electrically locked (EL) and an electrically unlocked (EU) state in an electric power off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Sundar Raj Dore Vasudevan, Dilip Bangaru, Adam M. Litwinski, William B. Ainley, Russell L. Steiner, Michelle Vickrey
  • Publication number: 20200048935
    Abstract: An access control system including a locking assembly and a drive assembly operable to actuate the locking assembly. The drive assembly includes an electromechanical actuator, an energy storage device, and a control system. The electromechanical actuator is operable, upon receiving power, to transition the locking assembly between a locked state and an unlocked state. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electromechanical actuator, and is configured to store electrical power from the power supply when the drive assembly is coupled to the power supply. The control system is configured to couple the drive assembly to the power supply in response to a first condition, and to thereafter transmit energy only from the energy storage device to power the electromechanical actuator, based at least in part upon a level of energy stored in the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: John C. Carpenter, William B. Ainley
  • Patent number: 10487544
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electronic deadbolt control system including a deadbolt configured to extend or retract between a locked position and an unlocked position, respectively. An output shaft connected between a final gear and the deadbolt is configured to transmit an actuation force to the deadbolt from an electric motor. A first magnet and a second magnet are associated with the final gear to define a home position for either a left hand deadbolt or a right hand deadbolt. A cam is positioned on the output shaft to engage with a switch such that, in combination with a threshold current motor output, the control system determines whether the deadbolt is in an extended position or a retracted position. A thumb-turn shaft is disengaged from the final gear in the home position to permit manual actuation of a thumb-turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: William B. Ainley, David M. Baty, David Newby, Justin D. Seacat
  • Patent number: 10454153
    Abstract: An access control device including a credential reader circuit structured to enter a standby mode, awaken from the standby mode, and receive data from a nearby credential, and a credential detection circuit. The credential detection circuit includes a memory configured to store program instructions, an antenna circuit, and a processor electrically coupled to the antenna circuit and to the credential reader circuit, wherein the processor configured to execute the stored program instructions to: transmit an energizing signal; receive a modulated energizing signal with the antenna circuit; transmit an activation signal to the credential reader circuit in response to the received modulated energizing signal, wherein the received modulated energizing signal includes I and Q values; receive a false detection signal from the credential reader circuit; and adjust an impedance of the antenna circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Frank A. Nardelli, Michael Reuter, William B. Ainley
  • Publication number: 20190244452
    Abstract: An access control device including a credential reader circuit configured to enter a standby mode, awaken from a standby mode, and receive data from a nearby credential. The access control device further includes a credential detection circuit having a memory configured to store program instructions, an antenna, and a processor electrically coupled to the antenna and to the credential reader circuit, wherein the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to: transmit an interrogation signal, receive a reflected interrogation signal with the antenna, transmit an activation signal to the credential reader circuit in response to the received reflected interrogation signal wherein the reflected interrogation signal includes I and Q values, receive a false detection signal from the credential reader circuit, and adjust at least one of the I and Q threshold values of the reflected interrogation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: David I. Newby, Frank A. Nardelli, William B. Ainley, Michael Reuter, David Smith, Jineesh Kunnoth
  • Publication number: 20190226236
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for electronic locks with a selectable power off function. The electronic lock includes an electronic controller disposed within a lock housing and operable to control a state of the lock between locked and unlocked positions. An electronic actuator electrically coupled to the controller is movable between first and second positions corresponding to a locked position and an unlocked position of the lock, respectively. The electronic lock further includes at least one electrical energy storage device and a selector switch coupled to the controller to define a desired state of the lock between one of an electrically locked (EL) and an electrically unlocked (EU) state in an electric power off condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Sundar Raj Dore Vasudevan, Dilip Bangaru, Adam M. Litwinski, William B. Ainley, Russell L. Steiner, Michelle Vickrey
  • Publication number: 20190221915
    Abstract: An access control device including a credential reader circuit structured to enter a standby mode, awaken from the standby mode, and receive data from a nearby credential, and a credential detection circuit. The credential detection circuit includes a memory configured to store program instructions, an antenna circuit, and a processor electrically coupled to the antenna circuit and to the credential reader circuit, wherein the processor configured to execute the stored program instructions to: transmit an energizing signal; receive a modulated energizing signal with the antenna circuit; transmit an activation signal to the credential reader circuit in response to the received modulated energizing signal, wherein the received modulated energizing signal includes I and Q values; receive a false detection signal from the credential reader circuit; and adjust an impedance of the antenna circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Frank A. Nardelli, Michael Reuter, William B. Ainley