Description

DIGITAL DOORLOCK APPARATUS HAVING IMPROVED PASSWORD INPUT FUNCTION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a digital doorlock apparatus, and more particularly, to a digital doorlock apparatus having an improved password input function. Background Art

[2] Recently, with the development of digital technologies, a variety of doorlock systems are used in houses, offices, etc. An example of such doorlock systems is a digital doorlock system using a contactless card. However, in the case of the digital doorlock system using the contactless card, since the contactless card's ID can be easily stolen through a card reader terminal and data which was stored in the contactless card can be easily accessed, security is low. Also, in the case of a digital doorlock system using a smart card which uses a chip ID, the chip ID also can be accessed through a card reader terminal since no encryption algorithm is applied to the chip ID, only a read function is allowed, and accordingly, no separate ID can be assigned to the smart card.

[3] Other than the digital doorlock systems using the contactless card or the smart card, a key input method in which a user presses buttons to input a password which is granted only to a family or staffs is being used. When a doorlock system using an existing password input method is used, a user inputs number keys to the doorlock system through a keypad which is positioned on the front of a door. However, in this case, when the user inputs the number keys to the doorlock system, the number keys can be easily exposed to people behind the user. Furthermore, even when someone did not see the numbers of the number keys, he or she may easily find out a password from the arrangement of the numbers and thus the password can be easily exposed. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] In order to resolve the problem, the present invention has an object of enhancing security by improving a password input function of a digital doorlock apparatus.

Technical Solution

[5] In order to achieve the object, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital doorlock apparatus including a keypad which moves with respect to a doorlock body to thus hide or expose number keys.

[6] According to another aspect of the present invention, the number keys of the keypad display a different arrangement of numbers whenever the keypad is folded and attached to the doorlock body, thereby preventing unauthorized people from finding

out password data from the locations of the number keys.

[7] According to another aspect of the present invention, since the keypad is automatically folded and attached to or inserted into the doorlock body if password data which is input by a user while the number keys of the keypad are exposed is identical to stored password data, the user needs not to fold or insert the keypad into the doorlock body.

[8] Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Advantageous Effects

[9] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent password data from being exposed to people behind a user when the user inputs the password data through a digital doorlock system.

[10] Also, by displaying different arrangements of number keys of a keypad whenever the keypad are folded and attached to a doorlock body, it is possible to prevent unauthorized people from finding out password data from the locations of the number keys.

[11] Also, since the keypad can be unfolded or folded semiautomatically or automatically with respect to the doorlock body, user convenience can be enhanced.

[12] Furthermore, since the keypad is automatically folded and attached to or inserted into the doorlock body if password data which is input by a user while the number keys of the keypad are exposed is identical to stored password data, the user needs not to fold or insert the keypad into the doorlock body. Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital doorlock apparatus in which a keypad is folded, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital doorlock apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the keypad is unfolded;

[16] FIG. 3 illustrates a number key which is included in the keypad, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of number keys which are displayed with different arrangements whenever the keypad is folded and then unfolded, according to an embodiment to the present invention;

[18] FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the connection relationship between a doorlock body and a keypad through a hinge assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[19] FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the connection relationship between a keypad and a doorlock body including a rotation driving unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[20] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a digital doorlock apparatus into which a keypad is inserted, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[21] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the digital doorlock apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8, in which the keypad is drawn out of a doorlock body. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[22] The present invention discloses a digital doorlock apparatus including: a doorlock body including a storage unit storing password data which has been set in advance, and a controller comparing the stored password data with password data which is input by a user and unlocking a locking unit according to the comparison result; and a keypad including a plurality of number keys, receiving password data, and transferring the password data to the controller, wherein the keypad relatively moves with respect to the doorlock body so that the plurality of number keys are hidden or exposed.

[23] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Mode for the Invention

[24] The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[25] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital doorlock apparatus in which a keypad is folded, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[26] Referring to FIG. 1, the digital doorlock apparatus includes: a doorlock body 100 including a storage unit for storing password data which has been set in advance, and a controller for unlocking a locking unit according to a comparison result between the stored password data and password data which is input by a user; and a keypad 110 including a plurality of number keys 200 (see FIG. 2), and receiving password data and providing the password data to the controller, wherein the keypad 110 moves with respect to the doorlock body 100 to hide or expose the number keys 200.

[27] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the keypad 110 can be folded and attached to the front of the doorlock body 100 by a hinge assembly, in such a

manner that the number keys 200 are hidden when the keypad 110 is folded with respect to the doorlock body 100, and exposed when the keypad 110 is unfolded with respect to the doorlock body 100.

[28] The storage unit may be a flash memory which is included in the digital doorlock apparatus. However, the storage unit is not limited to a flash memory, and may be an arbitrary storage unit which can store password data which is set in advance by a user.

[29] The controller may be a microprocessor. The controller includes a buffer which can store values of number keys that have been previously input while password data is being inputted. In the current embodiment, the controller can be implemented on a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB). The FPCB configures a circuit by etching a copper film on a flexible polymer film. The FPCB can be implemented as a single layer structure, or as a double-sided structure or a multi-layer structure by connecting through holes to each other in order to obtain a high-density wiring design. Also, since the FPCB has flexibility of being able to be easily bended or twisted without damaging wires, the package size of the FPCB can be miniaturized.

[30] In the current embodiment, the controller generates code data corresponding to password data which is input in the form of a combination of numbers that are input through the keypad 110, and compares the code data with password data which has been stored in advance in the storage unit, thereby authenticating the input password data.

[31] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital doorlock apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the keypad 110 is unfolded.

[32] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the keypad 110 includes a plurality of number keys 200 (200 for each), and can further include one or more functional keys 120. Each number key 200 outputs a specific electrical signal for informing the controller of a user's key input when the user presses a number key 200. For example, the controller scans the keypad 110 per a predetermined period while the keypad 110 is unfolded, to determine whether any key is input, and generates a key code corresponding to the input key if the key is input. The key code is digital information with a format in which the controller can recognize a key input when the key is input. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a variety of modifications. For example, in the current embodiment, the digital doorlock apparatus further includes a display unit so that the digital doorlock apparatus can be installed in the entrances to apartment houses or in the entrances to buildings. In this case, the display unit can display messages, such as an authentication result of password data which is input, greeting, etc.

[33] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a digital doorlock apparatus into which a keypad 110 is inserted, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[34] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the digital doorlock apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8, in which the keypad 110 is drawn out of a doorlock body 100.

[35] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the digital doorlock apparatus further includes a containing portion 800 which is formed in the doorlock body 100. The keypad 110 is mounted on a tray, so that the number keys 200 (200 for each) of the keypad 110 are hidden when the keypad 110 is inserted into the containing portion 800, and exposed when the keypad 110 is drawn out of the containing portion 800.

[36] The containing portion 800 is a predetermined space which is formed in the doorlock body 100 so that the keypad 110 is inserted into the doorlock body 100. According to an embodiment of the present invention, by additionally forming guide rails in a horizontal direction at both sides of the keypad 110 and installing coupling units such as vis at locations where the guide rails of the keypad 110 contact the surface of the containing portion 800, it is possible to manually insert or draw the keypad 110 into or out of the doorlock body 100.

[37] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the rear portion of the keypad 110 can further include an elastic stopper member for preventing the keypad 110 from moving backwardly when the keypad 110 is sufficiently inserted into the containing portion 800, and pushing the keypad 110 out of the doorlock body 100 when a predetermined button key is pressed or when the keypad 110 receives a pressure from its rear portion. Additionally, in this case, in order to prevent the keypad 110 from being completely detached from the doorlock body 100, the keypad 110 can further include a stopper member for preventing the keypad 110 from being drawn out of the doorlock body 100 any longer when the keypad 110 is drawn out of the doorlock body 100 by a predetermined length.

[38] However, drawing and inserting of the keypad 110 can be performed by moving the keypad 110 forwardly and backwardly by the driving power of a loading gear. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes a variety of modifications in which the keypad 110 is manually, automatically, or semiautomatically inserted into or drawn out of the containing portion 800.

[39] FIG. 3 illustrates a number key 200 which is included in the keypad 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[40] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the number key 200 is sunk by a predetermined depth from the surface of the keypad 110. Thus, it is possible to more or less prevent a key number from being exposed to others. According to another embodiment of the present invention, each number key 200 which is included in the digital doorlock apparatus includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 300. The controller controls the on/off operations of the LEDs 300 so as to change the arrangement of numbers that are to be displayed on the number keys 200 whenever the keypad 110 is folded and

attached to the doorlock body 100 or whenever the keypad 110 is unfolded from the doorlock body 100. FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of the number keys 200 which are displayed with different arrangements whenever the keypad 110 is folded and then unfolded, according to an embodiment to the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, whenever the keypad 110 is folded and then unfolded, number keys 0 through 9 are arranged at different locations. As such, since a different number arrangement of the keypad 110 is displayed whenever the keypad 110 is folded into and then unfolded from the doorlock body 100, it is possible to prevent unauthorized people from finding out password data from the locations of the number keys 200.

[41] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the number keys 200 of the keypad 110 are arranged in two rows with respect to the front side of the doorlock body 100. Since the number keys 200 are arranged in two rows, a user can easily recognize the locations of the number keys 200 when the number keys 200 are displayed in a different arrangement whenever the keypad 110 is folded and unfolded. In addition, since the width of the keypad 110 can be reduced by arranging the number keys 200 in two rows, stability can be maintained when the number keys 200 are pressed while the keypad 110 is unfold in a horizontal direction.

[42] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the keypad 110 further includes blocking portions 210 for preventing others from viewing the keypad 110, at both side ends. That is, by forming view blocking walls (that is, the blocking portions 210) with a predetermined height at both side ends of the keypad 110, it is possible to more or less prevent others from looking at number keys that are input, thereby enhancing security. As such, if the keypad 110 further includes the blocking portions 210, slots into which the blocking portions 210 will be inserted are formed at locations corresponding to the blocking portions 210 in the doorlock body 100.

[43] FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the connection relationship between the doorlock body 100 and the keypad 110 through a hinge assembly 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[44] The hinge assembly 500 is constructed so that the keypad 110 which is folded into the doorlock body 100 is automatically unfolded to a horizontal position when the keypad 110 is unfolded at a predetermined angle, and the keypad 110 which is unfolded from the doorlock body 100 is also automatically folded into the doorlock body 100 to a vertical position when the keypad 110 is folded at a predetermined angle. Here, it is preferable that the keypad 110 is in the horizontal position when the keypad 110 is completely unfolded from the doorlock body 100. However, the keypad 110 can slope slightly downward so that a user can easily input the number keys 200. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[45] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the hinge assembly 500 includes a housing 510 having a pre-

determined hollow space therein, a fixed member 516 whose one end is fixedly coupled with the keypad 110 and whose the other end includes a cam having a cam profile, a movable member 514 whose one end is fixedly coupled with the doorlock body 100 and whose the other end contacts the cam and moves forwardly and backwardly by relatively rotating with respect to the fixed member 516, and an elastic member 512 which is inserted into the housing 510 and applies an elastic force to the movable member 514 toward the fixed member 516. In more detail, the cam profile is constructed so that the keypad 110 which is folded into the doorlock body 100 is automatically unfolded to the horizontal position when the keypad 110 is unfolded at a predetermined angle, and the keypad 110 which is unfolded from the doorlock body 100 is automatically folded into the doorlock body 100 to the vertical position when the keypad 110 is folded at a predetermined angle.

[46] FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the connection relationship between the keypad 110 and the doorlock body 100 including a rotation driving unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to another aspect of the present invention, the hinge assembly 500 includes a hinge shaft 640 for hinge-coupling the doorlock body 100 with the keypad 110, and a rotation driving unit 600 for rotating the hinge shaft 640 so that the keypad 110 can be automatically folded and attached to the doorlock body 100.

[47] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the rotation driving unit 600 includes a motor 610 for providing a rotation force to the hinge shaft 640, and a dynamic force transfer unit 620 for transferring a dynamic force from the motor 610 to the hinge shaft 640. In more detail, the dynamic force transfer unit 620 includes a first gear portion which is fixed to the hinge shaft 640, and a second gear portion which is fixed to a rotation shaft of the motor 610 and meshes with the first gear portion.

[48] Additionally, the hinge assembly 500 can further include a stopper unit 630 which limits a rotation range of the keypad 110. In this case, a protrusion 635 can be formed on the surface of the hinge shaft 640. When the keypad 110 rotates above a predetermined angle, the protrusion 635 interlocks with the stopper unit 630 formed on the doorlock body 110 and stops the rotation of the keypad 110.

[49] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a sensor for measuring a rotation angle of the rotation driving unit 600 can be further installed between the stopper unit 630 and the protrusion 635. In this case, the controller can prevent the motor 610 of the rotation driving unit 600 from rotating if it is determined on the basis of information regarding a rotation angle measured by the sensor that the rotation range of the keypad 110 deviates from a predetermined angle range. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the keypad 110 from excessively rotating above a predetermined angle when the keypad 110 is unfolded from the doorlock body 100.

[50] In the current embodiment, the controller can compare password data which is input while the keypad 110 is unfolded, with password data which has been stored in advance in the storage unit, and control the rotation driving unit so that the keypad 110 is automatically folded into the doorlock body 100 or inserted into the containing portion 800 if the input password data is identical to the stored password data. Accordingly, when a user inputs password data and releases a locking function, he or she needs not to fold or insert the keypad 110 into the doorlock body 100 with his or her own hands.

[51] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Industrial Applicability

[52] A digital doorlock apparatus according to the present invention can be efficiently applied to a digital doorlock system which is used in the entrances to apartment houses or buildings.