CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/135,743, filed January 10, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to building entry doors and, in particular, electronic door systems and electronic door lock systems for building entry doors.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Electronic door locks may include various mechanisms for operating locks of doors, such as those for building structures, which may be operated, for example, with a physical keypad on the electronic door lock itself. It would be advantageous to provide an electronic door system having an electronic door lock that is more easily operated by users.

SUMMARY

[0004] Disclosed herein are implementations of electronic door systems, electronic door lock systems, and related methods.

[0005] In one implementation, an electronic door system includes an electronic door lock, an authentication device, and a processing component. The electronic door lock is coupleable to a door of a building structure. The electronic door lock includes a deadbolt operator for operating a deadbolt lock of the door and a touch detector for detecting touch to the deadbolt lock. The authentication device is coupleable to a non-moving part of the building structure and includes a camera for capturing images of users. The processing component is for processing the images to authenticate users with facial recognition. Upon authenticating a user with facial recognition, the deadbolt operator operates the deadbolt lock to unlock the door.

[0006] In an implementation, an electronic door system includes a deadbolt operator, a touch detector, a facial authentication system, and a controller. The deadbolt operator includes an actuator for operating a deadbolt lock of a door of a building. The touch detector is configured to detect a touch to the deadbolt lock by a user. The facial authentication system is for authenticating the user with facial recognition. The controller causes the deadbolt operator to unlock the deadbolt lock upon both authenticating the user with the facial recognition and detecting the touch to the deadbolt lock.

[0007] The electronic door system may further include a time-of-flight sensor that is configured to detect the user approaching the electronic door system. Upon detecting the user approaching, the controller may cause the facial authentication system to perform the facial recognition to authenticate the user. The electronic door system may further include a keypad that is configured to receive a pin code to authenticate the user. The keypad may include one of physical buttons or be provided by a touch display of the electronic door system. The electronic door system may further include a notification button that is configured to receive a notification input from the user. Upon receiving the notification input, the controller may cause the electronic door system to send a notification signal according to which one or both of a building device may provide a notification to occupants of the building or an owner device may provide another notification to an owner of the building. The notification button may be one of a physical button or be provided by a touch display of the electronic door system. The electronic door system may further include an electronic key detector that is configured to detect electronic keys associated with the electronic door system to authenticate the user. The electronic door lock may further include a visual indicator. The controller may operate the visual indicator to indicate that the user has been authenticated.

[0008] In an embodiment, the electronic door system may further include a door structure. The deadbolt operator, the touch detector, the facial authentication system, and the controller may be coupled to and move with the door structure as the door structure moves relative to the building. The electronic door system may further include a door actuator and a user interface. The door actuator is operable to move the door structure relative to the building. The controller may operate the door actuator upon receiving an opening input from the user with the user interface. The electronic door system may further include a touch sensitive display that is viewable through microperforations in an exterior surface of the door structure. The touch sensitive display may provide a user interface for receiving one or more of a pin code for authenticating the user or a notification input according to which a notification is provided by a building device to occupants of the building or an owner device of an owner of the building.

[0009] In an implementation, a method is provided for operating an electronic door system having a deadbolt operator having an actuator that operates a deadbolt lock of a door of a building and a facial authentication system that authenticates a user with facial recognition. The method includes: performing, with the facial authentication system, facial recognition to authenticate the user; enabling, with a controller, a touch operation upon authentication of the user with the facial authentication system; detecting a touch, with a touch detector, to the deadbolt lock upon enabling of the touch operation; and unlocking, with the deadbolt operator, the deadbolt lock of the building upon detecting the touch to the deadbolt lock.

[0010] The method may further include performing, with one of a key pad, an electronic key detector, or an NFC device, secondary authentication of the user; and enabling, with the controller, the touch operation upon the secondary authentication of the user. The method may further include detecting, with a time-of-flight sensor, the user approaching the electronic door system; and upon detecting the user approaching the electronic door system, performing, with the facial recognition system, the facial recognition to authenticate the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

[0012] FIG. 1 A is a front view of a building structure having a door opening that is closed by a door having an electronic door system.

[0013] FIG. IB is a top view of the building structure, door, and electronic door system of FIG. IB.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the electronic door system of FIGS. 1A-1B and a deadbolt.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of electronics of an electronic door lock of the electronic door system of FIG. 2.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example hardware configuration of a controller of the electronics of FIG. 3.

[0017] FIGS. 5 is a schematic view of a deadbolt operator of the electronic door lock of FIG. 2

[0018] FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a touch detector of the electronic door system of FIG. 2 [0019] FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic door system having the touch detector of FIG. 6A and being coupled to a deadbolt lock and a door.

[0020] FIG. 6C is a front view of the deadbolt lock of FIG. 6B with hidden components depicted in dashed lines.

[0021] FIG. 6D is partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the electronic door system having the touch detector of FIG. 6A and being coupled to a door.

[0022] FIG. 7A is a schematic view of a deadbolt locker of the electronic door system of FIG. 2

[0023] FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the deadbolt locker and a deadbolt lock in a non-locking state.

[0024] FIG. 7C is a partial cross-sectional view of the deadbolt locker and the deadbolt lock in a locking state.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the electronic key detector in wireless communication with an electronic key.

[0026] FIG. 9A is a schematic view of a door position assessor of the electronic door lock of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 9B is a partial view of the door position assessor with a door and building structure.

[0028] FIG. lOAis a schematic view of an authentication device.

[0029] FIG. 10B is a front view of the authentication device of FIG. 10A.

[0030] FIG. IOC is a schematic view of electronics of the authentication device of FIG. 10A. [0031] FIG. llAis a schematic view of an electronic door.

[0032] FIG. 1 IB is a schematic view electronics of the electronic door.

[0033] FIG. llC is a front view of an electronic door having a display.

[0034] FIG. 12A is a flowchart of a method of operating the electronic door system.

[0035] FIG. 12B is a flowchart of a method of providing notifications of packages.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a user, building, or owner device used in conjunction with the electronic door system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Referring to the figures, an electronic door system 100 provides keyless entry (e.g., without a conventional physical key inserted into a lock) that is enabled through facial recognition and/or other secondary authentication means. The electronic door system 100 allows users to lock and unlock their homes with touch (e.g., to the deadbolt lock), which may be detected as an input that signifies user intent to open the door. In some configurations, the electronic door system 100 does not use fingerprints for authentication. The electronic door system 100 may be configured for use with existing lock hardware (e.g., an existing deadbolt lock previously installed by a homeowner). The electronic door system 100 may be configured such that touch can be used to lock and unlock a door (e.g., a deadbolt lock thereof) from both the inside and the outside of a home or other building structure. The electronic door system 100 may be configured that touch from the outside of the home only works to unlock the door when the user is authenticated, such as with facial authentication (e.g., when an authorized face is detected) or an authorized virtual key is detected. Instead of or in addition to the facial authentication or virtual key, the electronic door system 100 may be further configured to authenticate users with a physical key pad (e.g., associated with the home) or a virtual key pad (e.g., provided by a computing device of the user, such as a smartphone, with a long-in free software application).

[0038] The electronic door system 100 may provide other functions. For example, the electronic door system 100 may also actively monitor the door lock (e.g., the deadbolt lock) to detect and thwart threats such as lock picking or tampering. The electronic door system 100 may also allow users to manage access to their home (or other building structure), view access history (e.g., those other users that have operated the electronic door system 100 to unlock the door), share electronic keys with other users for operating the electronic door system 100 to unlock the door (e.g., for guest access), and remotely control the door lock while away from the home.

[0039] To perform facial authentication, the electronic door system 100 may capture video footage or other facial authentication data (e.g., with an authentication device 170 that may be configured to operate as a smart doorbell) that is used as input to authenticate the user (e.g., a homeowner or other occupant or authorized person). Upon facial authentication and touch, anywhere on the surface of an existing door lock, the electronic door system 100 unlocks the door (e.g., operating the deadbolt lock). If a potential user is not authenticated via the facial recognition and does not have an electronic key or other secondary authentication means, access is denied and the electronic door system 100 does not operate the deadbolt lock to unlock the door.

[0040] The electronic door system 100 may be configured for use with existing lock hardware (e.g., an existing deadbolt lock). An electronic door lock 110 of the electronic door system 100 installs inside the home (or other building structure) in replacement of the thumb- turn of the existing deadbolt lock. The electronic door system 100, and in particular, the electronic door lock 110 may use installation screws of the deadbolt lock to form an electrically conductive connection (e.g., via the metal materials thereof) with the deadbolt lock (e.g., the cover, lock core, or other components) on the exterior side of the door. With capacitance measurements and algorithms, the electronic door lock 110 senses touch to the deadbolt lock with high precision, for example, to determine intent of the user and operate the deadbolt lock according thereto. With installation of the electronic door lock 110 on the interior side of the door, potential users (e.g., potential entrants) may not be aware of the electronic door lock 110, thereby providing enhanced security to the home or building structure.

[0041] The electronic door system 100 includes the authentication device 170, which may be a smart doorbell, for collecting images, other three-dimensional (camera views), and/or other facial authentication data and processes the images and /or other data using suitable programming to perform facial recognition. The authentication device 170 may be provided with the electronic door lock 110, thus providing the electronic door system 100 as a complete system to consumers. Alternatively, third party devices (e.g., smart doorbells) may function as the authentication device 170 used to capture and/or process images of potential users. The authentication device 170 may be powered by a constant power supply (e.g., a conventional hardwired connection to the wiring system of a home or other building structure) and may capture and/or process the facial authentication data, or alternatively facial authentication data may be sent to the electronic door lock 110 or a cloud computing device which may then process the images to perform the facial recognition.

[0042] The electronic door system 100 may authenticate users by performing secondary authentication, such as with a keypad, an electronic key, and/or an NFC device via the authentication device 170 and/or the electronic door lock.

[0043] The electronic door system 100 may also include a virtual keypad provided for pin code entry. The electronic door system 100 may be considered to include a smartphone of a user, which provides the virtual keypad on the touch sensitive display thereof. The virtual keypad may be provided by a software application running on the smartphone, which may be connected to the electronic door lock 110 outside of the secured channel and can only be used for the purposes of entering a pin code. The virtual keypad may be operated without requiring a user account, login, or other authentication for the electronic door system 100. The virtual keypad software causes the smartphone to display the virtual keypad. The virtual keypad software may cause each of the pin entries to be transmitted to the electronic door lock 100. Upon entry of an accepted pin code, the electronic door lock 110 may operate the deadbolt lock upon receipt and/or upon touch to the deadbolt lock. The virtual keypad software may allow for only a limited number of pin entries (e.g., five) after which the virtual keypad software and/or the electronic door lock 110 will not accept any further pin entries for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 10 minutes).

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 A and IB, an electronic door system 100 includes the electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170. The electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170 are cooperatively configured to operate a deadbolt lock 20 of a door 10 upon authentication of a user. The electronic door system 100 may also be considered to include the deadbolt lock 20, for example, as part of the electronic door lock 110.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic door system 100 may be considered to further include a user device 280, a building device 282, an owner device 284, and/or a remote computing device 290. The user device 280 is associated with a user of the electronic door system 100, a user being a person operating the electronic door system 100 to gain entry through the door 10, and is in communication with the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication device 170 for entry of an authentication code (e.g., a pin code) for operating the deadbolt lock. The user device 280 is a portable computing device, such as a smartphone. The building device 282 is associated with a building with which the electronic door system 100 and is in communication with the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication device 170, for example, to provide notifications to occupants of the building. The building device 282 may, for example, be an audio output device (e.g., a door bell) that outputs a chime or may be a computing device by which an occupant of the building may communicate with a user (e.g., an intercom) and/or which may send other inputs to the authentication device 170 and/or the electronic door lock 110. The owner device 284 is a device, such as a portable computing device, associated with an owner or other manager of the electronic door system 100 for which different functions are provided, such as control functions over the electronic door system 100 (e.g., setup, establishing new users, receiving status or user information of the electronic door lock).

[0046] The remote computing device 290 (e.g., a cloud computing device) is in communication with the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication device 170 and may perform various functions related thereto (e.g., processing facial authentication data).

The user device 280, the building device 282, and/or the owner device 284 may also be in communication with the remote computing device 290 and/or may be in communication with the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication device 170 via the remote computing device 290. The remote computing device 290 may be any suitable computing device, for example, as described for the controller 362, along with suitable communications hardware and connections.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1A-2, the electronic door lock 110 is coupleable to a door 10 of a building structure 2. The electronic door lock 110 may perform various other functions related to the door 10, such as operating a deadbolt lock, detecting touch from a user, locking or disabling the deadbolt lock, and/or assessing a position of the door 10. The electronic door lock 110 may be further be configured to detect electronic keys associated with users of the electronic door lock 110.

[0048] The authentication device 170 is in communication with the electronic door lock 110 and is coupleable to a building structure 2, such as a doorjamb, in an exterior space 8 relative to the building (i.e., on an exterior side of the door 10). The authentication device 170 is configured to receive inputs for authenticating a user and may be further configured to process those inputs to authenticate users. In one example, the authentication device 170 is configured to capture images of potential users for authentication. Instead or additionally, the authentication device 170 is configured to receive an input code (e.g., a numeric or pin code) for authenticating a user. Instead of or in addition to the electronic door lock 110, the authentication device 170 may be configured to detect electronic keys associated with users of the electronic door lock 110 to authenticate the user.

[0049] Since the electronic door lock 110 is coupled to the door 10 and moves therewith, the electronic door lock may be battery-operated. The authentication device 170, being coupled to a static part of the building structure 2 (e.g., the doorjamb 2b), may be powered by a constant power source (e.g., being hardwired to a power source of the building structure 2). Thus, it may be advantageous to perform various power intensive functions, including those associated with authenticating users, with the authentication device 170 as opposed to the electronic door lock 110. For example, the authentication device 170 may include and/or continually provide power to sensors (e.g., cameras and/or external motion sensors) that consume power at high rates that would be unsustainable over long periods of time for the electronic door lock 110 (e.g., being a compact, battery-operated device). Instead or additionally, the authentication device 170 may be configured to perform various image processing that would be unsustainable over long periods of time for the electronic door lock 110, such as capturing frequent images, assessing images to determine whether any potential human user may be in such captured images, and/or further processing the images to authenticate such human users.

[0050] In alternative configurations, as discussed in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 11A-11C, functions and/or components of the electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170 may be incorporated into a single device that is coupled to, provided with, and/or may form a door, which may be referred to as an electronic door, a smart door, a smart door system, or an electronic door system. In such case, those functions and/or components of the authentication device 170 are provided with those of the electronic door lock 110 and/or may be coupled to the door and move therewith. The electronic door itself may be coupled to the constant power source such that those functions and/or components of the electronic door lock 110 are also powered by the constant power source (i.e., instead of or in addition to being battery-operated). The electronic door may provide additional functions and/or include different components, for example, with the door including and/or forming a display, such as a touch display, and/or including an actuator that moves the door relative to the building structure.

[0051] The user device 280 may, for example, be a smartphone or other portable computing device. The user device 280 is configured to be in direct communication with the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication device 170, for example, via a Bluetooth or other wireless connection. The user device 280 is further configured, such as with software programming, to display a virtual keypad or other virtual input device, receive user inputs of an authentication code (e.g., a pin code) via the virtual keypad, and transmit the authentication code to the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication device 170.

Upon entry of an approved authentication code, the electronic door lock 110 may operate the deadbolt lock thereupon or upon further action (e.g., upon receipt of a touch to the deadbolt lock).

[0052] As referenced above, the building device 282 is associated with the building structure 2 (e.g., provided on the interior thereof) and is configured to provide notifications to occupants of the building, enable communication between building occupants and users of the electronic door system 100, and/or change settings and/or operate the building device 282 (e.g., functioning also as the owner device 284).

[0053] As also reference above, the owner device 284 is associated with the owner or other manager of the electronic door system 100 and provides further privileges and/or functions, which may include changing settings, granting permissions, operating, and/or monitoring the electronic door system 100.

[0054] An example hardware configuration for the user device 280, the building device 282, and the owner device 284 is discussed below with respect to FIG. 13.

[0055] The remote computing device 290 may, for example, be a cloud-based computing device in communication with the electronic door lock 110, the authentication device 170, and/or the user, building, and/or owner devices 280, 282, 284 via any suitable communications protocols and suitable intervening communications devices. The remote computing device 290 may be configured perform various functions related to authenticating users and, instead or additionally, related to operation of the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication device 170 (e.g., remote control, uploading authentication codes and/or facial authentication data of authorized users, access monitor, among others).

[0056] As shown in FIG. IB, the building structure 2 generally defines an interior space 6 (e.g., an interior of the building structure 2) that is separated from the exterior space 8 (e.g., the outside environment) by the building structure 2 and selectively separated from the exterior space 8 by the door 10. The door 10 is movable relative to a building structure 2 to selectively close and open a door opening 4 thereof. In FIG. IB, the door 10 is illustrated in solid lines in a closed physical position and in dashed lines in an open physical position. [0057] The building structure 2 includes a hinge-side jamb 2a and a latch-side jamb 2b that form the vertical sides of the door opening 4, as well as a head jamb (not labeled) and a sill (not labeled) that define upper and lower horizontal sides of the door opening 4. For example, the building structure 2 may include a door frame that includes the hinge-side jamb 2a, the latch-side jamb 2b, the head jamb, and the sill. In the case of french doors, the building structure 2 may be considered to include another door that forms the latch-side jamb 2b of the door opening 4.

[0058] The door 10 includes an interior side 12, an exterior side 14, a hinge edge 16, a latch edge 18, and upper and lower edges (not labeled). The hinge edge 16 is rotatably coupled (e.g., hingedly coupled) to the hinge-side jamb 2a of the building structure 2, such that the door 10 is rotatable relative to the building structure 2 about a hinge axis, which is vertical and may also be referred to as the Z-axis (as shown). A direction perpendicular to a plane 11 of the door 10 may be considered the X-axis, while a horizontal direction in the plane 11 of the door 10 may be considered the Y-axis.

[0059] While the electronic door system 100 is discussed herein with respect to a building structure 2, it is further contemplated that the electronic door system 100 may be used in other contexts to assess the physical position of a swinging (e.g., hinged structure) relative to another structure (e.g., doors in non-building applications and gates, among other applications).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic door lock 110 is coupleable to the door 10, such that the electronic door lock 110 and the components thereof move as the door 10 is rotated about the hinge axis (i.e., the Z-axis). The electronic door lock 110 may be further coupleable to and/or operatively associated with a deadbolt lock 20 associated with the door 10. As referenced above, the electronic door lock 110 is configured to perform various functions related to the door 10, such as operating the deadbolt lock 20. More particularly, the electronic door system 100 may include one or more subsystems of a deadbolt operator 210, a touch detector 220, a deadbolt locker 230, an electronic key detector 240, and/or a door position assessor 250, which may or may not share various components.

[0061] The deadbolt operator 210 is configured to operate a deadbolt lock 20 associated with the door 10. The touch detector 220 is configured to detect touch (e.g., on an exterior side 14 of the door 10) and, for example, conductively couples to the deadbolt lock 20 to function as a capacitive electrode of the touch detector 220 for detecting touch capacitively therewith. The deadbolt locker 230 is configured to secure the deadbolt lock 20 by mechanically engaging the deadbolt lock 20 to prevent movement thereof between the locked stated and the unlocked state. The electronic key detector 240 is configured to detect electronic keys 245 associated with the electronic door system 100 and within a detection region, for example, to operate the deadbolt operator 210. The door position assessor 250 is configured to assess the physical position of the door 10, for example, to determine whether the door 10 is closed (i.e., is in the closed physical position). The door position assessor 250, the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, and the electronic key detector 240 are each discussed in further detail below. It should be noted that the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, the deadbolt locker 230, the electronic key detector 240, and/or the door position assessor 250 may be provided and/or used in any suitable combination with each other and/or with the deadbolt lock 20. For example, the deadbolt operator 210 and the touch detector 220 may be provided without the deadbolt locker 230, the electronic key detector 240, or the door position assessor 250. When interfacing with or including the deadbolt lock 20, the electronic door system 100 may also be referred to as an electronic door lock, a locking device, a door locking device, a door locking device, or an electronic door lock system.

[0062] The electronic door system 100 further includes electronics 260, which function to operate and may form the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, the deadbolt locker 230, the electronic key detector 240, and/or the door position assessor 250, for example, each being considered to include and/or share a controller 362 (discussed below) and/or one or more sensors 366. The various subsystems and the electronics may be coupled to each other (e.g., with a chassis, such as a circuit board and/or housing) and, thereby, be cooperatively coupleable to the door 10.

[0063] The authentication device 170 captures images of potential users, which may include visible light images and/or infrared images. The image is then assessed using facial recognition to authenticate the user by identifying the user in the image as an approved user or by otherwise comparing the image, data captured from the image, or data captured in association with the image (e.g., point cloud information from a structured light sensor) to images or data associated with approved users. Upon authentication of the user in the image (i.e., determining that the user in the captured image is an approved user), the electronic door lock 110 may be operated to unlock the deadbolt 20 of the door, for example, upon receiving an input from the user of intent to unlock the door 10 (e.g., upon detection of touch with the touch detector 220). Instead of or in addition to the capturing images for authenticating users, the authentication device 170 may capture other data (e.g., structured light data) in association with the images for authenticating the users. The image, data captured from the image, and data captured in association with the image may be singularly and cooperatively referred to as facial authentication data.

[0064] The authentication device 170 may be further configured to receive a physical input of a code, for example, having a keypad for receiving a numerical code. The authentication device 170 may be further configured as part of another system and/or provide other functions, for example, functioning as a doorbell (e.g., receiving a user input for ringing a doorbell or providing another alert to a homeowner) and/or security camera (e.g., capturing and recording video images of activity near the door 10).

[0065] The electronic door system 100, including the electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170, may have various different hardware and/or functional configurations for authenticating users with images and/or other facial authentication data captured or otherwise determined by the authentication device 170. In one example, the authentication device 170 captures facial authentication data of potential users, assesses the facial authentication data to authenticate users (e.g., using facial recognition techniques), and upon authentication of a user (e.g., upon identification of an authorized user), sends an authentication signal to the electronic door lock 110 permitting the electronic door lock 110 to operate the deadbolt 20 to unlock the door 10 (e.g., upon receipt of another input indicating user intent, such as with the touch detector 220).

[0066] In another example, the authentication device 170 captures images and/or other facial authentication data of potential users, transmits the captured images and/or other facial authentication data to the electronic door lock 110, the electronic door lock 110 assesses the captured images to authenticate users (e.g., with a biometric authentication component 369 thereof), and upon authentication permits the electronic door lock 110 to operate the deadbolt 20 to unlock the door 10 (e.g., upon receipt of another input indicating user intent).

[0067] In a still further example, the authentication device 170 captures images and/or other facial authentication data of potential users, transmits the captured image and/or other facial authentication data directly or indirectly to the remote computing device 290 (e.g., a local computing device or a cloud computing device), the remote computing device 290 assesses the captured images to authenticate users, and upon authentication sends a signal to the electronic door lock 110 directly or indirectly (e.g., via the authentication device 170) permitting the electronic door lock 110 to operate the deadbolt 20 to unlock the door 10 (e.g., upon receipt of another input indicating user intent, such as touch). The authentication device 170 may also be referred to as a processing component or a facial recognition device or component.

[0068] As also referenced above, the authentication device 170, instead of or in addition to the electronic door lock 110, may include the electronic key detector 240, or a variation thereof, or otherwise be configured to detect the electronic keys.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, electronic components of the electronic door lock 110 are depicted schematically. Electronic components of the authentication device 170 are depicted schematically in FIG. 10D and discussed below in reference thereto.

[0070] The electronics 260 of the electronic door lock 110 generally include the controller 362, a power source 363, one or more wireless communication devices 364, one or more sensors 366, and one or more actuators 368, which may be mounted to or otherwise coupled (e.g., electrically) to one or more circuit boards 361. The controller 362 is configured to operate the various devices, subsystems, and/or components of the electronic door lock 110, for example, being in communication with (e.g., being electrically coupled to) and receiving signals from the wireless communication devices 364, the sensors 366, and/or the actuators 368. The power source 363, such as a battery, is configured to provide electric power to the various other electronic components. The wireless communication devices 364 are configured to send to and receive from various other electronic devices signals wirelessly (e.g., the electronic keys 245). The wireless communication devices 364 may, for example, include a transmitter and a receiver coupled to an antenna. The wireless communication devices 364 may communicate according to any suitable wireless communication technology or protocol including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), near field communication (NFC), and/or ultra-wide band (UWB). The sensors 366 are configured to detect various conditions, such as a magnetic field (e.g., including a compass or magnetometer), movement (e.g., including an accelerometer or gyroscope), and/or touch (e.g., capacitance, pressure). Additional ones of the sensors 366 are discussed in further detail below. The actuators 368 are configured to operate various mechanical aspects of the electronic door lock 110 and may, for example, include electric motors.

[0071] In the case of the electronic door lock 110 being configured to receive and process the facial authentication data from the authentication device 170, the electronics 260 of the electronic door lock 110 may also include a biometric authentication component 369. The biometric authentication component 369 is configured to process the images and/or other authentication data captured by the authentication device 170 to authenticate users. For example, the biometric authentication component 369 may process the captured images and other authentication data for comparison with images of approved users or data otherwise associated with the approved users (e.g., data processed from one or more images associated with an approved users), or other sensors associated with images of the approved users (e.g., structured light sensors). The biometric authentication component 369 may process the images and/or other authentication data according to any technique suitable for identifying a user, such as facial recognition techniques. Upon favorable comparison of the captured facial authentication data to that of an approved user, the biometric authentication component 369 outputs a signal causing the electronic door lock 110 to operate the deadbolt lock 20 (i.e., with the deadbolt operator 210) or permit the electronic door lock 110 to operate the deadbolt lock 20 upon receipt of another input (e.g., a touch to the deadbolt 20 as detected with the touch detector 220). The biometric authentication component 369 may be a separate system or component (e.g., a singular chip) from the controller 362, such as a system on a chip (SoC) that itself includes a processing aspect, memory, storage, and communications interface (e.g., wired with the others of the electronics 260), or alternatively the controller 362 may perform those described functions of the biometric authentication component 369.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 4, an example hardware configuration of the controller 362 is shown. The controller 362 may be any computing device suitable for implementing the devices and methods described herein. In the example, shown, the controller 362 generally includes a processor 462a, a memory 462b, a storage 462c, an input/output 462d, and a bus 462e by which the other components of the controller 362 are in communication. The processor 462a may be any suitable processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), configured to execute instructions (e.g., software programming). The memory 462b may be a short-term, volatile electronic storage device, such as a random-access memory module (RAM). The storage 462c is a long-term, non-volatile electronic storage device, such as a solid-stated drive (SSD) or other computer-readable medium. The storage 462c stores therein instructions (e.g., the software programming), which are executed by the processor 462a. The input/output 462d is a communication device by which the controller 362 sends and receives signals, for example, to and from the wireless communication devices 364 and the sensors 366. The controller 362 may have any other suitable configuration, for example, being considered to include further processors and/or controllers (e.g., sub-controllers, or a system of controllers) that are associated with the different subsystems and/or sensors described herein (e.g., provided with a chip having one or more of the sensors).

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 5-9B, the various systems of the electronic door lock 110 are discussed, which may include the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, the deadbolt locker 230, the electronic key detector 240, and/or the door position assessor 250. As referenced above, the electronic door lock 110 may include any suitable combination of such subsystems. Further, the authentication device 170 may, instead or additionally, include one or more of the subsystems. In one example, the electronic door lock 110 includes the deadbolt operator 210 and the touch detector 220, and may further include the deadbolt locker 230 and/or the door position assessor 250, while the authentication device 170 includes the electronic key detector 240.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic door lock 110 may include the deadbolt operator 210. As illustrated schematically, the deadbolt operator 210 generally includes a motor 512 and a controller 514, and may further include or otherwise engage a pin 516 (e.g., a spindle, tailpiece, or cam bar). The motor 512 may be considered one of the actuators 368 reference previously. The motor 512 operatively engages the pin 516 to be rotated thereby, for example, having one or more gears arranged therebetween. The pin 516 operatively engages a deadbolt mechanism 22 of the deadbolt lock 20, such that rotation of the pin 516 by the motor 512 or by a keyed cylinder 24 (e.g., an external manual operator) of the deadbolt lock 20 operates the deadbolt mechanism 22 (e.g., causing extension and retraction thereol). Further aspects of the deadbolt 20 are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 7B and 7C. The pin 516 may be provided as part of the deadbolt operator 210 (e.g., with the electronic door system 100), or may instead be provided as part of the deadbolt lock 20 and receivable by the deadbolt operator 210 (e.g., a receptacle that is rotatable by the motor 512). The controller 514 controls operation (e.g., rotation) of the motor 512 and, thereby, controls operation of the deadbolt lock 20. The controller 514 may be the controller 362 that functions to operate the door position assessor 250 and/or other subsystems of the electronic door system 100 or another controller. The deadbolt operator 210 may also be considered to include one or more of the sensors 366 for assessing operation of the deadbolt 20, such as a magnetic (e.g., hall sensor), optical sensor, or other type of sensor suitable for assessing whether the deadbolt 20 is in the extended position or the retracted position. Instead or additionally, the deadbolt operator 210 may be configured to determine whether the deadbolt operator 210 is capable of operating the deadbolt 20, for example, determining that the deadbolt 20 is not operable if after a certain duration of attempting to move the deadbolt 20 the deadbolt has not moved to the extended position (e.g., if the deadbolt 20 is engaging the doorjamb) or if the motor 512 is drawing high electricity (e.g., current). Assessment of operation of the deadbolt 20 may be performed by the controller 514 in conjunction with the sensor 366 associated with the deadbolt operator 210. The electronic door lock 110 may also be considered to include the deadbolt lock 20.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6D, the electronic door lock 110 may include the touch detector 220. The touch detector 220 is configured to detect touch, which may be indicative of a user’s intent to unlock the deadbolt lock 20 to open the door 10. The touch detector 220 generally includes a touch sensor 622 and a controller 624. The touch sensor 622 is configured to sense touch on the exterior side 14 of the door 10. The controller 624 is electrically coupled to the touch sensor 622, so as to receive and interpret signals therefrom to determine whether a touch has been detected. In a preferred example, the touch sensor 622 is configured to measure capacitance, and the controller 624 determines touch based on the measured capacitance (e.g., if capacitance exceeds a threshold). The touch sensor 622 may be one of the sensors 366 that is used by and/or considered part of another subsystem (e.g., the door position assessor 250), while the controller 624 may be the controller 362 (or another controller).

[0076] The touch detector 220 is further configured to couple to the deadbolt lock 20 and utilize components thereof as a sensing component, which may be referred to as an electrode, for the touch detector 220. As a result, the electronic door system 100 may be used with an existing deadbolt lock 20 and detect touches thereof. More particularly, a deadbolt lock 20 of a conventional type will typically include an external housing 26 (e.g., a shroud or escutcheon) that surrounds the keyed cylinder 24 and provides access thereto with mechanical keys. The external housing 26 provides the deadbolt lock 20 with the aesthetics of the deadbolt lock 20 on the exterior side 14 of the door 10, for example, having different shapes and/or colors. The external housing 26 is generally made of or otherwise includes a conductive material (e.g., a metal). [0077] The touch sensor 622 of the touch detector 220 is electrically coupleable to the external housing 26 of the deadbolt lock 20, such that the external housing 26 functions as an electrode of the touch sensor 622 whereby capacitance may be measured for detecting touch thereto. As shown in FIGS. 6B-6C, the touch sensor 622 is conductively coupled to the deadbolt lock 20 and, in particular, to the external housing 26 with a fastener 626 (e.g., a screw or other threaded fastener). The fastener 626 may further function to mount the deadbolt lock 20 to the door 10 and/or mount the electronic door system 100 to the door 10. [0078] The deadbolt lock 20 includes mounting holes 28 (e.g., in conductive bosses) in the external housing 26 (as shown) or other structure (e.g., the keyed cylinder 24 or a mounting plate) that receive threaded fasteners for coupling the external housing 26 in a conventional arrangement with an internal operator (e.g., the thumb turn) and, thereby, mounting the deadbolt lock 20 to the door 10. The deadbolt mechanism 22 may further include apertures through which one or more of the threaded fasteners 626 may extend and/or are contacted by the fastener 626.

[0079] The touch sensor 622 includes a conductive contact 622a that is electrically coupled thereto (e.g., via the circuit board 361) and that conductively engages the fastener 626. As shown, the conductive contact 622a is a boss (e.g., a standoff) formed of a conductive material (e.g., metal) and through which the fastener 626 extends, but may be configured in other manners (e.g., a conductive spring member that engages the fastener 626). The fastener 626 extends through the door 10 and is received by the holes 28 and, thereby, conductively couples the touch sensor 622 to the deadbolt lock 20 and the external housing 26 thereof. Thereby, the external housing 26 of the deadbolt lock 20 is conductively coupled to the touch sensor 622 and functions as an electrode thereof for measuring capacitance.

[0080] The fastener 626 may further function to mount the deadbolt lock 20 (e.g., the external housing 26 and the deadbolt mechanism 22 to the door 10). In one example, the fastener 626 may be in conductive contact with both the deadbolt lock 20 (e.g., the external housing 26 and/or the deadbolt mechanism 22), for example, extending directly therebetween. In other examples, intermediate electrically conductive members may be arranged between the fastener 626 and the deadbolt lock 20 (e.g., the external housing 26) and/or the touch sensor 622 (e.g., the conductive contact 622a), while the fastener 626 is still considered to electrically conductively couple the touch sensor 622 to the deadbolt lock 20 to function as an electrode thereof. Such intermediate conductive members may, for example, include a washer or metal plate (e.g., a mounting plate, such as the mounting plate 618). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the deadbolt lock 20 (e.g., the external housing 26, the mounting holes 28, and/or the deadbolt mechanism 22) may be conductively coupled to the mounting plate 618 with one of the fasteners 626 (e.g., to mount the deadbolt lock 20 to the door 10, as with fasteners extending through the mounting plate 618 and the bore of the door to the deadbolt 20), while the touch sensor 622 is electrically conductively coupled to the mounting plate with another of the fasteners 626 (e.g., extending through or otherwise conductively engaging the conductive contact 622a, which may also mechanically couple the electronic door lock 110 to the door 10 via the mounting plate). In this scenario, the touch sensor 622 is electrically coupled to the deadbolt 20 serially via a first fastener 626, the mounting plate 618, and a second fastener 626.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 6B, the touch detector 220 may, instead of or in addition to the touch sensor 622, include an interior touch sensor 627, which may detect touch to the housing 102 of the electronic door system 100. The interior touch sensor 627 may measure touch (e.g., force or pressure thereto) or may be a proximity sensor that measures capacitance (e.g., through the housing 102). The interior touch sensor 627 may be one of the sensors 366. Upon detecting a touch (or touch gesture, such as a double tap) with the interior touch sensor 627, the deadbolt operator 210 may be operated to lock or unlock the deadbolt lock 20 irrespective of an electronic key 245. Gestures may be advantageous, so as to avoid performing operations based on inadvertent touches (e.g., bumping into by a person, or a pet touching the interior touch sensor 627).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, the electronic door lock 110 may include the deadbolt locker 230, which is a mechanical device that physically engages the deadbolt lock 20 (e.g., the deadbolt mechanism 22 independent of the pin 516) to prevent operation thereof (e.g., the deadbolt locker 230 mechanically blocks the deadbolt lock 20). The deadbolt locker 230 generally includes a locking actuator 732 and a controller 734. The locking actuator 732 engages the deadbolt mechanism 22 to prevent operation thereof, as discussed in further detail below, and the controller 734 controls operation thereof. The locking actuator 732 may be one of the actuators 368. The controller 734 may be the controller 362, for example, such that the same controller controls operation of the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, and the deadbolt locker 230, or may be another suitable controller. The deadbolt locker 230 may also be referred to as a lock blocking, lock jamming device, or anti-picking actuator. The deadbolt locker 230 may be deployed, for example, upon detecting touch patterns with the touch detector 220 that suggest nefarious intent (e.g., erratic touch suggesting a lock pick attempt) or on selection by the user. [0083] As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the deadbolt mechanism 22 of the deadbolt lock 20 generally includes a bolt 22a, a body 22b, and a locking arm 22c, which are positioned within a bore 10a of the door 10 (both illustrated in broken dash-dot lines). As the pin (e.g., the pin 516) is rotated, the bolt 22a is moved relative to the body 22b between an extended position (shown in solid lines) and a retracted position (shown in dashed lines). For example, a cam mechanism (not shown) may be arranged between the pin and the bolt 22a, whereby rotation of the pin causes movement of the bolt 22a. Furthermore, as the pin is rotated, the locking arm 22c rotates between a locking position (shown in solid lines) and a non-locking position (shown in dashed lines at two rotational positions). In the locking position, a distal end of the locking arm 22c engages an inner end of the bolt 22a to prevent retraction thereof into the body 22b. In the locking and non-locking positions of the locking arm 22c, the locking arm 22c is generally contained by the body 22b (e.g., being positioned below an upper edge thereol), while the distal end thereof extends above the body 22b when rotating therebetween.

[0084] The locking actuator 732 of the deadbolt locker 230 is configured to engage and, thereby, prevent movement of the locking arm 22c from the locking position to the non locking position. Thereby, the distal end of the locking arm 22c remains engaged with the inner end of the bolt 22a to prevent retraction thereof. The locking actuator 732 includes, for example, a locking pin 732a and an actuator 732b (e.g., a motor or a solenoid). When the locking pin 732a is in a retracted position (e.g., indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 7B), the locking pin 732a is retracted toward the interior side 12 of the door 10 and, thereby, allows the locking arm 22c of the deadbolt mechanism 22 to rotate between the locking and non locking positions. When the locking pin 732a is in an extended position (e.g., indicated by solid lines in FIG. 7C), the locking pin 732a is extended toward the exterior side 14 of the door 10 and is positioned above the locking arm to, thereby, engage and prevent rotation of the locking arm 22c from the locking position to the non-locking position thereof. The deadbolt locker 230 may further include a locking block (not shown or labeled) coupled to the locking pin 732a or otherwise movable by the locking actuator 732. The locking block, as compared to the locking pin 732a, may fill a larger space between the deadbolt mechanism 22 and the bore 10a of the door 10. Thus, as the locking arm 22c is attempted to be rotated, the locking arm 22c presses the locking block into the surface of the door 10 defining the bore 10a, thereby transferring force arising from the torque applied to the locking arm 22c from the locking block to the door. As a result, the locking actuator 732 may be required to bear only a nominal force in the radial direction of the locking pin 732a, while still preventing operation of the deadbolt lock 20.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 8, the electronic door lock 110 may include the electronic key detector 240. The electronic key detector 240 determines whether any of the electronic keys 245 that are associated with the electronic door system 100 is in a detection region, such as the exterior space 8 or subregion thereof. A key detection is a determination that an electronic key is within the detection region.

[0086] The electronic key detector 240 generally includes a transmitter 841, a receiver 842, and one or more antennas 843 coupled thereto, as well as a controller 844 that controls sending of signals with the transmitter 841 and interprets signals received by the receiver 842. The controller 844 may be the controller 362, which may be shared or considered part of other subsystems of the electronic door system 100, or may be another similarly configured controller. The electronic keys 245, similarly, each include a transmitter 846, a receiver 847, and one or more antennas 848 coupled thereto, as well as a controller 849 that controls sending of signals with the transmitter 846 and interprets signals received by the receiver 847. The electronic key 245 may also include an accelerometer 850.

[0087] The electronic key detector 240 may detect the electronic key 245 in one or more various different manners. In one example, the electronic key detector 240 sends a lock signal 840’ (e.g., a first, challenge, or door signal) to a broadcast region that forms the detection region. The lock signal 840’ may be sent, for example, in response to detecting touch with the touch detector 220. If the electronic key 245 is within the broadcast region and receives the lock signal 840’ at sufficient strength, the electronic key 245 receives the lock signal 840’ and sends a key signal 845’ (e.g., a second signal) in response thereto, which is then received by the electronic key detector 240. The lock signal 840’ may be encrypted or otherwise secured, such that only those electronic keys 245 associated with the electronic key detector 240 may decipher the lock signal 840’ and send the key signal 845’ in response thereto. Those electronic keys 245 in the detection region but not associated with the electronic key detector 240 may not interpret (e.g., decrypt) the lock signal 840’ and, therefore, will not send the key signal 845’ in response thereto. Further, the electronic key detector 240 may filter out any of the key signals 845’ that are received below a given signal strength (e.g., suggesting the electronic key 245 is outside the detection region). Still further, the key signal 845’ may contain acceleration data from the accelerometer 850 of the electronic key 245 and may filter out any of the key signals 845’ having acceleration data indicating no movement of the electronic key 245 (e.g., in case the electronic key 245 is inadvertently left on a stable surface in the detection region). The key signal 845’ may also be encrypted, so as to only be decipherable by the electronic door system 100 associated with the electronic key 245. The lock signal 840’ may further include identifying information, such as a username or unique alphanumeric code), which may enable the electronic key detector 240 to decipher between those electronic keys 245 associated therewith (e.g., electronic keys 245 of different users for which access through the door 10 should be permitted). As referenced above, the authentication device 170 may, instead of or in addition to the electronic door lock 110, include the electronic key detector 240.

[0088] The electronic key 245 may be a dedicated purpose device (e.g., only functioning as an electronic key for use with the electronic key detector 240), or may be another multi purpose device with suitable hardware and software (e.g., a smartphone) for receiving and deciphering the lock signal 840’ and sending the key signal 845’ in response thereto.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the electronic door system 100 includes the door position assessor 250 that, as referenced previously, assesses the physical position of the door 10, for example, to determine whether the door 10 is closed and/or an angular position assessment. The door position assessor 250 includes one or more sensors for sensing one or more door position conditions that are indicative of the physical position of the door 10 and according to which the door position assessor 250 assesses the physical position of the door 10. As shown, the sensors of the door position assessor 250 may include one or more of a gyroscope 952, an accelerometer 954, a capacitive sensor 956, or a microphone 958. The door position conditions are physical conditions that are observable with the sensors. As discussed in further detail below, the door position conditions include angular velocity or position of the door 10 sensed by the gyroscope 952, linear acceleration of the door 10 sensed by the accelerometer 954, capacitance of the building structure 2 sensed by the capacitive sensor 956, or sound of the door 10 closing sensed by the microphone 958. The door position assessor 250 also includes a controller 960 and may include a wireless communications device 962.

[0090] The sensors of the door position assessor 250 (i.e., the one or more of the gyroscope 952, the accelerometer 954, the capacitive sensor 956, and the microphone 958) may be one of the sensors 366 of the electronic door system 100, which may also be used by (e.g., are components shared with) other subsystems of the electronic door system 100 (e.g., of the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, the deadbolt locker 230, or the electronic key detector 240). The controller 960 and the wireless communications device 962 may be the controller 362 and the wireless communication device 364, which may also be used by (e.g., are components shared with) other subsystems of the electronic door system 100 (e.g., of the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, the deadbolt locker 230, or the electronic key detector 240).

[0091] Multiple different door position conditions may be used to assess the physical position of the door 10. The use of additional door position conditions may advantageously provide greater accuracy and/or reliability to the assessment of the physical position of the door 10 by providing confirmation or otherwise increasing the overall confidence in the assessment of the physical position of the door 10. For example, while different ones of the sensors may be subject to errors (e.g., calibration, noise, resolution, drift) and the door position conditions may be subject to false positives (e.g., sensed door position conditions that would otherwise satisfy criteria for determining that the door 10 is in the closed physical position), the use of additional and different door position conditions may account for such sensor errors or inaccuracies and false positive scenarios to provide accurate assessments of the physical position.

[0092] The gyroscope 952 may be a single-axis gyroscope or, alternatively, a three-axis gyroscope that measures angular velocity about a first axis that is the hinge axis, a second axis that parallel to the plane 11 of the door 10 (e.g., an X-axis), and a third axis that is perpendicular to the plane 11 of the door 10 (e.g., a Y-axis). Alternatively, the one or more axes of the gyroscope 952 may be arranged in different axes from which the angular velocity and, thereby, the angular position of the door 10 about the hinge axis may be determined. The gyroscope 952 may, for example, be a micro-electronic mechanical system-type (MEMS) gyroscope. The gyroscope 952 may also be considered to include separate components (e.g., MEMS-gyroscopes) that measure angular velocity of the door 10 about the hinge axis and/or other axes. The door position assessor 250 calculates an angular position assessment of the door 10 from the physical angular velocity of the door 10.

[0093] The accelerometer 954 may, for example, be a three-axis accelerometer that measures linear acceleration in X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis (i.e., the hinge axis). Alternatively, the accelerometer 954 may measure acceleration in different directions from which acceleration in the X-axis and the Y-axis may be calculated. The accelerometer 954 may, for example, be a micro-electronic mechanical system-type (MEMS) accelerometer. The accelerometer 954 may be provided as a singular component (e.g., a common chip) with the gyroscope 952. The accelerometer 954 may also be considered to include separate components (e.g., MEMS accelerometer devices) that measure linear acceleration of the door 10. The accelerometers 954 may be provided as a common component (e.g., chip) with the gyroscope 952. The physical linear acceleration in the X-axis (i.e., perpendicular to the plane 11 of the door 10) may indicate that the door 10 has been closed and, therefore, is in the closed physical position. As the door 10 is closed, the latch edge 18 of the door 10 may accelerate in the X-axis in a repeated pattern, which is referred to herein as the door closing acceleration profile and, when later detected, indicates that the door 10 may have been closed. In one example, which may be characteristic of many different combinations of doors 10 and building structures 2, the door closing acceleration profile includes at least two characteristic features of a first peak acceleration in an opening direction (i.e., opposite the direction to which the door 10 is moved into the closed physical position), and a second peak acceleration in a closing direction (i.e., the same direction as which the door 10 is moved to the closed physical) and having a lower magnitude than the first peak acceleration. The first peak acceleration represents the door 10 engaging in the closing direction a door stop of the building structure 2 on the latch-side jamb 2b and rebounding therefrom in the opening direction. The second peak acceleration represents a spring latch 30 (e.g., of a conventional door knob mechanism; not shown) engaging in the opening direction a corresponding latch receptacle 2c of the latch-side jamb 2b (e.g., of a corresponding strike plate) and rebounding therefrom in the closing direction. The door closing acceleration profile may also include a third peak acceleration that occurs temporally between the first peak acceleration and the second peak acceleration in the opening direction at a lower magnitude than the first peak acceleration.

[0094] The X-axis acceleration may be determined to indicate that the door 10 is in the closed physical position upon a favorable comparison of the X-axis acceleration measurements with the door closing acceleration profile as described above or otherwise determined for a particular combination of the door 10 and the building structure 2. Comparisons may, for example, be performed between directional patterns and/or magnitudes (e.g., ranges) of measured peak accelerations and those of the door closing acceleration profile and/or with any suitable pattern recognition technique, such as a machine learning technique. The door closing acceleration profile may be predetermined (e.g., as described above), determined during an initial setup operation (e.g., opening and closing the door repeatedly while X-axis acceleration measurements are taken), and/or adjusted over time (e.g., to account for physical changes of the door 10 and the building structure 2, such as from changes in humidity, temperature, and/or wear).

[0095] Linear acceleration in the Y-axis (i.e., horizontal and parallel to the plane 11 of the door 10) may indicate that the door 10 is moving. Because the door 10 rotates about the hinge-axis, acceleration parallel with the plane 11 of the door 10 is positive due to centripetal force whenever the door 10 is moved.

[0096] The capacitance measured from the door 10 refers to capacitance of the building structure 2 that is measured by the capacitive sensor 956 of the door position assessor 250. Stated differently, the capacitive sensor 956 capacitively senses the building structure 2. Detected capacitance may indicate that the door 10 is in the closed physical position. For example, capacitance of the building structure 2 sensed by the capacitive sensor 956 may be expected to be within a certain range and/or remain at a generally constant magnitude when the door 10 is in the closed physical position. This range of capacitance may be referred to as a closed-door capacitance value or range and form a capacitance criterion. The closed door capacitance value be different between different combinations of doors 10 and building structures 2 and, may, accordingly be determined during an initial setup process of the door position assessor 250 with a particular combination of the door 10 and the building structure 2 and/or updated over time (e.g., as temperature, humidity, and wear change spacing between the door 10 and the building structure 2 in the closed position).

[0097] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the capacitive sensor 956 may include, or be coupleable to, an electrode 956a (e.g., the deadbolt 20) that is positioned near the latch edge 18 of the door 10. For example, the electrode 956a may be positioned on the latch edge 18 of the door 10, such that when the door 10 is in the closed physical position, the capacitive sensor 956 senses the capacitance of the building structure 2. For example, as the door 10 is moved toward the closed position, the capacitance sensed by the capacitive sensor 956 may increase as the electrode 956a is moved into close proximity of the building structure 2. In one example, the deadbolt lock 20 (e.g., the deadbolt mechanism 22, such as a bolt 22a and/or a strike plate 22d thereol) is electrically coupled (e.g., conductively coupled) to the capacitive sensor 956 and functions as the electrode 956a thereof (e.g., with the fastener 626, as described above with respect to the touch sensor 622).

[0098] It should be noted that in embodiments having the touch detector 220, the capacitive sensor 956 may be the same as the touch sensor 622 (e.g., the capacitive sensor 956 and the touch sensor 622 are the same sensor) or be a separate therefrom. In those embodiments in which both the door position assessor 250 and the touch detector 220 utilize the same capacitive sensor, the capacitance values of the building structure 2 (i.e., for the door position assessor 250) and of users (i.e., for the touch detector 220) are generally expected to be in non-overlapping ranges, have distinguishable patterns (e.g., generally constant values vs. momentary or fluctuating values, respectively), and/or occur in different angular positions of the door 10 (e.g., building capacitance sensed at less than 5, 3, 2, or 1 degrees), such that the electronic door system 100 is able to distinguish between capacitance of the building structure 2 and capacitance of a user. Further, for those embodiments in which both the door position assessor 250 and the touch detector 220 utilize the same capacitive sensor, the deadbolt lock 20 may function as the electrode for both the door position assessor 250 and the touch detector 220.

[0099] The sound sensed from the microphone 958 refers to sound from the door 10 moving into the closed position (e.g., engaging and coupling to the building structure 2). Detected sound may indicate that the door 10 has been closed, or has been opened, for example, if the sensed sound compares favorably to a previously-determined sound profile (e.g., using feature extraction and/or pattern recognition).

[0100] The sound, as sensed by the microphone 958, may be assessed in any suitable manner for assessing the physical position of the door 10 and, in particular, whether the door 10 has been closed and/or opened (e.g., using suitable audio recognition techniques). The audio signature of the door 10 closing and/or opening may be determined during an initial setup operation (e.g., opening and closing the door repeatedly while X-axis acceleration measurements are taken) and/or adjusted over time (e.g., to account for physical changes of the door 10 and the building structure 2, such as from changes in humidity, temperature, and/or wear).

[0101] As described above, the physical door position may be assessed according to one or more of the sensors (e.g., the gyroscope 952, the accelerometer 954, the capacitive sensor 956, or the microphone 958) and/or according to one or more of the door position conditions (i.e., the angular velocity or angular position of the door 10, acceleration of the door 10 perpendicular to the plane 11 thereof, capacitance of the building structure 2, or sound of the door 10 closing). Door position conditions may also include operation of the deadbolt 20 with the deadbolt operator 210, such as whether the deadbolt 20 is in the extended position or retracted position, or whether the deadbolt operator 210 is able to move the deadbolt 20 into the extended position, which may be used in conjunction with one or more of the other door position conditions to assess the physical position of the door 10. By using more than one of the sensors and/or more than one of the door position conditions, the door position assessment may more accurately and/or reliably reflect the physical position of the door 10, including whether the door 10 is closed (i.e., is in the closed physical position). When assessing the physical door position with multiple of the door position conditions, the multiple door position conditions may be assessed in different manners. Further, the various sensing operations described herein may be considered to include appropriate signal processing of sensor data (e.g., to remove noise from the sensor output), outputting sensor data that includes information about the door conditions from the sensor (e.g., by sending a sensor data signal), and storing the sensor data (e.g., for processing or storage), which may be performed by a processor, such as the controller 960. Various techniques and methodologies may be used to assess whether the door 10 is closed (e.g., is in the closed physical position). As referenced above, the physical position of the door 10, including whether the door 10 is in the closed physical position, may be assessed using one or more multiple different door sensors and/or one or more multiple door position conditions sensed thereby.

[0102] A method for assessing whether the door 10 is closed (e.g., is in the closed physical position) may generally include sensing one or more door conditions (e.g., angular velocity or angular position, linear acceleration, capacitance, and/or sound), individual processing of the one more door conditions to determine whether the door 10 is closed, cooperatively processing two or more of the door conditions to determine the door status, and performing a further action according to the door status. The individual processing of the door conditions may be performed in independent and/or combined manners, which may include use of a sensor fusion algorithm (e.g., Kalman filter).

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, the electronic door system 100 includes the authentication device 170. The authentication device 170 is configured to receive one or more authentication inputs, which may include images and/or other facial authentication data captured thereby and/or physical input codes. In the case of images and other facial authentication data captured by the authentication device 170, the authentication device 170 may, as described previously, process the images and facial authentication data to authenticate users, capture and transmit the images and facial authentication data to the electronic door lock 110 for processing to authenticate users, or may transmit the images and facial authentication data to the remote computing device 290 for processing to authenticate users. In the case of input codes, the authentication device 170 detects physical inputs (e.g., button presses) used to authenticate users. In the case of electronic keys 245, the authentication device 170 detects approved keys for authenticating users.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 10A, the authentication device 170 generally includes a controller 1072, a power source 1073, a communications interface 1074, one or more user sensors 1076, and a user interface 1078 having one or more buttons.

[0105] The controller 1072 is a computing device configured to control operations and/or receive signals from the user sensors 1076, the user interface 1078, and the communications interface 1074. The controller 1072, in one example, may be configured as shown and described for the controller 362. For example, the controller 1072 may be configured to receive, store, process, and/or transmit images captured by the camera. In the examples described above, the controller 1072 may be configured to process the captured images and/or other facial authentication data to authenticate users, process the captured images and/or other facial authentication data to determine whether persons are present in the captured images, and/or cause the captured images and/or other facial authentication data to be transmitted via the communications interface 1074 to the electronic door lock 110 or the remote computing device 290 to process the captured images to authenticate users. The controller 1072 may have any suitable configuration, including but not limited to, the hardware configuration of the controller 362 and described in FIG. 4.

[0106] The power source 1073 is configured to provide power to the other electronic components of the authentication device 170. As referenced above, the authentication device 170 may be coupled to a non- moving part of the building 2 and be configured as a continual power source (e.g., receiving and conditioning alternating current power from the building). [0107] The user interface 1078 is configured to receive physical inputs from users. As shown in FIG. 10B, the user interface 1078 may include authentication buttons forming a keypad 1078a that are configured to receive physical inputs of an input code for authenticating a user, such as a numerical code. The user interface 1078 may also include a notification button 1078b (e.g., a call or notification button) that causes the authentication device 170 to provide an alert to occupants of the building structure 2 (e.g., the building device 282, such as a doorbell, within a home) or another user associated with the electronic door system 100 (e.g., alerts on a smartphone or other computer device of the owner of the building structure 2, such as with the owner device 282). The buttons of the user interface 1078 may be any suitable type of button, for example, being physically depressible buttons (e.g., operating switches), capacitive sensors, or virtual buttons (e.g., displayed on a touch screen).

[0108] The one or more user sensors 1076 are configured to sense potential users. As shown in FIG. 10B, the one or more user sensors 1076 includes a camera (e.g., an imaging system) that is configured capture images of users. The camera may include any suitable hardware components (e.g., image sensors, image processing unit, among others) and optical components (e.g., lenses) understood in the art and suitable for capturing images of potential users. The user sensors 1076 may include other sensors associated with detecting potential users (e.g., proximity and/or motion sensors based on which the camera may be subsequently operated) and/or for capturing other identifying information of the potential users (e.g., structured light sensors for capturing a point cloud of the user).

[0109] The communications interface 1074 includes one or more communications devices configured to transmit signals from the authentication device 170 according to any suitable communications protocol. For example, the communications interface 1074 may include one or more radios configured to communicate via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and/or near field communication (NFC). The communications interface 1074 may be in communication with the wireless communication device 364 of the electronic door lock 110 to transmit signals thereto and/or receive signals therefrom. Instead or additionally, the communications interface 1074 may be in communication with the remote computing device 290 and/or other devices associated with users (e.g., the electronic keys 245 and/or computing devices, such as smartphones). Signals and/or the information transmitted to and/or by the communications interface 1074 may be encrypted or otherwise secured.

[0110] Referring to FIG. IOC, a more detailed hardware schematic of the authentication device 170 is shown. The authentication device 170 includes electronics 1070, which may be electrically coupled to one or more circuit boards 1071. The electronics 1070 of the authentication device 170 generally includes the controller 1072, the power source 1073, the communications interface 1074 that may include different communications devices, the user sensors 1076, and the user interface 1078. The user sensors 1076 include facial authentication system 1077 and may further include a time-of-flight device 1079, a camera 1080, and a microphone 1082a. The electronics 1070 may further include audio devices 1082 (e.g., the microphone 1082a and a speaker 1082b) and a visual output device 1084 (e.g., a light or display).

[0111] The communications interface 1074 is configured to communicate wirelessly and/or via wired connection (e.g., universal serial bus (USB)) with the electronic door lock 110, as well as the user device 280, the building device 282, the owner device 284, the remote computing device 290 or cloud, and/or the electronic keys 245. The communications interface 1074 may, for example, include a Bluetooth device 1074a (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE), an NFC device 1074b, a Wi-Fi device 1074c, and/or a UWB device 1074d. The Bluetooth device 1074a may be configured to communicate with the electronic door lock 110. The NFC device 1074b, if provided, may be configured to communicate with another NFC-enabled device, such as a smartphone, token, or form of an electronic key. The Wi-Fi device 1074c may be configured to ultimately communication with the remote computing device 290, for example, to receive updates and/or allow the owner to change settings or retrieve information associated with the electronic door lock 110 and/or the authentication re device 170. The UWB device 1074d may, for example, be configured to communicate with and/or locate the electronic keys 245.

[0112] The facial authentication system 1077 is configured to authenticate the user with facial authentication. The facial authentication system 1077 is generally configured to capture the facial authentication data and may further be configured to process and compare the facial authentication data to that of authorized users for authenticating users. The facial authentication system 1077 may generally include an infrared camera 1077a, a flood illuminator 1077b, a dot projector 1077c, and a controller 1077d. The infrared camera 1077a capture images of persons in the infrared spectrum. The flood illuminator 1077b outputs infrared to illuminate persons approaching the authentication device 170. The dot projector 1077c outputs structured light that is reflected off the person and captured by the infrared camera 1077a and processed to generate a depth map of the face of the person. The controller 1077d, which may be referred to as the facial recognition controller, is configured to process and/or generate the facial authentication data (e.g., a depth map) from the user and compare the facial authentication data to that of approved users in order to authenticate users. The controller 1077d may be considered part of the controller 1072 and/or have a similar configuration thereto (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3 for the controller 362). In still further configurations, the facial authentication system 1077 may be configured to identify gestures of users, for example, motions that have corresponding commands used to operate the authentication device 170 and/or the electronic door lock 110 (e.g., to ring a door bell, initiate an intercom function, or unlock the deadbolt 20).

[0113] The user interface 1078 is configured to receive user inputs. The user interface 1078 generally include a keypad 1078a and a notification button 1078b. The keypad 1078a may, for example, be a numeric keypad configured to receive a pin code from the user. The notification button 1078b may be a physical button that is pressable by a user and which controls a doorbell or other alert within a building to which the authentication device 170 is associated and/or another device associated with the authentication device 170 (e.g., a smartphone of an owner of the authentication device 170). The user interface 1078 may be configured with physical buttons or may alternatively be provided by a touch-sensitive display of the authentication device 170.

[0114] The time-of-flight device 1079, which may be provided as part of the facial authentication system 1077, is configured to detect and determine that persons are approaching the authentication device 170. If a person is approaching and detected by the time-of-flight device 1079, the facial authentication system 1077 may then be operated to authenticate the person approaching the authentication device 170. As a result, a person may be authenticated before being in physical reach to provide the physical touch for operating the electronic door lock 110 to operate the deadbolt 20 of the door 10. The time of-flight device 1079 may also be referred to as a time-of-flight sensor.

[0115] The camera 1080 is configured to capture video and/or still images in visible light. For example, the camera 1080 may capture a live video feed or still pictures of persons approaching the authentication device 170, which are then sent to other devices within the building (e.g., a computing device or television) or to other devices associated with the authentication device 170 (e.g., a smartphone of an owner of the authentication device 170). The camera 1080 may be further configured, for example in conjunction with the controller 1072, to capture video and/or still images of objects, such as packages, which may be further processed (e.g., for determining a type of package and/or identifying a specific package, such as by identifying bar codes or other identifying information). The images and/or other information may be sent to other devices within the building (e.g., a computer device) or to other devices associated with the authentication device 170 (e.g., a smartphone) to provide alerts to users associated therewith.

[0116] The audio devices 1082 are configured to receive audio inputs and provide audio outputs. The audio devices 1082 include, for example, a microphone 1082a and a speaker 1082b. The microphone 1082a may, for example, receive audio inputs from a person, which may be included as part of a video feed, such that the authentication device 170 functions as an intercom to another device in the building or other devices associated therewith (e.g., the building device 282 and/or the owner device 284). The microphone 1082a may, instead or additionally, receive audio inputs (e.g., voice commands), which are then processed and a function may be performed according thereto. The speaker 1082b may be used in conjunction with the microphone 1082a for the authentication device 170 to function as the intercom, as referenced above, and/or may provide other outputs to the user (e.g., audio indicators, such as chimes, and/or instructions for use of the authentication device 170 and/or the electronic door lock 110).

[0117] The visual output device 1084 is configured to provide a visual indicator to the user. In one instance, the visual output device 1084 may be a light (e.g., a light-emitting diode) the is turned on or changes color according to whether a person has been authenticated by the authentication device 170, for example, being turned on and/or displaying green if authenticated, and being turned off or displaying red if not authenticated. Instead or additionally, the visual output device 1084 may be a display (e.g., a display panel) that may provide notifications to the user and/or allow the authentication device 170 to function as a video intercom by providing a video feed of a person inside the building or having a device associated therewith.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 11 A, an electronic door system 1100 is configured as an electronic door that incorporates functions and components of the electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170, as well as other functions and components. The electronic door system 1100 generally includes a door structure 1102, a door lock system 1104, a door actuator 1106, and an electronic system 1110. The electronic system 1110 may be configured to provide various of the functions of the electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170 and include various components thereof, as discussed in further detail below. [0119] The door structure 1102 is configured as a door 10 that is hingedly or slidingly coupled to a building structure 2. The door lock system 1104 is configured to selectively secure the door structure 1102 to the building structure 2 (e.g., to latch and/or lock). The door lock system 1104 may, for example, include a door latch 1104a and/or a deadbolt 1104b. The door latch 1104a includes a spring latch that is operated to selectively release the door structure 1102 from the building structure 2. The door latch 1104a may, for example, include one or more handles on the interior and/or exterior sides of the door structure 1102 that may be physically manipulated by the user to operate the door latch 1104a to selectively release the door structure 1102 from the building structure. Instead of or in addition to the handles, the door latch 1104a may include an actuator (e.g., motor) that may be electronically operated to selectively release the door structure 1102 from the building structure. The door latch 1104a may also be configured to be mechanically locked (e.g., with a thumb turn or electronic actuator) to prevent operation of the door latch 1104a to selectively release the door structure 1102. The deadbolt 1104b may be configured as described for the deadbolt lock 20 described previously, which may be manually operated (e.g., with a thumb turn) or electronically (e.g., with the deadbolt operator 210). The door lock system 1104 may be configured in other suitable manners for selectively releasing the door structure 1102 from the building structure and/or selectively preventing release of the door structure 1102.

[0120] The door actuator 1106 is configured to move the door structure 1102 relative to the building structure. The door actuator 1106 may, for example, include an electric motor and suitable mechanical interfaces (e.g., gear trains and/or linkages) that cause the door structure 1102 to move relative to the building structure.

[0121] Referring additionally to FIG. 11B, the electronic door system 1100 of the electronic door system 1100 is physically coupled to the door structure 1102 and includes various subsystems and components of the electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170.

[0122] The electronic system 1110 includes various subsystems of the electronic door lock 110, which may include one or more of the deadbolt operator 210, the touch detector 220, the deadbolt locker 230, the electronic key detector 240, the door position assessor 250, and the electronics 260, or variations thereof.

[0123] The touch detector 220, as included in the electronic door system 1100, may be configured to electrically couple to the one or more handles of the door latch 1104a instead of or in addition to the deadbolt 1104b, so as to function as an electrode thereof for detecting touch.

[0124] The door position assessor 250, as included in the electronic door system 1100, may include sensors associated with the door actuator 1106 in order to determine the position of the door structure 1102 to the building 2. The door position assessor 250 may be configured as described previously and/or may be coupled to and measure movement of those mechanical components configured to transfer force between the door structure 1102 and the building 2, such as gears and/or linkages, for assessing the door position.

[0125] The user interface 1078 and visual output device 1084 may be provided as a display system that is configured to receive user inputs, for example, displaying and/or reconfiguring buttons (e.g., “soft” buttons). For example, as shown in FIG. 11C, the door structure 1102 may include a display system 1178c that is configured to display buttons (e.g., a keypad having similar function to the keypad 1078a and/or a notification button having similar function to the notification button 1078b). The display system 1178c is viewable through, viewable on, or forms an exterior surface of the door structure 1102 and detects user input thereto. In one example, the display system 1178c is viewable through the exterior surface of the door structure 1102 and, for example, includes a display panel that is viewable through microperforations in the exterior surface of the door structure 1102 (e.g., formed of wood, fiberglass, or metal forming surfaces extending beyond the display system 1178c). In another example, the display system 1178c is visible on the exterior surface of the door structure 1102 and, for example, includes a projector that projects images onto the exterior surface of the door structure 1102 and which are reflected to be viewed by the user. In a still further example, the display system 1178c is a display panel that forms the exterior surface of the door structure 1102.

[0126] In order to receive user inputs, the display system 1178c may, for example, be configured to detect touch capacitively (e.g., of touch, such as presses, swipes, or other gestures) associated with buttons or other interactive icons displayed thereby. In another example, the display system 1178c may be configured to detect movement of the user against or in close proximity to the exterior surface of the door structure 1102 (e.g., optically, such as with structured light or time-of-flight).

[0127] The electronic system 1110 also includes various subsystems or components of the authentication device 170, including one or more of the facial authentication system 1077, the time-of-flight device 1079, the camera 1080, the user interface 1078, the audio devices 1082, and/or the visual output device 1084.

[0128] It should be noted that various electronic components of the electronic door lock 110 and the authentication device 170 may be redundant and consolidated, such as controllers, power source, and communications. For example, as shown, the electronic system 1110 is illustrated as including the controller 1072, the power source 1073, and the communications interface 1074 from the authentication device 170.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 12A, a method 1200 for unlocking a door with facial authentication is provided. The method 1200 generally includes performing 1210 facial authentication of users, performing 1230 secondary authentication of users, enabling 1240 touch operation, detecting 1250 touch input from user, and unlocking 1260 a door lock. The method 1200 may further include detecting 1205 approaching users, outputting 1208 audio and/or visual indicators, detecting 1220 a notification input, providing 1225 a building notification, disabling 1235 the secondary authentication, providing 1245 an authentication indication, and/or receiving 1270 an opening input and 1280 opening a door.

[0130] The detecting 1205 of approaching users is performed, for example, with the time- of-flight device 1079 as operated by the controller 1072. By detecting approaching users, various other operations may be initiated, for example, the outputting 1208 of the visual and/or audio indicators and/or the performing 1210 of the facial authentication.

[0131] The outputting 1208 of visual and/or audio indicators is performed, for example, with the audio devices 1082 (e.g., the speaker 1082b) and/or the visual output device 1084 as operated by the controller 1072, for example, upon detection of an approaching user. The outputting 1208 of visual and/or audio indicators may, for example, include activating lights that may or may not form the visual output device 1084 so as to draw attention of the user toward the authentication device 170 and/or may include providing a graphical display (e.g., with the display system 1178c). The display system 1178c may provide the keypad 1078a and/or other user inputs (e.g., to identify the user as a delivery person).

[0132] The performing 1210 of the facial authentication is performed by the facial authentication system 1077, which may be part of the authentication device 170 (as shown in FIG. IOC) or part of the electronic system 1110 of the electronic door system 1100 (as shown in FIG. 11B). The performing 1210 of the facial authentication may, in some examples, be performed upon detecting an approaching user in the detecting 1205 or upon receipt of an input (e.g., with the user interface 1078).

[0133] The performing 1210 of the facial authentication includes capturing the facial authentication data (e.g., with the infrared camera 1077a) and processing the facial authentication data captured thereby (e.g., with the controller 1077d of the facial authentication system 1077 and/or the controller 1072), which may include infrared images and/or point cloud data of a face of a person approaching the electronic door system 100,

1100. The facial authentication data currently being assessed may be referred to as the present facial authentication data. The present facial authentication data is then compared, for example by the controller 1077d of the facial authentication system 1077, to the facial authentication data of authorized users, which may be referred to as approved facial authentication data.

[0134] The approved facial authentication data may be stored by the facial authentication system 1077 (e.g., by the controller 1077d thereol) or otherwise by the authentication device 170 (e.g., by the controller 1072 thereol) or the electronic door system 1100 (e.g., the controller 1072 thereol). The approved facial authentication data may have been previously generated by the facial authentication system 1077 itself (e.g., during a setup process in which the facial authentication system 1077 is used to capture and process facial authentication data of approved users), or been received by the authentication device 170 or the electronic door system 1100 (e.g., generated by another facial authentication system 1077 of a different authentication device 170 or electronic door system 1100, for example, having a common owner or a different owner), or another type of device (e.g., smartphone, computer, or other device using facial recognition). In the case of the approved facial authentication data being received from another type of device, the approved facial authentication data may be received in or processed by the facial authentication system 1077 to be in a standardized format for comparison to the present facial authentication data. Upon favorable comparison of the present and approved facial authentication data, the user is determined to be authenticated. Upon unfavorable comparison of the present and approved facial authentication data, the user is determined to be not authenticated. The performing 1210 of the facial authentication may use any suitable algorithms or methods for processing and comparing the authentication data (e.g., facial recognition algorithms). [0135] If the user is not authenticated, the detecting 1220 of a notification input may be performed, for example, with the authentication device 170 (e.g., the notification button 1078b thereof) or the user interface 1078 of the electronic door system 1100.

[0136] Instead of the detecting 1220 of the notification input serially (i.e., after) or conditionally on the performing 1210 of the facial recognition, the detecting 1220 of the notification input may performed before, simultaneously with, and/or unconditionally the performing 1210 of the facial recognition. For example, the notification button 1078b of the authentication device 170 or the user interface 1078 of the electronic door system 1100 may be configured to receive inputs (e.g., be pressed) at any time, irrespective of whether the performing 1210 of the facial recognition has occurred or the result thereof.

[0137] Upon the detecting 1220 of the notification input, the providing 1225 of a notification is performed, for example, with the building device 282 (e.g., a door bell) and/or the owner device 284. The controller 1072 may, for example, send a notification signal directly or indirectly to the building device 282 and/or the owner device 284. In response to receiving the notification signal, the building device 282 and/or the owner device 284 outputs audible output (e.g., a doorbell chime) and/or may begin intercom function (e.g., in which video and/or audio are sent between the authentication device or the electronic door system 1100 and such other device).

[0138] If a notification input is not detected, the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication is performed. In the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication, a secondary authentication input is received by the electronic door system 100, 1100. The secondary authentication input may, for example, include a pin code, a signal from electronic keys 245 (e.g., as described above with the electronic key detector 240), or a signal received from an NFC token. The NFC token may be provided by any NFC-equipped device that may include, for example, the user device 280 or a dedicated, NFC-only device (e.g., a card or badge that performs substantially no other electronic functions besides operating as a key or authentication device. The NFC, as compared to the electronic key 245 discussed previously, differs by relying exclusively on NFC for communication with the electronic door system 100, 1100 and having short-range communication. The receiving of the secondary authentication input is performed, for example, with the keypad 1078a in the case of a pin code, the communications interface 1074 and specifically the NFC device 1074b in the case of the NFC token, or the electronic key detector 240 (e.g., the antennas 843 thereof, such as the UWB device 1074d) in the case of the electronic key 245. It should be noted that the electronic door system 100, 1100 may be configured to perform one or more the described forms of the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication and may do so simultaneously. [0139] The performing 1230 of the secondary authentication also includes comparing the secondary authentication input received thereby, which may be referred to as the present secondary authentication data, to secondary authentication data of an approved user, which may be referred to as approved secondary authentication data, with the controller 1072, for example. The approved secondary authentication data may be received from the owner device 284 and/or the remote computing device 290 and stored by the electronic door system 100, 1100. For example, the owner may provide approved secondary authentication data during an initialization process when a pin code is established and/or the electronic key 245 and/or the NFC token are associated with the electronic door system 100, 1100.

[0140] Instead of the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication serially with (i.e., after) or conditionally on the performing 1210 of the facial recognition and/or the detecting 1220 of the notification input, the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication may occur before, simultaneously with, and/or unconditionally on the performing 1210 of the facial recognition and/or the detecting 1220 of the notification input. For example, the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication with the electronic keys 245 may be performed prior to the performing 1210 of the facial recognition, for example, detecting the electronic key 245 while the user is too far away for the performing 1210 of the facial recognition.

[0141] Upon favorable comparison of the present and stored secondary authentication data, the user is determined by the controller 1072, for example, to be an authenticated user. [0142] Upon unfavorable comparison of the present and approved secondary authentication data, the user is determined to be not authenticated. Upon repeated unfavorable comparisons in quick succession (e.g., five times in two minutes), the disabling 1235 of the secondary authentication may be performed. For example, the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication may not be performed for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., between five and 60 minutes) or until reactivated (e.g., by the building device 282 or the owner device 284). During the disabling 1235, a notification signal may also be sent to the building device 282 and/or the owner device 284, which then provide a notification indicating the failed attempts, indicating the disabling, and/or providing pictures and/or video of the present user.

[0143] Upon a user being authenticated, whether in the performing 1210 the facial recognition or in the performing 1230 secondary authentication, the enabling 1240 of the touch operation is performed. The touch operation generally refers to detecting of touch according to which the door is unlocked (as has been described previously). The enabling 1240 of the touch operation is performed, for example, by the controller 1072 in which case the touch detector 220 is activated (e.g., turned on) to sense touch and/or is otherwise enabled to respond to sensed touch. In the case of the electronic door system 100, enabling 1240 of the touch operation may include sending an authorization signal to the electronic door lock 110 to activate or enable touch detection in response to which the electronic door lock 110 may operate the deadbolt in further operations of the method). For example, the controller 1072 may cause the communications interface 1074 (e.g., the Bluetooth device 1074a) to send the authorization signal in encrypted form to the electronic door lock 110.

[0144] Upon the user being authenticated, the authentication device 170 may further provide 1245 an indication of user authentication. For example, the visual output device 1084, which may be the display system 1178c, may be operated by the controller 1072 to provide such indication as a colored light (e.g., green), icon (e.g., changing the color of a lock icon from red to green), or alphanumeric text (e.g., words stating or otherwise indicating authentication, such as recognition of the user).

[0145] After the enabling 1240 of the touch operation, the detecting 1250 of touch is performed. As referenced above, touch may be used as an indicator of user intent to unlock the door. The detecting 1250 of touch is performed, for example, with the touch detector 220, described previously, in which case the deadbolt 20, 1104b and/or a door handle of the door latch 1104a may function as the touch sensitive component (e.g., the electrode of the capacitive sensor).

[0146] If a touch is detected in the detecting 1250, the unlocking 1260 of the door is performed, for example, the deadbolt operator 210 is operated by the controller 1072 to unlock the deadbolt 20.

[0147] In the case of the electronic door system 1100 or the electronic door system otherwise including the door actuator 1106, upon authentication of the user (e.g., in the performing 1210 of the facial recognition or in the performing 1230 of the secondary authentication), the method 1200 may further include receiving 1270 of the user input to open the door structure 1102. For example, the user interface 1078 (e.g., the display system 1178c) may provide options to open the door a predetermined amount and/or to open the door a user- defined amount. The receiving 1270 of the user input is performed, for example, with the display 1178c.

[0148] Upon receipt of the user input to open the door structure 1102, the opening 1280 of the door is performed. The opening 1280 may include unlocking the door by operating the door lock system 1104 (e.g., operating actuators of the door latch 1104a and/or the deadbolt 1104b). After unlocking the door, the door structure 1102 is then moved to the predetermined or user-defined angle by the door actuator 1106.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 12B, the electronic door system 100, 1100 may be further configured to detect or otherwise receive notice of packages and provide notifications to the building device 282 and/or the owner device 284. For example, the electronic door system 100, 1100 may be configured to detect objects left in proximity to the electronic door system 100, 1100, for example, using the sensors 1076 (e.g., the camera 1080 in visible light, an infrared camera with suitable infrared illumination, such as a flood illuminator and/or dot projector, such as those of the facial recognition system 1077 or additional such devices).

The controller 1072 or subcontroller thereof (e.g., the controller 1077d) is configured to process images captured by the sensors 1076 to determine the presence of packages, characterize the packages (e.g., by size, shape, and/or sender), and/or identify the packages (e.g., reading a bar code or text of a shipping label) using suitable software (e.g., machine- vision software). Instead of or in addition to the electronic door system 100, 1100 being configured to detect packages, the electronic door system 100, 1100 may be configured to receive inputs from a user indicating that a package has been left and/or including package information (e.g., sender information or bar code from a shipping label). For example, the user interface 1078 and/or the touch display 1178c may be configured to display a user interface, receive inputs, and/or provide instructions to the user leaving the package (e.g., for operation of the electronic door system 100, 1100, or owner-defined instructions, such as where to place a package). Furthermore, the camera 1080 may be configured to read the shipping label (e.g., bar code, shipping information, recipient information). Upon the detection and/or input of package information to the electronic door system 100, 1100, the electronic door system 100, 1100 may send a notification signal to the building device 282 and/or the owner device 284 that accordingly outputs a notification pertaining to the package. It should be noted that electronic door system 100, 1100 may provide the described package detection and/or notice functions, while not providing various other functions and/or including other subsystems described herein, such as without the deadbolt operator 210, touch detector 220, the deadbolt locker 230, the electronic key detector 240, the door position assessor 260, and/or the door actuator 1106.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 12B, a method 1300 is provided for providing notice of packages with an electronic door system 100, 1100. The method 1300 generally includes one or both of detecting 1310 a package and/or receiving 1320 user input pertaining to a package, sending 1330 a notification signal, and 1340 outputting a notification.

[0151] The detecting 1310 of the package includes capturing images and/or other package data and processing the package data. The images and/or other package data may be captured with the camera 1080 (i.e., with visible light), an infrared camera forming one of the sensors 1076, or the facial authentication system 1077. The package data is processed by the controller 1072 or other controller (e.g., the controller 1077d) using suitable software, for example, for machine vision and/or reading bar codes and/or text.

[0152] The receiving 1320 of the user input includes receiving, with the user interface 1078 and/or other sensors (e.g., the camera 1080 and/or the audio device 1082) inputs pertaining to the package. The user inputs may, for example, indicate that a package has been left and/or information pertaining to that package (e.g., sender, recipient, bar code, or other identifying information).

[0153] Upon one or both of the detecting 1310 and/or the receiving 1320 of package information, the sending 1330 of the notification signal is performed, for example, by the communications interface 1074 as operated by the controller 1072. The notification signal may include general information pertaining to the package (e.g., the time at which a package was left and/or a picture thereol) or more specific information (e.g., the size, type, and/or identifying information of the package).

[0154] Upon receiving the notification signal, the building device 282 and/or the owner device 284 outputs a notification (e.g., to the building occupants or owner) pertaining to the package, for example, that including that information included with the notification signal (e.g., time, picture, size, type, and/or identifying information).

[0155] Referring to FIG. 13, an example schematic hardware configuration for the user device 280, the building device 282, and/or the owner device 284 is shown. The devices 280, 282, 284 may be portable computing devices, such as a smartphone or tablet, or other computing device. The devices 280, 282, 284 generally include a touch screen 1392, a communications interface 1394, and a controller 1396. The touch screen 1392 is an electronic display configured to receive touch inputs. For example, the touch screen 1392 may include any suitable electronic display (e.g., a light-emitting diode display (LED), organic light- emitting diode display (OLED) and be configured to sense inputs in any suitable manner (e.g., capacitively). The communications interface 1394 may be any suitable communications device capable of communicating with the wireless communications device 364 of the electronic door lock 110 according to any suitable communications protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC). The controller 1396 may be any computing device capable of executing instructions to operate the touch screen 1392 to display a user interface and receive inputs and the communications interface 1394 to transmit a signal to the electronic door lock 110 according to the user input. The controller 1396 may, for example, have a hardware configuration as described for the controller 362 of the electronic door lock 110 or any other suitable configuration.

[0156] In the case of the user device 280 providing a virtual key pad, the controller 1396 executes a software module that operates by the touch screen 1392 to display user interface that may, for example, be a numeric keypad (e.g., having ten digits). Upon receipt of user inputs via the touch screenl392 (e.g., a pin code), the controller transmits a signal according to the user inputs (e.g., a pin code) to the electronic door lock 110. For the building device 282 and/or the owner devices 284, the controller 1396 may execute other software modules (e.g., to provide notifications, an intercom function, or setup operations).

[0157] The electronic door lock 110 or the authentication device 170 executes a corresponding software module (e.g., a pin code receiving module, intercom module). The controller 362 executes a pin code receiving module stores one or more approved authentication codes (e.g., numeric pin codes), for example, selected by the homeowner or other authorized user of the electronic door lock 110. The approved authentication code may have a limited number of uses, limitation of time of use, or other limitations associated therewith. Upon entry of one of the approved authentication codes to the user device 280 and transmission of the associated signal to the electronic door lock 110, the controller 362 operates the deadbolt operator 210 thereupon or upon another action (e.g., touch detected by the touch detector 220). Upon receipt of multiple codes that are not one of the approved entry codes (e.g., five unapproved entries), the electronic door lock 110 may prevent receipt of any additional authentication codes from the user device 280 or any other user device for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 10 minutes), send a signal to the owner of unapproved entry attempted, and/or require the homeowner re-enable the electronic door lock 110 to receive authentication codes from the user devices 280.

[0158] In the case of the intercom function, the authentication device 170 and the building 282 and/or the owner device execute corresponding intercom modules that function to collect, transmit, and output video and/or audio of the user and the building occupant and/or owner.

[0159] In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

[0160] In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein.

[0161] Further the methods described herein may be embodied in a computer-readable medium. The term "computer-readable medium" includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

[0162] As a person skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the above description is meant as an illustration of the principles of this invention. This description is not intended to limit the scope or application of this invention in that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change, without departing from spirit of this invention, as defined in the following claims.

[0163] While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.