Patent Publication Number: US-11639617-B1

Title: Access control system and method

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to locks and, more specifically, to a system and method for controlling authorization to operate a lock. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some pin tumbler locks have a series of key pins that extend into a keyway of a core of the lock. Each key pin is backed by a driver pin. In order to open the lock, the key pins must be shifted by a key inserted into the keyway until the interface between each key pin and the associated driver pin aligns with a shear line of the core, allowing the core to be rotated. The core is connected to a deadbolt or deadlatch of the lock so that turning of the core retracts the bolt or latch of the lock. 
     Keys are cut to have bitting with peaks and valleys that may each be configured to align with a specific key pin when inserted into the lock. As such, only a key with the correct bitting will shift each key pin by the distance required to align the interfaces between the key pins and the driver pins with the shear line of the core and permit the core to be turned. The key has a head that projects outward from the keyhole, providing a grip the user can use to manually rotate the core in order to retract the deadbolt of the lock. 
     Pin tumbler locks can be operated without an authorized key by picking or bumping the key pins so that the gaps between the key pins and driver pins are aligned with the shear line of the core. Both bumping and picking involves inserting an object other than the authorized key into the keyhole, and contacting the key pins to shift them relative to the core. In some picking methods, an object is used to gradually rotate the core, causing the key pins to partially bind while the key pins are manipulated into a position where the key pins permit turning of the plug. As such, unauthorized individuals may gain access to secured areas by forcing open pin tumbler locks using bumping or picking techniques. 
     The security of a lock can further be compromised when an authorized key is acquired by an unauthorized individual, such as if the authorized key is lost or stolen, and the unauthorized individual knows or ascertains the location of the lock. In order to update the lock to no longer be opened by the key, the lock may be disassembled so that the lock can be reconfigured such as by replacing existing key pins with key pins of different lengths. This re-keying of a lock is inconvenient and labor-intensive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a view of an example lock having an electromagnetic radiation sensor for directly detecting one or more physical characteristics of a key; 
         FIG.  2    is an example block diagram of the lock of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram of an example system including the lock of  FIGS.  1 - 2   ; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  are cross-sectional views of the lock of  FIG.  1    taken along the line  4 - 4  illustrating different embodiments of the electromagnetic radiation sensor; 
         FIG.  5    is an elevational view of an example key for use in a lock with an electromagnetic radiation sensor; 
         FIG.  6 A  is an elevational view of another example key for use in a lock with electromagnetic radiation sensor; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a cross-sectional view of the key of  FIG.  6 A  taken along the line  6 B- 6 B. 
         FIG.  7    is a flow chart of an example method of operating a lock. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a lock is provided for controlling access to a secured area. The lock includes a housing configured to be mounted on a movable barrier, such as a door, and a locking member movable between locked and unlocked positions. In one embodiment, the locking member includes a deadbolt or latch that extends into a recess of a strike plate. The lock includes a core in the housing having a keyway configured to receive a key. Turning the core relative to the housing causes the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     The lock includes at least one sensor configured to directly sense at least one characteristic of an object in the keyway. The at least one sensor may be an electromagnetic radiation sensor which utilizes, for example, visible light, infrared light, radio waves, x-rays, or a combination thereof. In some forms, the at least one electromagnetic radiation sensor includes at least one source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at an object in the keyway and at least one detector configured to detect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted at the object in the keyway. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation sensor includes an optical sensor having a source for emitting visible light and a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the emitted light reflected from the bitting of the key in the keyway. In another embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation sensor includes an optical sensor configured to detect ambient light. 
     In one form, the at least one sensor is remote from the housing of the lock. The at least one sensor is configured to directly sense at least one characteristic of a key outside of the keyway. For example, the at least one sensor may be mounted to a wall near the lock and the a user positions a key in proximity to the at least one sensor. The sensor communicates key information wirelessly with communication circuitry of the lock and a processor of the lock determines whether the key is authorized to open the lock. As another example, the at least one sensor is the camera of a user device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and the user device communicates key information to communication circuitry of the lock and the processor of the lock determines whether the key is authorized to open the lock. 
     In one embodiment, the lock has a processor configured to determine a sensed characteristic of the object in the keyway based at least in part on the portion of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the at least one detector. The processor is further configured to compare the at least one sensed characteristic to at least one stored characteristic of an authorized key, the stored characteristic contained in a memory of the lock or a remote resource. In some forms, the detector is positioned on the same side of the keyway as the source and is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by an object in the keyway. In another embodiment, the detector is on an opposite side of the keyway from the source and is configured to detect the shape or silhouette of the object by detecting the electromagnetic radiation not blocked by the object. In some forms, the detector comprises a plurality of detectors spaced along the length or central axis of the keyway. Similarly, the source in some forms comprises a plurality of sources. 
     The lock further includes a linear actuator or rotary actuator such as a motor configured to control movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions. The processor causes the actuator to permit movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions in response to the processor determining that the at least one characteristic of the object in the keyway corresponds to the at least one authorized key characteristic. 
     In some forms, the actuator is configured to control movement of the locking member by actuating a blocking member, such as a pin or piston, configured to restrict movement of the core or the locking member. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator may be configured to drive the locking member such that movement of the locking member is permitted by driving the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     In some forms, the lock is part of a system that further includes a user device, such as a personal computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smartphone, or wearable device such as a smart watch. The lock includes wireless communication circuitry communicatively coupled to the user device. The user device communicates key characteristic data to the lock directly, such as via Bluetooth, or indirectly, such as via a wireless access point (e.g., a Wi-Fi router or modem) to which the lock and the user device are connected. The processor of the lock stores the key characteristic data in the memory to be used for comparison with data from the electromagnetic radiation sensor. 
     The memory of the lock stores data representative of one or more authorized key characteristics associated with one or more authorized keys. Upon an object being inserted into the keyway, the at least one source emits electromagnetic radiation, e.g. visible light, into the keyway. The at least one detector detects at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation. Data from the detector correlates to a characteristic of the object inserted into the keyway, such as shapes and/or depths of cuts of a key bitting. The characteristic is compared to the one or more authorized key characteristics stored in the memory to determine whether the object in the keyway is a valid or authorized key. Upon the sensed characteristic(s) matching the authorized key characteristic(s), the motor operates to permit movement of the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
     In one embodiment, new key characteristic data may be transmitted from a computing device, such as a user device or a remote server computer, to the lock. The processor of the lock stores the transmitted new key characteristic data in memory and uses the data to define whether a key is authorized. By this method, the lock may be reconfigured to accept new keys (e.g., an existing key in the possession of a non-resident guest to whom temporary access is granted) without physically adjusting the lock. In another embodiment, the lock enters a learning mode in response to receiving a learning mode signal from a computing device. The lock, in the learning mode, detects and stores at least one sensed characteristic of a key in the keyway in the memory of the lock. The sensed characteristic is learned as an authorized key characteristic. The lock may also receive a program signal from the computing device that causes the lock to transmit the sensed key characteristic to one or more other locks which learn the sensed key characteristics as an authorized key characteristic. In this manner, a single lock may be used to program all the locks at a facility to recognize a new key. 
     Turning to  FIG.  1   , a lock  100  is provided for securing a door and includes a housing  110  configured to be mounted to the door. The housing  110  has an exterior housing portion  112  configured to be mounted adjacent to an exterior surface of a door and an internal housing portion configured to be mounted within the door. The lock  100  includes a cylinder or core  120  positioned at least partially in the housing  110  and configured to turn relative thereto. 
     The lock  100  further includes a locking member, such as a latch or a deadbolt  130 , shown extending outward from the housing  110 . The deadbolt  130  is movable between an extended, locked position (shown) and a retracted, unlocked position. In some forms, the deadbolt  130  is in a retracted position in the unlocked position and is longitudinally shiftable into an extended, locked position. In one embodiment, the deadbolt  130  is partially positioned within the door and is extendable into a recess of a strike plate or door jamb to interfere with movement of the door relative to a frame of the door. 
     The deadbolt  130  is operatively coupled to the core  120  such that, upon an authorized key being inserted into a keyway  122  of the core  120 , turning of the core  120  relative to the housing  110  causes the deadbolt  130  to move between the locked and unlocked positions. In one embodiment, the core  120  is mechanically connected to the deadbolt  130  by a coupling such as, for example, one or more gears to translate turning of the core  120  into linear movement (or rotary movement, in some embodiments) of the deadbolt  130 . The lock  100  may include a user interface, such as a keypad  113 , that permits a user to operate the lock  100  without a key. The user interface may also include a thumbturn on the internal housing portion configured on the interior side of the door. 
     The keyway  122  extends into the core  120  and includes an opening  121  configured to receive a key. The lock  100  includes an electromagnetic radiation source, such as source  141  configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the keyway  122 . At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source  141  is detected by one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors  142 . The source  141  and the detector  142  may be configured in the core  120  or adjacent to the core within the housing  110 . In some forms, one or both of the source  141  and the detector  142  are mounted in the housing  110 . The detector  142  is communicatively coupled to a controller  144  that includes a processor  148  and a memory  149  (see  FIG.  2   ). The source  141  and detector  142  are configured to directly sense a key by emitting electromagnetic radiation into the keyway  122  so that the electromagnetic radiation contacts the key itself. This provides one approach for determining whether a key is authorized without having to rely on a mechanical device to translate the shape of the key into an interface detectable by the lock. 
     In one form, the source  141  and detector  142  are positioned on opposite sides (e.g. right and left sides) of the keyway  122 . The detector  142  detects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source  141  that is not blocked by an object inserted into the keyway  122  and the unblocked electromagnetic radiation is used to determine a key characteristic. In alternative forms, such as those shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  and discussed below, the detector and source are positioned on the same side of the keyway and the optical detector detects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation reflected back by the object. 
     The controller  144  is communicatively coupled to a linear or rotary actuator such as a motor  146 . The motor  146  is operable to selectively restrict and/or enable movement of the deadbolt  130  from the locked position to the unlocked position. The motor  146  may be mounted in the housing  110 . In some forms, the motor  146  is operable to restrict movement of the deadbolt  130  by restricting rotation of the core  120  relative to the housing  110 . For example, the motor  146  moves a blocking member, such as a pin  147 , in directions  147 A into and out of engagement with a hole  147 B (see  FIG.  4 A ) of the core  120 . In another example, the motor  146  moves the blocking member into and out of interference with the deadbolt  130  to inhibit or permit movement of the deadbolt  130  between locked and unlocked positions. Alternatively or additionally, the motor  146  is configured to move the deadbolt  130  between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     In some forms, the detector  142  is remote from the housing  110 . For example, the detector  142  may be mounted on a surface, such as a wall or door frame, adjacent to the barrier. The detector  142  detects at least one characteristic of a key placed proximate the detector  142  and communicates with the processor  148 . In some forms, the lock  100  does not include a core  120  with a keyway  122 . 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating the lock  100 . The lock  100  includes the processor  148  communicatively coupled to the memory  149 , an electromagnetic radiation sensor which may include the source  141  and detector  142 , and communication circuitry  150 . The lock  100  further includes a power storage device  152 , such as a battery or capacitor. The processor  148 , memory  149 , source  141 , detector  142 , communication circuitry  150 , and power storage device  152  may all be provided in the core  120 . In other embodiments, one or more of the processor  148 , memory  149 , source  141 , detector  142 , and communication circuitry  150  may be positioned in the housing  110  outside of the core  120 . 
     In order to reduce the volume of components mounted in the core  120 , the power storage device  152  may be relatively small. The power storage device  152  is operatively coupled to a power source  154  outside of the core  120 , such as a larger battery mounted within the housing  110 . In operation, the power storage device  152  is charged by the power source  154 . In one form, the core  120  includes electrical contacts, such as a slip ring for example, configured to form an electrical connection with electrical contacts of the housing  110  when the core  120  is in a specific orientation, so as to close a charging circuit between the power source  154  and power storage device  152 . In another embodiment, the power source  154  is electrically coupled to a first coil  152 A mounted within the housing  110  that is inductively coupled and used to induce current in a second coil  154 A of the core  120 . The second coil  154 A is electrically coupled to the power storage device  152  so as to charge the power storage device  152  with the induced current. 
     In one embodiment, the source  141  and/or detector  142  are mounted in the housing  110  outside of the core  120 . For example, the detector  142  and source  141  may be mounted outside of the core  120  and positioned proximate apertures in the core  120  allowing electromagnetic radiation from the source  141  to travel into the keyway  122  and then to the detector  142 . In some forms, the apertures are the pin holes of a preexisting tumbler lock and the source  141  and detector  142  are retrofitted onto the preexisting tumbler lock. 
     In some forms, the lock  100  includes a sensor  153  for detecting movement of the core  120  relative to the housing  110 . The sensor  153  may detect one or more of the position, orientation, and acceleration of the core  120 . The lock  100  further includes communication circuitry  150  for communicatively coupling to a computing device, such as directly to a user device or indirectly to a remote server computer. If the processor  148  detects partial movement of the core  120  via the sensor  153 , but not the presence of a valid key, the processor  148  determines that the lock  100  may be tampered with or picked. The processor  148  may cause the communication circuitry  150  to transmit an alert to the computing device to alert a user of the possible picking attempt. Additionally or alternatively, the lock  100  includes a local alert device, such as a light and/or a sound emitter, that is activated by the processor  148  in response to determining that the lock  100  may be tampered with or picked. 
     Additional or alternative detectors may be used to detect picking attempts. For example, electrical contacts positioned along the length and/or width of the keyway  122  may be used to detect the presence of a key by the key closing an electrical circuit between the electrical contacts. A lock pick would not complete the electrical circuit because lock picks are generally smaller than a key and would not be in contact with all of the electrical contacts. If the processor  148  detects the presence of an object in the keyway by the source  141  and detector  142 , but does not detect a key in the keyway  122  by the electrical contacts, the processor  148  may cause the communication circuitry  150  to transmit an alert of a possible picking attempt to the user device. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a system  300  including the lock  100 , a user device  310 , and a server computer  313 A. The user device  310  and/or the server computer  313 A are used to program and control the lock  100 . The user device  310  includes a processor  312 , a memory  314 , communication circuitry  316 , and a camera  320 . The memory  314  stores a data structure  315  of key characteristic data. The camera  320  may be a remote camera, or a camera integrated in the user device  310  (for example, the built-in camera of a smartphone, smart watch, or tablet computer). 
     The user device  310  includes a user interface  317  that may include, for example, one or more of a display, a touchscreen display, a keypad, a microphone, a speaker, an augmented reality display, or a combination thereof. The user interface  317  is configured to provide the user with information regarding the lock  100  and/or receive a user input. The user input may be, for example, a request to cause a lock  100  to learn the key  322 . Other examples of user inputs include requests to lock or unlock the lock  100 . In one embodiment, the user interface  317  includes a display operable to display a graphical user interface that provides a wizard for a user to photograph the key  322  using the camera  320  and instructing the lock  100  to learn the key  322 . 
     The user device  310  is operable to transmit key characteristic data representative of one or more physical characteristics of a key to the lock  100  and cause the lock  100  to learn the key characteristic data. Conversely, the user device  310  may receive key characteristic data from the lock  100  upon the lock  100  learning a key. The processor  312  may store the received key characteristic in the data structure  315 . In some forms, the processor  312  removes previously stored key characteristic data in the data structure  315  and replaces it with the newly transmitted key characteristic data. Further, the lock  100  and/or the user device  310  may communicate key characteristic data to the server computer  313 A. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  320  of the user device  310  is used to capture an image of a key  322 . The processor  312  determines key characteristic data from the image using object recognition software or computer vision algorithms. In some forms, the processor  312  generates key characteristic data based on the shape of the key  322  in the image. Alternatively, the processor  312  determines the key characteristic data by comparing an indicium  322  on the key, such as a numerical code, to the data structure  315  which correlates the indicium  322  to key characteristic data. In still further embodiments, the indicium  322  indicates a key physical characteristic, such as the number of and/or depth of recesses in a key bitting. 
     The system  300  may include a plurality of locks  100  all controlled by the user device  310  and/or server computer  313 A. In some forms, each lock  100  is programmed to have the same or substantially similar authorized key characteristic data. In other forms, the locks  100  are individually programmed with unique or distinct sets of authorized key characteristic data. The user device  310  may communicate directly with the locks  100 , such as via infrared, near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, etc., or may communicate indirectly via a wide area network  313  and the server computer  313 A. The network  313  may include, for example, a wireless router or access point that instantiates or provides access to a local area network, the internet, a cellular network, or a combination thereof. For example, the user device  310  may communicate key characteristic data for a newly authorized key  321  to the server computer  313 A. Such key characteristic data may be a digital image of the newly authorized key or data representative of at least one of the digital image and the key. For example, representative data for a key or digital image of the key may indicate a bitting or other property or properties (e.g. physical, electrical such as resistance, or logical such as a machine-readable identifier stored in a memory device integral with the key). The server computer  313 A then communicates the key characteristic data to the locks  100  via the network  313 . As another example, the user device  310  may communicate key characteristic data to locks  100  on a wireless network to which the locks  100  and the user device  310  are connected. In another embodiment, the locks  100  operate as a wireless mesh network so that the user device  310  or the server computer  313 A communicates the key characteristic data to one of the locks  100  and the one lock  100  propagates the key characteristic data to the other locks  100 . 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate alternative cross-sections of the core  120  wherein the processor  148  utilizes electromagnetic radiation reflected by an object within the keyway  122 . 
     Regarding  FIG.  4 A , the core  120  includes electromagnetic radiation sensors  442  spaced along the length of the keyway  122 . Each electromagnetic radiation sensor  442  has a source portion configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation into the keyway  122  and a detector portion configured to measure a reflected portion of the electromagnetic radiation. In some forms, the electromagnetic radiation is emitted in pulses, such that the time between the emission and the detection can be used to determine the distance between the electromagnetic radiation sensor  442  and the key  322 . In some forms, the individual electromagnetic radiation sensors  442  are spaced to line up with individual bits of the key  322 . With reference to  FIG.  4 A , each bit  443  has a surface  444  that reflects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the associated sensor  442 . Each sensor  442  is communicatively coupled with the processor  148 , which compares the sensed characteristic data to stored key characteristic data to determine if the key  322  is an authorized key. 
     In one embodiment, the processor  148  utilizes data from the sensors  442  to generate a pattern of the bitting of the key  321 . The pattern may be determined using, for example, a reflection of the entire bitting, points of the bitting, or a percentage of light reflected from the bitting. In some embodiments, the sensors  442  are each aligned with one of the key bits  443  when the key  321  is positioned in the core  120  and the processor  148  uses the sensors  442  to measure at least one of the depth, height or shape of the associated bit  443 . One or more of the sensors  442 , key  321 , and core  120  may be configured to separate (e.g. using partitions) the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sensors  442  so that the emitted electromagnetic radiation from one sensor  442  does not interfere with the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the other sensors  442 . In another embodiment, fewer than all of the sensors  442  are operated at a time to stagger the emission and detection of the electromagnetic radiation to limit interference. For example, each sensor of a plurality may be activated and deactivated one after another in a serial manner. As yet another example, the sensors  442  may emit different electromagnetic radiation, e.g. light at different frequencies, to limit interference between the sensors  442 . 
     In  FIG.  4 B , a single electromagnetic radiation sensor  442  is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation along a substantial portion of the length of the keyway  122  so as to determine the shape of the bitting of the key  322 . The sensor  442  emits the electromagnetic radiation in pulses and the timing of the sensed reflections is used by the processor  148  to determine the shape of the key bittings. 
     In another approach, a single source  141  is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation along a substantial portion of the length of the keyway  122 , and a plurality of detectors  142  are spaced along the length of the keyway  122  to detect a portion of the electromagnetic radiation sensed. 
     The lock  100  may be configured to use a standard tumbler lock key  321  with bits  443  cut into an edge thereof. The use of a tumbler key allows conventional tumbler locks to be retrofit with the core  120  and components thereof including processor  148 , memory  149 , source  141 , detector  142 , communication circuitry  150 , and power storage  152  without needing to reissue new keys. It also allows a single key to open both locks  100  as well as conventional tumbler locks. 
     In alternative embodiments, other types of keys may be used.  FIG.  5    illustrates a key  531  having an indicium  532 , such as a machine-readable code (e.g bar codes including quick response (QR) codes, UPC codes, etc.), on a surface of the key  531 . In operation, the portion of the key  531  with the indicium  532  is inserted into the keyway  122  of the lock  100 . The processor  312  uses the source  141  and detector  142  to determine the shape and/or color of the indicium  532  from reflected electromagnetic radiation. The processor  148  of the lock  100  compares the observed indicium  532  to stored key characteristic data to determine whether the indicium  532  corresponds to a valid key. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  illustrates a key  631  having a plurality of cavities  632  in a surface thereof. As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the cavities  632  vary in depth. In operation, the bitting  633  of the key  631  having the cavities  632  is inserted into the keyway  122 . The processor  148  determines the depths and/or locations of the cavities  632  based on data from the source  141  and the detector  142  and compares the data of the sensed characteristic to stored key characteristic data. 
     Each of the illustrated keys have a relatively wide head portion with a relatively narrow shank portion as in traditional tumbler lock keys. It is understood that other types of keys are usable with the locks described herein. For example keycards or badges or a 2D image as displayed on a screen. 
     Additionally or alternatively to the physical characteristics described above, the detector may be configured to detect other characteristics of the key, such as a magnetic or electromagnetic field produced by the key. In one form, the key contains a chip, such as an RFID chip, having characteristics detected by the detector. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an example method  700  of controlling access through a barrier performed by the lock  100 . Upon an object being inserted  710  into the keyway  122  and detection of the insertion, the source  141  emits 720 electromagnetic radiation into the keyway  122 . In some forms, the lock  100  is configured to detect when an object is inserted, such as by a mechanical gate or electrical contacts, and the processor  148  causes the source  141  to emit the electromagnetic radiation in response to the object being detected. In alternative forms, the source  141  continuously emits electromagnetic radiation into the keyway  122 . In still further alternatives, the detection steps are performed outside of the keyway  122  and thus are not done in response to the processor detecting insertion of a key. For example, the shape of the key is detected by utilizing a camera of a user device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The user device then transmits the data to the lock, either directly (e.g., Bluetooth) or indirectly (e.g., via an internet and a server computer). 
     At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation is detected  730  by one or more detectors  142 . As discussed above, the detectors  142  are configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the object, or the portion of electromagnetic radiation not blocked or reflected by the object as some examples. 
     The processor  148  compares  740  the data from the detectors  142  to stored key characteristic data. If the detector data matches or substantially corresponds to the stored data, the processor  148  determines that the object in the keyway  122  is a valid key and the motor  146  is actuated  750  to move or otherwise enable the deadbolt  130  to be moved. If the data does not match, the processor  148  determines that the object in the keyway  122  is not a valid key such that the motor is not actuated. In some forms, an alert is transmitted 760 to a user device indicating an attempted unapproved entry to the secured area. 
     After the motor  146  has been actuated, the core  122  may be turned to move the deadbolt  130  from the locked position to the unlocked position. In one form, the core  120  is may be turned 770 relative to movement of the key by a user. In other embodiments, the motor  146  moves the deadbolt  130  between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     In some forms, locking and unlocking of the lock  100  are recorded in a data structure or log stored  780  in the memory  149 . The lock  100  is configured to store a plurality of key characteristics corresponding to a plurality of valid keys. Each valid key is associated with a particular user or users. By this method, the log indicates who entered the secured area at what times. In some forms, the log data is transmitted to a user device and/or a server. 
     In some forms, the lock  100  is configured to be programmed locally at the lock  100 . To program the lock  100 , the lock  100  is placed into a learning mode. In some forms, the lock  100  is placed in a learning mode upon receipt of a wireless signal. Alternatively or in addition, insertion of a particular key into the keyway  122  causes the lock  100  to enter a learning mode. 
     Upon a key being placed in the keyway  122  while the lock  100  is in the learning mode, data from the source  141  and/or detector  142  is used to identify characteristic data. In some forms, previously stored key characteristic data is deleted or removed and replaced with the key characteristic data sensed while the lock  100  is in the learning mode. Once the lock exits the learning mode and returns to an operating mode, the processor  148  of the lock  100  compares sensed data of objects inserted into the keyway  122  to the stored key characteristic data learned while the lock  100  was in the learning mode. 
     Although method steps may be presented and described herein in a sequential fashion, one or more of the steps shown and described may be omitted, repeated, performed concurrently, and/or performed in a different order than the order shown in the figures and/or described herein. It will be appreciated that computer-readable instructions for facilitating the methods described above may be stored in various non-transitory computer readable mediums as is known in the art. It is noted that the phrase “at least one of A and B” if used herein is used in the disjunctive sense, i.e., “at least one of A and B,” and is intended to encompass A, B, or A and B. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described examples without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.