Patent Publication Number: US-9852561-B2

Title: Wireless access control system for a door including proximity based lock disabling and related methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to the field of electronics, and more particularly, to wireless access control and related methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Protecting or securing access to an area may be particularly desirable. For example, it is often desirable to secure a home or business. One way of securing access to an area is with a mechanical lock. A mechanical lock typically accepts a key, which may move a deadbolt or enable a door handle to be operated. 
     It may be desirable to increase user convenience with respect to a mechanical lock. A passive keyless entry (PKE) system may provide an increased level of convenience over a standard lock and key, for example, by providing the ability to access a secure area without having to find, insert, and turn a traditional key. For example, a user may access a secure area using a remote access device, such as, for example, a FOB or mobile wireless communication device. In a PKE system, access may be provided to the secure area without pressing a button or providing other input to the remote device, thus making it passive. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0340196 to Myers et al. discloses an access control system via direct and indirect communications. More particularly, Myers et al. discloses a lock assembly communicating with a mobile device and a gateway to communicate with the lock. Operating command such as lock and unlock are communicated directly from the mobile device or indirectly after confirming, for example, using GPS coordinates of the mobile device. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0280790 to Gerhardt et al. is directed to a system for controlling a locking mechanism using a portable electronic device. More particularly, Gerhardt et al. discloses using a web service to authenticate a portable electronic device, detecting the proximity of the portable electronic device to the lock, and issuing a command for receipt by the lock from the web service or portable electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     A wireless access control system for a door defining interior and exterior areas may include a lock assembly carried by the door. The lock assembly may include a lock switchable between a locked position and an unlocked position, lock wireless communications circuitry, and a proximity detector directed toward the interior area to detect a proximity of a user to the door. The lock assembly may also include an interior directional antenna directed toward the interior area, an exterior directional antenna directed toward the exterior area, and a lock controller coupled to the lock, the lock wireless communications circuitry, the proximity detector, and the interior and exterior directional antennas. The wireless access control system may also include a remote access device remote from the lock assembly and that includes remote access wireless communications circuitry to communicate with the lock wireless communications circuitry. The lock controller may be configured to determine if the user is in the interior area or exterior area based upon the proximity detector and a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas based upon communication with the remote access device, and enable switching of the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna being greater than at the interior directional antenna. The lock controller may also be configured to disable switching of the lock between the locked and unlocked positions when the user is determined to be in the interior area and a difference between the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas is below a threshold, and switch the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon communication with the remote access device and switching of the lock being enabled. Accordingly, the lock may not be enabled when the user is in the interior area based upon the proximity sensor. For example, when the user&#39;s location, interior or exterior may not be able to be determined with a sufficient level of certainty based upon the directional antennas, the proximity sensor may be used to determine the user&#39;s location so that the lock is disabled when the user is in the interior area. 
     The lock controller may be configured to determine a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas based upon communication with the remote access device and disable switching of the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna being greater than the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna, for example. The lock controller may be configured to determine a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas based upon communication with the remote access device and enable switching of the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas increasing over time. 
     The proximity detector may be an infrared (IR) proximity detector, for example. The lock assembly may further include a touch sensor coupled to the lock controller and configured to sense touching from the user. The lock controller may be configured to switch the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the user touching the touch sensor. The touch sensor may be directed to the exterior area, for example. The touch sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor. 
     The lock controller may be configured to perform an authentication of the remote access device based upon communication with the remote access device and switch the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the authentication. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of using a wireless access control system for a door, the door defining interior and exterior areas. The wireless access control system may include a lock assembly carried by the door and comprising a lock switchable between an unlocked position and a locked position, lock wireless communications circuitry, a proximity detector directed toward the interior area to detect a proximity of a user to the door, an interior directional antenna directed toward the interior area, an exterior directional antenna directed toward the exterior area, and a lock controller coupled to the lock, the lock wireless communications circuitry, the proximity detector, and the interior and exterior directional antennas. The wireless access control system may also include a remote access device remote from the lock. The method may include using the lock controller to determine if the user is in the interior area or exterior area based upon the proximity detector and a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas based upon communication with the remote access device and enable switching of the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna being greater than at the interior directional antenna. The lock controller may also be used to disable switching of the lock between the locked and unlocked positions when the user is determined to be in the interior area and a difference between the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas is below a threshold and switch the lock between the locked and unlocked positions based upon communication with the remote access device and switching of the lock being enabled. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a side schematic view of a lock assembly of a wireless access control system and a remote access device of the wireless access control system carried by a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side schematic view of lock assembly carried by a door in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system including the lock assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a side schematic view of a lock assembly of a wireless access control system and a remote access device of the wireless access control system carried by a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic plan view of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 9  illustrating an exemplary threshold distance. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged side schematic view of lock assembly carried by a door in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system including the lock assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating a side schematic view of a lock assembly of a wireless access control system and a remote access device of the wireless access control system carried by a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic block diagram of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged side schematic view of lock assembly carried by a door in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system including the lock assembly of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating a side schematic view of a lock assembly of a wireless access control system, a plugin device of the wireless access control system, and a remote access device of the wireless access control system carried by a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic block diagram of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 27  is an enlarged side schematic view of lock assembly carried by a door in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system including the lock assembly of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a diagram illustrating a side schematic view of a lock assembly of a wireless access control system and a remote access device of the wireless access control system carried by a user in the exterior area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is another diagram illustrating a side schematic view of the lock assembly of the wireless access control system and the remote access device of the wireless access control system carried by the user in the interior area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is an enlarged side schematic view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 34  is a schematic block diagram of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 35  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 36  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a flowchart illustrating operation of the wireless access control system of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  is a schematic block diagram of a wireless access control system in accordance with another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation and number in increments of 100 are used to refer to like elements in different embodiments. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wireless access control system  20  for a door  21  may include a lock assembly  30  carried by the door. The door  21  may be an interior door, exterior door, overhead garage door, a door to a structure, overhead door, sliding door, screen door, revolving door, for example, a home or business, or any other door that separates an area where protection of that area may be desirable. 
     The lock assembly  30  may be considered a smart lock and illustratively includes a lock  31  switchable between a locked position and an unlocked position, lock wireless communications circuitry  32 , and a door position determining device  34 . The lock  31  may be cylinder lock, a deadbolt, or other type of lock, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the lock  31  may accept a physical key, for example, for manual or key operation of the lock. The lock assembly  30  is illustratively exposed on both the interior and exterior of the door  21 . It should be understood that the term interior may refer to the side of the door  21  that faces an area desirable of protection or secured space. For example, where the lock assembly  30  is carried by a door of a home, the interior side  41  is the side within the home, while the exterior side  42  is outside the home and may be accessible to people other than the home&#39;s inhabitants. 
     The lock wireless communications circuitry  32  may be configured to communicate via one or more a short range wireless communications protocols, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN, or other communications protocols. The lock wireless communications circuitry  32  may also communicate via a long range communication protocol, for example, cellular, or global positioning system, or other long range communication protocol. The lock wireless communications circuitry  32  may communicate using either or both of one or more short and long range protocols, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The lock assembly  30  also illustratively includes a door position determining device  34 . The door position determining device  34  may include an accelerometer, for example. The door position determining device  34  may also include a magnetometer. In some embodiments, the door position determining device  34  may include both an accelerometer and a magnetometer, or other and/or additional devices, sensors, or circuitry configured sense a position of the door  21 . For example, the door position determining device  34  may determine when the door  21  has been opened and/or closed, moved, stationary, etc. A pattern of movement of the door  21  can be determined, for example, opened and then closed, closed then opened, based upon the door position determining device  34 . 
     The lock assembly  30  also illustratively includes a touch sensor  35  on the exterior of the lock assembly  30  to sense touching by a user  36 . The touch sensor  35  may be a capacitive touch sensor, for example, and when the lock  31  includes a key hole, may be positioned around the key hole. The touch sensor  35  may be positioned elsewhere on the lock assembly  30 . More than one touch sensor  35  may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the lock assembly  30  may include an interior touch sensor and an exterior touch sensor. Other types of touch sensors may also be used. For example, the touch sensor  35  may not necessarily sense touching directly from a user, but rather touching using an intervening object that may be an extension of the user. The lock  31  may be switched between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the touch sensor  35 . For example, the user  22  may lock the door  21  by touching the touch sensor  35 . Of course, as will be explained in further detail below, other pre-requisite events may have to occur prior to switching the lock  31 . In some embodiments, the touch sensor  35  may be replaced with another sensor, for example, a proximity sensor to sense when the user is within a relatively small distance from the lock assembly  30  (e.g., less than 12 inches), an access card reader, a FOB reader, or other circuitry to sense a user within a relatively small distance from the lock assembly  30  or door  21 . 
     The wireless access control system  20  also illustratively includes a remote access device  50  remote from the lock assembly  30 . The remote access device  50  includes a remote access device controller  51  and remote access wireless communications circuitry  52  coupled to the remote access device controller  51 . The remote access device controller  51  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  52  cooperate to communicate with the lock wireless communications circuitry  32 . For example, the remote access device controller  51  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  52  cooperate to communicate access commands, location information, authentication information, and/or other information for communicating with and controlling operation of the lock  31 , and/or other devices that may be included in the wireless access control system  20 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Similar to the lock wireless communication circuitry  32 , the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  52  may communicate using one or both of short range and long range communications protocols. 
     The remote access device  50  may be in the form of a fob or keychain, and may include housing  54  carrying a battery for powering the remote access device controller  51  and wireless communications circuitry  52 , and at least one input device  53  carried by the housing and coupled to the remote access device controller  51 . In other embodiments, the remote access device  50  may be a cellular telephone, tablet PC, or any other portable wireless communications device. The lock assembly  30  further includes a lock controller  36  coupled to lock  31 , the lock wireless communications circuitry  32 , the door position determining device  34 , and the touch sensor  35 . 
     Referring now additionally to the flowchart  60  in  FIG. 3 , beginning at Block  62 , operation of the wireless access control system  20  will also be described. The lock controller  36  is configured to determine when the door is moved in a pattern based upon the door position determining device  34  (Block  64 ). For example, the pattern may be a door opening followed by a door closing. 
     The lock controller  36  is further configured to perform an authentication of the remote access device  50 , via the lock wireless communications circuitry  32  and the remote access wireless communications circuitry  52  (Block  68 ), when the door  21  is moved in the pattern (Block  66 ). More particularly, where the pattern is a door opening followed by a door closing pattern, the lock controller  36  determines that the door  21  has been opened and within a short time period, closed. This may be indicative of the user entering or leaving a home for example. Based upon the door  21  opening followed by the door closing, the lock controller  36  communicates with the remote access device  50  to determine whether the remote access device is authenticated or has the proper credentials to operate the lock  31 . The lock controller  36  may communicate with the remote access device  50  by scanning for in-range remote access devices, initiating a connection with one or more of the remote access devices, and determine whether or not a given remote access device is authorized to access the lock  31  at that time. 
     For example, the remote access device  50  may have a unique identification (ID) associated therewith that is communicated to the lock assembly. The lock controller  36  compares the unique ID of the remote access device  50  to remote access device IDs stored in a memory  33  coupled to the lock controller. If the unique ID of the remote access device  50  matches an ID in the memory  33 , the remote access device may be considered authenticated. Of course, there may be other and/or additional factors that may affect whether the remote access device  50  is authenticated, for example, is within an authorized time period. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 4 , in an embodiment, the lock controller  36 ′ may also determine whether the lock  31 ′ is switched, for example, manually, from the locked position to the unlocked position, for example, from the interior  41 ′, and perform the authentication of the remote access device  50 ′ also based upon determining the lock is switched from the locked position to the unlocked position. The opening and closing of the door  21 ′ and (for example, preceding) the manual unlock of the door may be typical patterns for the user  22 ′ attempting to leave his/her secure space. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , if the remote access device  50  is authenticated (Block  70 ), the lock controller  36  switches the lock  31  from the unlocked position (Block  74 ) to the locked position when the user touches the touch sensor  35  (Block  72 ). The method ends at Block  76  and also ends if the authentication fails. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any delay that would typically result for authenticating a remote access device  50  based upon the user  22  touching the touch sensor  35  would be reduced as the authentication of the remote access device had already completed or at least already begun by the time the user touches the touch sensor. The switching of the lock  31  from the unlocked to the locked position may appear near instantaneous to the user  22 . It should be understood that this near instantaneous locking of the door  21  occurs when the lock controller  36  has reason to believe the user  22  is about to lock the lock  31 . For example, if the user  22  touches the touch sensor  35  and thereafter opens and closes the door  21 , the lock controller  35  performs an authentication, and in this case, the lock controller recognizes that the user  22  had approached outside of the door from inside, accessed the lock, and is leaving the secure space. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-6  and the flowchart  60 ″ in  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment, the lock assembly  30 ″ includes an interior directional antenna  37 ″ directed toward the interior area  41 ″, and an exterior directional antenna  38 ″ directed toward the exterior area  42 ″. The lock controller  36 ″ determines a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas  37 ″,  38 ″ based upon the communication with the remote access device  50 ″ (Block  63 ″). The lock controller  36 ″ enables switching of the lock  31 ″ from the unlocked position to the locked position (Block  67 ″) based upon the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna  38 ″ being greater than the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna  37 ″ (Block  65 ″). Of course, for switching, the switching is to be enabled, the user authenticated, and the user touches the touch sensor  35 ″ (Block  71 ″). In some embodiments, the lock controller  36 ″ may determine the received signal strength of communication with the remote access device  50 ″ based upon the user touching the touch sensor  35 ″. 
     In other words, even though the lock controller  36 ″ determines that the door has opened and then closed and performs the authentication, the lock controller may not switch the lock  31 ″ from the unlocked to the locked position based upon the touch sensor  35 ″ (assuming the user  22 ″ is authenticated) unless the lock controller determines that the remote access device  50 ″ has moved outside (i.e. from the interior  41 ″ to the exterior  42 ″). This may be particularly advantageous for reducing an occurrence of locking the user&#39;s key or remote access device  50 ″ in the secured or interior area  41 ″, for example, within the secure space. The method ends at Block  76 ″ including if the user fails to authenticate at Block  70 ″. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, the lock controller  36 ″′ may enable switching of the lock  31 ″′ from the unlocked position to the locked position based upon the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas  37 ″′,  38 ″′, based upon communication with the remote access device  50 ″′, decreasing over time. The decreasing received signal strength may be indicative of the remote access device  50 ″′ moving away from the lock assembly  30 ″′, for example, or leaving the secured area. 
     In an embodiment, the lock controller  36  may determine a false reject event. A false reject event, for example, may be a denial of access followed by the granting of access within a threshold time period, the granting of access being to the remote access device  50  that had been previously denied. Based upon the false reject rate determination, the lock controller may calculate a success rate for each user. If a user has an associated success rate that falls below a threshold, for example 90%, a signal threshold from one or both of, or between the interior and exterior directional antennas may be loosened upon authentication. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-11 , another embodiment of a wireless access control system  120  for a door  121  is illustrated. The wireless access control system  120  may include a lock assembly  130  carried by the door. The door  121  may be an interior door, exterior door, overhead garage door, a door to a structure, for example, a home or business, or any other door that separates an area where protection of that area may be desirable. 
     The lock assembly  130  may be considered a smart lock and illustratively includes a lock  131  switchable between an unlocked position and a locked position and lock wireless communications circuitry  132 . The lock  131  may be cylinder lock, a deadbolt, or other type of lock, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the lock  131  may accept a physical key, for example, for manual or key operation of the lock. The lock assembly is illustratively exposed on both the interior and exterior of the door  121 . It should be understood that the term interior may refer to the side of the door  121  that faces an area desirable of protection or secured space. For example, where the lock assembly  130  is carried by a door of a home, the interior side  141  is the side within the home, while the exterior side  142  is outside the home and may be accessible to people other than the home&#39;s inhabitants. 
     The lock wireless communications circuitry  132  may be configured to communicate via one or more a short range wireless communications protocols, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN, or other communications protocols. The lock wireless communications circuitry  132  may also communicate via a long range communication protocol, for example, cellular, or global positioning system, or other long range communication protocol. The lock wireless communications circuitry  132  may communicate using either or both of one or more short and long range protocols, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The lock assembly  130  illustratively includes a touch sensor  135  on the exterior of the lock assembly  130  to sense touching by a user  122 . The touch sensor  135  may be a capacitive touch sensor, for example, and when the lock  131  includes a key hole, may be positioned around the key hole. The touch sensor  135  may be positioned elsewhere on the lock assembly  130 . More than one touch sensor  135  may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the lock assembly  130  may include an interior touch sensor and an exterior touch sensor. Other types of touch sensors may also be used. The lock  131  may be switched between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the touch sensor  135 . For example, the user  122  may unlock or lock the door by touching the touch sensor  135 . As will be explained in further detail below, other pre-requisite events may have to occur prior to switching the lock  131 . 
     The wireless access control system  120  also illustratively includes a remote access device  150  remote from the lock assembly  130 . The remote access device  150  includes a remote access device controller  151  and remote access wireless communications circuitry  152  coupled to the remote access device controller  151 . The remote access device controller  151  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  152  cooperate to communicate with the lock wireless communications circuitry  132 . For example, the remote access device controller  151  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  152  cooperate to communicate access commands, location information, authentication information, and/or other information for communicating with and controlling operation of the lock  131 , and/or other devices that may be included in the wireless access control system  120 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Similar to the lock wireless communication circuitry  132 , the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  152  may communicate using one or both of short range and long range communications protocols. 
     The remote access device  150  also includes a remote access device geographic position determining device  155 . The remote access device geographic position determining device  155  may be a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, for example. The remote access device geographic position determining device  155  may be another type of position determining device and may use other and/or additional positioning techniques, for example, triangulation, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The remote access device also includes a memory  156  coupled to the remote access controller  151  for storing a geographical position of the lock assembly  130 , for example, GPS coordinates. The geographical position of the lock assembly  130  can be stored in several different ways. For example, the geographical position of the lock assembly  130  may be stored after the lock assembly is installed and when the remote access device  150 , for example, a GPS enabled mobile device, is paired with the lock. Alternatively, the remote access device  150  may wirelessly receive the geographic position of the lock assembly  130  from another remote access device, for example, a GPS based mobile device when the user associated with that remote access device operates the touch sensor  135 . 
     The remote access device  150  may be in the form of a fob or keychain, and may include a housing  154  carrying a battery for powering the remote access device controller  151  and wireless communications circuitry  152 , at least one input device  153  carried by the housing and coupled to the remote access device controller  151 , and the geographic position determining device  155 . In other embodiments, the remote access device  150  may be a cellular telephone, tablet PC, or any other portable wireless communications device. The lock assembly  130  further includes a lock controller  136  coupled to lock  131 , the lock wireless communications circuitry  132 , and the touch sensor  135 . 
     Referring now additionally to the flowchart  160  in  FIG. 12 , beginning at Block  162 , the remote access controller  151  cooperates with the geographic position determining device  155  to determine a geographic position of the remote access device (Block  164 ). The remote access controller  151  determines when the remote access device is within a threshold distance  157  or geo-fence from the lock assembly ( FIG. 10 ) (Block  166 ). For example, the remote access device  150  may compare its current geographical location with the geographical location of the lock assembly stored in the memory  156 . The threshold distance  157  may be defined by a circular area with a constant predefined radius with the center of the circle being the GPS coordinates of the lock assembly  130 . Of course, the shape of the threshold area or geo-fence may not constant or uniform. For example, the boundaries of a user&#39;s property may be determined by satellite or retrieved from a database, and the wireless access control system  120  may use the property&#39;s boundaries when establishing the threshold distance or geo-fence. 
     Each user  122  or remote access device  150  may have a corresponding threshold distance associated therewith, which may be different among the remote access devices. Additionally, a user  122  may change the threshold via the remote access device  150  or other application. 
     The threshold distance may also be less than a communication range distance with the lock assembly  130 . More particularly, while the remote access device  150  may be able to communicate with the lock assembly  130 , communication may not occur until the remote access device  150  is within the threshold distance. 
     When the remote access device  150  is within the threshold distance from the lock assembly (Block  166 ), the remote access device communicates with the lock controller  136 , via the lock wireless communications circuitry  132  and the remote access wireless communications circuitry  152  (Block  168 ). For example, the remote access device  150  may communicate with the lock assembly by scanning for in-range lock assemblies, initiating a connection with the lock assembly, and determine whether or not the given remote access device is authorized to access the lock  131  at that time. The remote access device  150  may communicate a unique identification (ID) associated therewith to the lock assembly  130 . 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, geographical information may be received from other and/or additional remote access devices or unrelated third party apps being executed on the remote access device  150 , for example, when the remote access device is in the form of a smartphone. More particularly, a navigation or map application may track the user and his or her estimated time of arrival at the lock assembly  130 , and based upon the tracked location of the user, cause the remote access device  150  to communicate with the lock assembly by scanning for in-range lock assemblies, initiating a connection with the lock assembly. 
     At Block  170 , the lock controller  136  performs an authentication of the remote access device  150  based upon the communication from the remote access device. The lock controller  136  compares the unique ID of the remote access device  150  to remote access device IDs stored in a memory  133  coupled to the lock controller. If the unique ID of the remote access device  150  matches an ID in the memory  133 , the remote access device may be considered authenticated. Of course, there may be other and/or additional factors that may affect whether the remote access device  150  is authenticated, for example, is within an authorized time period. 
     If the user  122  is authentication at Block  172 , the lock controller  136  switches the lock  131  from the locked position to the unlocked position (Block  176 ) based upon the authentication and the user touching the touch sensor  135 . The method ends at Block  178  and also ends if the authentication fails. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any delay that would typically result for authenticating a remote access device  150  based upon the user  122  touching the touch sensor  135  would be reduced as the authentication of the remote access device had already completed or at least already begun by the time the user touches the touch sensor. The switching of the lock  131  from the locked to the unlocked position may appear near instantaneous to the user  122 . It should be understood that this near instantaneous unlocking of the door  121  occurs when the lock controller  136  has reason to believe the user  122  is about to unlock the lock  131  or is approaching the lock assembly  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-14  and the flowchart  160 ′ in  FIG. 15 , in another embodiment, the lock assembly  130 ′ includes an interior directional antenna  137 ′ directed toward the interior area  141 ′, and an exterior directional antenna  138 ′ directed toward the exterior area  142 ′. The lock controller  136 ′ determines a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas  137 ′,  138 ′ based upon the communication with the remote access device  150 ′ (Block  163 ′). The lock controller  136 ′ enables switching of the lock  131 ′ from the locked position to the unlocked position (Block  167 ′) based upon the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna  138 ′ being greater than the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna  137 ′ (Block  165 ′). Of course, for switching, the switching is to be enabled, the user  122 ′ authenticated, and the user touches the touch sensor  135 ′ (Block  171 ′). In some embodiments, the lock controller  136 ′ may determine the received signal strength of communication with the remote access device  150 ′ based upon the user touching the touch sensor  135 ′. 
     In other words, even though the remote access device  150 ′ is within a threshold distance from the lock assembly  130 ′, and the lock controller  136 ′ performs the authentication, the lock controller may not switch the lock  131 ′ from the locked to the unlocked position based upon the touch sensor  135 ′ (assuming the user  122 ′ is authenticated) unless the lock controller determines that the remote access device  150 ′ is outside the secure space. The method ends at Block  178 ′ and also ends if the user fails to authenticate. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 16 , in another embodiment, the lock controller  136 ″ may enable switching of the lock  131 ″ from the locked position to the unlocked position based upon the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas  137 ″,  138 ″, based upon communication with the remote access device  150 ″, increasing over time. The increasing received signal strength may be indicative of the remote access device  150 ″ moving toward from the lock assembly  130 ″, for example, or arriving at the secured area. 
     Still further, in some embodiments, the lock controller  136  may determine an amount of time since a user&#39;s last touching of the touch sensor  135 . The lock controller  136  may then, upon authentication, compare the time since last touching to a pre-authentication time frame. Based upon the comparison, for example, a signal threshold from one or both of, or between the interior and exterior directional antennas may be loosened. This may allow a user that has not accessed the lock  131  in a while to more easily access the secure or interior space. 
     In an example embodiment, if the user  122  has two lock assemblies  130 , for example one on his front door and one on his garage door, the wireless access control system  120  may not be aware which lock assembly the user will operate for entering the secure space. In this example, the remote access device  150  may alternatingly communicate with, and be authenticated with each of the in-range lock assemblies. After the lock assembly  130  authenticates the user, including determining whether the user is authorized to access the secure space during the desired time period, the lock assembly may store the unique ID of the remote access device, or the remote access device may store the unique ID of the lock assembly. In either case, a time expiration may be associated with the stored unique ID such that after a predetermined time period, the stored unique ID is removed from the memory, and thus the authentication or credential expires. 
     In yet another embodiment, the remote access device controller  151  may determine whether the remote access device  150  is within first and second threshold distances from the lock assembly  130 . The lock controller  136  may perform an authentication after the remote access device  150  is within the first and second threshold distances from the lock assembly. This may be particularly advantageous, for example, where the user  122  walks his/her dog around the neighborhood but does not necessarily wish to switch the lock  131  to the unlocked position upon returning home. In this specific case, the user  122  would have exited the smaller one of the first and second threshold distances (i.e. the inner geo-fence), but not the larger one of the first and second threshold distances (i.e., the outer geo-fence). Thus, the lock controller  136  would not perform the authentication of the remote access device  150 , for example, upon reentering the smaller or inner threshold distance or geo-fence. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in another exemplary scenario, the wireless access control system  120  may be particularly advantageous to a user who has arrived home and is desirous of switching the lock  131  to the unlocked position, and accidentally switches the lock to the locked position. This may be addressed relatively easily. For example, if the lock  131  is in the locked position, and the user is within the threshold distance, i.e., breaks his/her geo-fence, the lock controller  136  may authenticate the user  122  so that when the user touches the touch sensor  135 , the lock does not switch from the locked position to the unlocked position. Instead, the lock controller  136  may illuminate a visual indicator carried by the lock assembly, for example, around the lock. The visual indicator may, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) (e.g., flash green) to indicate to the user that the lock  131  is in the unlocked position. The LED may be any color and may flash or be solid. If, for example, the user  122  actually did want to switch the lock  131  from the locked position to the unlocked position, the user may subsequently touch the touch sensor  135  to switch the lock to the unlocked position after the lock controller  136  illuminates the visual indicator. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 17-18 , in another embodiment, a wireless access control system  220  for a door  221  may include a lock assembly  230  carried by the door. The door  221  may be an interior door, exterior door, overhead garage door, a door to a structure, for example, a home or business, or any other door that separates an area where protection of that area may be desirable. 
     The lock assembly  230  may be considered a smart lock and illustratively includes a lock  231  that is switchable between a locked position and an unlocked position and lock wireless communications circuitry  232 . The lock  231  may be cylinder lock, a deadbolt, or other type of lock, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the lock  231  may accept a physical key, for example, for manual or key operation of the lock. The lock assembly  230  is illustratively exposed on both the interior and exterior of the door  221 . It should be understood that the term interior may refer to the side of the door  221  that faces an area desirable of protection or secured space. For example, where the lock assembly  230  is carried by a door of a home, the interior side  241  is the side within the home, while the exterior side  242  is outside the home and may be accessible to people other than the home&#39;s inhabitants. 
     The lock wireless communications circuitry  232  may be configured to communicate via one or more a short range wireless communications protocols, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN, or other communications protocols. The lock wireless communications circuitry  232  may also communicate via a long range communication protocol, for example, cellular, or global positioning system, or other long range communication protocol. The lock wireless communications circuitry  232  may communicate using either or both of one or more short and long range protocols, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The lock assembly  230  also illustratively includes a proximity detector  239 . The proximity detector  239  may be an infrared proximity sensor, for example. The proximity sensor  239  may be another type of proximity detector as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The proximity detector  239  is illustratively facing or directed to the exterior  242  and detects the proximity of the user to the door  222 , for example, the proximity of a user  222  approaching the door from the exterior. The proximity detector  239  may detect the user within a threshold distance from the door. The range of the proximity detector  239  may vary and, in some embodiments, may be adjustable. 
     The lock assembly  230  also illustratively includes a touch sensor  235  facing the exterior area  242  to sense touching by a user  222 . The touch sensor  235  may be a capacitive touch sensor, for example, and when the lock  231  includes a key hole, may be positioned around the key hole. The touch sensor  235  may be positioned elsewhere on the lock assembly  230 . More than one touch sensor  235  may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the lock assembly  230  may include an interior touch sensor and an exterior touch sensor. Other types of touch sensors may also be used. The lock  231  may be switched between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the touch sensor  235 . For example, the user  222  may lock the door by touching the touch sensor  235 . Of course, as will be explained in further detail below, other pre-requisite events may have to occur prior to switching the lock  231 . 
     The wireless access control system  220  also illustratively includes a remote access device  250  remote from the lock assembly  230 . The remote access device  250  includes a remote access device controller  251  and remote access wireless communications circuitry  252  coupled to the remote access device controller  251 . The remote access device controller  251  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  252  cooperate to communicate with the lock wireless communications circuitry  232 . For example, the remote access device controller  251  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  252  cooperate to communicate access commands, location information, authentication information, and/or other information for communicating with and controlling operation of the lock  231 , and/or other devices that may be included in the wireless access control system  220 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Similar to the lock wireless communication circuitry  232 , the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  252  may communicate using one or both of short range and long range communications protocols. 
     The remote access device  250  may be in the form of a fob or keychain, and may include housing  254  carrying a battery for powering the remote access device controller  251  and wireless communications circuitry  252 , and at least one input device  253  carried by the housing and coupled to the remote access device controller  251 . In other embodiments, the remote access device  250  may be a cellular telephone, tablet PC, or any other portable wireless communications device. The lock assembly  230  further includes a lock controller  236  coupled to lock  231 , the lock wireless communications circuitry  232 , the proximity detector  239  and the touch sensor  235 . 
     Referring now additionally to the flowchart  260  in  FIG. 19 , beginning at Block  262 , operation of the wireless access control system will also be described. The lock controller  236  is configured to determine when the user  222  is approaching the door  221  from the exterior area  242  (Block  264 ) or is within the threshold distance of the door. 
     The lock controller  236  performs an authentication of the remote access device  250  (Block  268 ), via the lock wireless communications circuitry  232  and the remote access wireless communications circuitry  252 , and based upon determining the user  222  approaching the door  221  (Block  266 ). More particularly, where the user is within the threshold distance from the door based upon the proximity detector (e.g., and for a threshold time period), the lock controller  236  determines that the user is approaching the door  221 . This may be indicative of the user entering or leaving a home for example. Based upon the user approaching the proximity detector  239 , the lock controller  236  communicates with the remote access device  250  to determine whether the remote access device is authenticated or has the proper credentials to operate the lock  231  (Block  266 ). The lock controller  236  may communicate with the remote access device  250  by scanning for in-range remote access devices, initiating a connection with one or more of the remote access devices, and determine whether or not a given remote access device is authorized to access the lock  231  at that time. 
     For example, the remote access device  250  may have a unique identification (ID) associated therewith that is communicated to the lock assembly. The lock controller  236  compares the unique ID of the remote access device  250  to remote access device IDs stored in a memory  233  coupled to the lock controller. If the unique ID of the remote access device  250  matches an ID in the memory  233 , the remote access device may be considered authenticated. Of course, there may be other and/or additional factors that may affect whether the remote access device  250  is authenticated, for example, is within an authorized time period. 
     If the remote access device  250  is authenticated (Block  270 ), the lock controller  236  switches the lock  231  from the locked position to the unlocked position when the user touches the touch sensor  235  (Block  272 ). The method ends at Block  276  or if the user fails the authentication at Block  270 . 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any delay that would typically result for authenticating a remote access device  250  based upon the user  222  touching the touch sensor  235  would be reduced as the authentication of the remote access device had already completed or at least already begun by the time the user touches the touch sensor. The switching of the lock  231  from the unlocked to the locked position may appear near instantaneous to the user  222 . It should be understood that this near instantaneous locking of the door  221  occurs when the lock controller  236  has reason to believe the user  222  is about to unlock the lock  231 . For example, if the user approaches the door  221  and thereafter touches the touch sensor  235 , the lock controller  236  performs an authentication, and in this case, the lock controller recognizes that the user  222  had approached from the outside of the door, accessed the lock, and is entering the secure space. It should be understood that while the proximity detector  239  has been described as facing the exterior area  242  and with respect to unlocking the lock  231 , the proximity detector may face the interior area  241  and the lock may switch from the unlocked position to the locked position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 20-21  and the flowchart  260 ′ in  FIG. 22 , in another embodiment, the lock assembly  230 ′ includes an interior directional antenna  237 ′ directed toward the interior area  241 ′, and an exterior directional antenna  238 ′ directed toward the exterior area  242 ′. The lock controller  236 ′ determines a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas  237 ′,  238 ′ based upon the communication with the remote access device  250 ′ (Block  263 ′). The lock controller  236 ′ enables switching of the lock  231 ′ from the locked position to the unlocked position (Block  267 ′) based upon the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna  238 ′ being greater than the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna  237 ′ (Block  265 ′). Of course, for switching, the switching is to be enabled and the user authenticated (Block  271 ′). In some embodiments, the lock controller  236 ′ may determine the received signal strength of communication with the remote access device  250 ′ based upon the user touching the touch sensor  235 ′. 
     In other words, even though the lock controller  236 ′ determines that the user is approaching the door  221 ′ from the exterior and performs the authentication, the lock controller may not switch the lock  231 ′ from the locked to the unlocked position based upon the touch sensor  235 ′ (assuming the user  222 ′ is authenticated) unless the lock controller determines that the remote access device  250 ′ is actually outside (i.e. exterior area  242 ′). 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 23 , in another embodiment, the lock controller  236 ″ may enable switching of the lock  231 ″ from the locked position to the unlocked position based upon the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas  237 ″,  238 ″, based upon communication with the remote access device  250 ″, increasing over time. The increasing received signal strength may be indicative of the remote access device  250 ″ moving toward from the lock assembly  230 ″, for example, or approaching the secured area. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 24-25 , in another embodiment a wireless access control system  320  for a door  321  may include a lock assembly  330  carried by the door. The door  321  may be an interior door, exterior door, overhead garage door, a door to a structure, for example, a home or business, or any other door that separates an area where protection of that area may be desirable. 
     The lock assembly  330  may be considered a smart lock and illustratively includes a lock  331  that is switchable between a locked position and an unlocked position and lock wireless communications circuitry  332 . The lock  331  may be cylinder lock, a deadbolt, or other type of lock, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the lock  331  may accept a physical key, for example, for manual or key operation of the lock. The lock assembly  330  is illustratively exposed on both the interior and exterior of the door  321 . It should be understood that the term interior may refer to the side of the door  321  that faces an area desirable of protection or secured space. For example, where the lock assembly  330  is carried by a door of a home, the interior side  41  is the side within the home, while the exterior side  342  is outside the home and may be accessible to people other than the home&#39;s inhabitants. 
     The lock wireless communications circuitry  332  may be configured to communicate via one or more a short range wireless communications protocols, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN, or other communications protocols. The lock wireless communications circuitry  332  may also communicate via a long range communication protocol, for example, cellular, or global positioning system, or other long range communication protocol. The lock wireless communications circuitry  32  may communicate using either or both of one or more short and long range protocols, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The lock assembly  330  also illustratively includes a touch sensor  335  on the exterior of the lock assembly  330  to sense touching by a user  322 . The touch sensor  335  may be a capacitive touch sensor, for example, and when the lock  331  includes a key hole, may be positioned around the key hole. The touch sensor  335  may be positioned elsewhere on the lock assembly  330 . More than one touch sensor  335  may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the lock assembly  330  may include an interior touch sensor and an exterior touch sensor. Other types of touch sensors may also be used. The lock  331  may be switched between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the touch sensor  335 . For example, the user  322  may unlock the door by touching the touch sensor  335 . Of course, as will be explained in further detail below, other pre-requisite events may have to occur prior to switching the lock  331 . 
     The wireless access control system  320  also illustratively includes a remote access device  350  remote from the lock assembly  330 . The remote access device  350  includes a remote access device controller  351  and remote access wireless communications circuitry  352  coupled to the remote access device controller  351 . The remote access device controller  351  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  352  cooperate to communicate with the lock wireless communications circuitry  332 . For example, the remote access device controller  351  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  352  cooperate to communicate access commands, location information, authentication information, and/or other information for communicating with and controlling operation of the lock  331 , and/or other devices that may be included in the wireless access control system  320 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Similar to the lock wireless communication circuitry  332 , the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  352  may communicate using one or both of short range and long range communications protocols. 
     The remote access device  350  may be in the form of a fob or keychain, and may include housing  354  carrying a battery for powering the remote access device controller  351  and wireless communications circuitry  352 , and at least one input device  353  carried by the housing and coupled to the remote access device controller  351 . In other embodiments, the remote access device  350  may be a cellular telephone, tablet PC, or any other portable wireless communications device. The lock assembly  330  further includes a lock controller  336  coupled to lock  331 , the lock wireless communications circuitry  332 , and the touch sensor  335 . 
     The wireless access control system  320  also illustratively includes a plugin device  343  remote from the lock assembly  330 , for example, within the secure space or interior area  341 . The plugin device  343  includes plugin device wireless communications circuitry  344  and a plugin device controller  345  coupled to the plugin device wireless communications circuitry. The plugin device wireless communications circuitry  344  may be configured to communicate via one or more a short range wireless communications protocols, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN, or other communications protocols, for example, to communicate with the lock assembly  330  and/or the remote access device  350 . The plugin device wireless communications circuitry  344  may also communicate via a long range communication protocol, for example, cellular or other long range communication protocol. The plugin wireless communications circuitry  344  may communicate using either or both of one or more short and long range protocols, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The plugin device  343  may be powered by mains electricity, or standard household operating power, which may make the plugin capable of communicating at higher speeds and at longer distances, as power consumption concerns, for example, that may be applicable to a battery powered device such as the remote access device  350 , may be less of a concern. 
     Generally speaking, the plugin device  343  may relay commands between the lock assembly  330  and remote access device  350 , which may be connected to a network, for example, the Internet. In some embodiments, the plugin device  343  may communicate directly with the lock assembly  330 . Additionally, the plugin device  343  may operate as an Internet gateway. The plugin device  343  may also include a wired communications circuitry coupled to a wired communications port, for example, an Ethernet port for coupling to a router/modem to enable Internet connectivity. Of course, Internet connectivity may be established using the plugin wireless communications circuitry, for example. 
     The plugin device  343 , when located within a relatively close proximity to the lock assembly, for example, within 100 meters, may allow a user to use the remote access device  350  to remotely check the state (locked or unlocked) of the lock  331  and remotely change the state of the lock. In one embodiment, the user  322  can remotely access their lock  331  from a web browser by signing into their account on a web portal, website, or mobile app on the remote access device, for example. 
     The plugin device controller  345  is configured to send a lock communication enable command to enable the lock  331  based upon wireless communication with the remote access device  350 . 
     Referring now additionally to the flowchart  360  in  FIG. 26 , beginning at Block  362 , operation of the wireless access control system will also be described. If the plugin device controller  345  communicates with or establishes communication with the remote access device  350  (Block  364 ), the plugin device controller wireless communications circuitry  344  cooperates with the plugin device controller  345  to wireless send a lock communication enable command to the lock assembly  330  to enable the lock  331  (i.e., to be switched between the locked and unlocked positions) (Block  366 ). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the lock  331  may not operate, i.e. switch between locked and unlocked positions, based upon a proper authentication and touching of the touch sensor  335 , for example. 
     The lock controller  336 , at Block  368 , communicates with the remote access device  350  based upon wirelessly receiving, via the lock wireless communications circuitry  332 , the lock communication enable command from the plugin device  343 . The lock controller  336  performs an authentication of the remote access device  350 , via the lock wireless communications circuitry  332  and the remote access wireless communications circuitry  352 , and based upon the lock communications enable command (Block  370 ). More particularly, when the remote access device  350  establishes communication with the plugin device  343 , the plugin device enables the lock assembly  330 , which in turn, communicates with the remote access device. 
     Based upon the lock communication enable command, the lock controller  336  communicates with the remote access device  350  to determine whether the remote access device is authenticated or has the proper credentials to operate the lock  331  (Block  372 ). The lock controller  336  may communicate with the remote access device  350  by scanning for in-range remote access devices, initiating a connection with one or more of the remote access devices, and determine whether or not a given remote access device is authorized to access the lock  331  at that time. 
     Further details of the cooperation between the remote access device  350 , the plugin device  343 , and the lock assembly  330  will now be described. The plugin device  343  may communicate in what may be referred to as a central mode, scanning for a remote access devices. Because the plugin device  343  is typically plugged into an electrical outlet at the secure space, the high power consumption associated with constantly scanning in central mode may be as much a concern as it is with a battery powered device, as noted above. When the plugin device  343  receives one or more advertisement packets from a remote access device  350 , which in some embodiments constantly communicates or advertises as long it is motion, the plug device determines whether or not the remote access device is part of the system as opposed to some other device, for example, not part of the system. 
     If the plugin device  343  determines the remote access device  350  is authorized or part of the system, the plugin device connects to the lock assembly  330  and sends instructions to the lock assembly to begin scanning for the remote access device or devices. The plugin device  343  may discover the lock assembly  330  because prior to connecting to the plugin device, the lock assembly may be in a default low power mode. When the plugin device  343  and the lock assembly  330  connect, the plugin device effectively tells the lock assembly  330  that a remote access device  350  that belongs to the system is within range of the lock assembly. After the lock assembly  330  and the plugin device  343  drop their connection, the lock assembly enters central mode to scan for the remote access device  350 , the lock assembly discovers the remote access device, the lock assembly connects to the remote access device, and the lock assembly and remote access device go through the authentication process. 
     The remote access device  350  may have a unique identification (ID) associated therewith that is communicated to the lock assembly  330 . The lock controller  336  compares the unique ID of the remote access device  350  to remote access device IDs stored in a memory  333  coupled to the lock controller. If the unique ID of the remote access device  350  matches an ID in the memory  333 , the remote access device may be considered authenticated. Of course, there may be other and/or additional factors that may affect whether the remote access device  350  is authenticated, for example, is within an authorized time period. If the remote access device  350  is authenticated (Block  372 ), the lock controller  336  switches the lock  331  between the locked position and the unlocked position when the user touches the touch sensor  335  (Block  374 ). The method ends at Block  378  or if the user authentication fails. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any delay that would typically result from authenticating a remote access device  350  based upon the user  322  touching the touch sensor  335  would be reduced as the authentication of the remote access device had already completed or at least already begun by the time the user touches the touch sensor. The switching of the lock  331  between the locked and the unlocked position may appear near instantaneous to the user  322 . It should be understood that this near instantaneous unlocking of the door  321  occurs when the lock controller  336  has reason to believe the user  322  is about to unlock the lock  331 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 27-28  and the flowchart  360 ′ in  FIG. 29 , in another embodiment, the lock assembly  330 ′ includes an interior directional antenna  337 ′ directed toward the interior area  341 ′, and an exterior directional antenna  338 ′ directed toward the exterior area  342 ′. The lock controller  336 ′ determines a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas  337 ′,  338 ′ based upon the communication with the remote access device  350 ′ (Block  363 ′). The lock controller  336 ′ enables switching of the lock  331 ′ from the locked position to the unlocked position (Block  367 ′) based upon the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna  338 ′ being greater than the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna  337 ′ (Block  365 ′). Of course, for switching, the switching is to be enabled and the user authenticated (Block  371 ′). In some embodiments, the lock controller  336 ′ may determine the received signal strength of communication with the remote access device  50 ′ based upon the user touching the touch sensor  335 ′. The method ends at Block  378 ′ or based upon a failed authentication. 
     In other words, even though the lock controller  336 ′ communicates with the remote access device  350 ′ based upon the lock enable command and performs the authentication, the lock controller may not switch the lock  331 ′ from the unlocked to the locked position based upon the touch sensor  335 ′ (assuming the user  322 ′ is authenticated) unless the lock controller determines that the remote access device  350 ′ is outside 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 30 , in another embodiment, the lock controller  336 ″ may enable switching of the lock  331 ″ from the locked position to the unlocked position based upon the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas  337 ″,  338 ″, based upon communication with the remote access device  350 ″, increasing over time. The increasing received signal strength may be indicative of the remote access device  350 ″ moving toward the lock assembly  330 ″, for example, or arriving at the secured area. Of course, in other embodiments, the lock controller  336 ″ may enable switching of the lock  331 ″ from the unlocked position to the locked position based upon the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas  337 ″,  338 ″ based upon communication with the remote access device  50 ′, decreasing over time. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 31-34 , another embodiment of a wireless access control system  420  for a door  421  is illustrated. The wireless access control system  420  may include a lock assembly  430  carried by the door. The door  421  may be an interior door, exterior door, overhead garage door, a door to a structure, for example, a home or business, or any other door that separates an area where protection of that area may be desirable. 
     The lock assembly  430  may be considered a smart lock and illustratively includes a lock  431  that is switchable between locked and unlocked positions, and lock wireless communications circuitry  432 . The lock  431  may be cylinder lock, a deadbolt, or other type of lock, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the lock  431  may accept a physical key, for example, for manual or key operation of the lock. The lock  430  assembly is illustratively exposed on both the interior and exterior of the door  421 . It should be understood that the term interior may refer to the side of the door  421  that faces an area desirable of protection or secured space. For example, where the lock assembly  430  is carried by a door of a home, the interior side  441  is the side within the home, while the exterior side  442  is outside the home and may be accessible to people other than the home&#39;s inhabitants. 
     The lock wireless communications circuitry  432  may be configured to communicate via one or more a short range wireless communications protocols, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN, or other communications protocols. The lock wireless communications circuitry  432  may also communicate via a long range communication protocol, for example, cellular, or global positioning system, or other long range communication protocol. The lock wireless communications circuitry  432  may communicate using either or both of one or more short and long range protocols, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The lock assembly  430  also includes a proximity detector  439  directed toward the interior area  441  to detect a proximity of a user  422  to the door  421 . The proximity sensor  439  may be an infrared (IR) proximity sensor, for example. The proximity sensor  439  may be another type of proximity sensor, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The lock assembly  430  also includes an interior directional antenna  437  directed toward the interior area  441 , and an exterior directional antenna  448  directed toward the exterior area  442  The interior and exterior directional antennas  437 ,  438  are coupled to the lock wireless communications circuitry  432 . The lock assembly  439  further includes a lock controller  436  coupled to lock  431 , the lock wireless communications circuitry  432 , the proximity sensor  439 , and the interior and exterior directional antennas  437 ,  438 . 
     The wireless access control system  420  also illustratively includes a remote access device  450  remote from the lock assembly  430 . The remote access device  450  includes a remote access device controller  451  and remote access wireless communications circuitry  452  coupled to the remote access device controller  451 . The remote access device controller  451  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  452  cooperate to communicate with the lock wireless communications circuitry  432 . For example, the remote access device controller  451  and the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  452  cooperate to communicate access commands, location information, authentication information, and/or other information for communicating with and controlling operation of the lock  431 , and/or other devices that may be included in the wireless access control system  420 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Similar to the lock wireless communication circuitry  432 , the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  452  may communicate using one or both of short range and long range communications protocols. 
     The remote access device  459  may be in the form of a fob or keychain, and may include housing  454  carrying a battery for powering the remote access device controller  451  and wireless communications circuitry  452 , and at least one input device  453  carried by the housing and coupled to the remote access device controller  451 . In other embodiments, the remote access device  450  may be a cellular telephone, tablet PC, or any other portable wireless communications device. 
     Referring now additionally to the flowchart  460  in  FIG. 35 , beginning at Block  462 , the lock controller  436  determines if the user  422  is in the interior area  441  (Block  464 ) or the exterior area  442  based upon the proximity detector  439  and a received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas  437 ,  438  (Block  463 ). The received signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directional antennas  437 ,  438  is determined based upon wireless communication with the remote access device  450 , using the remote access device wireless communications circuitry  452  and the lock wireless communications circuitry  432 . More particularly, the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna  437  being greater than the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna  438 , for example, by a threshold signal strength, may be indicative of the user being on the interior  441  or in the secure space. Alternatively, if the received signal strength at the exterior directional antenna  438  is greater than the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna  437 , for example, by a threshold signal strength, the user  422  may be in the exterior area  442 . 
     If the user  422  is determined to be on the exterior (Block  465 ) based upon the received signal strength, for example based upon the exterior signal being greater than the interior by the threshold signal strength (Block  465 ), lock controller  436  enables the lock to be switched between the locked and unlocked positions (Block  469 ). The lock controller  436  may enable the lock  431  irrespective of the proximity detector  439  detecting the proximity of the user  422  to the door  421 . In some embodiments, the lock controller  436  may enable the lock based upon the proximity sensor  439  not detecting the proximity of the user  422  to the door  421 . 
     If the user is determined to be in the interior area  441 , for example, based upon the received signal strength at the interior directional antenna  437  being greater than the exterior directional antenna  438  (Block  467 ) by a threshold signal strength (Block  465 ), the lock controller  436  may disable the lock from being switched between the locked and unlocked positions (Block  470 ). The lock controller  436  may disable the lock  431  irrespective of the proximity detector  439  detecting the proximity of the user  422  to the door  421  in the interior area  441 . In some embodiments, the lock controller  436  may disable the lock based upon the proximity sensor  439  detecting the proximity of the user to the door on the interior area  441 . 
     The lock controller  436  also disables, at Block  470 , switching of the lock  431  between the locked and unlocked positions when the user  422  is determined to be in the interior area  441  based upon the proximity sensor  439  and a difference between the received signal strength at the interior and exterior directional antennas  437 ,  438  being below a threshold (Block  468 ). For example, if the signal strength at each of the interior and exterior directions antennas  437 ,  438  is so close that the lock controller  436  cannot discern whether the user in the interior area  441  or the exterior area  442 , the proximity sensor  439  may be used, for example, solely, to determine whether the user  422  is in the interior area or exterior area and disable the lock  431  if the user is in the interior area (Block  466 ). Of course, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the received signal strength may also be used in addition to the proximity sensor  439 , and the proximity sensor may be adjusted or have its sensitivity set to detect the user  422 . 
     At Block  478 , if the lock  431  is enabled, for example, based upon the determination of the user  422  being in the exterior area  442 , the lock controller  436 , based upon the communication with the remote access device  450  (Block  474 ), switches the lock between the locked and unlocked positions (Block  480 ). The method ends at Block  482  or if the lock  431  is disabled or based upon communication with the remote access device  450 , for example if a “switch” command is not received. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 36  and the flow chart  460 ′ in  FIG. 37 , in another embodiment, the lock assembly  430 ′ also illustratively includes a touch sensor  435 ′ facing the exterior area to sense touching by a user  422 ′. The touch sensor  435 ′ may be a capacitive touch sensor, for example, and when the lock  431 ′ includes a key hole, may be positioned around the key hole. The touch sensor  435 ′ may be positioned elsewhere on the lock assembly  430 ′. More than one touch sensor  435 ′ may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the lock assembly  430 ′ may include an interior touch sensor and an exterior touch sensor. Other types of touch sensors may also be used. 
     The lock  431 ′ may be switched between the locked and unlocked positions based upon the touch sensor  435 ′. For example, the user  422 ′ may lock or unlock the door  421 ′ by touching the touch sensor  435 ′. At Block  478 ′, if the lock  431  is enabled, for example, based upon the determination of the user  422 ′ being in the exterior area  442 ′, the lock controller  436 ′, based upon the communication with the remote access device  450 ′ (Block  474 ′) and the user touching the touch sensor  435 ′ (Block  479 ′), switches the lock between the locked and unlocked positions (Block  480 ′). The method ends at Block  482 ′ or if the lock  431 ′ is disabled or based upon communication with the remote access device  450 ′, for example if a “switch” command is not received. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 38  and the flowchart  460 ″ in  FIG. 39 , beginning at Block  462 ″, in another embodiment, the lock controller  436 ″ performs an authentication of the remote access device  450 ″ based upon the communication from the remote access device (Block  476 ″). The lock controller  436 ″ compares the unique ID of the remote access device  450 ″ to remote access device IDs stored in a memory coupled to the lock controller. If the unique ID of the remote access device  450 ″ matches an ID in the memory, the remote access device may be considered authenticated. Of course, there may be other and/or additional factors that may affect whether the remote access device  50  is authenticated, for example, is within an authorized time period. 
     At Block  480 ″, the lock controller  436 ″ switches the lock  431 ″ from the locked position to the unlocked position based upon the authentication (Block  477 ″), the lock being enabled at Block  469 ″ (Block  478 ″). The method ends at Block  482 ″, if the authentication fails, or if the lock  431 ″ is disabled or based upon communication with the remote access device  450 ″, for example if a “switch” command is not received. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any delay that would typically result for authenticating a remote access device  450 ″ would be reduced as the authentication of the remote access device had already completed or at least already begun by the time the user arrives at or uses or access the lock assembly  430 ″. The switching of the lock  431 ″ from the unlocked to the locked position may appear near instantaneous to the user  422 ″. It should be understood that this near instantaneous unlocking of the door  421 ″ occurs when the lock controller  436 ″ has reason to believe the user  422 ″ is about to unlock the lock  431 ″ or is approaching the lock assembly  430 ″. 
     While a specific example embodiment has been described herein with respect to the interior and exterior area, it should be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the proximity sensor may be alternatively or additionally positioned facing the exterior area and may be used to aid in the determination whether the user is in the interior or exterior areas. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 40 , in another embodiment, the remote access device  550  includes an orientation sensor  555  coupled to the remote access device controller  551 . The orientation sensor  555  senses an orientation of the remote access device  550 , for example, the housing  554 , relative to the lock  531 . The orientation sensor  555  may include one or more of an accelerometer and a magnetometer. Of course, the orientation sensor  555  may include other and/or additional circuitry or sensors as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     When, for example, after a successful authentication or lock enablement, the user  522  touches the touch sensor  535  to switch the lock  531  between the locked and unlocked positions, for example, the orientation of the remote access device  550  is stored in a lookup table, which may be stored in the lock assembly memory  533  or the remote access device memory  553 . For example, for every touching of the touch sensor  555 , the remote access device&#39;s orientation, as indicated by a snapshot of the orientation sensor, and the received signal strength values at the interior and exterior directional antennas  537 ,  538  may be stored at the remote access device  550  and/or the lock assembly  531 . Upon subsequent touching of the touch sensor  555 , the remote access device  550  may compare its current orientation and received signal strength values to the corresponding previously stored values in the lookup table. If the current parameters are substantially similar, for example, within a threshold percentage of the lookup table parameters, such as, for example, ±10%, to the expected parameters, the lock may be enabled. However, if there are certain received signal strength/orientation patterns that may be increasingly problematic, for example, having a delta between the interior and exterior received signal strengths be too small, the lock  531  may be disabled, or the threshold for enablement of the lock may be decreased. 
     While some embodiments have been described so that the lock controller  36  switches the lock  31  between the unlocked and locked positions, and vice versa, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the lock controller may switch the lock between any of the locked and unlocked positions in the embodiments described herein. Moreover, while different embodiments have been described herein, any of the functions or features described in any one embodiment may be used in conjunction with any one or more functions or features described in other embodiments. Additional details of wireless access control systems for a door can be found in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/415,365, 13/654,132, 13/734,671, 13/968,067, and 14/304,573, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that, modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.