Patent Publication Number: US-2022230491-A1

Title: Keyless puck lock apparatus and system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/289,616, filed on Dec. 14, 2021, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/232,124 filed on Apr. 15, 2021, entitled “KEYLESS PUCK LOCK APPARATUS AND SYSTEM” and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, said application being a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/806,553 filed on Mar. 2, 2020, entitled “KEYLESS PUCK LOCK APPARATUS AND SYSTEM” and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, said application being a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/103,554 filed on Aug. 14, 2018, entitled “KEYLESS PUCK LOCK APPARATUS AND SYSTEM” and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, said application being a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/414,348 filed on Mar. 7, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,089,811, entitled “LOCK” and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, said application claiming the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/450,185, filed on Mar. 8, 2011; each of these applications being hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of access control systems; in particular, a keyless puck lock system with a wireless communications and wireless power interface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many different types of enclosures are secured by a locking system wherein a conventional padlock is mounted onto some sort of hasp assembly to secure access to an enclosed area such as a shelter, lockbox, cargo container, refrigerators, commercial trucks, cabinet, gate, generators, trailers, etc. A non-limiting example of one such lock is known as a “hockey puck” lock or puck lock that is referred to as a hidden shackle padlock in the portable security industry. One high security locking assembly includes a hockey puck lock that is mounted on a portable security hasp assembly. The hidden shackle bolt projects and retracts through the hasp to secure the hockey puck lock onto the hasp when a user throws and retracts the bolt by turning a mechanical key to lock and unlock the lock. Mechanical keys are a disadvantage as it is difficult to administer key control without implementing a complex key management system. If a company has a significant amount of locks in their inventory across many different locations, this key control administration is very difficult and costly especially in the case of lost or stolen keys. It is common to have a unique key for each lock which creates significant maintenance issues when another person needs to open the lock. 
     Another disadvantage of using physical keys in a lock system is that the level of security is compromised by having a mechanical locking cylinder with an opening for the key. Many security experts consider such an opening a significant security flaw in a locking system. In a lock with an opening for a mechanical key, common cylinders are easily broken into with a standard hand drill, thereafter allowing a person to easily rotate the shackle and unlock the lock. 
     Based on the current state of the art with hockey puck locking systems and the many disadvantages associated therewith, there is a need for a keyless “smart” puck lock that provides a high level of security at a relatively low cost without any opening for a physical mechanical key. Such a smart puck lock also minimizes exposure of the components, particularly the keyway and the internal components of the lock, to moisture or other contaminants, and minimizes corrosion or oxidation of metallic lock components. 
     There is also a need for a relatively simple, easy-to-use, reliable and compact electronic access control puck locking portable security system that includes the ability to manually override the electronic lock. 
     There is further a need for a compact and flexible locking system that can be installed on many different doors that can be locked and unlocked using an electronic device via a wireless signal. 
     Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has identified and improved a number of deficiencies and problems with wireless access control systems. Applicant has developed a solution that is embodied by the present invention, which is described in detail below. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     A keyless puck lock apparatus comprising a housing having a planar face surface, a side wall disposed around a circumference of the planar face surface, and a planar rear surface having a substantially oblong aperture defining a window; a locking assembly operably disposed in an interior portion of the housing, the locking assembly comprising a locking bolt, a spring, and a bolt stop, the locking bolt extending through an aperture of the side wall when configured in an unlocked position and defining a flush interface with the aperture of the side wall when configured in a locked position; an electronic latching mechanism operably engaged with the locking assembly to selectively engage the locking bolt to define a locked state of the locking assembly, and to selectively disengage the locking bolt to define an unlocked state of the locking assembly; an electronic control module operably engaged with the electronic latching mechanism, the electronic control module comprising circuitry to transmit an electrical signal to the electronic latching mechanism, a microprocessor, and a wireless communications chipset; and, a power source operably engaged with the electronic control module and the electronic latching mechanism. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is a keyless puck lock system comprising a hasp assembly comprising a first hasp section and a second hasp section, the first hasp section having a first hasp plate, a first surrounding shroud, a first bolt aperture, and a first radio frequency/infrared (RF/IR) circuit board disposed on a proximal portion of the first hasp plate, the second hasp section having a second hasp plate, a second surrounding shroud, and a second bolt aperture; and, a puck lock selectively secured to the first bolt aperture and the second bolt aperture, the puck lock comprising a housing having a planar face surface, a side wall disposed around a circumference of the planar face surface, and a planar rear surface having a substantially oblong aperture defining a window; a locking assembly operably disposed in an interior portion of the housing, the locking assembly comprising a locking bolt, a spring, and a bolt stop, the locking bolt extending through an aperture of the side wall when configured in an unlocked position and defining a flush interface with the aperture of the side wall when configured in a locked position; an electronic latching mechanism operably engaged with the locking assembly to selectively engage the locking bolt to define a locked state of the locking assembly, and to selectively disengage the locking bolt to define an unlocked state of the locking assembly; an electronic control module operably engaged with the electronic latching mechanism, the electronic control module comprising circuitry to transmit an electrical signal to the electronic latching mechanism, a microprocessor, and a wireless communications chipset; and, a battery operably engaged with the electronic control module and the electronic latching mechanism. 
     Yet another object of the present disclosure is a keyless puck lock system comprising a hasp assembly comprising a first hasp section and a second hasp section, a first wireless power interface, and a first communications interface; a puck lock operably engaged with the hasp assembly, the puck lock comprising a lock assembly, a control module, a second communications interface, a second wireless power interface, and a battery; a first computing device communicably engaged with the control module of the puck lock via a wireless communications network, the first computing device configured to send communications to and receive communications from the control module of the puck lock; and, a remote server communicably engaged with the first computing device over the wireless communications network. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a system diagram of a puck lock system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a puck lock system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hasp assembly of a puck lock system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a hasp assembly of a puck lock system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a puck lock assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a puck lock assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a puck lock assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a puck lock assembly in an unlocked configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a puck lock assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an electronic locking assembly of a puck lock assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a functional diagram of an electronic locking assembly of a puck lock system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cross sectional view of an electronic locking assembly of a puck lock apparatus, a plan view and perspective view of a puck lock apparatus, and a plan view of an external BLE antenna of a puck lock apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments are described herein to provide a detailed description of the present disclosure. Variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Moreover, certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. For example, the words “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner” and “outer” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word “a” is defined to mean “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized. 
     It is to be appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Stated otherwise, although the invention is described below in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and aspects described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a keyless “smart” puck lock system that is a relatively low cost and high security solution that is difficult to tamper with and defeat. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system uses a keyless puck lock assembly that includes a hasp assembly and a keyless lock mechanism that does not require any physical mechanical keys so that it does not have a mechanical cylinder inserted therein to lock or unlock the puck lock. Accordingly, the keyless puck lock system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention does not have a physical keyway which is a security attack point that is included in conventional hockey puck-type locks. 
     In the present invention, a “hasp” is a plate generally made of metal that may be comprised of a single piece or multiple pieces that is adapted to be fastened to an enclosure substrate (e.g., door, cover, lid, etc.) and further adapted to receive a locking mechanism for locking entry to the enclosure. The hasp may comprise a fixed configuration or a hinged configuration. In a hinged configuration the hasp may pivot on an axis such that the hasp is operable to secure a door or angled access point. According to an embodiment, a hasp having a hinged configuration may comprise either a single hinge configuration or a double hinge configuration. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a general overview of the system architecture for implementing one or more embodiments of the present invention. As indicated above, smart puck lock system  100  is a network-enabled system that is networked through a communications network  102  via a computing device  104  to operate lock system  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary method of implementing the system architecture for communications network  102  is to provide one or more internet-enabled computing devices  104  such as a laptop or a mobile device such as a smartphone which are networked with one or more servers  106  via a network/Internet  108  that communicates with a control module  110  of lock system  100 . 
     Servers  106  and computing devices  104  are well known and used extensively for networking. Network/Internet  108  may be one of many conventional, well-known network systems including those that package data using well-known methodologies into one of several formats (using one or more packets) for communications between networked devices. 
     It should be noted that any one of the one or more embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in other well-known types of system architecture (or processing environments capable of supporting the methodologies of the various embodiments of the present invention) such as, for example, peer-to-peer architecture, internet, client/server, hybrid of both, etc. Client/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid combination environments, database and or application servers, and networks or networking in general, including a large variety of protocols used for communication and control, translations of signals, and so on are very well documented in various technical, trade, and patent literature. 
     Further, it should be noted that any one of the one or more embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented as a standalone device. For example, a stand-alone computing device  112  such as a mobile smartphone may also directly communicate with the conventional control module  110  using Bluetooth, Low Energy Bluetooth, Near Field Communications (NFC), WiFi, LORA, cellular, and other known protocols in lock system  100  without requiring communications network  102 . 
     Regardless of whether devices  104  or  112  are networked or standalone, upon receipt of unlock transmission signal (i.e., data packet recognized by control module  110 ), an electronic latching mechanism  114  is actuated from a latched position to an unlatched position, which enables a user to actuate a keyless smart puck locking assembly  116  from a locked position to an unlocked position. Control module  110  transmits an electrical signal (e.g., a 12 V signal) for actuating electronic latching mechanism  114 . Various other well-known communications protocols may be used between the computing device  104  and control module  110  including for example Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), GPS, cellular, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and the like, which may also include well-known existing encryption technologies to secure communications. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a power source  118  provides power to control module  110 . Power source  118  may include one or more Alternative Current (AC) sources, Direct Current (DC) sources such as one or more batteries, combinations of both, including use of well-known uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. In general, latching mechanism  114  may include a latch member driven by a solenoid. Further, the manner of delivery of power to latching solenoid for operation and control may be accomplished by a variety of mechanisms or systems, including wired, wireless, network based, etc. Lock system  100  optionally includes a site integration module  119  in communication with control module  110  using well-known communication protocols such as CAN, Bluetooth, BTLE, WiFi, LORA, cellular, serial, binary switching, SNMP, etc. Integration module  119  interfaces to various security alarms, environmental alarms, networking alarms, gas gauge alarms, video cameras, perimeter security and other related systems. 
     For example, well-known computing devices (e.g., a mobile computing device such as a mobile phone) using well known Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), or other well-known technologies (e.g., location based systems) may be used to activate a control module to power latching mechanism, which would provide a keyless (wired or wireless) operation. For example, lock system  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention may comprise of a well-known Bluetooth module powered by an internal battery or other power source that may receive control signals from a mobile device in well-known manner to enable supply of power to a latching mechanism such as a solenoid. 
     Lock system  100  may optionally include a backup power source  120  to directly power control module  110  in case of complete failure of power source  118  (including UPS systems). Backup power source  120  may be directly wired to control module  110  with terminals outside of the enclosure to provide power to control module  110 . Once control module  110  has power, it is able to receive control signals and data from computing device  104  to actuate latching mechanism  114 . 
       FIGS. 2-11  are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of keyless smart puck lock system  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and further detailed below, one or more non-limiting, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide keyless puck lock system  100  that may be mounted onto an enclosure substrate. System  100  includes an electronic latching mechanism comprising an electronic puck lock  122  that is mounted and interlocks with a hasp  124  having a first hasp section  126 , a protective shroud  127 , and a second hasp section  128 . Protective shroud  127  surrounds puck lock  122  and provides a metal protective barrier to further secure lock  122  from outside break attempts to break into an enclosure. 
     Puck lock  122  further includes a slit  129  that functions as a LED indicator and/or a RF slit. Slit  129  acting as a LED indicator notifies users of specific events such as indicting whether a circuit board in lock  122  is powered on, whether the circuit board has a fault, if there is an unlock or lock event, whether lock  122  is actively communicating and transmitting data, a low battery condition, etc. Slit  129  acting as a RF window allows a Bluetooth wireless signal to pass through the metal housing of lock  122  and surrounding shroud  127 . In addition to functioning as a pathway through which a Bluetooth wireless signal can pass, slit  129  may also serve as a pathway for other wireless frequencies. For example, slit  129  may facilitate bidirectional transmission of radio frequency or other electromagnetic frequency. 
     As indicated above, hasp  124  protects the enclosure from entry while in a lock position and shroud  127  of hasp  124  protects puck lock  122  from possible attack (by prying, application of torque, etc.). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , puck lock  122  detachably engages with hasp  124  and as further detailed below, is latched to locked position by a latching mechanism, which provides a secondary locking strength of lock system  100 . The disengagement or unlatching of the latching mechanism frees puck lock  122  to be rotated to an unlocked position. Once rotated to an unlocked position, puck lock  122  may be removed from hasp  124  to enable access to the enclosure interior. According to an embodiment, hasp  124  may comprise a hinge such that hasp  124  may be rotated about a hinged axis to enable access to the enclosed interior. 
     Hasp  124  may be comprised of metal or alloys thereof such as steel or other strong metal such as aluminum that provide reinforcement for added structural integrity in terms of structural strength to which hasp  124  is physically, mechanically connected such as a wall, door, lid or cabinet. 
     As further detailed below, both hasp plates  126  and  128  along with surrounding shroud  127  provide a barrier to limit access to puck lock  122 . Access is limited to surfaces of puck lock  122  against physical attack by application of levered and or torque force. For example, if a rigid bar is used to apply a levered force, one end of that rigid bar must somehow be mechanically contacted with a surface of the interlock mechanism to provide sufficient force to pry out the interlock mechanism. As another example, if a torque force is applied to rotate the interlock mechanism, then the tool used to apply the torque force must somehow mechanically contact with a surface of the interlock mechanism. 
     In the preferred invention, surrounding shroud  127  comprises a pair of shrouds  130  that strategically surround lock  122 , thereby providing very limited physical access to surfaces that may potentially be used to apply forces, for example levered or torque forces. Of course, shrouds  130  provide sufficient access to puck lock  122  to allow for mounting and removal of lock  122  without the use of tools. Users can grasp onto puck lock  122  and properly mount and unlock/lock puck lock  122 , and dismount puck lock  122 , but little room is provided to fit any type of tool to access lock  122 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 , first hasp plate  126  and second hasp plate  128  each include a series of mounting holes  132  to attach plates  126  and  128  to an enclosure substrate. Each hasp plate  126  and  128  further includes a hasp portion  134  with apertures  136  that align vertically for a bolt of puck lock  122  to pass therethrough. Hasp portions  134  are integrally formed with first hasp plate  126  and second hasp plate  128 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, lock  122  is seated within surrounding protective shroud  127  and a locking bolt in lock  122  is inserted through apertures  136  to lock puck lock  122  onto plates  126  and  128 . According to an embodiment, plates  126  and  128  may be rotatably coupled via the use of a hinge. Lock  122  may be either fully detached from plates  126  and  128 , or alternatively, lock  122  may be permanently affixed to one of the plates for convenience. For example, in an embodiment where plates  126  and  128  are rotatably coupled via the use of a hinge, lock  122  may be mounted and secured to plate  126  using a pair of mounting screws  138  projecting outwardly from the surface of plate  126 . Screws  138  engage a pair of threaded bores  144  ( FIG. 5 ) formed on the rear side of lock  122 . Once screws  138  are inserted into corresponding threaded bores  144  on lock  122 , lock  122  is permanently attached to hasp  126 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the current invention, hasp  124  can be configured to simply support a mechanical puck lock or an electronic smart puck lock. Hasp  124  may optionally include a combination RF/IR circuit board  140  that is covered with an epoxy to provide protection from moisture, debris and force while being able to transmit/receive data and power. Board  140  provides power with RF and data transmission via RF/IR to and from the puck lock  122  communicating various events between the puck lock and the site. 
     When lock  122  is secured on hasp  124 , RF/IR circuit board  140  directly communicates with lock  122  based on close proximity of board  140  to a RF/IR circuit board  146  ( FIG. 5 ) embedded within lock  122  with direct line of sight. Positioning of lock  122  within surrounding shroud  127  of hasp  124  ensures consistent placement/distance and alignment of RF/IR circuit board  146  of lock  122  with RF/IR circuit board  140  on hasp  124 . 
     In conventional use, it would be difficult to use a puck lock to secure enclosures that contained wires. The preferred embodiment of the current invention addresses this issue by providing puck lock  122  with wireless power and data transmission for easier, quicker and more reliable connections between an enclosure door and lock  122 . Hasp  124  serves as the protected wireless connection point for portable security puck lock  122  to directly wirelessly power lock  122  and wirelessly transmit data to and from lock  122 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a power and data transmission cable  142  is attached to RF/IR circuit board  140  of hasp  124  to power transmission circuit board  140  and communicate with puck lock  122 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a back side  148  of smart puck lock  122  including threaded bores  144  to permanently attach lock  122  to hasp  124 . A top surface  156  of RF/IR circuit board  146  is planar with back surface  148  of lock  122  wherein RF/IR circuit board  146  is encased with epoxy to protect board  146 . Board  146  may also include a set of mechanical contact points  158  that align with mechanical contact points on hasp  124 . Contact points  158  may be used to transmit power and data to lock  122 . 
     As described above, board  146  aligns with board  140  for direct line of sight for power and data transmission. A locking bolt  152  retractably passes through a window  154  formed through the body of lock  122 . A heating element  150  with an integral resistive temperature device (RTD) is inside the body of lock  122  to selectively heat the battery and mechanical components inside lock  122  when the temperature threshold is exceeded so the battery and locking mechanisms continue to function as designed without malfunctioning due to freezing temperatures, ice, moisture, etc. 
       FIGS. 6-7  illustrate lock  122  powered by a battery  170  ( FIG. 9 ) seated within a cavity within lock  122 . The lock battery  170  is replaced by removing a battery door  160 . Lock  122  further includes a stepped rear plate  162  having a shelf  164  with a carve out portion for removal of battery door  160  to replace lock batteries.  FIG. 7  illustrates a battery-powered lock  122  without the stepped rear plate  162  with shelf  164 . Stepped rear plate  162  allows puck lock  122  to secure to a conventional padlock hasp designed to receive a traditional padlock U-shaped shackle. In the current embodiment of the present invention, lock  122  is configured to receive interchangeable rear plates including plates with a shelf  164 , a RF/IR circuit board  146  and a battery door  160  (with no shelf  164 ). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates lock  122  in an unlocked state and  FIG. 9  illustrates lock  122  in a locked state. In particular, when lock  122  is in an unlocked state, lock bolt  152  protrudes out the bottom of lock  122 . A spring  166  is wound around the bottom portion of lock bolt  152  to positively bias bolt  152  away from lock  122 . Lock  122  is locked by pushing on an end cap  168  of bolt  152  in an upward direction towards lock  122  against the force of spring  166 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a stop  172  limits the extension of lock bolt  152  out of lock  122 . Stop  172  may also be formed as a magnetic ring around bolt  152  that passes by a Hall effect sensor  173  to indicate the state or position of bolt  152 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an intelligent sensor system that is capable of understanding the state of the shackle bolt  152 , a blocker  184  and the position of lock  122  on hasp  124 . A bolt head  194  of lock bolt  152  is seated within a cavity  188  formed in lock body  174  and abuts a position switch system  196  when bolt head  194  is fully inserted within lock  122 . A motor is attached to a cam  176  having an arm  178  that rotates in a clockwise direction to push blocker arm  180  away from lock bolt  152  against a spring  182  positively biasing blocker  184  forward into a cavity  188  formed by a tampered section  192  of lock bolt  152 . A bottom portion  190  of lock bolt  152  has the same circumference as bolt head  194 . At least one pair of blocker magnets  186  in blocker  184  and their respective Hall effect sensors indicate whether blocker  184  is in a locked or unlocked position. When lock bolt  152  is pushed into the lock body of lock  122 , bolt head  194  pushes against a rounded surface  189  of blocker  184  to laterally move blocker  184  against the force of spring  182 . Once lock bolt  152  pushes blocker  184  out of cavity  188 , the force of spring  182  pushes blocker  184  into cavity  188  against tapered portion  192  of lock bolt  152 . With this configuration, lock  122  does not require any power to fully engage lock bolt  152  into a locked state, thereby saving battery power while still allowing lock  122  to secure an enclosure. 
     In  FIG. 11 , position switch system  196  includes a position switch actuator  206  coupled to a bottom position switch  204 , a position switch actuator  198  coupled to a top position switch  200 , and a flexible substrate  208  connected therebetween. The force required to actuate top position switch  200  is greater than the force required to actuate bottom position switch  204  based on the force exerted from bolt head  194  when lock bolt  152  is pushed upwardly into lock  122 . In operation, bottom position switch  204  indicates a locked position and top position switch  200  is used to power on or wake up control module  110  which requires a user exerting additional force on lock bolt  152  when locking lock  122 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a sensing system capable of determining the position of blocker  184  based on magnets  186 , whether lock bolt  152  is in a locked, unlocked, or power on/wakeup state, the position of puck lock  122  based on alignment of lock RF/IR circuit board  146  with hasp RF/IR circuit board  140 . 
     In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure,  FIG. 12  illustrates a cross sectional view of an electronic locking assembly of a puck lock apparatus, a plan view and perspective view of a puck lock apparatus, and a plan view of an external BLE antenna of a puck lock apparatus. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, the puck lock apparatus comprises an external BLE antenna to enable longer distance wireless communications (e.g., BLUETOOTH, WiFi, LoRA, cellular communication), as compared to an internal BLE antenna (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). In accordance with certain embodiments comprising an internal BLE antenna, the puck lock apparatus may comprise a channel or aperture extending through the lock body to enable radio frequency signals to pass therethrough. The channel or aperture may be filled with epoxy or similar material to enable the radio frequency signals to pass therethrough while preventing water and debris from entering the interior of the lock body. The puck lock apparatus may be communicably engaged with one or more electronic access control devices within a mesh network. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, the puck lock apparatus may be communicably engaged with one or more remote servers via a communications network, optionally comprising the mesh network. In such embodiments, the puck lock apparatus may be remotely controlled by one or more remote users via one or more client devices communicably engaged with the remote server via the communications network. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure the puck lock apparatus may comprise an external power switch to enable users to power the puck lock apparatus ON/OFF to selectively preserve battery. In accordance with certain embodiments, the external power switch may be inside the body of the puck lock apparatus and may be engaged by rotating the shackle in a specified direction. In accordance with certain embodiments, a form factor of the puck lock apparatus may include an ice/debris cover to protect the puck lock apparatus from the weather and environmental elements. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 12 , the puck lock apparatus may comprise an automatic relock function. In accordance with certain embodiments, the automatic relock function may be enabled by a shackle set and hall effect sensor for position measurement sensing timed with the state of electronics and firmware. In accordance with certain embodiments, the puck lock apparatus may comprise an auto relock switch that, when engaged, is operable to automatically relock the puck lock apparatus regardless of the prior state of the unit. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, when the shackle is set in the correct position (regardless of if the puck lock apparatus is ON), when the puck lock apparatus is turned ON, the shackle may be locked/unlocked correctly without any jamming or other timing issues. This prevents the user from having to wait for the puck lock apparatus to lock since the correct position is maintained for blocking/unblocking. 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Further, the specification is not confined to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, inside, outside, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction, orientation, or position. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations/positions and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object. 
     In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group. 
     Further the terms “a” and “an” throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.