Patent Publication Number: US-6209367-B1

Title: Electronic cam assembly

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
     This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all right accruing from my earlier filing of a provisional patent application entitled  Electronic Cain Assembly  filed in the United States Patent &amp; Trademark Office on of Jun. 6, 1997 and there assigned Ser. No. 60/050,941. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to access control, and, more particularly, to manually operated, electronically keyed locks suitable for retrofitting existing appliances. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Current designs for maintaining security of containers such as bank safe deposit boxes require attended access and, all too frequently, dual keys, to allow access to the various containers maintained. I have found that this has become increasingly expensive in terms of man hours consumed by the employees of the bank providing attendance to the customers of the bank. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved lock and process for restricting access to containers. 
     It is another object to provide a lock and process suitable for retrofitting containers previously secured by bitted and unbitted locks. 
     It is yet another object to provide a lock and process for securing containers against unauthorized entry. 
     It is still another object to provide a lock and process able to electronically control access to the interior of secured containers. 
     It is still yet another object to provide a lock and process for electronically monitoring access to secured containers. 
     It is a further object to provide an electronically key controlled process and a cam assembly that may be configured as a single integrated electromechanical unit operable with an electronically controlled key, mated with either the existing lock cylinders of containers or with new lock cylinders, and retroactively fitted to secure those containers. 
     It is a still further object to provide an electronically key controlled process and integrated electromechanical cam assembly that may either be installed as a retroactively fitted component part of an existing locking mechanism with a minimum of modifications of the locking mechanism, or alternatively, be incorporated into a complete locking mechanism. 
     It is still yet a further object to provide an electronically key controlled process and integrated electromechanical cam assembly that may be retroactively installed as a component part of locking mechanisms previously installed in lockable containers by using existing screw patterns and key holes of those containers. 
     It is an additional object to provide an electronically key controlled process and integrated electromechanical cam assembly able to be mated with either bitted lock cylinders or with unbitted lock cylinders. 
     These and other objects may be achieved with a process requiring both mechanical conformance and electronic conformance of a key to both a cylinder plug and to an electronic circuit carried by a cam driving a bolt between a locked position and an unlocked position. An embodiment may be constructed with a housing bearing a centrally positioned hole centered upon a first axis, a bolt supported by the housing and moving transversely relative to the first axis to protrude beyond the housing to an extended, and locked, position and to retract within the housing to a retracted, and unlocked, position, and a lock cylinder perforated by a centrally positioned keyway, having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within the centrally positioned hole, and rotating within the centrally positioned hole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the lock through an arc centered upon the first axis. A cam is positioned within the housing to rotate with the lock cylinder as the key conformingly corresponding to the lock manually applies a rotational force to the lock cylinder is manually rotated through the arc. A member eccentrically positioned relative to the first axis, extends between the cam and the bolt to drive the bolt between the extended and the retracted positions as the lock cylinder is rotated through the arc. An electronic circuit containing a memory and a microprocessor and mounted upon and supported by the cam to rotate with the cam through the arc, determines electronic conformance of the key and operationally responds to digital data carried by the key to electronically activate a release mechanism that is spaced-apart from the cylinder and eccentrically positioned away from the first axis. The circuit is functionally activated by the electronic circuit in response to mechanical and electronic conformance between the key and both the cylinder plug and the electronic circuit, to move between a deployed position preventing rotation of the cam relative to the housing, and a released position accommodating the rotation of the cam relative to the housing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete appreciation of the invention, and man, of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: 
     FIG. 1A shows a plan view of a contemporary arrangement for a parking meter lock; 
     FIG. 1B shows a side view of a cam customarily used in a contemporary parking meter lock; 
     FIG. 2 shows a detailed side elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention designed for retrofitting a parking meter lock; 
     FIG. 3 shows a top detailed view of a cam which may be used in the embodiment of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of a contemporary parking meter fitted with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows a cut-away side view of another embodiment of the present invention suitable for use with metal office furniture; 
     FIG. 6 shows a front elevational view of a drawer for office furniture fitted with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 shows a conversion plate incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 shows an electronic cam incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 shows an assembly of the conversion plate and electric cam incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 10 shows a side elevational view of a cam assembly suitable for installation into the container illustrated by FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 11A is a block diagram schematic illustrating electrical circuits that may be incorporated into the practice of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11B is a block diagram schematic illustrating an alternative configuration of electrical circuits that may be incorporated into the practice of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11C is a block diagram schematic illustrating another alternative configuration of electrical circuits that may be incorporated into the practice of the present invention with a plurality of contacts accessible through the keyway; 
     FIG. 11D is a block diagram schematic illustrating another alternative configuration of the electrical circuits that may be incorporated into the practice of the present invention with a single contact accessible through the keyway; 
     FIG. 11E is a block diagram schematic illustrating another alternative configuration of the electrical circuits that may be incorporated into the practice of the present invention using a drive spindle; 
     FIG. 11F is a perspective view of a drive spindle for the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 11E; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating details of the embodiment of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is flow chart illustrating the principles of operation of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a drawer fitted with an embodiment of the lock shown in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line XV-XV′ in FIG. 17, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention equipped with a vault; 
     FIG. 16 shows a cover that may be attached to the embodiment of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the assembly of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the assembly with the cover illustrated in FIG. 16 mounted upon the housing illustrated in FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 20A is an exploded view showing the embodiment of FIG. 19 incorporated into a safe deposit door; 
     FIG. 20B is an assembled view showing a channel attached to the safe deposit door; 
     FIG. 21 is an end view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of a safety deposit door fitted with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a plan view showing details of another embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention, while in a locked state; 
     FIG. 25 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, while in an unlocked state with the bolt still extended; 
     FIG. 26 is a side, cross-sectional view showing the embodiment of FIG. 24 in transition between locked and unlocked states; 
     FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view of a unbitted lock cylinder that may be incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view of a bitted lock cylinder that may be incorporated into the embodiment of FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 28 is a plan view illustrating incorporation of a bitted lock cylinder incorporated into an embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 28 showing a key prior to insertion; 
     FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing operational aspects of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 28 with a mechanically conforming key inserted into its keyway,; 
     FIG. 31 is a plan view showing another embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention with a heat sensitive paramagnetic re-locking mechanism shown in an unrelocked state; 
     FIG. 32 is a plan view showing another embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention with a heat sensitive paramagnetic re-locking mechanism shown in a re-locked state; 
     FIG. 33 is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 32 while in an unrelocked states; 
     FIG. 34 is a plan view showing details of still another embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention using a rotary solenoid. 
     FIG. 35A is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 34; 
     FIG. 35B is a detailed cross-sectional view of a bitted lock cylinder that may be incorporated into the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 34; 
     FIG. 36 is a plan view showing the embodiment of FIG. 34 while in an unlocked state with the bolt shown retracted; 
     FIG. 37 is a partial assembly view showing an embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention with a non-bitted cylinder and a directly locking solenoid; 
     FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 37; 
     FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional side view showing the assembly of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 37; 
     FIG. 40 is a plan view showing the assembly of the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 37; 
     FIG. 41 is a plan view showing a cover that may be installed upon the assembly illustrated by FIG. 40; 
     FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional assembly view showing an embodiment constructed with a solenoid activated linkage; 
     FIG. 43 is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 42; 
     FIG. 44 is a plan view showing the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 42; 
     FIG. 45 is a plan view of a cover that may be installed upon the cam assembly illustrated by FIG. 44; 
     FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along sectional line XXIXVIII-XXIXVIII′ showing still another embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of a bitted lock cylinder that may be incorporated into the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 46; 
     FIG. 48 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 46 while in a locked state; 
     FIG. 49 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 48 while in an unlocked state; 
     FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional elevation showing the details of still yet another embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 51 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a bitted lock cylinder that may be incorporated into the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 50; 
     FIG. 52 is a plan view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 50 while in a locked state; 
     FIG. 53 is a plan view showing the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 50 while in an unlocked state; 
     FIG. 54 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 55 is a cover that may be attached to the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 54; 
     FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional elevation of the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 54; 
     FIG. 57 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 54; 
     FIG. 58 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the sectional line in FIG. 60, of an alternative embodiment; 
     FIG. 59 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 58, when installed with a guide wall; 
     FIG. 60 shows a plan view of the cam assembly of FIG. 58; 
     FIG. 61 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 58, as installed in a lock assembly; 
     FIG. 62 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the sectional line in FIG. 61; 
     FIG. 63 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 58 in an unlocked and opened position; 
     FIG. 64 shows a side view of a solenoid usable in the embodiment of FIG. 58; and 
     FIG. 65 shows a side view of the solenoid of FIG.  64 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 11A,  11 B illustrate the salient features of a hypothetical, conventional parking meter lock  100 . A metal cam plate  102  formed with a circular shape perforated by a D-shaped hole  104  engages a D-shaped extension of a locking cylinder plug  116 . A conically shaped, concave depression  106  extends toward the cylinder plug  116 , to enable D-shaped hole  104  to engage the extension. A pair of radially opposite helically spiral slots  108  equally distantly radially spaced-apart from D-shaped hole  104 , perforate plate  102  to engage and direct the travel of connecting pins  110 , thereby alternately withdrawing and projecting bolts  112  in opposite reciprocation in the opposite directions indicated by arrows A. Typically, a mechanically bitted key  50  is inserted into keyway  118  that axially perforates a cylinder plug  116  that is coaxially fitted inside the cylindrical shell  119  that surrounds plug  116 . Shell  119  is fitted into a re-enforced door (not shown) such as the circular door of a municipal parking meter. Correct correspondence between the lands and peaks of the bits of key  50  and the tumblers (not shown) within plug  116  along a shear line enables a torque that is manually applied to the handle of key  50  to rotate plug  116  relative to shell  119 , thereby drawing pins  110  from a radially outwardly position shown in FIG. 11A, to a radially inward position closer to the center of cam plate  102 . Once bolts  112  have been withdrawn, the door into which lock assembly  100  has been fitted can be removed, or opened. Rotation of key  50  in the opposite direction causes extension of bolts  112 , thereby locking the door. 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, cylinder plug  116  is encased in a cylindrical shell  120  made of a non-electrically conductive material. This shell electrically insulates log plug  116  from the metal door into which lock assembly  101  has been installed. An extension  122  of cylinder plug  116  passes through D-shaped hole  104  in cam plate housing  126 , and makes mechanical and electrical contact with a board mounted spring biased electrical contact pin  136 . Compression spring  137  biases pin  136  toward the axial dimension of cylindrical plug  116 , thereby assuring electrical contact between pin  138  and extension  122  as plug  116  rotates within shell  120 . Electronic cam assembly  140  contains a second board mounted spring biased pin  138  forming mechanical and continuous electrical contact with at least one of the reciprocally sliding bolts  112 . 
     Cam plate  126  (having a base with a shape substantially identical to the top view of cam plate  102  shown in FIG.  1 B), and cover  128  are preferably made of an electrically insulating material such as a plastic. Circuit board  130  supports a plurality of integrated circuits  142  and other electrical components, as well as electrical contacts  136 ,  138 . Bosses  132 , formed in a base of the cam plate housing  126 , receive threaded fasteners  134  extending through circuit board  130 , thereby securing circuit board  130  within cam plate housing  126 . 
     Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, in conjunction with FIG. 2, when a key  500  corresponding to the security features (i.e., correctly bitted teeth, if the key is in fact bitted), is inserted into keyway  118  so that the blade  502  of the key serves as an electrical contact for transmission of data and power to contact  136 , while a spring loaded electrical contact  504  mounted on the other side of the head  506  of key  500  engages the circumferential exposed surface (often the exposed surface of a re-enforced insert)  409  of door  408 , thereby completing the electrical circuit between the electronic control circuit  508  of key  500  and electronic circuit  130  mounted on circuit board  139  via contacts  136 ,  138 . Assuming correct electrical conformity established through the power and data transferred between circuits  508  (including the supply of power to circuit  130  from circuit  508  via key  500  and cylinder plug  116 ), the logic and control components of circuit  130  will electrically activate solenoid release assembly  400  with the electrical current flowing through solenoid coil  402 , thereby withdrawing solenoid armature  404  upwardly in the drawing shown in FIG. 2, and thus removing armature  404  from slot  108 . This frees the length of slot  108 , thereby enabling pins  110  to travel along the arcuate lengths of corresponding slots  108  as a manual torque applied to key  500  rotates plug  116  and cam assembly  140 . In the normal locked position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, armature  404  obstructs one of the two slots  108 , thus preventing cam  126  from rotating and drawing bolts  112  inwardly. Solenoid assembly  400  may be mounted upon and supported by circuit board  139 . Cover  128  encases circuit  139  within the housing provided by the inner side of cam plate  126 , while pins  110  protrude into grooves  108 . Bolts  112  slide between guides  410  and the adjoining portion of door  408 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment is illustrated with a cam plate and housing  126  preferably made of an electrically insulating material, installed between a cylinder plug  412  and the rear wall  426  of the door of the item of furniture. Plug  412  is mounted with washer  422 , and is in contact with the front wall  424  of the door of the item of furniture, with keyway  118  aligned with hole  425  in front wall  424 . A pair of shear pins  414  extend between an extension  123  of cam plate  126  and fit into conforming apertures  415  in the base of cylinder plug  412 , thereby linking rotation of plug  412  with rotation of plate  126 . A single hole  413  is formed within rear wall  426 , in alignment with the armature  404  of solenoid  400 . In its inactive, normally inoperative state as shown in FIG. 5, armature  404  rests within aperture  413  under the bias of spring  406 . 
     A second hole  433  is formed in rear wall  426 , in substantial coaxial alignment with keyway  118 , to accommodate pivot post  430  of cam spacer post  431 , which serves to support cam plate  126  upon post  430 , thereby fastening the entire assembly against the rear wall  426 . A Truarc® ring  428  holds post  431 , together with plate  126 , against cam plate extension  432 . Drive pin  434  protrudes from the underside of cam plate  126  opposite circuit board  139 , and is received by a conforming aperture  435  within extension plate  432 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 6 through 10 in conjunction with FIG. 5, extension plate  432  protrudes beyond a slot  436  cut into the flange  427  extending between front wall  424  and rear wall  426 . When a hand held key conforming in shape to the interior of keyway  118  is fully inserted into keyway  118 , the blade of the key makes electrical contact with contact wiper  416  mounted upon circuit board  139  while an electrically separate contact pin spaced radially apart from the blade of the key makes electrical contact with the adjoining exposed surface of front wall  424  and, via electrical conduction through plug  412 , with contact wiper  418  also mounted upon circuit board  139 . Upon determination of electrical and logical compatibility of the key with circuit  130  mounted upon circuit board  139 , solenoid  400  is electrically charged to withdraw armature  404  from aperture  413 , thereby releasing cam plate  126  and plug  412  to rotate under the torque manually applied to the key, thereby enabling post  430  to rotate within aperture  433 , thus allowing drive pin  434  to rotate about the axis of post  430  and thereby drawing extension plate  432  in a direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 6, through slot  436 , thereby allowing door assembly  423  to be opened. 
     Turning now to FIG. 11A, block diagrams illustrate electronic circuit  130  for the cam assembly and electronic circuit  508  for the corresponding electronic key assembly  500  mechanically and electrically conforming to cylinder plug  116  and its electronic circuit  130 . Circuit  508  is constructed within the head  506  of key  500  or, alternatively, into a portable housing electrically coupled to key  500 . As shown in FIG. 11A, a replaceable battery (e.g., a 3.3 volt button battery) may be removably encased in the head  506  of key  500 , with the positive plurality coupled in common to one side of electronic signal filter  526  and the bitted blade  502  of the key. In this embodiment, blade  502  is mechanically cut with teeth  510  and channels  511  conforming to keyway  18 . Blade  502  is positively charged by battery  437 , and makes electrical contact with, and provides transmission of both power and data to circuit  130 ) via flexible contact wiper  136  mounted upon circuit board  139 , which is, in turn, coupled to input/output stage  542 . A local ground return between circuit  130  and circuit  508  is provided via flexible spring loaded electrical contact  138  making electrical contact with bolt  112  which, in turn, makes electrical contact with the electrically conducting door  408  of the container; a spring loaded pin  507  extending from the head  506  of key  500  rides upon and makes electrical contact with door  408 . 
     Circuit  508  may be constructed with a microprocessor  512  driven according to a programs stored in read only memory  514 , using data transient in random access memory  516 . A clock  518  provides synchronization to microprocessor  512 , while input/output stage  522  services as a buffer enabling microprocessor  512  to drive signal generator  524 . Circuit  508  is electrically powered by battery  437 . 
     When key  500  has been fully inserted into keyway  118 , blade  502  makes electrical contact with spring biased data and power contact  136 , while the radially spaced-apart spring bias contact  504  serves as a ground return making electrical contact with the surrounding region  409  of door  408  and, through bolt  112 , electrical contact  138  and input/output stage  542 . Within logic and control circuit  130  of the cam assembly, microprocessor  530  operates according to a program stored within read only memory  534  using data written into and read from random access memory  536 . Counter  538  is coupled to microprocessor  530 . Communication between the logic circuit  130  and contacts  136 ,  138  are conducted through input/output stage  542 . A switch  544  is driven by input/output stage  542  under control of microprocessor  530  upon a determination by microprocessor  530  that key  500  holds a digital signature that electronically conforms to data stored within the circuit borne by circuit board  139 , to provide electrical current through solenoid coil  402  and thereby retract armature  404  or, alternatively, if the solenoid is constructed as a stepping motor, to energize coil  402  and thereby rotate armature  404 . 
     The circuit illustrated in FIG. 11A is particularly suitable for retrofitting secured containers a such as existing stand-alone, municipal curbside parking meters. 
     Turning now to FIG. 11B, key assembly  500  has a blade  502  without bits or channels, bearing a centrally positioned electrical data and power contact  716  coupled to the positive polar type of battery  437 . Contact  716  is electrically insulated from the exterior surface of blade  502 . Blade  502  serves as the negative ground return via electrical contact  418  while contact  716 , serves as the power and data connector when fully inserted into keyway  118 , to make electrical contact with flexible spring contact  416 . Flexible, spring type electrical contact wipers  416 ,  418  maybe surface mounted upon circuit board  139 , in positions to make electrical contact respectively with contact  716  via keyway  118  and the electrically conducting cylinder plug  412 . Solenoid winding  402  is either surface mounted on, or supported by, circuit board  139 . 
     As illustrated by FIG. 11C, the electronic circuit for the cam assembly may be equipped with its own local power supply in the form, for example, of a replaceable battery (not shown) installed on and wholly borne by circuit board  139  to provide a constant voltage to circuit components such as microprocessor  530 , memories  534 ,  546 , counter  535 , and input/output stage  542 , and to provide a source of electrical power for energizing coil  402  of the solenoid via switch  544 . In this configuration the cylinder plug is not required to serve as a ground electrical path for the connection between the key and lock circuit  139 . Use of an earth ground would be incidental. Leads  416 ,  418  are plated copper conductors formed on the circuit board  119 , with lead  418  serving as a local ground terminal. On key circuit  508 , pin terminal  502 A serves as a ground conductor; terminal  502 A may be a spring loaded pin or a flexible connection, positioned to make electrical contact with lead  418  when the blade, or shank  502 , of key  500  is conformingly inserted into the aperture of keyway  118 . A spring loaded ball bearing may be inserted within keyway  118  to mate with a corresponding dimple in shank  502 , and serve as a key retainer when key  500  rotates keyway  118  out of its rest position. Terminal  502 A may be connected without electrical insulation to shank  502 , thereby connecting circuit  508  via shank  502 . Pin terminal  716  serves that same function as shown in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 11B, and is electrically insulated from shank  502  in order to conduct data signals and provide a positive potential to circuit  139  via lead  416 . 
     FIG. 11D illustrates an alternative embodiment with the cylinder plug  412  serving as an electrical ground path for electrical connection between key circuit  508  and lock circuit  139 . Lead  416  is a copper lead plated upon circuit board  139 , and is directly accessed by terminal  716  via keyway  118  to electrically conduct, for example, a positive potential and data signals. The key blade, or shank  502  serves as the ground terminal for key circuit  508 . Terminal  716  is electrically insulated by shank  502  serves to electrically conduct a position potential and data signals in the same function as in the embodiment illustrated by FIG.  11 B. 
     FIG. 11E illustrates an alternative embodiment bearing a keypad  520  that is exposed to manual activation by a user. A drive spindle  502 ′, rather than a key blade, is sued to apply torque to the electronic cam that bears and encases circuit  139 . Once the drive spindle  502 ′ has been electrically connected with the electronic cam circuit  139  via keyway  118 ′, the spindle  502 ′ may be left within keyway  118 ′ and removed only for service and such maintenance as replacement of battery  437 . Accordingly, with the exception of replacement of battery  437 , lock circuit  139  would be continuously powered by battery  437  borne by key circuit  508 . In this embodiment, lock circuit  139  could be equipped with merely a clock  528 , while key circuit  508  contains a counter  538 . As illustrated by FIG. 11F, drive spindle  502 ′ may be constructed with an engagement keyslot  502   b  extending either partially, or wholly, the length of shank  502 ′, to engage a corresponding detent within keyway  118 . Spindle  502 ′ may itself serve as an electrical conductor such as the ground return, that engages electrical lead  418  of lock circuit  139 , while a second electrical conductor  716   b  extends the length of spindle  502 ′ and is electrically insulated from the body of spindle  502 ′ by insulation  716   c.  Conductor  716   b  may be constructed as either a circuit board with a tin, copper or gold plated trace, or an electrically conducting trace itself deposited directly upon insulation  716   c . Conductor  716   b  could be set, after encased in electrical insulation, into a metallic spindle or encased in an electrically conductive plastic spindle may, for example, of carbon filled polymer. 
     When assembling the electronic cam, electrically conductive cylinder plug  412  bearing apertures  415 , is positioned to receive within the apertures  415 , corresponding shear lock pins  414  extending outwardly from cover  128  for the housing formed by cam plate  126 . The solenoid release assembly  400  is mounted on circuit board  139 , and circuit board  139  is in turn inserted within the circumferential walls  131  of cam plate  126 , with surface mounted flexible spring electrical contact  416  centrally positioned to extend through cam plate extension  123  and into the vacant portion of keyway  118  in order to make electrical contact with the power and data conductor of the corresponding key. Contact  416  is surrounded by an electrical insulator  420  to prevent contact  116  from making electrical contact with either extension  123  or with electrically conducting plug  412 . Cam spacing post  431  and pivot post  430  are concentrically positioned and coaxially aligned with keyway  118 , to protrude from plate  126  toward the bolt (not shown in FIG.  12 ), while drive pin  434  extends axially in the same direction toward a corresponding aperture in the bolt. 
     In an operation, the key is inserted into the keyway as shown in step  550  of FIG.  13 . Power is supplied from battery  437  via contact  136  to cam circuit  130 , and data is written via contact  136  into memory  536 . A comparison is then made by microprocessor  530  and if the data carried by the key is not electronically conforming to data held by circuit  130 , in step  550  circuit  130  ignores the presence of the key. Alternatively, if the key is found by circuit  130  in step  554  to be electronically conforming, in step  558  circuit  130  applies power to switch  544  and solenoid (or motor)  400  to release cylinder  116  to the rotational torque manually applied by the key to the lock, thus enabling in step  560  rotation of the cylinder in response to the manual torque, and thereby resulting in opening of the lock in step  562 . 
     In FIG. 14, a drawer of an item of furniture is fitted with a lock constructed according to the principles of the present invention, with a carrier housing  438  serving as the rear wall, attached to flange  427  via threaded fasteners  439 . This allows for a modular improvement using an embodiment of the present invention as a separate item installed within the furniture. 
     Turning now to FIG. 15, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown with a construction particularly suitable for installation in a safety deposit box door within a bank vault. An aperture  433  in the rear wall of housing  440  for a lock, accommodates insertion and operational rotation of pivot post  430 . The shank  113  of bolt  112  lies upon the inside surface of housing  440 . Aperture  608  in shank  113  accommodates spacer  431  while aperture  606  accommodates drive pin  34  to force shank  113  to slide against the interior surface of housing  440 . 
     Looking now to FIGS. 15,  16  and  17  in combination, insertion of an electrically conforming key into keyway  118  will, after electrical exchange of data via power and data conductor  416 , enable circuit  130  mounted upon circuit board  139  to energize the coil of solenoid  400  and withdraw armature  404  against the force of return compression spring  406 , thereby enabling torque manually applied by the key to cylinder plug  116  to rotate cam plate extension  123  and in turn, cam plate  126 ; as cam plate  126  rotates about pivot  430 , drive pin  434  engages the surface of slot  606  formed in shank  113 , and as the clockwise rotation of the torque applied to cam plate  126  drives drive pin  434  through a clockwise arc, drive pin  434  travels through slot  606  while forcing shank  113  to the right in FIG. 17, thereby retracting bolt  112 . Subsequent counterclockwise rotation of the key to the position shown in FIG. 17, enables spring  406  to force armature  404  back into slot  413  after termination of the electrical current through the coil of solenoid  400 . Cover  442  may be attached to housing  440  by threaded fasteners  439 . 
     Considering FIGS. 15 through 23 collectively, the assembled housing  440  with cover  442  and protruding flanges  446  exposed on opposite sides of housing  440 , may be received within channel  454  to enable set screws  452 , or other detents, to be inserted within set screw detents  448 . Once channel  454  is securely attached to the thin safety deposit door  456  with D-shaped key hole  458  aligned substantially coaxially with plug clearance hole  460  as shown in the assembled view of FIG. 20B, cylinder plug  116  will be substantially coaxially aligned with plug clearance hole  460  and D-shaped key hole  458  of channel  454  and door  456 , respectively. As shown in the elevation view of FIG. 22, this enables bolt  112  to protrude substantially beyond the left side of the door while in the locked position. Consequently, the entire lock assembly  140  as well as the pins  462  for door  456 , are concealed, with only board mounted data and power electrical contact  416  visible through keyway  118 , as is more apparent from FIG.  23 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 24 through 27, an alternative embodiment constructed with a pair of electrically conductive attachments  610 , one of which is mounted upon circuit board  139  and one of which is mounted upon unlocking detent  622 , terminate opposite ends of the length of relatively thin wire made of a paramagnetic alloy of a shape-memory alloy such as a NiTiNol wire  614 . The locking device  600  is constructed with a cover  442  having a pair of spaced-apart, oppositely facing arcuate guide walls  602  partially surrounding circumferential wall  131  of cam plate  126 . A groove  613  formed into one of the guide walls  602  conforms to the shape of spherical ball  604  over an arcuate length of less than one half of the circumference of ball  604 . Ball  604  is positioned principally upon cam plate  126  and spaced equally distantly between a pair of rectangular guides  605 , to extend through a gap in circumferential wall  131 . An unlocking detent  622  is held in position by an electrically conductive compression spring  616 , between guides  605  on one side, and guide wall  624  on its other side. Plate  620  also contains a circular concave groove  622  circumferentially conforming to the exterior of ball  604  with a greatest depth of less than one half the diameter of ball  604 . A proximal end of locking plate  622  is attached to conductive attachment  610 . 
     In operation, a manual key electronically conforming to circuit  130  after insertion into keyway  118  and making electrical contact with conductives  416 ,  418 , enables circuit  130  to apply electrical current between attachment  610 ; the electrical current causes the NiTiNol alloy wire  614  to contract, thereby drawing locking plate  622  upwardly against the force of compression spring  616 , as shown in FIG. 25, thereby enabling the manual torque applied by the key to cam plate  126  to force ball  604  to roll out of groove  613  and to roll into groove  622  in a direction shown by arrow B as cam plate turns clockwise in a direction indicated by arrow C. The clockwise movement of cam plate  126  causes drive pin  434  to travel along slot  606 , thereby forcing shank  113  to the right in a direction of arrow D as shown in FIG. 25, thus retracting bolt  112  substantially into the interior of housing  440 . Cam rotation and withdrawal of the key from keyway  118  terminates access, by causing interruption of electrical current through NiTiNol alloy wire  614 . Alternatively, (FIGS. 11A,  11 B) software stored in ROM  534  may instruct microprocessor  530  after a certain number of pulses from counter  538  to change switch  544  to its rest state, causing interruption of power through N-iTiNol alloy wire  614 . This enables spring  616  to force locking plate  620  downwardly to discharge ball  604  alternately into groove  613  of guide wall  602 . Simultaneously, the cam clockwise rotation opposite to the direction shown by arrow C in FIG. 25, forces drive pin  434  against the wall of slots  606 , thereby causing shank  113  to travel in the opposite direction shown by arrow D, thus ejecting bolt  112  and locking the door to which the assembly has been attached. 
     FIG. 27B shows a bitted cylinder  700  fitted with a cylinder plug  704  which may be incorporated into the embodiment represented by FIGS. 24 through 27A. In this embodiment, the key (not shown) can be configured with a plurality of teeth cut to conform to the shear lines  707  formed by the relative length of bottom pins  706  and top pins  708  within cylindrical shell  702 . As shown in FIG. 27B, compression spring  710  holds bottom pins  706  and top pins  708  inwardly to prevent rotation of cylinder  704  relative to shell  702 . A Truarc ring  428  holds cylinder  700  within cover  442 . With this alternative embodiment, the key must both mechanically conform to the shear line established by pins  706  and  708  and electronically conform to the digital signature required by circuit  130  before access can be obtained. As shown in FIG. 28, a fixed pin  712  holds the extreme wall of shell  712  fixed into position relative to circumferential wall  13   1 . 
     Turning collectively to FIGS. 24 through 36, a sphere  630  of an electrically conductive material (preferably, with a polished exterior surface such as a chrome plated ball bearing, may be inserted into spacer  123  within a spherically conforming recess, under electrical contact  416  between the open portion of keyway  118 , namely  632 , and circuit board  139 . Sphere  630  has unrestrained multiple degrees of freedom of rotation. Consequently, sphere  630  blocks direct access to circuit board  139  and, among other advantages, deters efforts to defeat locking device  600  by drilling for example with a rotating bit inserted into keyway  118 . Accordingly, and as may be seen in FIGS. 29 and 30, electrically insulated central electrical contact  716  of key  500  makes electrical contact with contact  416  directly, and sphere  630  is interposed between contact  416  and an extension of keyway  118  through spacer  123 , to protect circuit board  139  from damage caused by improper access such as drilling through keyway  118 . 
     Turning again to FIGS. 29 and 30, when bitted key  500  is coaxially inserted into keyway  118  of a bitted cylinder plug  116 , the bitting of key  500  radially displaces top and bottom pins within shell  702 , and if there is a mechanical conformance between the bitting of the teeth and the shear line between the top and bottom pins, electronic conformance between circuit  508  of the key and circuit  130  formed on circuit board  139  will enable the battery  437  held by the head  506  of key  500  to apply electrical power via spring pin key data contact  716  and contact wiper  416  to paramagnetic alloy wire  416  extending between connectors  610 , thereby contracting wire  416  and drawing locking plate  620  upwardly to receive a less than hemispheric exterior surface of ball  604 , thereby allowing cam plate  126  to rotate under the torque applied by the key  500  relative to guide wall  602 . Formation of groove  61 ,  620  with depths of less than one radius of bearing  604 , in preferably less than one half of the radius of bearing  604 , enables the torque applied manually to key  500  to force bearing  604  out of the corresponding groove  613  or unlocking detent  622  once plate  620  has been positioned by either spring  616  or paramagnetic wire  614 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 31 through 33, not infrequently heat is applied to the keyway  118  in an improper effort to influence the behavior of the locking mechanism through thermal expansion caused by application of the heat. Paramagnetic alloys are especially responsive to heat. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated a re-locking lever  720  is superimposed alongside locking plate  620 , with a pivot  728  rotatably attaching lever  720  to the upper surface of guide wall  624 . Re-lock lever  720  has a bell crank shape with one arm attached to a second paramagnetic alloy wire  724  extending between fasteners  726 ,  727 . Application of heat to the cam assembly via keyway  118  will cause wire  724  to contract, thereby pulling the proximal end of lever  720  downwardly as shown in FIG. 32, thus forcing the distal end of lever  720  to engage slot  722  formed within locking plate  620 . This prevents plate  620  from moving in response to contraction of wire  614  due to either application of an electrical current or heat. Consequently, improper efforts to open the locking mechanism via application of heat through keyway  118  are thwarted because locking plate  620  remains under the influence of spring  616 , thereby preventing bearings  604  from leaving slot  613  within guide wall  602 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 34 through 36, the cam assembly  800  fitted with an electrically operated motor incorporated into the locking mechanism is illustrated. The motor is constructed with a shaft  808  supporting a drum  802  bearing a slot  804  formed through its upper surface that is sufficiently wide to accommodate passage of the arcuately curved fence  812  protruding downwardly from the under side of cover  422 . Mechanical and electronic conformity of a key inserted into keyway  118  will enable circuit  130  to apply an electrical current to the coil  8   14  of the stepping motor, thereby turning the armature  816  of the motor by ninety degrees to an unlocked state accommodating passage of fence  812  as shown in FIG. 36 as cam plate  126  rotates. Shaft  808  can rest in the motor housing  810 , which is in turn mounted upon circuit board  139  or, alternatively, directly upon cam plate  126 . As shown in FIG. 34, drum  802  contains a false notch (shown on one side) designed to accommodate entry, but not passage of a short portion of fence  812 . This thwarts improper efforts to unlock the mechanism simply by application of rotational torque to the cylinder plug as, by insertion of the blade of a screw driver into keyway  118 . Counterclockwise rotation and removal of the key will trigger application of a charge held by a capacitor within circuit  130  that has been charged by battery  437 , to rotate locking drum  802  by one additional ninety degree step in the clockwise direction to block rotation of cam plate  126  relative to fence  812 . Alternatively, the motor may be fitted with a torsion spring (not shown) anchored to the drum  802  and motor body  810  to restore the drum to its original locked position. 
     As shown in FIG. 35B, a bitted lock cylinder  700  maybe incorporated into the cam assembly of FIGS. 34 and 35A, to provide an additional level of mechanical conformance required to gain entry to the container closed by the locking mechanism. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 37 through 41 collectively, a non-bitted cylinder plug  116  is mounted to a cam assembly extension  123  via shear pins  414  received within conforming apertures  415  in a cylinder plug. A solenoid  400  is mounted directly upon circuit board  139 , as an interval component of circuit  130 , and is received within cavity  405  of cam plate  126 ′. Lock housing  440 ′ has one wall perforated by an opening  441  conforming in size and shape to solenoid armature  404 . In the lock state therefore, spring  406  holds armature  404  within aperture  441 . Correct mechanical conformance and electronic conformance between the key inserted into keyway  118  and circuit  130  will enable application of an electrical current to solenoid  400  that will cause withdrawal of armature  404  from aperture  414 , thereby enabling cam plate to rotate clockwise (as shown in FIG. 40) under the torque applied by the key to keyway  118 , thus withdrawing shank  113  under the force of drive pin  434  applied to slot  606 , and thus withdrawing bolt  112 . Clockwise rotation of the key will restore alignment between armature  404  and aperture  441 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 42 through 45, an alternative embodiment is constructed with solenoid release assembly  400  mounted upon circuit board  139 , to protrude through slot  901  formed in cover is  128 . A lever  903  pivotally attached at a distal end to cam plate  126 ′ via a rotating pin  906 . Armature  404  is connected, at its distal end, via pin  904  to lever  903 . Pin  904  slides within a slot  908  extending nearly longitudinally along a distal portion of lever  903 . The distal end of lever  903  is terminated by a detent  902  conforming to aperture  441 . Accordingly, when spring  406  forces armature  404  to its fully extended position as shown in FIG. 44, lever  903  forces detent  902  fully within aperture  441 , thereby preventing rotation of cam plate  126 ′ relative to shank  113 . Consequently, efforts to apply a manual torque to via keyway  118  to cam plate  126 ′ will, absent electronic conformance of the circuit held by the key with circuit  130  mounted on cam plate  126 ′. will cause detent  902  to round the circumferential surface of aperture  441 , thus preventing rotation of cam plate  126 ′. Given electronic conformance between circuit held by the key and circuit  130  however electrical current running through solenoid  400  will retract armature  404  within solenoid  400  against spring  406 , thereby compressing spring  406  while withdrawing detent  902  from aperture  441 , thus enabling clockwise rotation of cam plate  126 ′ relative to shank  113  and housing  440 ′. This rotation causes drive pin  434  to engage the walls of slot  606  and force shank  113  along the walls of spacer  431 . Consequently, slots  608  slides along the circumferential walls of spacer  431 , thus withdrawing bolt  112  substantially into the interior of housing  440 ′. Cover  442  fits upon and maybe fasten with threaded fasteners to housing  440 ′. 
     It may be noted that this structure provides an indirect locking mechanism with detent  902 . Moreover, the radial displacement of detent  902  from the central axis of keyway  118  provides an enhanced advantage in the amount of torque required to mechanically defeat the lock. Additionally, the increased diameter of pin  906  pivotally coupling the distal end of lever  903  to the peripheral of cam plate  126 ′ further enhances a mechanical strength of locking mechanism. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 46 through 49, an alternative embodiment is constructed using a solenoid  400  mounted upon cam plate  126 . Solenoid  400  drives a locking plate  1006  reciprocally between a pair of radial extensions  1031  of circumferential wall  131 , against the force of compression spring  406 . Spring  406  is mounted between the cap  405  terminating one end of locking end  1006 , and the side of upper extension wall  1031 . Locking plate  1006  is partially perforated by blind false notch  806  positioned to axially aligned with an received the distal end of shaft  1007  of plunger  1002  when solenoid  400  is un energized and in its rest position as shown in FIG.  48 . When a mechanically conforming key is inserted into keyway  118  and the digital electronic signature borne by that key conforms to data stored within circuit  130 , solenoid  400  is energized to retract plate  1006  in a downward direction, as shown in FIG. 48, and unlocking slot  804  is axially aligned with the distal end of shaft  1007 , as shown in FIG.  49 . 
     Guide plate  1004  extends transversely between radial extension walls  103   1 , and is perforated by a through aperture accommodating entry in partial passage of the enlarged proximal end of shaft  1007 . Return spring  407  acts against plate  1004  to hold plunger  1002  within groove  413  formed in guide wall  602 . The distal doubled end surfaces  1003  of plunger  1002  conform with the shape of groove  413  to form an obtuse angle at its apex, thereby enabling application of manual torque to keyway  118  to force, through camming action between surfaces  1003  and the walls of groove  413  plunger  1002  to the left as shown in FIG.  48 . Consequently, absent electronic conformance between the digital electronic signature held by the key inserted in the keyway  118  and data stored within the memory of circuit  130 , the distal end of shaft  1007  will engage false notch  806 . This is frequently the situation when a person seeking unauthorized access to the container secured by the locking mechanism attempts to simultaneously jar solenoid  400  while overcoming the bias force created by spring force  406 . The much larger force created by return spring  407  however requires a substantial jarring motion applied to the container, with result that the plunger  1002  tends to mover suddenly and thereby overcome the bias force of return spring  407 , with result that the distal end of shaft  1007  engages false notch  806 . Electronic conformance between the signature held by the key and data stored within the memory of circuit  130  enables radially inward movement of shaft  1007  through aperture  804 , thereby enabling the manual torque to rotate cam plate  126  clockwise as shown in FIG.  49 . The apex of surfaces  1003  rides along the inner circumferential surface of guide wall  602 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 50 through 53, an alternative embodiment is shown constructed with an elliptical bolt drive lobe  1008  positioned between post  430  and cam plate  126 . This embodiment eliminates the need for a separate, discrete bolt drive pin  434 . Instead, the configuration shown relies upon camming action between surface  1011  of lobe  1013  to rotate through ninety degrees while engaging retract surface  1012  as manual torque is applied to a key that mechanically and electrically conforms to keyway  118  and circuit  130 , as the key is turned counterclockwise (looking at FIGS.  52  and  53 ). This enables the camming action between surfaces  1011 ,  1012  to draw shank  113  to the right (as shown in FIGS.  52  and  53 ), thereby withdrawing bolt  112  substantially within housing  440 . In an alternative configuration, the bitted plug  704  may be substituted for cylinder plug  116 , to add an additional element of access security. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 54 through 57 show yet another alternative embodiment constructed with a cam plate  126 ″ having a centrally positioned spacer  431  and pivot post  430  coaxially aligned with the keyway  118  of cylinder plug  116  mounted upon cover  128  via spacer  123 . Cam plate  126 ″ is equipped with a downwardly depending drive pin  434  radially offset from the central axis of keyway  118 . A notch  1113  is formed at an intersection of two sides of plate  126 ″ separated by spacer  431  from bolt  112 . Notch  1113  engages blocking plate  1107  mounted on the distal end of armature  404 . Solenoid  400  is mounted upon the floor of housing  440 , rather than upon cam plate  126 ″. A pair of electrical leads  1018  coupled to plug  1012  electrically engage a pair of jacks  1016  mounted upon circuit board  139 . Leads  1018  flex as cam plate  126 ″ rotates through an approximate forty five degree arc in response to manual torque applied by a key inserted into keyway  118  when the key mechanically and electronically conforms to keyway  118  and circuit  130 . 
     Mechanical conformance of the key to keyway  118  and electronic conformance of the lot electronic digital signature held by the key to digital data stored within circuit  1301  enables circuit  130  to apply an electrical current derived from the battery held by the key (or alternatively, by a battery mounted within circuit  130 ) to the winding of solenoid  400  via leads  10   18 , thereby retracting armature  404  and locking plate  1101 , and thus allowing counterclockwise rotation of cam plate  126 ″ under the force of the torque of the key. This causes drive pin  434  to force the walls of slot  606  to the right as shown in FIG. 54, thereby shifting shank  113  and bolt  112  to the right, thus withdrawing bolt  112  substantially within housing  440 . Cover  442  is secured to housing  446 . As shown in FIG. 57, plug  1020  may be easily removed from jacks  10   16  to enable and easy replacement of solenoid  400 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 58 through 65, an alternative embodiment of a cam assembly is illustrated with a cam plate  126 ′″ supporting the circuit board  139  containing an electronic circuit such as  130  (FIG.  11 B). Power and data electrical contact wiper  416  is centrally positioned across the longitudinal axis (which extends out of the plane of the paper) while ground contact wiper  418  is spaced regularly apart from contact wiper  416 . Shear pins  414  may connect a cylinder plug  116  with a centrally disposed boss  1218  formed within cam plate  126 ′″. An elliptical bolt drive lobe  1008  extends axially downwardly from the lower surface of cam plate  126 ′″, to support a much smaller pivot post  430  that is symmetrically positioned around the longitudinal axis F of keyway  118 . Elliptical lobe  1008  is situated within slot  1010  centrally formed within shank  113 . The central boss  1218  of cam plate  126 ″″ has a series of spaced-apart side walls  1210 ,  1212  and  1214  connected by an in wall  1215 , loosely accommodating a solenoid carriage  1200 , while allowing carriage  1200  to reciprocate radially relative to central axis F. A spring  1206  is compressed between end wall  1215  and the central inside portion of carriage  1200 , thereby holding nose  1208  of carriage  1200  outwardly protruding to engage an arch  1222  formed in a guide wall  1220  of housing cover  1240 . Carriage  1200  supports solenoid  1202  with oppositely extending coaxially positioned armatures  1204  which, when solenoid  1202  is de-energized, extend axially outwardly as shown in FIG. 60 in order to place the cam assembly in the locked position. Solenoid  1202  may be constructed with a single annular wound coil driving both armatures  1204  in opposite coaxial directions. Mechanical conformance of the key inserted into keyway  118  and electronic conformance of the digital signature held by the key with the memory of circuit  130  (not separately shown) mounted upon circuit board  139  will enable circuit  130  to apply an electrical current to the coil of solenoid  1202 , thereby retracting both armatures  1204  against compression spring  1216 . This enables the manual torque applied by the key to keyway  118  in a clockwise direction, to cam nose  1208  of carriage  1200  out of arch  1222  and thus accommodate clockwise rotation of cam plate  126 ... against the bias force of spring  1206 , as shown by FIG.  63 . While energized by circuit  130 , solenoid  1202  withdraws armatures  1204  by a sufficient distance to allow the distal ends of armatures  1204  to an axial length less the distance between opposite side walls  1212 . In a locked, unenergized state solenoid  1202  has armatures  1204  extending to coaxial length somewhat less than the separation between opposite side walls  1210 ; it is the energization of solenoid  1202  that retracts solenoid  1202  to an axial length less than least distance separating side walls  1212 . In one embodiment, each armature  1204  extended approximately 0.130 inches while solenoid  1202  was de-energized, but extended only 0.050 inches while solenoid  1202  was energized. Wire leads  1228  electrically coupled the coil of solenoid  1202  to circuit  130 . 
     It may be seen therefore, that counterclockwise rotation of the key placed within keyway  118  will enable nose  1208  of carriage  1200  to reciprocate regularly outwardly into arch  1222  prior to withdrawal of the key. 
     The electronic cam and its key may be employed as components of a system having a method of programming (i.e., in some instances a computer terminal), an optional key programming station, an electronic key, and the electronic cam. Generally, the foregoing paragraphs describe a lock that may be constructed with a housing bearing a hole centered upon a first axis, a bolt supported by the housing and moving transversely relative to the first axis to protrude beyond the housing to and extended position and to retract within the housing to a retracted position, a lock cylinder perforated by a keyway, having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within the hole, and rotating within the hole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the lock through an arc centered upon the first axis, a cam positioned to rotate with the lock cylinder as the key conformingly corresponding to the lock manually applies a rotational force to the lock cylinder rotates through the arc, a member eccentrically positioned relative to the axis, extending between the cain and the bolt to drive the bolt between the extended and the retracted positions as the lock cylinder through the arc, an electronic circuit containing a memory and a microprocessor, mounted upon and supported by the cam to rotate with the cam through the arc, the electronic circuit operationally responding to digital data carried by the key a conformingly corresponding to the lock when the microprocessor determines that the digital data conformingly corresponds to resident data stored within the memory, a release spaced-apart from the cylinder and eccentrically positioned away from the first axis, the release being functionally activated by the electronic circuit to move between a deployed position preventing rotation of the cam relative to the housing, and a released position accommodating the rotation of the cam relative to the using.