Patent Publication Number: US-2021164264-A1

Title: Lock devices, systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/592,358, filed Jan. 30, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Providing door lock assemblies that provide locking and unlocking doors remains an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings relative to certain applications and needs. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. For example, present approaches to electromechanical lock position sensing, control and autohanding, suffer from a variety of drawbacks, limitations, disadvantages and problems. Errors associated with installation and programming of electromechanical locks can compromise lock function. Such errors may increase installation time and cost. They may also cause inaccurate indications of lock malfunction or defects resulting in unnecessary troubleshooting or product returns and exchanges. Installation and programming errors may occur in a number of manners including mistakes in physical assembly of lock components as well as mistakes in configuration and programming of electronic lock components. There is a need for the unique and inventive devices, systems, and methods of electromechanical lock position sensing, autohanding, and control disclosed herein. Present approaches to remote communication with and operation of electromechanical locks face a number of challenges and suffer from a number of limitations and problems. For example, electromechanical door locks often utilize a battery-based power supply. Security, cost, and convenience considerations dictate minimizing current drain and power consumption in order to increase battery life and reduce the uncertainty, expense and inconvenience imposed by dead battery events. The ever-growing presence of competing electromagnetic signals from portable phones, cell phones, wireless internet communications, and other sources further complicate efforts to provide remote operability for electromechanical locks. 
     Additional challenges arise out of the desire to provide remotely operable electromechanical locks that are compatible with preexisting networks and communication protocols and allow interoperation and communication with other devices and systems. Providing such functionality imposes power demands on lock communication and control circuitry that are by the driven by the standards and designs of the existing networks and protocols. Further challenges are presented where the existing network is dynamically configurable. Such networks may utilize techniques for changing, maintaining, organizing or optimizing network configuration which conflict with other design considerations such as power and current drain reduction or minimization, for example, a network control technique may rely upon transceivers being awake, or having a certain wake latency and network performance may suffer due to lack of response from a sleeping transceiver. These and other challenges have presented a need for the unique and inventive devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present invention is a unique door lock assembly. 
     Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for proving powered door bolts. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  depicts an embodiment of a door lock assembly. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts an embodiment of a door lock assembly. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a door lock assembly. 
         FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of a key cylinder and a driver. 
         FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a back side manipulator portion. 
         FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a back side manipulator portion. 
         FIGS. 6-9  show one example of movement of a back side manipulator portion. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an embodiment of a bolt and housing. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  depict views of a housing. 
         FIG. 12  depicts an embodiment of a lock cylinder. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  depict embodiments of a cam and housing in a left handed door and a right handed door. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  depict embodiments of a cam and housing in a left handed door and a right handed door. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  depicts embodiments of a cam and a housing. 
         FIGS. 16, 17, 18A, and 18B  depict an embodiment of a motor, transmission, and driver coupler useful within the back side manipulator portion 
         FIGS. 19-22  depict an embodiment of a motor, transmission, driver coupler, and worm gear that can be used within the back side manipulator portion. 
         FIG. 23-24  depict another embodiment of a motor and transmission. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates exemplary position sensing components of an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates an exemplary position sensing encoder of an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates additional exemplary position sensing components of an electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates an additional exemplary position sensing encoder of an electromechanical lock  FIG. 29  illustrates an exemplary block diagram of certain electronics of a remotely operable electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 30  illustrates an additional exemplary block diagram of certain electronics of a remotely operable electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a further exemplary circuit schematic for certain electronics of a remotely operable electromechanical lock. 
         FIG. 32  is flow diagram according to an exemplary autohanding process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , front and back side views are shown of a door  50  having a door lock assembly  52  useful to secure the door to a door jamb or other suitable fixed structure. The door  50  can be any variety of doors used in residential, business, etc. applications that can be used to close off passageways, rooms, access areas, etc. The door lock assembly  52  shown in the illustrated embodiments includes a bolt  54  that can move in to and out of the door jamb when securing the door  50 . The bolt can move from a retracted position to an extended position and can include a dead position in which, for example, the bolt resists being retracted when tampered through force applied to the bolt. The bolt can be moved based upon a force imparted through any one or a combination of a motor internal to the door lock assembly  52 , a key  56 , and a user device  58  depicted in the illustrated embodiment as a thumbturn. The figure also depicts the strike, strike reinforce, and fasteners useful in securing the strike and strike reinforce to the door jamb. Further features of the bolt and its actuation will be described further below. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the door lock assembly  52  which includes a front side keyed portion  60 , back side manipulator portion  62 , and bolt portion  64 . The front side keyed portion  60  of the illustrated embodiment includes a key cylinder (shown further below in  FIG. 3 ) having a keyhole used to receive a key  56  which can be used to manipulate the bolt  54  to secure the door  50 . The front side keyed portion  60  can alternatively and/or additionally include a numeric pad (shown in the illustrated embodiment) that can be used to engage a motor to drive the bolt  54  if provided an appropriate pass code. 
     The back side manipulator portion  62  of the illustrated embodiment includes a backer plate  66  that can be secured to the door  50  and structured to receive a powered module  68  also useful in manipulating the bolt  54 . The backer plate  66  can be affixed to the door  50  using any variety of techniques. In some embodiments the backer plate  66  may not be needed to affix the back side manipulator portion  62  to the door. The powered module  68  can include an energy source for the back side manipulator portion  62 , an appropriate motor for activating the bolt, associated electronic controls useful in activating the bolt, etc. which will be discussed in more detail further below. 
     The front side keyed portion  60  and the back side manipulator portion  62  can be in communication with each other using a variety of mechanisms. Though not depicted, in some embodiments a cabling can be used to connect the front side keyed portion  60  to the back side manipulator portion  62  such that drive signals useful to extend or retract the bolt can be transmitted. For example, in those embodiments having an electronic keypad, the cable can be used to provide power to the keypad from a battery device stored in the back side manipulator portion  62  and/or convey a signal, such as an actuation signal for the motor, from the front side to the back side. Other types of credentialing technologies can also be used in lieu of, or in addition to, the keypad such as but not limited to I button, Body Comm, Smart card, etc. Not all embodiments need include the cabling depicted. The cabling can include one or more conductors to convey power, data signals, etc. In addition, a driver (shown below in  FIG. 3 ) can be coupled with both the front side and back side to receive a force from any of the key  56 , the user device  58 , or the motor associated with the door lock assembly  52  to activate the bolt  54 . The driver can take a variety of forms, one embodiment of which is shown below in  FIG. 3 . 
     The bolt portion  64  of the illustrated embodiment includes a housing for enclosing the bolt  54  and can include a bolt driving mechanism (discussed further below in  FIG. 10 ) interposed between the bolt  54  and the driver such that when the driver imparts a force the bolt driving mechanism is moved which consequently imparts a motion to the bolt  54 . As will be appreciated given the discussion above, a force can be transmitted via the driver to the bolt driving mechanism of the bolt portion  64  whether through a turn of the key  56  or an actuation of one or more features of the back side manipulator portion  62 , or any combination thereof. Further details of the bolt portion  64  are also discussed further below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , one embodiment of a lock cylinder  70  is shown which can be used in the front side keyed portion  60 . The lock cylinder  70  can include any number of conditional features that when met permit the lock to actuate a driver  72  that, as discussed above, can be used to transmit a force to the bolt portion  64  via the bolt driving mechanism. Though the driver  72  is shown as an attached component of the lock cylinder  70  in the illustrated embodiment, not all embodiments need to include a similar construction. For example, in some forms the driver  72  can be attached to a portion of the back side manipulator portion  62  to be received with the lock cylinder  70  upon installation with a door  50 . No limitation of how the driver  72  is installed, coupled, fastened, etc. is intended herein. 
     The driver  72  can take a variety of shapes and configurations. In the illustrated embodiment the driver  72  is depicted as an elongate member having a rectangular cross section, but other embodiments can include different shapes than those depicted. The driver  72  can take the form of a tailpiece, drivebar, etc. In some embodiments the driver  72  can include a locating feature  74  which can be used with other aspects of the door lock assembly  52  to ensure a consistent orientation of the driver  72  during installation. The locating feature  74  can be a localized feature such as a bump, ridge, protrusion, depression, etc that is located in one area, along a periphery, etc of the driver  72 . For example, the locating feature  74  of the illustrated embodiment is located on a side near a distal end of the illustrated driver  72  and takes the form of a raised edge. The locating feature  74 , however, can be situated at any variety of locations other than that depicted in the illustrated embodiment. In many embodiments the locating feature  74  will require a corresponding device to which the driver  72  is attached to also have a similar arrangement such that the corresponding device is coupled with the driver  72  in only one way. The locating feature can be formed in the driver  72  using any number of techniques such as stamping, forging, crimping, bending, and snipping, to set forth just a few non-limiting examples. Further description of the locating feature  74  and how it is relates to other aspects of the door lock assembly  52  are described below in  FIGS. 10-15B . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of some of the components of the back side manipulator portion  62 . Shown in the figure are a baseplate  76 , power module  78 , motor  80 , transmission  82 , driver coupler  84 , one or more wiper contacts  86 , and a circuit board  88 . In the illustrated embodiment the baseplate  76  provides a chassis upon which the various components can be integrated prior to being installed on the door  50 . The power module  78  includes provisions to retain a supply of power, such as but not limited to batteries. In one embodiment the power module  78  is a holder that can be snapped into place with the baseplate  76  and that includes provisions to receive any number and types of batteries, such as but not limited to size AA batteries. Four AA size batteries are contemplated in one application. 
     The motor  80  receives power via a cable  90  directly from the power module  78 , but in other embodiments can be configured to receive power via the circuit board  88 . In one embodiment the motor  80  is a permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motor available from Johnson Electric, 10 Progress Drive, Shelton Conn., model NF243G, but the motor  80  can take a wide variety of other forms useful to convert power provided by the power module  78  to mechanical output that can be used to actuate the driver  72 . In one non-limiting embodiment the motor  80  can consume about 3 W of power, spin an output shaft at between 10,000 rpm and 15,000 rpm, and produce torque between about 4 and 30 mNm. The torque and high spin rate can be conveyed through the transmission  82  to the driver coupler  84  to produce adequate torque and rotation rate to actuate the bolt  54 . 
     The transmission  82  can include any number of gears, shafts, and other appropriate devices used to transmit power between the motor  80  and the driver coupler  84 . More or fewer devices than those depicted in the illustrated embodiment can be used in the transmission  82 . The transmission  82  can include a pinion gear  92  coupled to an output shaft of the motor  80  which forms the introduction of power to drive a main gear  98 . In some embodiments, like the one shown in  FIG. 4 , a face gear  94  is used and configured to receive torque from the pinion gear  92  which is transmitted via an intermediate gear set  96  to the main gear  98 . In some embodiments power, and resultant movement of the transmission, can be transmitted in both directions: from the motor  80  to the main gear  98 ; and from the main gear  98  to the motor  80 , made possible by the arrangement of the various gears as will be readily understood. In one form the pinion gear  92  takes the form of a bevel gear, but other gear configurations are also contemplated herein. 
     The driver coupler  84  includes a provision which permits it to be movingly connected with the driver  72  such that operation by one or more of the key  56 , user device  58 , or the motor  80  causes the driver  72  to change positions and actuate the bolt  54 . In one form the driver  72  is configured to extend into an opening of the driver coupler  84  and as a result in some embodiments the opening can have a similar contour as the driver  72 , including those embodiments having the locating feature  74 . On embodiment of the opening in the driver coupler  84  is shown as a center opening feature in the illustrated figure. 
     The wiper contacts  86  are discussed more fully below but in general are attached, at least one each, to the main gear  98  and the driver coupler  84 . The wiper contacts  86  interact with corresponding traces formed in the circuit board  88  and can be used to detect position of either or both the main gear  98  and driver coupler  84 . In some forms the circuit board  88  can be configured to process information regarding the state of the bolt  54 , such as whether extended or retracted, based upon position of the main gear  98  and driver coupler  84 . Further details of this aspect of the application are described further below. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an installed portion of the back side manipulator portion  62 , in particular an installed depiction of the motor  80 , pinion gear  92 , main gear  98 , and intermediate gears  96 . Of note in this depiction, one of the intermediate gears  96  shown in  FIG. 4  is mounted to the same shaft as another of the intermediate gears  96  and is thus hidden from view. During operation of the motor  80  in the illustrated embodiment, power flows through the pinion  92 , to the face gear  94 , to the hidden intermediate gear  96 , to the intermediate gear shown on the right of the figure, the intermediate gear shown in the center of the figure, and finally to the main gear  98 . 
     The main gear  98  can interact with the driver coupler  84  to place the driver  72  in an orientation to either extend or retract the bolt  54 . Of note in the illustrated embodiment, the driver coupler  84  includes a center opening  85  into which can be received the driver  72 . The center opening  85  can have a shape complementary to the driver  72  to receive the locating feature  74 , and in some embodiments the center opening  85  can be structured to receive an intermediate device, such as for example a bushing, that itself receives the driver  72 . Various embodiments of the center opening which is used to interact with the driver  72  are shown in  FIGS. 16, 19, and 20-22 . The various embodiments can have any of the variations contemplated herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , an operation is depicted in which the main gear  98  is used to move the driver coupler  84  between positions that correspond to a retracted bolt position and an extended bolt position. The main gear  98  of the illustrated embodiment includes a pocket  100  in which is received the driver coupler  84  and includes an abutment surface  102  and an abutment surface  104  which are both used at various stages of operation to interact with and urge movement of the driver coupler  84 . The pocket  100  can be configured to a variety of depths of the main gear  98 . Starting at  FIG. 6 , the driver coupler  84  is in a position that corresponds to a retracted bolt  54 , and the abutment surface  102  is set back from the driver coupler  84 . Though the illustrated embodiment depicts set back, not all embodiments need include such a space.  FIG. 7  corresponds to an activation of the motor  80  in which the main gear  98 , and corresponding abutment surface  102 , engage the driver coupler  84  to cause movement thereto. The arrow in the figure depicts the direction of movement.  FIG. 8  shows further motor  80  movement as the driver coupler  84  is moved to a position that corresponds to a bolt extended position. At this point, and as depicted in  FIG. 9 , the motor  80  reverses itself and returns the main gear, and corresponding abutment surface  102 , to its original starting position. Note that the motion depicted in  FIG. 9  of the main gear  98  as it is returned to its original starting position occurs without or with very little corresponding movement of the driver coupler  84 . Notice also that in the orientation shown in  FIG. 9  the abutment surface  104  is set back from the driver coupler  84 . Though the illustrated embodiment depicts set back, not all embodiments need include such a space. Furthermore, the set back associated with the abutment surface  104  and the set back associated with the abutment surface  102  need not be the same. 
     When the bolt is desired to be returned to a retracted position, the motor  80  can be used to drive the main gear  98 , and the abutment surface  104 , to engage the driver coupler  84  in the opposite direction Similar progression of events occur to place the driver coupler  84  in a position that corresponds to a retracted bolt position. When accomplished the motor  80  is reversed to return the main gear  98  to its original starting position. In this way the main gear has a wide range of motion that does not affect to a substantial degree movement of the driver coupler  84 . The type relative movement described above is sometimes referred to as lost motion given that the main gear  98  has a wide degree of motion that does not translate to the driver coupler  84 . Though the lost motion is shown relative to the main gear  98  and the driver coupler  84 , other mechanisms can be implemented in the door lock assembly  52  to provide for lost motion similar to that described above. In some embodiments,  FIG. 6  can correspond to an extended bolt position, while  FIG. 9  corresponds to a retracted bolt position. 
     Though the illustrated embodiment depicts a pocket  100 , not all embodiment need to have a similar construction. To set forth just one non-limiting example, some embodiments may include a non-circular main gear shaped as a crescent in which the driver coupler  84  is situated in the space unoccupied by the crescent. Other shapes and configurations are also contemplated to provide for a lost motion in a mechanism connected to the motor and moveable by the motor, and a mechanism connected to the driver  72  and moveable by the driver. 
     Some embodiments of the instant application also provide for the ability to operate the bolt  54  manually without aid of, or in spite of, the automatic features associate with driven operation by virtue of the motor  80 . For example, it may be desired to manually use a key, or the user device  58 , to operate the bolt  54  without aid of the motor  80 . Such operation may readily occur in many situations when the main gear  98  is placed in its position described above with regard to  FIGS. 7 and 9 . The lost motion provided by the relative orientations of the main gear  98  and the driver coupler  84  permit the driver coupler  84  to be moved by either key or user device between the retracted and extend bolt positions. It may also be necessary in some situations to operate the bolt  54  manually when the door lock assembly  52  is operating in a non-standard mode. Such a non-standard mode can correspond to an inability to drive the driver  72  through action of the motor  80 , such as can occur as a result of a failure of the motor  80 , a controller coupled with the motor  80 , an energy source used to drive the motor  80 , etc. Such an inability can also result from failure/degradation of a mechanical device interposed between the motor  80  and the driver  72 , such as a gear. The driver  72  can fail at any position between and including positions corresponding to bolt extended and bolt retracted orientations. 
     In one such non-standard mode the main gear  98  can be positioned at the bolt retracted position when a failure/degradation occurs such that the motor  80  is unable to further drive the driver coupler  84  through the main gear  98 . In this situation the main gear  98  is positioned outside of a range of motion of the driver coupler  84  making manual adjustment of the bolt position readily available. 
     In another non-standard mode the main gear  98  can be positioned at the bolt extended position when a failure/degradation occur such that the motor  80  is unable to further drive the driver coupler  84  through the main gear  98 . In this situation the main gear  98  is positioned outside of a range of motion of the driver coupler  84  making manual adjustment of the bolt position readily available. 
     In yet another non-standard mode the main gear  98  can be positioned between the bolt retracted position and bolt extended position when a failure/degradation occur such that the motor  80  is unable to further drive the driver coupler  84  through the main gear  98 . Such a situation could occur, for example, via failure of the powered module  68  or of the motor  80 . In this situation the main gear  98  can be positioned such that movement of the driver coupler  84  to complete a movement of the bolt  54  cannot be accomplished without corresponding movement of the main gear  98 . In those embodiments above in which the motor  80  is interconnected to the main gear  98  via appropriate backdriving arrangement, the driver coupler  84  can impart sufficient torque to overcome the failed motor and reverse the interconnected mechanisms from a relative driving configured to a relative driven configuration. Embodiments of such an arrangement were discussed above. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , one embodiment of the bolt portion  64  is disclosed which includes housing  106 , a cam  108  configured to be received in the housing  106 , and a spring  110  used to retain the cam  108  within the housing  106  and provide a force when the cam is displaced between a bolt retracted position and a bolt extended position. The housing  106  of the illustrated embodiment includes an inner bolt housing  112  and a cam housing  114  which are coupled together via a telescoping action shown by the pathway  116 . A guide pin associated with the inner bolt housing  112  can extend into the pathway  116  and allow for the rotation and translation of the housing  112  relative to the housing  114 . Such ability to have a telescoping feature allows the bolt portion  64  flexibility in use in various applications, including residential, commercial, etc that may have varying installation requirements. 
     The cam  108  is configured in the illustrated embodiment to be received in an opening  118  of the housing  106  prior to installation of the spring  110  to close off the bottom of the opening  118  in the housing  106 . The opening  118  depicted on the side of the housing  106  can have a semi-circular shape formed in its side and that near the bottom of the opening can include a passage narrower than a diameter of the semi-circular shape. More details regarding the opening  118  will be discussed further below. 
     The cam  108  includes an extension  120  that can be engaged with an aperture  122  associated with the bolt  54 , though other suitable structure of the bolt  54  can also be used to engage the extension  120  to the bolt. The cam  108  also includes an opening  124  into which is received the driver  72 . The cam  108  is rotated when the driver  72  is actuated by any of the key  56 , user device  58 , and the motor  80 . Though the cam  108  of the illustrated embodiment includes an opening to receive the driver  72 , some embodiments can include other suitable surfaces that can be engaged with the driver  72 . When the cam  108  is rotated within the housing the extension  120  subsequently reacts with the aperture  122  to extend or retract the bolt relative to the housing  106 . The cam  108  can include a bottom surface  126  that is non-circular relative to an axis of rotation of the cam  108  such that the cam  108  follows an elliptical path and urges against the spring  110  which provides an opposing force when the cam  108  is rotated. A top surface  130  of the cam  108  engages an interior top portion of the housing  106  during rotation to constrain movement. In one form the bottom surface  126  includes one or more flat surfaces that can be connected via a rounded corner, to set forth just one non-limiting example. 
     In one embodiment the cam  108  also includes one or more features  128  on one or more portions of the cam  108  which are used to interact with and determine the orientation of the cam when it is received within the housing  106 . The feature(s)  128  of the cam  108  are also arranged relative to the opening  124  to provide a unique combination of the two, a combination that also provides a certain arrangement of the opening  124  relative to the housing  106  by virtue of the arrangement of the cam  108  to the housing  106 . In some embodiments the features  128  can be found on one or both lateral sides of the cam  108 , as is depicted in the illustrated embodiment, but other locations are also contemplated herein. In some forms the features  128  are physical portions that are raised with respect to other portions of the cam  108 . In other additional and/or alternative embodiments the features take the form of various shapes and sizes that can cooperate with one or more portions of the housing  106  so to provide a consistent orientation of the cam  108 , and by extension the opening  124  of the cam  108 , relative to the housing  106 . Referring now to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , and with continuing reference to  FIG. 10 , side views are shown of one embodiment of the bolt portion  64  which depicts corresponding structure of the housing  106  that are used to interact with the feature(s)  128  of the cam  108 . In  FIG. 10  the corresponding structure of the housing  106  takes the form of opposing openings  118  which have been designated as  118   a  and  118   b  for ease of reference to distinguish one embodiment of the housing  106 . Though the openings  118   a  and  118   b  are used to interact with the feature(s)  128 , the corresponding structure in the housing  106  can take forms other than openings to ensure consistent orientation of the cam  108  during installation. 
     The openings  118   a  and  118   b  of the illustrated embodiment differ in certain respects from each other to assist in locating an appropriate orientation of the cam  108 . The opening  118   a  is shown as a semi-circular opening that includes a bottom portion narrower than a diameter of the semi-circle, and in particular is shown in the illustrated embodiment as 0.290 inches. The opening  118   b  is also shown as semi-circular but includes a bottom portion that is closer to a diameter of its associated semi-circular opening portion than the opening  118   b . The bottom of the opening  118   b  is shown in the illustrated embodiment as 0.360 inches. In certain embodiments the feature(s)  128  of the cam  108  permit a single installation orientation of the cam  108  to the housing  106 , and by extension only a single installation orientation of the opening  124  relative to the housing  106 . If another installation orientation of the cam  108  is attempted, the feature(s)  128  interfere with the housing  106 , and in some embodiments the openings  118   a  and  118   b , to prohibit such an installation orientation. In this way errors in the installation orientation of the cam  108  are mitigated. 
     The extension  120  of the cam  108  is shown as extending through the housing  106 . In this position of the extension  120  the orientation of the opening  124  is shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  as extending along a line that that is approximately 45 degrees. As the cam  108  is rotated such that the extension  120  is pointed toward the bolt  54 , the opening  124  will be rotated to the vertical position in the illustrated embodiment. As the cam  108  is rotated such that the extension  120  is pointed away from the bolt  54 , the opening will be rotated to a horizontal position, again in the illustrated embodiment. Were it not for one or more features of various embodiments described above, the relationship of the orientation of the opening  124  to the housing  106  may not be assured across all assembly operations of the bolt portion  64 . 
     The spring  110  is used to provide a force to urge the cam toward one or both of the extended positions or retracted positions. The spring  110  includes lips  132  that are used to engage the housing  106  to form a leaf spring against which the bottom surface  126  of the cam  108  is urged when the cam  108  is rotated by action of the driver  72 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , an embodiment of the lock cylinder  70  and driver  72  are shown. The driver  72  includes an embodiment of the locating feature  74  in the form of a raised dimple positioned toward a middle point near an end of the driver  72 . The lock cylinder  70  is also coupled with a plug  134  which can be used to retain the driver  72  with the lock cylinder  70 . The plug  134  can be coupled with the lock cylinder  70  using any variety of techniques such as through a press fit, coupled via screw threads, fastened using a rivet, nail, screw, etc. to set forth just a few examples. The plug  134  can include features (not shown) that ensure a consistent orientation of the plug  134  with the lock cylinder  70  from installation to installation. 
     The coupled assembly also includes a post  136  oriented to interfere with a movement of the driver  72 . In one form the post  136  prevents over-rotation of the driver  72  such that a horizontal position of the driver  72  always results in a certain configuration of the locating feature  74  relative to a housing of the lock cylinder  70  and/or the cam  108 . In the illustrated embodiment the interactive operation of the post  136  and driver  72  requires that driver  72  be rotated to place the locating feature  74  on the top of the driver  72  when the driver  72  is in the horizontal position. In other words, the post  136  is so situated as to prevent the locating feature  74  to be located on the bottom of the driver  72  when the driver  72  is in the horizontal position owing to the interfering nature of the post  136 . Other embodiments can permit the locating feature  74  to be placed in other locations while the driver  72  is in the horizontal position. The post  136  can take a variety of forms and be placed at a variety of locations. In one non-limiting embodiment the post  136  extends into a path of the driver  72 , or a structure coupled to the driver, to block motion of the driver  72 . Thus, in one form the post  136  permits the driver  72  from traversing approximately 180 degree rotation before the post  136  interferes with further movement of the driver  72 . In some applications the post  136  can be located internal to the plug  134 . The post  136  can take a variety of shapes and sizes and in some forms multiple posts  136  can be used. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , two depictions are shown of the cam  108  installed in a housing  106  and in a position in which the bolt  54  is in a retracted orientation.  FIG. 13A  depicts a left handed door, and  FIG. 13B  depicts a right handed door. Each of the orientations depict the driver  72  in a horizontal position with its locating feature  74  on top, and the extension  120  of the cam  108  pointed away from the bolt  54 . The locating feature  74  is received into an adequate opening in the cam  108 , such as the formation  138  shown in  FIG. 15 . The formation  138  can take any variety of shapes sufficient to accept various configurations of the locating feature  74 . The formation  138  can be complementary in shape and size, and in some embodiments can be other shapes and sizes sufficient to receive the locating feature  74 . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  depicts a position of the cam  108  installed in a housing  106  and in a position in which the bolt  54  is in an extended orientation.  FIG. 14A  depicts a left handed door, and  FIG. 14B  depicts a right handed door. Each of the orientations depict the driver  72  in a vertical position with its locating feature  74  toward the bolt  54 , and the extension  120  of the cam  108  also pointed toward the bolt  54 . 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  depict the cam  108  installed within the housing  106  prior to receipt of the driver  72 .  FIG. 15A  depicts the bolt  54  in the retracted position, and  FIG. 15B  depicts the bolt  54  in the extended position. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 16, 17, 18A, and 18B , another embodiment of a motor  80 , transmission  82 , and driver coupler  84  is depicted. The motor  80  is configured to drive a worm gear  140  which, when rotated, interacts with gear teeth of the main gear  98  causing the main gear  98  to turn. The embodiment disclosed in  FIGS. 16, 17, 18A , and  18 B can have a lost motion relationship between the main gear  98  and the driver coupler  84  similar to that disclosed above.  FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B  depict an exploded view and a working view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16 . The illustrated embodiment includes a spring  142  disposed between a relatively fixed structure  144  and the driver coupler  84  which urges the driver coupler  84  toward the main gear  98 . The spring  142  is depicted as a coil spring in the illustrated embodiment but can take on additional forms in various other embodiments sufficient to urge the driver coupler  84  toward the main gear  98 . In some forms the spring  142  could take the form of an elastomeric member, among potential others. 
     The driver coupler  84  is connected to move with the user device  58  (depicted as a thumb turn in the illustrated embodiment) such that when the spring urges the driver coupler  84  toward the main gear  98  the user device  58  is urged away from the main gear  98  thus creating a space or gap as shown in  FIG. 18B . If, during operation, the main gear  98  becomes stuck in a position that interferes with operation of the bolt  54 , the user device  58  can be depressed toward the main gear  98  to disengage the driver coupler  84  from the main gear  98  thus permitting movement of the driver coupler  84  and subsequent free movement of the bolt  54 . 
       FIGS. 19-22  depict another embodiment of motor  80 , transmission  82 , driver coupler  84 , and worm gear  140 . Another clutch is depicted in this embodiment which permits the driver coupler  84  to be disengaged from the motor  80 , transmission  82 , and/or main gear  98  upon failure of the system at a location where an override can be useful. The clutch operates by locating a cam  146  that can be connected to the driver coupler  84  in a space captured by cam followers  148 . The followers  148  are connected to move with the main gear  98  and are urged against the cam  146  through use of springs  150 . Though not depicted, this embodiment can include the lost motion capabilities described in various embodiments above. 
     When operated the cam followers  148  can be used to capture the cam  146  such that rotation of the main gear  98  causes rotation of the cam  146 . The cam  146  can be connected to the driver  72  and though the center aperture of the cam  146  is depicted as square, the center aperture can have any variety of other shapes and sizes, such as but not limited to those shapes and sizes suitable for receiving any of the various embodiments of the driver having the locating feature  74 . During non-standard operation, such as for example a failure of the motor  80 , the cam  146  can be actuated by a thumb turn or other suitable user device to override the cam followers  148  causing compression of the springs  150  and movement of the cam followers  148  as shown in  FIG. 22 . It is also possible in some modes of operation to rotate the cam  146  within the space between the cam followers  148  as shown in  FIG. 21 . 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  depict another embodiment of motor  80  and transmission  82 . Not shown is a driver coupler  84  but it will be understood that the main gear  98  can be configured according to any of the variations herein to incorporate the driver coupler  84  and/or cam. A centrifugal clutch  152  is included that permits the main gear  98  to be decoupled from the motor  80  so long as the motor is spinning at an insufficient speed to activate the centrifugal clutch  152 . Any variety of gearing arrangements can be provided in the transmission between the main gear  98  and the centrifugal clutch  152 , and between the centrifugal clutch  152  and the motor  80 , other than the arrangement depicted in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . Though not depicted, this embodiment can include the lost motion capabilities described in various embodiments above. 
     During operation the motor  80  can spin to sufficient speeds to activate the centrifugal clutch  152  and cause subsequent motion in the main gear  98  to move the driver coupler  84  and as a result the bolt  54 . If a failure or degraded performance occurs and the motor is unable to spin to sufficient speeds to activate the centrifugal clutch  152 , the driver  72  can be actuated using any of the key  56  and/or user device  58  to move the bolt  54 , which in the illustrated embodiment also results in movement of the main gear  98 . The main gear  98 , however, is decoupled from the motor  80  by virtue of the ineffective operation of the centrifugal clutch  152 , and is thus allowed to rotate with little impact from the failure and/or degradation. 
     Given the description above, various aspects of the application, either individually or in a variety of combinations, can be used to ensure consistent relative orientation of the driver  72 , cam  108 , housing  106 , driver coupler  84 , user device  58 , and lock cylinder  70 . The instant application discloses features at the respective interfaces of components such as the tail piece, bolt housing, and bolt cam that can be used with any or all of these such that the entire assembly is arranged consistently over all manufacturing and/or installation operations. Such features disclosed herein can be used to mistake-proof manufacturing and/or installation, an approach which is sometimes referred to as “poka-yoke”. 
     With reference to  FIG. 25  there are illustrated exemplary position sensing components  601  and  602  of an electromechanical lock. Components  601  include main gear  610 , cam  620 , and wiper contacts  605  and  606 . Main gear  610  and cam  620  may be of the type illustrated and described above and are rotatable relative to printed circuit board (“PCB”)  630  about a substantially common central axis. Wiper contacts  605  are coupled with cam  620  and rotatable therewith. Wiper contacts  606  are coupled with main gear  610  and rotatable therewith. Components  602  include PCB  630 , and conductive traces  631  provided on PCB  630 . It shall be appreciated that additional and alternate components may also be involved in position sensing in various embodiments. 
     Conductive traces  631  may be formed of various conductive materials using a number of techniques. In certain forms conductive traces  631  are gold or a gold alloy and can be provided using several different techniques. One exemplary technique is immersion gold plating which is a chemical deposition process for placing gold on PCB  630 . Another exemplary production technique is flash plating. A third exemplary production technique is electroplating. Certain exemplary embodiments use carbon ink to provide conductive traces  631 . A preferred carbon ink includes 21.7 percent phenolic resin, 18.5 percent epoxy resin modified, 15.8 percent carbitol acetate, 11.1 percent napbon, 30.6 percent carbon powder and 2.3 percent defoamer. Carbon ink may be applied to PCB  630  using jet printing or other techniques. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates components  601  and  602  in a separated configuration. When assembled in an electromechanical lock, conductive traces  631  are provided on the surface of PCB  630  facing main gear  610  and cam  620 . Wiper contacts  605  and  606  are coupled to main gear  610  and cam  620 , respectively, and are positioned facing PCB  630  and conductive traces  631 . In an assembled configuration, wiper contacts  605  and  606  may come into contact with various different conductive traces depending upon the rotational positioning of main gear  610  and cam  620  relative to PCB  630 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 26  there is illustrated an exemplary subset of conductive traces  631  which are utilized in position sensing in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. The view of  FIG. 26  is of the back side of conductive traces  631  which is the side that contacts the PCB as this view depicts left and right hand encoder features on the left and rights sides of  FIG. 26 , respectively, rather than the reverse. Conductive traces  640 - 649  and  650 - 653  may be provided on a PCB such as PCB  630  in electrical communication with electronics provided on the PCB. When wiper contacts  605  come into contact with two or more of conductive traces  640 - 648 , a closed circuit is provided therebetween. When wiper contacts  606  come into contact with two or more of conductive traces  650 - 653  a closed circuit is provided therebetween. The electronics provided on PCB  630  perform electrical interrogation or polling of conductive traces  640 - 648  and  650 - 653  to identify open and closed circuits conditions of the various circuits defined therebetween. The open and closed circuit information may in turn be utilized to determine the position of a locking mechanism such as a deadbolt to which cam  620  is drivingly coupled, whether the mechanism was last actuated mechanically or electronically, and to provide auto-handing functionality for set up and configuration of electromechanical locks among other functionalities. 
     The exemplary encoder  639  illustrated in  FIG. 26  comprises a subset of conductive traces  631  which can be utilized to provide a deadbolt position sensing mechanism for an electronic door locking mechanism, such as a deadbolt, which has the capability to be extended and retracted automatically by an electric motor integrated into the lock. The lock user also has the capability of utilizing an auto throw deadbolt feature both locally at the lock and remotely through internet connectivity as well as the option of manually extending and retracting the deadbolt from the inside of the door with a turn knob, and/or outside the door with a key. Exemplary systems may utilize encoder  639  to provide locked position sensing, unlocked position sensing, as well as autohanding of the lock upon installation. Such systems may utilize encoder  639  in connection with providing real time deadbolt position sensing and reporting capabilities, and reporting successful and unsuccessful deadbolt extension or retraction no matter the method used to change the state of the deadbolt (electronically or manually). Encoder  639  can also be utilized to determine whether the door lock was last actuated manually or electronically. 
     Locked position sensing may be performed using the subset of conductive traces  631  illustrated in  FIG. 26  which are operatively coupled to pins of a microcontroller. Conductive traces  642 ,  645  and  648  are connected to voltage supply pin Vdd. Conductive trace  644  is connected to input/output pin  101 . Conductive trace  641  is connected to input/output pin  103 . Conductive trace  647  is connected to input/output pin  102 . Conductive trace  646  is connected to interrupt pin Int 1 . Conductive trace  640  is connected to interrupt pin Int 2 . Conductive trace  643  is connected to interrupt pin Int 1 . Conductive trace  650  is connected to input pin IN 1 . Conductive trace  651  is connected to input/output pin  104 . Conductive trace  652  is connected to input pin IN 2 . Conductive trace  653  is connected to input/output pin  105 . Table 1 below lists the foregoing exemplary conductive traces and corresponding microcontroller pins for encoder  639 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Conductive Trace No. 
                 Microcontroller Pin 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 640 
                 Int2 
               
               
                 641 
                 IO3 
               
               
                 642 
                 Vdd 
               
               
                 643 
                 Int1 
               
               
                 644 
                 IO1 
               
               
                 645 
                 Vdd 
               
               
                 646 
                 Int3 
               
               
                 647 
                 IO2 
               
               
                 648 
                 Vdd 
               
               
                 650 
                 IN1 
               
               
                 651 
                 IO4 
               
               
                 652 
                 IN2 
               
               
                 653 
                 IO5 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In some exemplary embodiments, conductive traces  642 ,  645  and  648  are connected to Vdd, conductive traces  653  and  651  are connected to a selected input pin of a microcontroller (thus making  104  and  105  a common pin), conductive traces  643  and  646  are connected to a common interrupt pin interrupt of the microcontroller (thus making Int 1  and Int 2  a common pin), conductive trace  640  is connected to another interrupt pin of the microcontroller, and the remaining conductive traces are connected to selected input pins of a microcontroller. In other exemplary embodiments three separate output and interrupts pins are utilized for conductive trace. It shall be understood that the various inputs and outputs may be configured such that current is drawn and power consumed only when polling. 
     Zone  663  of encoder  639  designates a locked left position of a locking mechanism such as a deadbolt, and zone  668  of encoder  639  designates a locked right position of the locking mechanism. An interrupt routine is utilized in connection with zones  663  and  668  in sensing the locked position. When wiper contact  605  is in zone  663  or  668  a circuit is closed between Vdd and pin Int 1 , pin Int 1  is pulled high, and the microcontroller can determine that wiper contact  605  is in zone  663  or  668  and that the locking mechanism is in the locked position. 
     There are two sub-zones in the zones  663  or  668  which are distinguished by the microcontroller using conductive traces  644  and  647  which are connected to pins  101  and  102  respectively. Once the interrupt is triggered and Int 1  is shorted to Vdd, the microcontroller will start polling and looking for a state change from pin  101  or  102  called LOCKED_ZONE. If pin  101  or  102  is pulled high, the microcontroller will know that the wiper contact  605  is in zone  664  or  669  and that deadbolt is in the guaranteed &gt;X % extended region where X is a percentage extension defined as sufficient extension to be considered locked, though not necessarily 100 percent extended or dead locked. If pin  101  or  102  is pulled low, but the Int 1  pin is pulled high, the microcontroller can determine that the wiper contact  605  is in zone  665  or  670  and that the lock is in the greater than a Y % probability that deadbolt is in a fully extended zone where Y is a probability that this state has been achieved. 
     The microcontroller may keep polling pins  101  or  102  until the state on that pin has settled out for at least a predetermined time period. Alternatively, a wait and poll after motor movement stops functionality may be utilized. The microcontroller will then issue a command to communication circuitry (such as a Z-Wave or other transceiver described in further detail herein below) to update the lock status once the state on pin  101  or  102  is stable. None of the pins pin Int 1 ,  101 , and  102  are pulled low, the lock is considered to be in a transition or unknown state (assuming it is not in the unlocked state). While not mandatory in all embodiments, the interrupt pins are utilized to ensure the microcontroller can pick-up a state change when the deadbolt moves into a locked zone. In embodiments without interrupt pin functionality, for example where a generic input/output pin is used, continuous polling is utilized to determine whether an encoder state change has occurred. Unless the wiper contacts  605  is in a steady state for greater than 3 ms, a control routine could not guarantee that the interrupt would be caught by the microcontroller. If this had happened, the transition area on the PCB without any PCB wiper traces would appear the same as the area where the probability of the deadbolt being extended fully is &gt;Y %. This may be acceptable in certain embodiments, but not in others. 
     Conductive traces  643 / 646  and  645 / 648  may be provided as duplicate circuits wired in parallel for left and right handed locks, respectively. Only one set of circuits will be used depending on how the user mounts the lock on their door. In other forms separate circuits may be used. If the thumb turn is used to operate the lock, the user will get real time feedback of their locked status. If the motor is used to change the lock state, it will be possible to sense motor current and wait for the motor to reach a stall state. At this point, power will be removed from the motor and the lock will read the locked position in real time and report this back to the customer or to a security service provider. The motor will then be driven in the opposite direction to return the main gear to the home position. In embodiments which utilize a lost motion electromechanical system, such as those described herein, return to the home position can facilitate manual lock actuation while avoiding or minimizing back driving a gear train and/or motor. 
     Unlocked position sensing may be performed using encoder  639 . For unlocked position sensing, there is a need to differentiate between unlocked left and unlocked right. Due to tolerance stack-ups for the unlocked state there is a certain tolerance range. In certain embodiments the tolerance range was determined to be 30 degrees; i.e., the deadbolt cam should end up between 0 and 30 degrees from vertical for the deadbolt to be considered unlocked. The lock will report successful unlock anywhere in this range. It is possible that the deadbolt could still be partially extended into the door and the lock would report a successful unlock. However, this is unlikely because of the spring back action of the deadbolt. Use of a tapered deadbolt can further mitigate this possibility. Due to the taper, as the deadbolt retracts, the side load force from the door on the deadbolt is reduced. It shall be appreciated that the ranges disclosed herein are exemplary and that other embodiments may have unlocked regions that are defined by different ranges. 
     Schematically, the implementation of sensing the unlocked state is similar to that of the locked state. The lock needs to be able to differentiate  2  regions within an unlocked zone to know if the lock has driven the deadbolt far enough back into the door to report a successful unlock. If the lock is left handed, it will pass by the right handed unlocked zone  666  before reaching the correct left handed unlocked zone  669  and it will need to be able to tell the difference between these zones. An interrupt routine is utilized to accomplish this sensing. Conductive trace  640  is connected to pin Int 2 . Conductive trace  642  is connected to voltage supply Vdd. As conductive trace  640  is shorted to conductive trace  642  by wiper contacts  605 , the interrupt will edge trigger and change states. This will tell the lock that it is in the unlocked zone. 
     There are two distinct states in each of unlocked zones  666  and  667  that are differentiated using conductive trace  641 . After an interrupt is triggered through closed circuit between conductive traces  640  and  642 , the microcontroller may poll and look for a state change from pin  103 . In some forms a delay and then poll operation is utilized to ensure that a steady state has been achieved for the polling operation. In some forms the lock controller will wait until it detects a motor stall event, further wait an additional predetermined interval, and then poll the encoder to determine its position. If pin  103  is pulled high and pin Int 2  is pulled high, the microcontroller can determine that the deadbolt is in the unlocked right handed zone  666 . If pin  103  is pulled low and pin Int 2  is pulled high, the microcontroller can determine that the lock is in the unlocked left handed zone  667 . 
     The microcontroller will continue polling pin  103  once its state has been settled for at least a predetermined time. The microcontroller will then issue a command to communication circuitry (such as a Z-Wave or other transceiver described in further detail herein below) to update the lock status once the state of pin  103  is stable. For a left handed lock, the wiper contact must make it back to the left handed region for a successful unlock to be reported. For a right handed lock, the wiper contact must make it back to the right handed region for a successful unlock to be reported. If neither the interrupt pin nor the  103  pin on the microcontroller is pulled low, the lock is considered to be in a transition or unknown state (assuming it is not in the locked state). If the thumb turn is used to operate the lock, the user will get real time feedback of their locked status. If the motor is used to change the lock state, it will be possible to sense motor current and wait for the motor to reach a stall state. At this point, the rotor returns to the home position and a polling while moving operation is performed to detect a home position signal from zone  661  or  662 . Alternatively, in some forms, power will be removed from the motor and the lock will read the locked position in real time and report this back to the user. The motor will then be driven in the opposite direction to return the main gear to the home position. 
     Lock autohanding may be performed using encoder  639 . In order to accomplish autohanding, during lock initialization, the lock will look to see if the  103  pin is pulled high or low before the motor starts to turn. If the switch starts high and is pulled low, the lock is left handed. If the switch starts low and is pulled high as the lock locks the lock is right handed. This is just one of a number of ways to automatically determine lock handing. The above routine is suitable for some applications, however it is susceptible to the possibility that error may arise due to the ability of the lock to be unlocked but not in the proper unlocked right/left zone or the possibility that the lock incorrectly assumes it is starting from a fully open state. 
     An additional manner of determining lock handing involves sensing an initial position of a locking mechanism, controlling the motor to apply force to the locking mechanism in a first direction, monitoring the motor for a stall characteristic, such as a stall current magnitude, upon detection of the stall characteristic, sensing the stall position of a locking mechanism, and determining whether the electromechanical door lock is installed in the left hand configuration or the right hand configuration based upon the initial position and the stall position. If an unknown region is detected, the lock may reverse direction and repeat the process until a stall is detected in a known state. This algorithm accounts for the possibility that the autohanding operation may not commence with the lock in the fully closed position, and could commence with the lock in the fully open position or another position which presents the possibility of an incorrect handing determination. 
     Main gear position sensing may be performed using encoder  639 . As wiper contact  606  rotates with main gear  610 , it may travel into zones  661  and  662  and close a circuit that can be used to sense the home position for the main gear  610 . Depending on whether the lock is right handed or left handed, either traces  650  and  651 , or traces  652  and  653  will be utilized for home position sensing. The circuits of zones  661  and  662  will change state only when the main gear is actuated. In certain exemplary embodiments during an electrical lock or unlock event, a polling routine without interrupts may be utilized. A microcontroller pin  104  provides a periodic input voltage to conductive trace  651 . A microcontroller pin  105  provides an input voltage to conductive trace  653 . It shall be appreciated that pins  104  and  105  may comprise a single, common pin of a microcontroller. As the circuits of zones  661  and  662  will frequently be closed this is preferred to providing a constant voltage source Vdd that would continuously draw current. This is also unnecessary as the main gear typically does not move if not driven by the motor. 
     After the bolt reaches its new (locked or unlocked) position, polling is performed while the main gear is controlled to return to a home position. Pins  104  or  105  are periodically polled by a microcontroller during an electrical unlock. Conductive trace  650  is connected to pin IN 1  and conductive trace  652  is connected to pin IN 2 . Pins IN 1  and IN 2  will be pulled low until the wiper contacts  606  closes the circuit of zones  661  and  662 , respectively, and the microprocessor polls pin  104  or  105  respectively. At this point, the pin IN 1  or pin IN 2  will be pulled high and the microcontroller will know to remove power from the motor because the main gear  610  has returned to its home position. It shall be appreciated that the functionalities and connection of traces  650  and  651  could be reversed in some embodiments, as could those of traces  652  and  653 . It shall further be appreciated that a variety of alternate and additional trace configurations and pin connections can be used in other embodiments. 
     The main gear  610  will need to return to its home position after every lock and unlock cycle. This means a control routine provided in a computer readable memory associated with the microcontroller and executable by the microcontroller will have to first drive the deadbolt to the commanded state. Once a control routine receives confirmation that the deadbolt reaches the commanded state, for example by detecting a motor stall indication, a control routine will need to drive the main gear back in the opposite direction until it reaches its home position. Returning the main gear  610  to the home position avoids the possibility of the user back driving the motor when the deadbolt is operated using the thumb turn. It should also be appreciated that certain embodiments may utilize an autohanding control routine using this approach instead of the approach described above. 
     With reference to  FIG. 27  there are illustrated exemplary position sensing components  700  of an electromechanical lock. Components  700  include PCB  730 , conductive traces  731  provided on PCB  730 , and wiper contacts  750  and  760 . While not illustrated in  FIG. 27 , it shall be appreciated that wiper contacts  750  and  760  may be coupled with a cam and a main gear, respectively, and are rotatable therewith relative to conductive traces  731 . It shall be further appreciated that additional and alternate components may also be involved in position sensing in various embodiments. 
     With reference to  FIG. 28  there is illustrated an exemplary encoder  800  that may be utilized in connection with position sensing components such as those disclosed hereinabove. Encoder  800  may be utilized as an alternative to encoder  639  and may be configured relative to other position sensing components in a substantially similar manner as that illustrated in  FIG. 25 . The alternatives and modifications described in connection with encoder  700  may also apply to encoder  800  configurations and vice versa. 
     Encoder  800  includes conductive traces  801 - 814  which are in electrical communication with various input/output and interrupt pins of a microcontroller or other control circuitry. Exemplary connections are set forth in Table 2 below, though it shall be understood that a variety of additional or alternate relationship between conductive traces and controller pins may be utilized. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Conductive Trace No. 
                 Controller Pin 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 801 
                 VDD 
               
               
                 802 
                 GPIO RH6 
               
               
                 803 
                 GPIO RH7 
               
               
                 804 
                 GPIO RG0 
               
               
                 805 
                 GPIO RG3 
               
               
                 806 
                 Interrupt RB4 
               
               
                 807 
                 Interrupt RB5 
               
               
                 808 
                 Interrupt RB5 
               
               
                 809 
                 Interrupt RB5 
               
               
                 810 
                 Interrupt RB4 
               
               
                 811 
                 GPIO RA1 
               
               
                 812 
                 GND 
               
               
                 813 
                 GPIO RF7 
               
               
                 814 
                 GND 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Encoder  800  utilizes regions  821 - 829  for position sensing. Conductive traces  801 - 814  may come into contact with wiper contacts to define different circuits within regions  821 - 829 . The remaining conductive traces (not numbered) may be, but need not be connected to other electronics but are nevertheless preferably present to promote the wipers staying level when rotating, mitigate potential scraping, and maintain the wiper contacts at substantially the same degree of contact at various positions. 
     As a wiper contact rotates due to actuation of lock mechanism, it contacts different combinations of conductive traces  801 - 810  and provides a plurality of different open and closed circuits which encode lock mechanism position information. A wiper contact in region  821  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  801  and  803 . This closed circuit encodes an almost unlocked right state for locks with right handing and a fully unlocked left state for locks with left handing. 
     A wiper contact in region  822  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  804  and  809 . This closed circuit encodes an almost unlocked left position for locks with left handing and a fully unlocked position for locks with right handing. In this position a left handed lock it is not considered unlocked, while a right handed lock is considered unlocked 
     A wiper contact in region  823  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  801  and  808 . This closed circuit encodes a fully unlocked position for both locks with left handing and locks with right handing. 
     A wiper contact in region  824  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  801 ,  805  and  810 . This closed circuit encodes an almost locked position for locks with left handing. A wiper contact in region  825  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  801  and  810 . This closed circuit encodes the dead latched position for locks with left handing. 
     A wiper contact in region  826  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  801 ,  802  and  806 . This closed circuit encodes an almost locked position for locks with right handing. A wiper contact in region  827  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  801  and  806 . This closed circuit encodes the dead latched position for locks with right handing. 
     A wiper contact in region  828  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  811  and  812 . This closed circuit encodes the main gear home left position. A wiper contact in region  829  establishes a closed circuit between conductive traces  813  and  814 . This closed circuit encodes the main gear home right position. 
     In addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, it shall be appreciated that a number of additional and alternate arrangements and configurations of conductive traces may be utilized in various embodiments. For example, different numbers of conductive traces may be in electrical communication with microcontroller pins, the conductive traces may span different geometric ranges, provide different numbers of potential circuit connections, provide differently defined position regions, and/or be associated with different defined positions. 
     With reference to  FIG. 32  there is illustrated a flow diagram according to an exemplary autohanding process  400 . In process  400 , autohanding is performed using encoder  800  and a lost motion electronic-plus-manual actuation configuration such as the examples described herein. Process  400  is operable without assuming a known starting position, for example, where a microcontroller has not determined and may not be able to determine whether the lock is in a locked, unlocked, undefined or intermediate state. Process  400  starts at operation  401  where the lock powers up and queries encoder  800  to determine its state. Three possible state determinations may be made: locked, unlocked and unknown. 
     Block  402  indicates that a position signal in locked region  824  has been detected. If this is the case, process  400  proceeds to operation  414  where the lock is determined to have left handing since only a left handed lock may be positioned in this region. Block  403  indicates that a position signal in locked region  826  has been detected. If this is the case, process  400  proceeds to operation  412  where the lock is determined to have right handing since only a right handed lock may assume this position. It shall be appreciated that regions  825  and  827  may additionally or alternatively be used to make handing determination as they are also exclusive to left and right hand configurations, respectively. Limiting the determination process to regions  824  and  826  or other less than dead latched regions provides the additional ability to distinguish motor stall associated with dead latched positioning from true handing determinations. 
     Block  404  indicates that a position signal in any of unlocked regions  821 - 823  has been detected or that no signal has been detected indicating a position in an undefined position. In either case, process  400  proceeds to operation  440  where the locking mechanism is electrically actuated while polling for a signal indicating position in either region  824  or  826 . Actuation continues until a signal indicating that locking mechanism is in one of regions  824  and  826  is detected or a motor stall indication is sensed. 
     Block  422  indicates that a position signal in locked region  824  was detected and the lock is determined to have left handing since only a left handed lock could assume this position. Block  423  indicates that a position signal in locked region  826  was detected and the lock is determined to have right handing since only a right handed lock could assume this position. Block  424  indicates that a motor stall was sensed without a signal from either region  824  or  826  being detected. In this case the locking mechanism may be rotated in the opposite direction and the polling process repeated. Alternatively, after one or more stall event(s), an error state may be determined and an error signal may be provided to the user. 
     If the position state is undefined the locking mechanism may need to be actuated several times to determine handing. Thus, if there is an undefined initial state, the lock may defer making an error state determination until two or more motor stalls are sensed. The number of reverse and repeat polling attempts may also be defined to be greater than one regardless of the initial state determination. It shall be appreciated that this is preferred for at least the undefined initial position since there are multiple potential explanations for a motor stall being sensed without a signal from either region  824  or  826  being detected, and reverse and repeat polling functionality may reduce uncertainty as to the state causing motor stall and enhance autohanding performance. Additionally, it may be preferable to run process  400  this while the bolt is unobstructed, for example, with the door open, to ensure that any stalls are caused by end of travel and not other issues. 
     With reference to  FIG. 29  there is illustrated exemplary circuitry  900  for a remotely operable electromechanical lock. Circuitry  900  includes power supply  901 , transceiver  902 , receiver  903 , position sensing and motor control circuitry  904 , user input circuitry  905 , and controller  906 . Power supply  901  is preferably a battery-based power supply and is coupled with and supplies electrical power to the other components of circuitry  900 . Controller  906  is in communication with the other components of circuitry  900  and is operable to send and receive information and control signals therewith. 
     Transceiver  902  is operable to send and receive radio frequency signals on a specified channel in accordance with a specified communication protocol. In one exemplary form, transceiver  902  is configured according to the Z-Wave wireless communication standard which operates at about 908 MHz and is operable to send and receive Z-Wave compatible transmissions. It shall be appreciated, however, that additional and alternate communication channels and protocols may also be utilized. 
     Transceiver  902  is in operative communication with controller  906  and is controllable thereby. Controller  906  is operable to receive information demodulated by transceiver  902  and to provide information to transceiver  902  for modulation and transmission. Decoding of received, demodulated information and encoding of information to be modulated and transmitted may be performed by any of transceiver  902 , controller  906 , additional or alternate circuitry, or combinations thereof. Controller  906  is further operable to command transceiver  902  to enter sleep and wake modes. In wake mode, transceiver  902  is turned on and is operable to send and receive radio signals in accordance with a specified protocol. In sleep mode, transceiver  902  is substantially turned off, and draws reduced current and consumes less power from power supply  901  relative to wake mode. Preferably transceiver  902  draws substantially no current in sleep mode, for example, only current needed to facilitate and allow signal detection and transition to a wake mode, though in some embodiments some additional current draw associated with other functionalities may occur in sleep mode. 
     Receiver  903  is operable to receive the same radio frequency signals on the same specified channel utilized by transceiver  902 . In some forms receiver  903  is operable to receive and demodulate signals in accordance with the same specified communication protocol utilized by transceiver  902 . Receiver  903  is in operative communication with controller  906  and is controllable thereby. Receiver  903  is controlled by controller  906  to poll the specified channel for radio transmissions including one or more specified characteristics. Upon detection of a signal including the one or more specified characteristics, receiver  903  is operable to send a wake up request to controller  906 . In some exemplary embodiments, specified characteristic is a received signal strength indication (RSSI) that is provided to the controller  906  or other processing circuitry for comparison with a threshold. In some embodiments the RSSI is compared to a threshold by receiver  903  or by receiver  903  in combination with other circuitry. Controller  906  is operable to receive and process the wake up request and send a wake command to transceiver  902 . Upon receipt of a wake up request, transceiver  902  wakes and is operable to send and receive radio signals in accordance with a specified protocol. 
     Receiver  903  is configured to draw lower current and consume less power during polling operation than would be drawn or consumed if transceiver  902  were utilized to perform a polling operation. Controller  906  may also control receiver  903  to suspend its polling or enter a standby mode when transceiver  902  is awake in order to further mitigate current drain and power consumption. Additionally, controller  906  may itself enter a reduced power mode or sleep mode which provides reduced current drain and power consumption relative to full operation while maintaining the ability to control receiver  903  to periodically poll for a signal, and receive a wake up request from receiver  903  or other system components. 
     Receiver  903  may be provided with a number of signal identification functionalities. In some forms receiver  903  is operable to evaluate RSSI information and to send a wake request to controller  906  based upon an evaluation of the RSSI relative to one or more specified criteria, for example, evaluating signal strength on a specified channel to determine when a remote device or system is attempting to communicate with controller  906 . In additional forms, receiver  903  is operable to evaluate information encoded by a received signal. The encoded information may include, for example, a transmission type identifier, a device ID, a key or credential, other types of identifying information, or combinations thereof. In certain forms the receiver is operable to detect a Z-Wave preamble and has the capacity to distinguish between a true Z-Wave signal and other signals that may be present in the Z-Wave communication band based upon detection of a Z-Wave preamble. This functionality may reduce the number of false wake up requests generated by the receiver  903 . 
     In some forms receiver  903  is operable to detect a Z-Wave device ID and evaluate whether the Z-Wave communication is meant for controller  906  or another Z-Wave device. This may also mitigate the false wake up requests by receiver  903  due to other Z-Wave devices communicating on the same channel or network. In some forms receiver  903  is operable to receive a beam from one or more nodes of a dynamically configurable wireless network. Z-Wave networks are one example of a dynamically configurable wireless network. Z-Wave networks are mesh networks wherein each node or device on the network is operable to send and receive signals including control commands. When one device in a Z-Wave network wants to communicate with another, it transmits a signal though a network pathway that may include a plurality of nodes through which the signal is relayed to its intended recipient node. Utilization of intermediate nodes facilitates transmission of signals around transmission obstacles such as interfering structures or devices and radio dead spots. A master controller node may be used to dynamically control or optimize the transmission pathway to be utilized by other nodes to communicate with one another. The master controller may send a beam and receive a response and use this information to evaluate or optimize various network transmission pathways. A Z-Wave beam is a periodically transmitted sequence of bits that repeat for a predetermined duration. Certain bits in the repeating sequence includes a preamble to identify the transmission type as a Z-Wave transmission. Additional bits and an additional component that identifies node ID of the intended recipient may also be present in some forms. It shall be appreciated that additional information may, but need not be, included in a beam-type transmission. 
     In some exemplary embodiments transceiver  907  may be configured as a master controller node and receiver  903  may be configured as a transceiver. In such embodiments, communication to circuitry  900  may be initiated by transceiver  907  sending a beam that includes a device ID associated with circuitry  900  through a pathway of the dynamic network. Receiver  903  may then receive this transmission, identify it as a Z-Wave transmission, and identify that it is the intended recipient, initiate a wake up of transceiver  902  to receive a subsequent transmission, and transmit a response to transceiver  907  through a predetermined pathway indicating that the beam was received. The response may be provided to the master controller associated with transceiver  907  and used in connection with control, organization and optimization of the dynamic network. 
     In certain other embodiments, such as those where receiver  903  does not include transmission capability, the node ID associated with circuitry  900  may be utilized to further identify transceiver  907  as a potential sleeper, such as a FLiRS (frequently listening routing servant) node. Alternatively a separate potential sleeper identifier may be used. The potential sleeper identifier may be utilized by the master controller in controlling beam transmission and network configuration, operation and optimization. For example, the master controller may increase the duration of the beam or a subsequent transmission to account for the delay between the receipt of a beam by receiver  903  and the waking and transmission of a confirmation signal by transceiver  902 . Additionally or alternatively the master controller or another node attempting to send a post-beam transmission may delay or otherwise change the timings of the transmission or may repeat or resend the transmission to account for wakeup delay. Additionally or alternatively, the master controller may account for potential delay by adjusting the time period or deadline within which it expects to receive the confirmation signal for transmissions of a beam or post-beam transmission to a potential sleeper node, and/or adjusting its control, configuration operation and optimization routines to account for the fact that it may not receive a response signal when expected. The master controller may also account for potential delay by sending duplicate transmission to account for the possibility that a sleeper node may be sleeping. 
     It shall be appreciated that decoding, processing and other functionalities disclosed herein may be performed by receiver  903 , controller  906 , additional or alternate circuitry, or combinations thereof. Additionally, it shall be appreciated that in some forms receiver  903  may be a transceiver also having the capability to transmit radio frequency signals on the specified channel and in accordance with the specified communication protocol utilized by transceiver  902 . In some embodiments this transceiver may be operable to transmit a signal in response to a specified transmission in order to avoid the sending device from mistakenly concluding that its intended recipient is not operational. In some forms the response may include a request for retransmission of the same information so that it can be received by transceiver  902 . Such functionalities may be used in connection with dynamic networks such as dynamically configurable networks whose operation and optimization depends upon receipt of responses and may be time sensitive. 
     Position sensing and motor control circuitry  904  is operable to sense the position of an electromechanical locking mechanism and to control a motor to actuate the locking mechanism. Circuitry  904  may include mechanical and electrical features described herein. Circuitry  904  is in operative communication with controller  906  and is operable to send information thereto and receive information therefrom. 
     User input circuitry  905  is operable to receive credentials input by a user, for example, from a keypad, touchpad, swipe card, proximity card, key FOB, RFID device, biometric sensor or other devices configured to provide an access credential that can be evaluated to determine whether or not to actuate a locking mechanism to provide or deny access to a user. Circuitry  905  is in operative communication with controller  906  and is operable to send information thereto and receive control signals and other information therefrom. 
       FIG. 29  further illustrates a remote transceiver  907  which is operable to transmit and receive information on the same specified channel and using the same specified communications protocol as transceiver  902  and receiver  903 . Remote transceiver  907  is in operative communication with server  911  which is operable to send control signals and other information thereto and receive information therefrom. Server  911  is connected to and provides communication with network  908  which may include a local area network, wide area network, the internet, other communication networks, or combinations thereof. Remote transceiver  907  is operable to communicate with at least transceiver  902  and receiver  903 , and may also communicate with one or more additional networked devices  909  which may themselves communicate with transceiver  902  or receiver  903 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments communication between transceiver  902 , transceiver  903 , transceiver  907 , and/or networked devices  909  may occur over a dynamically configurable wireless network. Certain exemplary embodiments enhance performance and compatibility of sleep/wake transceiver systems and dynamically configurable wireless networks by providing configuring transceiver  902  to receive a first signal transmitted by a control node of a dynamic wireless network, such as transceiver  907 . The first signal may include an intended recipient ID. Transceiver  902  may be operable to demodulate the first signal and provide the intended recipient ID to controller  906 . Controller  906  may be operable to evaluate the intended recipient ID and selectably control transceiver  902  to transmit an acknowledgment signal based upon this evaluation. This acknowledgement signal can be received by transceiver  907  and provided to server  911  for use in controlling, maintaining or optimizing a dynamic wireless network such as a dynamically configurable wireless network. The acknowledgment signal sent by transceiver  902  upon receipt of a signal from a control node may include an information retransmission request. The retransmission request may be received by transceiver  907  and provided to server  911  for use in providing information to transceiver  903 . In some forms the retransmission request may be a request to transmit substantially the same information to transceiver  903  as was transmitted to transceiver  902 . In some forms the retransmission request may be a request to transmit additional or different information to transceiver  903  than was transmitted to transceiver  902 . 
     Transceiver  903  may be configured to wake up in response to a wake up command from the controller which may be triggered by a wake up request sent to controller  906  from transceiver  902 . In some forms the transmission of the intended recipient ID may serve as a wake up request. In other forms other signals may be used. Once awake, transceiver  903  may receive a second radio signal from the control node of the dynamic wireless network. The second signal may include door lock access information. Transceiver  903  may be operable to demodulate the second signal and provide the door lock access information to controller  906  which can evaluate the door lock access information and command actuation of a locking mechanism such as those described herein based upon the evaluation. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the second signal may include door lock query information that may be demodulated by transceiver  903 , provided to controller  906  and used to sense information of a locking mechanism position. Controller  906  may be further operable to control transceiver  903  to transmit this locking mechanism position information which can be received by other nodes of the network, such as transceiver  907 , and provided to server  911  or other designated destinations. A number of types of information of a locking mechanism position may be sensed including the position of the locking mechanism such as a deadbolt in accordance with the position sensing devices and techniques disclosed herein. Additionally, some embodiments may determine whether a locking mechanism was last actuated manually or automatically. 
     Some exemplary dynamic network embodiments may include further features which will now be described. The signal received by transceiver  902  and the signal received by transceiver  903  may be transmitted on the same channel such as on the same frequency or band, may conform to the same transmission protocol, may include substantially the same information, may differ in their informational content only with respect to information pertaining to transmission time or transmission ID, and/or the two signals may be substantially identical. Either or both signals may include door lock access information, intended recipient information and/or other information. Either or both signals may be encrypted and encoded in various manners. 
     Some exemplary dynamic network embodiments may include additional features. Transceivers  902  and  903  may share a common antenna or may utilize separate antennas. Transceiver  902  and controller  906  may be operable to first evaluate the strength of a radio signal relative to a first criterion, such as a received signal strength indication, and second evaluate the intended recipient ID based upon said the first evaluation. Controller  906  may control transceiver  902  to periodically poll for a first signal while transceiver  903  is asleep, and control transceiver  903  to periodically poll for a signal when awake. Transceiver  902  may draws less current when periodically polling than transceiver  903  when periodically polling. Controller  906  may be operable to sense locking mechanism position information and control a locking mechanism in accordance with one or more of the techniques disclosed herein or alternate or additional techniques. 
     With reference to  FIG. 30 , there is illustrated exemplary circuitry  912  for a remotely operable electromechanical lock. Circuitry  912  includes power supply  910 , Z-Wave transceiver  920 , FOB transceiver  930 , user input circuitry  950 , microcontroller  960 , position sensing circuitry  970 , and motor control circuitry  980 . Power supply  910  is a battery-based power supply and is operably connected to the other components of circuitry  912  to provide power thereto. Z-Wave transceiver  920  is connected to blocks  961 ,  962  and  963  of microcontroller  960 . Block  961  is a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter input. Block  962  is a serial peripheral interface input. Block  963  is a multi-channel Z-Wave input/output block. Block  962  is also connected to EEPROM  931  and Z-Wave programming connector  932 . Block  963  is also connected to Z-Wave programming connector  932 . Chip select and reset signals may be connected to programming connector  932  and may be used if the main microcontroller needs to reprogram Z-Wave transceiver  920 . 
     FOB transceiver  930  is connected to block  964  of microcontroller  960  which may include a number of pins that form an SPI interface, for example, data in, data out and clock. A chip select line may also be used to select the chip on the device that a main controller will communicate with, for example, the accelerometer or the flash. Each device may share the SPI interface or may have a separate chip select line. Block  964  is a serial peripheral interface bus input. FOB transceiver  930  is also connected to shock vibration sensor  933 , which is in turn connected to inputs  966  and  967  of microcontroller  960 . Block  966  is an accelerometer interrupt input. Block  967  is an accelerometer power supply. The shock vibration sensor  933  includes an accelerometer and is used to detect impacts of vibrations that may be associated with inappropriate activity on the door. These may include, for example, tampering or attempted forced entry. 
     FOB transceiver  930  is also connected to block  969  of microcontroller  960  which includes an FOB transceiver input/output. Motor control circuitry  980  is connected to block  984  of microcontroller  960  which is a motor control input/output. Motor control circuitry  980  includes a motor controller  976  and motor connector  980 . Flash memory  934  is connected to flash power  965  EEPROM input/output  968 , shock vibration sensor  933 , and transceiver  930 . Motor control circuit may be used to drive an auto-throwable deadbolt or other door locking mechanism. Additionally the microcontroller  960  is operable to monitor the current drawn by the motor drive circuit to determine when a stall condition of the motor exists. 
     Microcontroller block  981  is an LED control input/output that is operatively connected to LEDs  935 . Microcontroller block  982  is an alarm control input/output that is operatively connected to alarm control  936  which is in turn operatively connected to and is operable to control alarm  991 . Block  983  of microcontroller  960  is a tamper push button input/output which is operatively connected to tamper push button  937  that is configured or positioned internal to the electromechanical door lock and operable to indicate when tampering is occurring. Block  989  of microcontroller  960  is a programming input/output and is operably connected to programming connector  975 . Programming connector  975  is operable to interface with an external user block to program microcontroller  960 . Block  988  of microcontroller  960  is an external sensor input/output and is operably connected to circuitry  970 . Circuitry  970  includes motor and gear home position sensors  972 , thumbturn and cam position sensors  971  and wiper contact switches  973  which may be provided in one or more of the encoder configurations described hereinabove or other encoder configurations. 
     Microcontroller block  986  is a battery voltage input and is connected to analog to digital converter  987  within microcontroller  978  and externally to battery voltage monitoring circuit  974 . Battery monitor circuit  974  is used to measure the battery level and indicate to the user when battery is in need of replacement. The circuit is actuated by taking a signal check battery high which turns on an N-channel FET. The N-channel FET then pulls the gate of a P channel FET low allowing current to flow through a voltage divider circuit where the battery value line is input to an analog to digital converter. This saves the current consumption of the voltage divider when the battery voltage is not being measured. This operation may take place periodically, for example, about once every day. 
     Microcontroller block  985  is a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter input/output and is operably connected to through-door connector  958 . Through-door connector  958  includes a positive battery line, a positive regulated 3V line, a ground line, a UART-TX line, and a UART-RX line. Through-door connector is operably coupled to microprocessor  956 . Microprocessor  956  is connected to LEDs  951 ,  952  and  953  as well as to user inputs  954  and  955 . In some exemplary embodiments, user input  954  is a 10-target keypad array and user input  955  is a push button input. It is also contemplated that additional and alternate user inputs such as those described herein may be utilized. 
     With reference to  FIG. 31  there is illustrated exemplary circuitry  800  for a remotely operable electromechanical lock. Circuitry  800  includes Z-Wave antenna circuitry  880  which is configured to receive signals on a frequency and channel of a Z-Wave transmission. Z-Wave antenna circuitry  880  is operatively connected to switch  870  which may be used for antenna tuning and may be bypassed with a capacitor or resistor for production. Switch  870  is operatively connected to SAW band pass filter  860  which is operatively connected to switch  850 . Switch  850  is operable to connect and disconnect Z-Wave antenna, Z-Wave chipset  820 , FOB transceiver  830  and other components associated with circuitry  800 . An impedance matching network is also provided between antenna  880  and switch  850 . Z-Wave chipset  820  and FOB transceiver  830  are both implemented as discrete layouts in the illustrated embodiment however it should be understood that module based implementations are also contemplated. 
     Circuitry  800  is operable to reduce power consumption in current drain by an electromechanical door lock. Z-Wave chipset  820  is capable of operating to poll for a Z-Wave signal. For example, Z-Wave chipset  820  may wake every second and check for a Z-Wave signal. In doing so, Z-Wave chipset  820  will draw about 26 mA while polling. FOB transceiver  830  is a transceiver integrated circuit which is also operable to poll for a Z-Wave signal. In contrast to Z-Wave chipset  820 , FOB transceiver  830  draws about 3 mA when polling. A microcontroller connected to FOB transceiver  830  and Z-Wave chipset  820  is operable to use their contrasting characteristics to save power and reduce current drain. According to one exemplary method, the microcontroller places Z-Wave chipset  820  in the sleep mode where it consumes reduced power, and controls FOB transceiver  830  to periodically poll for a Z-Wave signal. In one form, FOB transceiver  830  is controlled to poll for a signal on a 908 MHz channel about one time per second. After each polling FOB transceiver  830  sends an RSSI value to the microcontroller. The microcontroller analyzes the RSSI value as follows. If the RSSI value is below a predetermined threshold nothing happens. If the RSSI value is above a predetermined threshold the microcontroller wakes up the Z-Wave chipset  820 . After being awakened the Z-Wave chipset  820  checks for a Z-Wave communication. If there is no Z-Wave communication, the Z-Wave controller will go back to sleep in about 4 mS. If a Z-Wave communication was detected, the Z-Wave chipset will check the node ID. If the node ID is for a different device the Z-Wave chipset will go back to sleep. If the node ID equals the node ID of Z-Wave chipset  820 , controller it will stay awake to receive packets. 
     Z-Wave transceiver  920  and FOB transceiver  830  are configured to detect a Z-Wave signal on the same communication channel at the same frequency. In various forms FOB transceiver  830  may have the capability of itself detecting and evaluating a Z-Wave preamble, node ID, and or other information encoded on a Z-Wave beam alone or in connection with a microcontroller or other circuitry. This may further reduce the number of false wakeup events where a Z-Wave signal is received but is not intended for a Z-Wave chipset  820 . 
     As used herein, relative terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “side”, etc. are used for ease of descriptive convenience only and are not meant to imply any type of limitation. For example, if an aspect of the application is disclosed as located on the “top” of a component, the location of that particular aspect can also be positioned elsewhere including the “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “side”, etc. unless indicated explicitly to the contrary. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.