Patent ID: 8866066

Claim:
A lock system comprising: a lock that includes a lock module configured to control a lock mechanism, the lock module comprising: a first waveguide that includes a plurality of first optical paths; a source that is configured to transmit optical signals through the first optical paths of the first waveguide to a key, wherein the key comprises a key module that includes a second waveguide, and wherein the second waveguide includes a plurality of second optical paths; a detector configured to detect encoded optical signals returned from the key and transmitted through at least some of the plurality of second optical paths and at least some of the plurality of first optical paths; and a control module, wherein the control module is configured to read the encoded optical signals detected by the detector and to determine whether the key is valid, wherein the control module is also configured to actuate the lock mechanism when the key is determined to be valid; wherein at least some of the second optical paths each include a reflective element configured to return the optical signals back to the lock module and wherein at least some of the second optical paths are blocked such that optical signals in the blocked optical paths are not returned to the lock module.