Patent ID: 8122746

Claim:
A plug, comprising: a first terminal portion; a second terminal portion separated by an axial length of said plug from said first terminal portion, said second terminal portion disposed to support a cam, said plug being perforated by a plurality of radially oriented apertures forming an array; an exterior surface extending between and engaging said first terminal portion and said second terminal portion; a sidebar positioned between said first terminal portion and said second terminal portion to reciprocate between a first location with said sidebar simultaneously engaging said plug and a cylinder surrounding said plug, and a second location releasing said plug for movement between the cylinder and said plug; at least one locking mechanism disposed within at least one of said apertures to move relative to said plug in response to a key engaging said first terminal portion to accommodate reciprocation of said sidebar relative to said plug and rotation of said plug relative to the cylinder when the key while said first terminal portion engages in a selected relation with said locking mechanism, said locking mechanism obstructing said reciprocation absent said selected relation; an electronic logic circuit borne by said plug, generating control signals in dependence upon electrical power and data signals received from the key; and at least one electrical operator comprised of an electrically conducting coil coaxially disposed around an armature within one of said apertures, said sidebar, said logic circuit and said armature being borne by said plug and rotating with said plug relative to the cylinder, said armature travelling in dependence upon said control signals between a first position relative to said exterior surface obstructing said relative movement by engaging said sidebar, and a second and different position relative to said exterior surface accommodating said relative movement.