An apparatus may include a capacitance sensor, a processor in communication with the capacitance sensor, and memory having programmed instructions that cause the processor, when executed, to determine a closure status of a closure member based on a measurement from the capacitance sensor.

An electronic key may include a partial capacitor comprising a capacitive metal plate in communication with a processor. The capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor is configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the metal plate of the lock. Data may be transferred from the key to the lock using a capacitor formed by combining the two metal plates, wherein a common ground is established between the metal plate of the key and the metal plate of the lock through a parasitic capacitance present between the key and lock circuitry. Audit trail data may be recorded based on usage of the key.

A method for securing and/or locking an object, and a related system, the method including introducing into a key receiver a metal key element that is provided along its longitudinal direction at least in part with at least one first code, reading of the at least one first code by at least one reader unit in the key receiver, rotating the at least one metal key element in and in relation to the key receiver by a user, therein producing a relative rotary movement, detecting the relative rotary movement, converting the relative rotary movement as detected into a display signal that is variable with rotation, communicating the display signal to a display, interactively setting a further code on the display by the user, by rotating the at least one metal key element, and actuating the securing and/or locking and unlocking of the object in dependence on the further code.

A method of controlling a lock mechanism of an active door includes transiting an access controller of the lock mechanism to an authorized access mode and transitioning the access controller from the authorized access mode to an entry mode. Transitioning the access controller to the authorized access mode is in response to an authorized user being sensed approaching the active door from an exterior side of the active door or in response to input on a remote device. In the authorized access mode, an exterior handle of the active door is decoupled from a main latch of the lock mechanism. Transitioning the access controller to the entry mode is in response to sensed contact with the exterior handle. In the entry mode, the exterior handle is capable of rotating to transition the access controller to an unlocked mode in which the exterior handle is operably coupled to the main latch.

An electronic key may include a partial capacitor comprising a capacitive metal plate in communication with a processor. The capacitive metal plate of the partial capacitor is configured to form a capacitor with a corresponding capacitive metal plate of a lock when brought into proximity with the metal plate of the lock. Data may be transferred from the key to the lock using a capacitor formed by combining the two metal plates, wherein a common ground is established between the metal plate of the key and the metal plate of the lock through a parasitic capacitance present between the key and lock circuitry. Audit trail data may be recorded based on usage of the key.

A system for sensing a position of a locking bolt of an industrial locking switch includes an inductive circuit, a converter, and a master controller. The inductive circuit includes an inductive coil and a capacitor electrically connected in parallel. The inductive coil is positioned to receive a locking bolt of an industrial locking switch when the locking bolt is transitioned to a lock position. The converter is configured to convert a frequency of a current signal on the inductive circuit to a digital frequency value. The master controller is configured to generate a bolt detection signal in response to determining that the digital frequency value changes by an amount equal to or substantially equal to a defined frequency shift corresponding to a frequency shift induced by the inductive coil in response to presence of the locking bolt within the inductive coil's magnetic field.

Locks, systems and methods of monitoring a lock, the lock having a hub with a slot rotatable by a handle to open and close a latchbolt. A locking member is moveable into and out of engagement with the hub slot to prevent and permit movement of the hub and latchbolt. A sensor on the lock, adjacent the hub and locking member, monitors a moving lock component. The sensor may sense the position of the locking member in or out of engagement with the hub slot. The sensor may be a reed switch actuated by a magnet on the moving lock component. The lock may further include a magnet mounted on the hub and the sensor may comprise a reed switch capable of being actuated by the magnet on the hub. The lock and system may include an external control unit having an alarm for controlling operation of the lock.

A lock-out, tag-out system for use with an appliance having a door includes a lock for controlling opening of the door. The lock has a locked state and an unlocked state. A controller is communicatively coupled to the lock. An automatic identification and data capture system includes a tag and a reader. The reader is communicatively coupled to the controller. When the reader receives a signal from the tag indicating the presence of the tag within an opening envelope, the reader communicates with the controller to transmit a signal to the lock to change the state of the lock from the locked state to the unlocked state. The tag is located on or in the personal protective equipment item. The system may include a second tag on the appliance, the signal of which is attenuated by a user's body and compared to the signal from the first tag to determine whether protective equipment is worn.

A pattern recognition locking system and method is operable to lock and unlock an object through a sequence of knocks, rotations, and ambient vibrations that are measured by an accelerometer as acceleration, and a gyroscope as orientation. The sequence and intensity of vibrations and intensity are processed by a microcontroller that utilizes a pattern recognition algorithm to: recognize the intensity and sequence of acceleration and orientation; identify the most intense motion from the degrees of freedom; and, after identifying a sequence of the most intense motions for respective degree of freedom, the microcontroller transmits a signal to lock mechanism to lock or unlock an object if sequence of degrees of motion match a stored passcode. A sleep module powers off the system when no motion or vibrations detected. A new sequence of ambient vibrations and motion are created through a learning module. A reset switch reprograms the sequence of motions.

An industrial locking switch includes an inductive sensing circuit that uses a non-contact technique to detect when the switch's locking bolt has transitioned to the lock position. The inductive sensing circuit can comprise an inductive coil, a capacitor, and a converter that converts a frequency of a current signal through the inductive coil to a digital frequency value. A controller detects when the locking bolt has advanced to the lock position by monitoring the digital frequency value for frequency shifts indicative of a disturbance of the induction coil's magnetic field by the locking bolt. To validate operation of the inductive sensing system without requiring actuation of the locking bolt, a diagnostic switch connects a diagnostic capacitor to the inductive circuit to simulate the frequency shift caused by the locking bolt, and the inductive sensing system is validated if the expected frequency shift is detected.