Smart lock system and process

A combination lock, including:

• locking means operable to move between a first position in which the lock is in a locked state and a second position in which the lock is in an unlocked state;
• a set of mechanical combination inputs operable by a user of the lock to define an input combination;
• and
• a controller having a network interface and being configured to receive via the network interface one or more unlock combinations, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the locking means to place the lock in the unlocked state in response to a user operating the set of mechanical combination inputs to define an input combination that matches any one of the one or more unlock combinations,
• wherein the controller includes:
• a communications module configured to communicate with a lock management device via a communications network;
• a microcontroller in communication with the communications module, and connected to the set of mechanical combination inputs, where the microcontroller is configured to:
• store unlock combination data representing the one or more unlock combinations associated with the unlocked state of the lock;
• compare data representing a present configuration of the mechanical combination inputs to data representing the one or more unlock combinations;
• and
• generate, when the selected configuration matches an unlock combination represented by the unlock combination data, fastener control signals to cause one or more fastening components to move a fastener to a position to place the lock in the unlocked state;
• where the lock includes a power source configured to power, at least, the microcontroller and the communications module of the lock,
• wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive one or more input signals indicating an activated element for each respective mechanical combination input, and
• wherein the input signals are output by detection circuitry configured to receive one or more selection signals corresponding to the activated element for each respective mechanical combination input.