Access control system and method

A method of controlling access to a secured area, the method comprising:

• at a lock apparatus comprising a housing mounted to a door, a locking member movable between locked and unlocked positions, and an electromagnetic radiation sensor:
• receiving, via a wireless receiver of the lock apparatus, a wireless signal including authorized key data representative of at least one authorized physical characteristic of an authorized key;
• storing the authorized key data in a memory of the lock apparatus;
• passing an electrical current through an object in a keyway of the lock apparatus;
• detecting the electrical current via an electrical sensor of the lock apparatus;
• determining whether the object is a key based at least in part on the electrical current detected by the electrical sensor;
• sensing, with the electromagnetic radiation sensor, at least one physical characteristic of the key;
• comparing the at least one physical characteristic of the key to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key;
• and
• causing a motor of the lock apparatus to permit movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions in response to the at least one physical characteristic of the key corresponding to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key.

A lock apparatus for securing a door, the lock apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to be mounted on a door;
• a core having a keyway to receive a key, the core configured to turn relative to the housing;
• a locking member operatively connected to the core, the locking member shifting between locked and unlocked positions with turning of the core;
• a blocking member;
• a motor configured to shift the blocking member between a blocking position wherein the blocking member inhibits turning of the core relative to the housing and a clearance position wherein the blocking member permits turning of the core relative to the housing;
• an electromagnetic radiation sensor configured to sense at least one physical characteristic of a key;
• communication circuitry configured to receive a wireless signal including authorized key data representative of at least one authorized physical characteristic of an authorized key;
• a memory configured to store the authorized key data;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to the motor, the electromagnetic radiation sensor, the communication circuitry, and the memory;
• the processor configured to:
• compare the at least one physical characteristic of the key to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key;
• and
• cause the motor to shift the blocking member from the blocking position to the clearance position in response to the at least one physical characteristic of the key corresponding to the at least one authorized physical characteristic of the authorized key.