Monitoring items in an area accessible through an electronic locking device

A method, comprising:

• determining that a lock of a locking device has been unlocked to gain entry to an area that includes at least one preselected item within the area;
• communicating between the locking device and a communication hub that is remote from the locking device based on the lock being unlocked, wherein the communicating includes an indication that the lock has been unlocked and an instruction causing the communication hub to begin monitoring a condition of the at least one preselected item;
• and
• communicating any change in a condition of the at least one preselected item to at least one remote device via the communication hub;
• wherein the at least one preselected item comprises a plurality of preselected items that include a plurality of moveable items and a plurality of stationary items, and including a plurality of detectors that comprise a plurality of movement detectors associated with the plurality of moveable items and a plurality of operational detectors associated with the plurality of stationary items, and including:
• mounting at least one movement detector to each moveable item for movement therewith;
• monitoring all movement of an associated moveable item and immediately communicating any changes in movement to the at least one remote device during an unlocking event;
• associating at least one operational detector with each stationary item;
• includes
• monitoring operational conditions of an associated stationary item and immediately communicating any changes in operational conditions to the at least one remote device during the unlocking event.

An electronic locking device, comprising:

• a lock that selectively allows access to an area when the lock is unlocked;
• a processor that is configured to control whether the lock is locked or unlocked;
• and
• a transceiver that is configured to communicate with a communication hub that is remote from the lock, wherein:
• the processor is configured to cause the transceiver to provide an indication to the communication hub when the lock has been unlocked;
• the indication includes an instruction that the communication hub should begin monitoring a condition of at least one preselected item within the area, and wherein any change in a condition of the at least one preselected item is communicated to at least one remote device via the communication hub;
• the at least one preselected item comprises a plurality of preselected items that include a plurality of moveable items and a plurality of stationary items, and including a plurality of detectors that comprise a plurality of movement detectors associated with the plurality of moveable items and a plurality of operational detectors associated with the plurality of stationary items;
• each moveable item includes at least one movement detector mounted for movement therewith and that monitors all movement of an associated moveable item and immediately communicates any changes in movement to the at least one remote device during an unlocking event;
• and
• each stationary item includes at least one operational detector that monitors operational conditions of an associated stationary item and immediately communicates any changes in operational conditions to the at least one remote device during the unlocking event.