Secure, remotely controlled, internally powered padlock

An improved, remotely controlled, internally powered electronic padlock comprising:

• a shackle with an engagement feature;
• and
• a housing within which the shackle is translationally and rotationally mounted, the housing including
• a switch that generates a signal when a state of the switch is changed,
• an electric motor with a motor shaft to which a translation device is mounted,
• a moveable member with an engagement feature complementary to the shackle engagement feature that is translated, by activation of the electric motor, in a first direction to release the shackle, placing the padlock in an unlocked state, and is translated in a second direction to lock the shackle by engaging the moveable-member engagement feature with the shackle engagement feature, placing the padlock in an unlocked state, the moveable member changing the state of the switch when the padlock is in a locked state and the shackle is mechanically compromised and rotated,
• network-communications functionality that receives commands from a remote controller and transmits responses to the remote controller,
• an internal electrical-energy source, and
• a microprocessor, powered by the internal energy source, that
• receives the signal generated by the switch when the padlock is in a locked state and the shackle is mechanically compromised and rotated and, in response to receiving the signal, activates an alarm, and
• periodically activates network-communications functionality to communicate with the remote controller.