Master keyed combination lock

A master key for a combination lock having first indicator elements, the master key comprising:

• a power source;
• a plurality of signals;
• a sensor circuit coupling the power source to the plurality of signals;
• and
• a plurality of second indicator elements coupled to the sensor circuit, each second indicator element positioned to cooperate with a first indicator element of the combination lock, when the master key is placed in communication with the combination lock,
• wherein each signal in the plurality of signals indicates whether or not a second indicator element in the plurality of second indicator elements is in proximity to a cooperating first indicator element.

A method, comprising:

• securing a master key to a combination lock, the combination lock having a plurality of combination members, each with a first indicator element, the master key having a plurality of respective second indicator elements, each coupled to a signal;
• rotating each combination member in the plurality of combination members until each signal indicates a baseline position, so that each first indicator element is adjacent a respective second indicator element;
• and
• rotating each combination member an additional number of positions based upon a master combination, so that the combination lock is in an unlocked state.