Wireless lockset with integrated antenna, touch activation, and light communication method

A lockset comprising:

• a latch assembly including a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
• a controller configured to electronically control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• and
• an interior assembly and an exterior assembly, wherein at least one of the interior assembly and the exterior assembly is configured to actuate the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• the exterior assembly including:
• a mechanical lock assembly configured to manually actuate the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• and
• a cylinder guard cover at least partially surrounding the mechanical lock assembly, the cylinder guard cover having an external surface, wherein at least a portion of the external surface is a touch surface, and wherein the cylinder guard cover is electrically coupled with the controller via an electrical connector configured to extend from the exterior assembly at least partially through a bore in a door;
• wherein the controller is configured to actuate movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position when a valid credential is received from a user device and a touch input is received at the touch surface.

A method of operating a lockset comprising:

• providing a lockset including:
• a latch assembly including a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
• a controller configured to electronically control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• and
• an interior assembly and an exterior assembly, wherein at least one of the interior assembly and the exterior assembly is configured to actuate the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• the exterior assembly including:
• a mechanical lock assembly configured to manually actuate the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• and
• a cylinder guard cover having a generally frustoconical shape at least partially surrounding the mechanical lock assembly, the cylinder guard cover having an external surface, wherein at least a portion of the external surface is a touch surface, and wherein the cylinder guard cover is electrically coupled with the controller via an electrical connector configured to extend from the exterior assembly at least partially through a bore in a door;
• receiving credentials at the controller from a user device;
• receiving a touch input at the touch surface;
• and
• actuating movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position upon receipt of the credentials and the touch input.

A lockset comprising:

• a latch assembly including a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
• a controller configured to electronically control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• an interior assembly and an exterior assembly, wherein at least one of the interior assembly and the exterior assembly is configured to actuate the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• the exterior assembly including:
• a cylinder housing;
• a mechanical lock assembly extending through the cylinder housing and having a front face, the mechanical lock assembly comprising a lock cylinder having a keyway extending therethrough from the front face, the mechanical lock assembly being manually actuatable to move the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position;
• a front cover surrounding the front face of the mechanical lock assembly;
• and
• a cylinder guard cover concentrically surrounding the front cover and extending to a circular mounting footprint, the cylinder guard cover providing an external touch surface electrically coupled with the controller via an electrical connector configured to extend from the exterior assembly at least partially through a bore in a door;
• wherein the controller, in response to receipt of a touch input at the touch surface, executes instructions to:
• wirelessly receive credentials from a user device;
• and
• based on validation of the credentials, actuate movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position.