Efficient lock and key system

An electronic lock system comprising:

• at least one lock assembly having one or more lock assembly mechanical parts and a lock assembly electronic control circuit operatively coupled to the lock assembly mechanical parts for locking and unlocking;
• and
• a first electronic key assembly having a key transmitter, a user interface presented to the key user;
• and a key electronic control circuit for coordinating the activities of the various key sub-parts;
• wherein one or more passwords are stored on the electronic key assembly to operate the at least one lock assembly;
• and
• wherein a password is copied from the first electronic key assembly to a second electronic key assembly by activating a password duplication feature in at least one of the first and second electronic key assemblies;
• establishing a link between the first and second electronic key assemblies;
• receiving a specified password at the second electronic key assembly;
• and finishing the duplication process by storing a new password in the second electronic key assembly.

A method for designing an electronic lock system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a lock assembly transmitter and a lock assembly receiver in an electronic lock assembly having at least one stored password and a control circuit coupled to mechanical parts for locking and unlocking the electronic lock assembly, wherein the control circuit unlocks the electronic lock assembly in response to receiving a password matching the stored password;
• providing a key transmitter and a key receiver in a first electronic key assembly having at least one password storage location and a control circuit coupled to various key sub-parts;
• providing a user interface for the first electronic key assembly, whereby a user selects at least one password stored on the first electronic key assembly to unlock the electronic lock assembly;
• and
• implementing a password duplication function for transmitting a password from the first electronic key assembly to a second electronic key assembly followed by storing of the transmitted password on the second electronic key assembly.