Temporal lock system

1. A temporal lock system adapted to controllably dispense a key for unlocking a lock and upon a request from a mobile device, the temporal lock system comprising:

a timer;

a lock assembly constructed and arranged to dispense the key and initiate the timer upon dispensing of the key, the lock assembly including a key repository;

a mobile device application programmed into the mobile device and configured to output a retrieve key signal to the lock assembly for dispensing of the key; and

at least one processor configured to receive the retrieve key signal, validate the retrieve key signal, and unlock the key repository upon validation of the retrieve signal, and wherein return of the key to the lock assembly causes the processor of the lock assembly to terminate the timer.

2. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 1 , wherein the lock assembly is attached to an access door.

3. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 2 , wherein the access door is constructed and arranged to provide access to a hotel room.

4. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 1 , wherein the lock assembly includes a key presence device adapted to detect the return of the key.

5. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 4 , wherein return of the key detected by the key presence device terminates the timer.

6. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 4 , wherein return of the key detected by the key presence device initiates a third party alert.

7. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 1 , wherein the lock assembly includes a processor of the at least one processor configured to receive the retrieve key signal, validate the retrieve key signal, and unlock the key repository upon validation of the retrieve key signal.

8. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 7 , wherein the at least one processor includes a server configured to receive a request signal from the mobile device, process the request signal, and output a server signal including validation information received by the lock assembly.

9. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 8 , wherein the server signal is sent to the lock assembly via the mobile device.

10. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 9 , wherein communications between the lock assembly and the mobile device is Near Field Communications.

11. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 10 , wherein the lock assembly is an off-line lock assembly.

12. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 8 , wherein the timer is part of the server.

13. The temporal lock system set forth in claim 8 , wherein return of the key to the lock assembly causes the timer to terminate, and a payment module configured to be executed by the server correlates a time duration to payment.

14. A temporal lock assembly configured to communicate with a mobile device and controllably store a key, the temporal lock assembly comprising:

a lockable key repository for controlled storage and release of the key;

a receiver configured to receive a retrieve key signal from the mobile device;

an electronic processor configured to process the retrieve key signal and operate the lockable key repository to release the key; and

a timer configured to initiate upon removal of the key from the lockable key repository and terminate upon return of the key.

15. The temporal lock assembly set forth in claim 14 , further comprising:

an electronic storage medium configured to store validation data, and wherein the electronic processor is configured to apply the validation data to validation information contained in the retrieve key signal to validate the retrieve key signal.

16. The temporal lock assembly set forth in claim 14 , further comprising:

a key presence device configured to detect the presence of the key in the lockable key repository.

17. The temporal lock assembly set forth in claim 16 , wherein the key presence device is adapted to detect the weight of the key.

18. The temporal lock assembly set forth in claim 16 , wherein the key presence device is adapted to detect a magnetic field.