System and method for secure entry

• US 10,460,545 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2015
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward Stager
• Original Assignee: Chris Evans
• Inventors: Evans, Chris, Stager, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Yong Hang
• Application Number:
  US15/502,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20170228954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 340 528, 340 57, 340 573
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/005 Locks with means for tracking the location of locked items, e.g. freight containers
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/04 Closure fasteners locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/10 with alarm, signal or indicator E05G1/14 takes precedence; burglar, theft or intruder alarm per se G08B13/00; fire or explosion alarm per se G08B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

There is provided a system and method for secure entry to a property or building. One aspect includes an apparatus having a housing and alarm means for triggering a timed alarm upon removal of a receptacle key from the housing. Locking means is included for locking the housing. Another aspect includes a removable media containing a list of cylinder codes. At least a portion of the list of cylinder codes are transferred to a receptacle key within the housing. Another aspect involves a system having a secure container with locking means for locking a housing. The system includes at least one locking receptacle that is unlocked with the receptacle key. Also provided is a method comprising the steps of retrieving a receptacle key from a secure container, triggering a timed alarm for return of the receptacle key and accessing a locking receptacle with the receptacle key.

Claims

1. An apparatus for secured entry comprising:

a) an electronic and programmable receptacle key;

b) a secure container located within a vehicle housing the receptacle key when not in use;

c) a locking means for locking the secure container;

d) alarm means configured to trigger a timed alarm upon the removal of the receptacle key, which upon expiry, the receptacle key is disabled and unable to open locking receptacles;

e) the timed alarm resetting upon the placement of the receptacle key back within the secure container;

f) a miniature locator housed within the receptacle key to locate the receptacle key when not within the secure container;

g) an activation unit that uploads and transmits data to an action identifier of the receptacle key prior to its removal from the secure container;

h) at least one locking receptacle located on the exterior of the property for the secure storage of a property key; and

,

i) data on the use of the receptacle key to open locking receptacle is stored and transmitted to a central location upon the placement of the receptacle key within the secure container;

wherein the activation identifier of the receptacle key, upon its removal from the secure container housing, is programed to be active and to open the at least one locking receptacle within a defined range or neighborhood based on a GPS location of the vehicle, and for a defined period of time, thereby providing access to the property key and vital information stored within the locking receptacle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking means includes a keypad and the locking means is unlocked upon input of an access code on the keypad.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein various parameters are recorded upon the removal of the receptacle key from the secure container housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the various parameters are selected from the group consisting of a user ID, date of the input, time of the input, GPS location and combinations thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable media containing a list of cylinder codes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of the list of cylinder codes are transferred to the receptacle key within the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the list of cylinder codes are geographically restricted.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the alarm means measures an amount of time that the receptacle key has been removed.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the timed alarm includes a notification selected from the group consisting of a flashing light, an intermittent buzzer, a constant buzzer, a message to a central office, and combinations thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the timed alarm activates the notification after an elapsed time during which the receptacle key has been removed from the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the alarm means deactivates the receptacle key after a further elapsed time during which the receptacle key has been removed from the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising tracking means for locating the receptacle key outside of the housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising mounting means for mounting on a mobile platform.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising mounting means for mounting on a vehicle.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power source.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the activation identifier unit can be configured to be rest on a predetermined time interval wherein parameters are updated, failing which, the activation unit deactivates the activation identifier of the receptacle key.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein upon input of the access code, various parameters are recorded.

16. A method comprising:

a) a secure container continuously uploading locking receptacle data from communication with a network and GPS positioning;

wherein the secure container is continuously uploading the locations of all locking receptacles located within a predetermined distance of the secure container'"'"'s GPS positioning while a vehicle is in motion;

b) secure container transmitting the locking receptacle data to a receptacle key housed within the secure container;

c) retrieving a receptacle key from the secure container containing the locking receptacle data based on the GPS positioning of the secure container at the point of receptacle key retrieval;

d) triggering a timed alarm for return of the receptacle key; and

,

e) accessing a locking receptacle within a predetermined distance of the secure container'"'"'s GPS positioning with the receptacle key;

wherein the return of the receptacle key to the secure container prior to the alarm is essential to the continued functioning of the receptacle key;

wherein the method further comprising the step of transferring at least a portion of a list of cylinder codes to the receptacle key within the housing, wherein the list of cylinder codes are geographically restricted; and

including the step of tracking the receptacle key outside of the housing.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of retrieving the receptacle key comprises inputting an access code to unlock the secure container.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of recording various parameters selected from the group consisting of a user ID, date of the input, time of the input, GPS location and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of transmitting the various parameters to a central location.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of triggering the timed alarm comprises the step of measuring an amount of time that the receptacle key has been removed.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of activating a notification after an elapsed time during which the receptacle key has been removed from the housing.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the notification is selected from the group consisting of a flashing light, an intermittent buzzer, a constant buzzer, a message to a central office, and combinations thereof.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of deactivating the receptacle key after a further elapsed time during which the receptacle key has been removed from the housing.