Electronic lock system and method for its use with card only mode
First Claim
1. A method of operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:
- providing a lock box with a secure compartment therein, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, a computer circuit, and an integral keypad;
providing a portable memory device;
providing a communications link used for exchanging data between said portable memory device and said lock box computer circuit;
coupling said portable memory device and said lock box in such a way so as to permit communication between the portable memory device and the lock box computer circuit through said communications link;
transferring lock authorization data from the portable memory device to the lock box computer circuit; and
obtaining access to said secure compartment by way of said transferred lock authorization data.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved electronic lock system is provided for use with real estate lock boxes where there is the need for many people to access the secured compartment of the lock box in a controlled manner. Each user has an identification card with a non-volatile secure memory (known as a “smart card”), for exchanging data with the lock box, and with a portable computer capable of reading data from the smart card; or a cell phone can be used to gain access information from a central computer. The user first inserts the smart card into the connector attached to the lock box; the lock box reads the user'"'"'s ID stored in the smart card memory and records this information in lock box memory. The lock box then transfers its access code information and other data to the smart card for further processing. The user then inserts the smart card in a portable card reader to learn the access code, or calls a central computer via a mobile phone system and interacts with the computer to elicit the necessary access code information. The access code is then manually keyed into the lock box keypad by the user to obtain access to the secure compartment. Other modes of operation include an “access token mode” and a “card only mode.”
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:
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providing a lock box with a secure compartment therein, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, a computer circuit, and an integral keypad;
providing a portable memory device;
providing a communications link used for exchanging data between said portable memory device and said lock box computer circuit;
coupling said portable memory device and said lock box in such a way so as to permit communication between the portable memory device and the lock box computer circuit through said communications link;
transferring lock authorization data from the portable memory device to the lock box computer circuit; and
obtaining access to said secure compartment by way of said transferred lock authorization data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An electronic lock box system, comprising:
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an electronic lock box attachable to a fixed object, said lock box comprising;
a first electrical power source, a first processing circuit, a first memory circuit, a first communications port, a secure key compartment, and an integral keypad;
a portable memory card comprising;
a second memory circuit and a second communications port;
said first processing circuit, first memory circuit, and first communications port are configured to exchange data with said portable memory card; and
said second memory circuit, and second communications port are configured to exchange data with said electronic lock box, and are further configured to transfer lock authorization data to said electronic lock box, and thereby allow access to said key compartment. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:
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(a) providing an electronic lock box having a compartment with a controlled access member, a first memory circuit for storage of data, a first keypad, a first communications port, and a first processing circuit;
(b) providing a portable computer having a second memory circuit for storage of data, a second keypad, a display, a second communications port, and a second processing circuit;
(c) providing a portable memory device containing a non-volatile third memory circuit, and storing access code information and expiration data in said third memory circuit;
(d) coupling said portable memory device to said second communications port of the portable computer so as to permit communications therebetween, and reading said access code information and said expiration data from said third memory circuit to said second memory circuit; and
(e) determining whether or not said expiration data indicates that said portable memory device has expired. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:
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providing a lock box with a secure compartment therein having a controlled access member, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, a computer circuit, and an integral keypad;
providing a portable memory device;
providing a communications link used for exchanging data between said portable memory device and said lock box computer circuit;
coupling said portable memory device and said lock box in such a way so as to permit communication between the portable memory device and the lock box computer circuit through said communications link;
transferring data from the portable memory device to the lock box computer circuit, wherein at least one data element of said data comprises time sensitive information that is necessary for allowing operation of said controlled access member of the secure compartment;
determining, at said lock box computer circuit, whether or not said time sensitive information is correct for allowing operation of said controlled access member of the secure compartment; and
entering an authorization code at said integral keypad, and determining whether or not said authorization code is correct for allowing operation of said controlled access member of the secure compartment. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:
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providing a lock box with a secure compartment therein having a controlled access member, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, a first computer circuit with a first memory circuit, and an integral keypad;
providing a portable computer having a second computer circuit with a second memory circuit;
providing a portable memory device having a third memory circuit;
providing a first communications link used for exchanging data between said portable memory device and said first computer circuit;
providing a second communications link used for exchanging data between said portable memory device and said second computer circuit;
transferring elapsed time information from said portable computer second memory circuit to said portable memory device over said second communications link, and temporarily storing said elapsed time information in said third memory circuit;
transferring said elapsed time information from said portable memory device to said lock box first computer circuit over said first communications link, and storing said elapsed time information in said first memory circuit;
determining an accumulated time difference of an internal epoch time of said lock box first computer circuit, based upon said elapsed time information received from said portable memory device; and
periodically applying correction to said internal epoch time of said lock box first computer circuit by use of said accumulated time difference. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification