Methods for managing access to physical assets
First Claim
1. A method of securing access to a vehicle, comprising:
- identifying a vehicle key for the vehicle with a unique electronic identifier and storing the identifier on a memory element at a first location;
associating the memory element with the vehicle key to form a key set;
placing the key set in a key container located near the vehicle at a second location remote from the first location;
securing the key set within the key container with an electronic lock;
allowing access to the key container and the key set by unlocking the electronic lock after electronic signals representing that access is authorized are received; and
reading the memory element and storing the identifier in a key container memory.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A key management system for controlling access to vehicle keys includes a key set, a key container and an electronic access device. The key set includes vehicle keys to a particular vehicle and a key tag associated with the vehicle keys having an electronically readable identifier. The key container has a key set storage area secured by an electronic lock and a circuit that detects when the key set is stored in the key set storage area. The access device is carried by a user to access the key container, and has a memory that is updated with at least the identifier of the key tag when the key container is successfully accessed.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of securing access to a vehicle, comprising:
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identifying a vehicle key for the vehicle with a unique electronic identifier and storing the identifier on a memory element at a first location;
associating the memory element with the vehicle key to form a key set;
placing the key set in a key container located near the vehicle at a second location remote from the first location;
securing the key set within the key container with an electronic lock;
allowing access to the key container and the key set by unlocking the electronic lock after electronic signals representing that access is authorized are received; and
reading the memory element and storing the identifier in a key container memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of managing vehicle keys, comprising:
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providing vehicle keys to a particular vehicle;
associating a key tag having an electronically readable identifier stored thereon with the vehicle keys, thereby forming a key set;
providing a key container on or near the vehicle, the key container having a key set storage area securable by an electronic lock and a circuit that detects the key tag when the key set is stored in the key set storage area;
locking the key set within the storage area of the key container;
linking a portable electronic access device to the key container, the access device having a memory;
receiving an access request from the access device;
determining if access is authorized; and
if access is authorized, unlocking the key container to provide access to the stored key set and updating the memory of the access device with at least the identifier of the key tag. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification