Electronic real estate lockbox system

• US 4,766,746 A
• Filed: 02/17/1987
• Issued: 08/30/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Interlogix Incorporated (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Supra Products, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Larson, Wayne F., Gray, John E., Sherman, John W., Henderson, Walter G., Unrein, Edgar J., Ellson, George A., Scansen, Jerry P., Olds, Rockne M., Daum, Gerald R., Archer, John Q. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Application Number:
  US07/015,864
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 70/63, 70/271, 70/277, 361/171, 361/172, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/636, 324/426, 324/427, 364/707, 320/48, 307/296 R, 379/103
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0053 by operating the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/32 Time-recording locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00825 remotely by lines or wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00865 remotely by wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/215 the system having a variable access-code, e.g. varied as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7028 Electric

Abstract

A comprehensive real estate lockbox system is disclosed which provides a variety of operational features. Some of these features include the ability to: record all accesses to all lockboxes; transfer all or part of such records from the lockboxes to a supervising real estate agency or board; organize and review such records; facilitate operation of lockboxes that are mounted in awkward or poorly lit locations; limit lockbox accesses to preselected agents, agencies or boards; reprogram lockboxes in the field; monitor redundantly the status of the lockbox battery; record diagnostic information on each operation of a lockbox or key; render keys inoperative on predetermined dates; disable unauthorized keys; grant agents from remote real estate boards permission to open certain lockboxes, and; grant different keys different privileges.

Claims

1. An electronic lock system comprising an electronic lock, said lock including memory means for storing a lock access code having at least two portions, the first of said portions indicating a particular class of persons associated with said lock and the second of said portions indicating a particular subclass of the aforesaid class, the system further comprising an electronic key for cooperating with the electronic lock to execute an operation, the electronic key including memory means for storing a key access code comprised of at least two portions, said first portion indicating a particular class of persons to which the key is assigned and the second portion indicating a subclass of the aforesaid class to which the key is more particularly assigned, the system further including permission means in either the electronic lock or the electronic key for storing a permission code and control means in either the electronic lock or the electronic key cooperating with the permission means for controlling execution of said operation, the permission code dictating which respective classes and/or subclasses, if any, indicated by the lock and key access codes must correspond to each other before said control means will allow execution of the operation.

2. An electronic real estate lockbox system according to claim 1 in which:

the electronic key can cooperate with the electronic lock to execute a variety of functions;

the permission means stores a plurality of permission codes corresponding to different ones of said variety of operations;

the portions of the lock and key codes identify the agents, agencies and real estate boards to which the lock and key are assigned; and

in which

the control means prevents execution of an operation unless the degree of correspondence between the lock and key codes specified by the permission code corresponding to that operation is met.

3. The system of claim 1 in which the portions of the lock and key codes identify the agents, agencies and real estate boards to which the lock and key are assigned and in which one degree of correspondence specified by a permission code is a match between the portion of the lock code identifying the real estate board to which the lock is assigned and the portion of the key code identifying the real estate board to which the key is assigned.

4. The system of claim 3 in which an additional degree of correspondence specified by a permission code is a match between the portion of the lock code identifying the agency to which the lock is assigned and the portion of the key code identifying the agency to which the key is assigned.

5. The system of claim 4 in which an additional degree of correspondence specified by a permission code is a match between the portion of the lock code identifying the agent to which the lock is assigned and the portion of the key code identifying the agent to which the key is assigned.

6. An electronic real estate lockbox system comprising a lockbox and a key, the lockbox including:

communications means for relaying data between the lockbox and the key;

key receiving means for facilitating the relative positioning of the lockbox and the key so that the communications means can relay data between the lockbox and the key;

key compartment means for releasably containing a house key;

key compartment lock means for controllably securing the key compartment means in a locked state;

key compartment control means for unlocking the key compartment lock means upon receipt of proper data from the key via the communications means;

shackle means for releasably fastening the lockbox to a fixed object;

shackle retention means having released and retained states for controllably securing the shackle means in a locked position; and

shackle control means for releasing the retention means upon receipt of proper data from the key via the communications means;

the key including;

communications means for relaying data between the key and the lockbox;

circuit means for controlling operation of the key;

battery means for supplying power to the circuit means;

first switch means for controlling the application of power to the circuit means so as to activate said circuit means;

second switch means for causing the circuit means and the key communication means to cooperate so as to send data to the lockbox for causing the lockbox key compartment control means to unlock the key compartment lock means;

third switch means for causing the circuit means and the communication means to cooperate so as to send data to the lockbox for causing the lockbox shackle control means to release the shackle retention means;

keypad means comprising a plurality of switches for permitting a user to enter data into the key; and

indicator means for providing feedback to the user on the operational status of the key.

7. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 which further comprises:

memory means in the key for storing expiration date data;

calendar means for providing data indicative of the date;

logic means for comparing the expiration date data from the key memory means with the date data from the calendar means; and

control means cooperating with said logic means for preventing unlocking of the key compartment lock means if the state of the logic means matches a predetermined state.

8. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes means for storing lockbox characterization instructions that characterize certain features of the lockbox and in which the key further includes memory means for receiving lockbox characterization instructions, the key and lockbox further comprising means for effecting the transfer of said lockbox characterization instructions from the key to the lockbox to thereby enable recharacterization of the lockbox by the key.

9. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes:

memory means for storing data entries relating to operations of the lockbox; and

in which the key further includes;

interrogation means for obtaining from the lockbox data indicating the number of such data entries in the lockbox memory means; and

display means on the key for indicating to a key user the number of such data entries in the lockbox memory.

10. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes a battery for supplying power to the key compartment lock means and to the shackle retention means, means for determining when the battery is reaching the end of its useful life and for producing a low battery signal corresponding thereto, counting means for counting operations of the lockbox after the low battery signal is produced and means for curtailing operation of the lockbox when the counting means counts to a predetermined point.

11. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes a battery for supplying power to the key compartment lock means and means for preventing the application of power from the battery to the key compartment lock means until a user exerts an opening force on the key compartment means.

12. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the key compartment lock means comprises a pair of solenoids for controllably securing the key compartment means, each of said solenoids having a plunger, said solenoids being oriented so that their plungers travel in different directions when energized.

13. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the shackle retention means comprises a pair of solenoids for controllably securing the shackle means, each of said solenoids having a plunger, said solenoids being mounted so that their plungers travel in different directions when energized.

14. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the key further includes:

means having the capacity for causing the lockbox to execute a plurality of functions;

memory means for storing enable/disable data corresponding to certain of said lockbox functions for indicating whether said functions are to be enabled or disabled; and

logic means cooperating with the memory means for preventing the key from causing the lockbox to execute those functions which the corresponding enable/disable data in the memory means indicates are to be disabled.

15. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes data logging means for storing data entries relating to the identities of keys that have been used to cause the key compartment lock means to unlock and in which the key further includes means for causing data identifying the key to be stored in the data logging means without the key also causing the key compartment lock means to unlock.

16. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes memory means for storing data indicating whether access to the key compartment means is to be especially restricted, the system further including means requiring a first proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad means in order for the key to cause the lockbox key compartment lock means to unlock if the data in the lockbox memory means indicates that access to the key compartment is not to be especially restricted, said means further requiring a second proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad means in order for the key to cause the lockbox key compartment lock means to unlock if the data in the lockbox memory means indicates that access to the key compartment is to be especially restricted.

17. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes memory means for storing lockout list data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from gaining access to the key compartment means and in which the key further includes memory means for storing key identifying data, the system further comprising means for comparing the key identifying data with the lockout list data stored in the lockbox memory means and for preventing operation of the lockbox if the key identifying data corresponds to any of the lockout list data stored in the lockbox memory means.

18. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 17 which further comprises means for loading into the lockbox memory means the lockout list data corresponding to the identities of the preselected keys which are to be prevented from operating the lockbox.

19. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 17 which further comprises means for disabling the key if the identifying data received from the key corresponds to any of the lockout list data stored in the lockbox memory means.

20. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 17 in which the lockbox memory means also contains date data indicative of the timeliness of the lockout list data stored in said memory means and in which the key further includes memory means for storing lockout list data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from opening the lockbox, said key memory means further containing date data indicative of the timeliness of the lockout list data stored in said key memory, the system further including means for comparing the date data stored in the lockbox and key memory means in order to determine which of said lockout list data is the most timely and means for transferring the most timely lockout list data and its associated date data into the memory means having the least timely lockout list data.

21. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the key further includes memory means for storing diagnostic information on operations attempted by the key.

22. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the key further includes means requiring a certain sequence of switch closures on the keypad means in order for the key to cause the lockbox to operate and means for allowing said sequence of switch closures to be effected on the keypad means prior to the key being received by the lockbox key receiving means, the system further comprising means for sending signals to the lockbox corresponding to said certain sequence of switch closures automatically when the key is received by the lockbox key receiving means.

23. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes memory means for storing data entries relating to operations of the lockbox by a key, and in which the system further includes means for causing a file mark to be inserted in the lockbox memory means, means for retrieving all of the data entries from the lockbox memory means and means for retrieving only data entries stored in the lockbox memory means after a file mark was inserted in said memory means.

24. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes memory means for storing lockbox characterization instructions that characterize certain features of the lockbox, antenna means for receiving characterization instructions modulated on a radio frequency carrier, receiver means coupled to the antenna means for demodulating said modulated instructions and means for loading said demodulated instructions from the receiver means into the memory means.

25. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the key further includes memory means for storing a key access code that identifies the real estate board responsible for said key and in which the lockbox further includes memory means for storing a plurality of lockbox access codes, each of said access codes identifying a real estate board, the system further including means for comparing the key access code with the lockbox access codes and for allowing access to the key compartment means if any of the lockbox access codes matches the key access code, whereby a key can be used to operate lockboxes that are not owned by the real estate board that owns the key.

26. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes:

memory means for storing data corresponding to a first time of day and data corresponding to a second time of day;

clock means for providing data indicating the time of day;

logic means for comparing the time of day data provided by the clock means with the time data stored in a lockbox memory means;

control means for preventing unlocking of the lockbox key compartment means if the logic means determines that the time of day is between the first time of day and the second time of day stored in the lockbox memory means; and

means for loading said data corresponding to the first and second times of day from the lockbox communications means into the lockbox memory means; and

in which the key further includes;

means for operating with the key communications means for loading data corresponding to said first and second times of day into the lockbox memory means.

27. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox further includes memory means for storing data identifying a real estate agency whose keys are to be allowed to unlock the lockbox key compartment means and in which the key further includes memory means for storing data identifying the real estate agency to which the key is assigned, the system further including means for comparing the data identifying the real estate agency to which the key is assigned with the data identifying a real estate agency whose keys are to be allowed to unlock the lockbox key compartment means and for allowing unlocking of the lockbox key compartment means only if such data corresponds.

28. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox includes memory means and means for storing in said memory means diagnostic data relating to conditions detected during the course of operation of the lockbox that cause the lockbox not to allow access to the key compartment means, whereby resolution of anomalous lockbox behavior can be facilitated by examination of said stored diagnostic data.

29. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the key further includes key identifying data for identifying the owner of the key and in which the lockbox further includes:

access logging means for storing data relating to accesses to the key compartment means;

the system further comprising logic means for permitting retrieval of the data from the access logging means only by keys having predetermined key identifying data.

30. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the key compartment means comprises a door pivotally mounted to a lockbox case and secured to said case by a hinge and by the key compartment lock means.

31. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which the lockbox and key each contain a data processing unit and in which the lockbox data processing unit can authorize unlocking of the key compartment means based on evaluation of a first set of access criteria and in which the key data processing unit can authorize unlocking of the key compartment means based on an evaluation of a second set of access criteria.

32. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 6 in which one of said communications means includes a first inductor and means for applying a data signal to be communicated to the first inductor and in which the other of said communications means includes a second inductor and Schmidt trigger means for reconstructing digital data from transients induced in the second inductor by the data signal applied to the first inductor.

33. An electronic real estate lockbox system comprising:

a key;

a lockbox;

means for communicating between the key and lockbox;

a keypad on the key and having a plurality of switches for entering sequences of switch closures;

a locked compartment in the lockbox that can be opened by the entry of a proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad;

memory means in the lockbox for storing data indicating whether access to the lockbox compartment is to be especially restricted;

means requiring a first proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad in order for the key to open the lockbox compartment if the data in the lockbox memory means indicates that access to the compartment is not to be especially restricted; and

means further requiring a second proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad in order to open the lockbox compartment if the data in the lockbox memory means indicates that access to the compartment is to be especially restricted.

34. An electronic real estate lockbox system comprising:

a key;

a lockbox;

means for communicating between the key and lockbox;

a locked compartment in the lockbox that can be opened by operation of the key;

memory means in the lockbox for storing lockout list data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from opening the lockbox compartment, and date data indicative of the timeliness of said lockout list data;

memory means in the key for storing key identifying data;

means for comparing the key identifying data with the lockout list data and for denying access to the lockbox compartment if the key identifying data corresponds to any of the lockout list data stored in the lockbox memory means;

memory means in the key for storing lockout list data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be denied access to the lockbox compartment, and date data indicative of the timeliness of said lockout list data stored in said key memory means;

means for comparing the date data stored in the lockbox memory means and in the key memory means in order to determine which of said lockout list data is the most timely; and

means for transferring the most timely lockout list data and its associated date data into the memory means having the least timely lockout list data.

35. An electronic authorization system for controlling entry into a secure area comprising:

an electronic lock;

an electronic key including a keypad;

means for communicating between the lock and key when said units are coupled together;

means for determining from said communication whether to authorize entry into the secure area;

means requiring a certain sequence of switch closures on the keypad in order for the key to cause the lock to authorize entry into the secure area;

means for allowing said sequence of switch closures to be effected on the keypad prior to the key being coupled to the lock; and

means for automatically sending signals to the lock corresponding to said sequence of switch closures when the key is subsequently coupled to the lock.

36. An electronic lockbox system comprising:

an electronic lockbox having a secure compartment;

an electronic key;

means for communicating between the lockbox and key;

means for determining from said communications whether to authorize entry into the secure compartment of the lockbox;

memory means in the lockbox for storing data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from authorizing entry into the secure compartment;

memory means in the key for storing data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from authorizing entry into the secure compartment; and

update means for determining electronically whether the memory means in the lockbox should be updated from the data stored in the key and, if so, for transferring said data from the key memory means to the lockbox memory means.

37. An electronic lockbox system comprising:

an electronic lockbox having a secure compartment;

an electronic key;

means for communicating between the lockbox and key;

means for determining from said communications whether to authorize entry into the secure compartment of the lockbox;

memory means in the lockbox for storing data entries relating to operations of the lockbox over a previous period of time;

interrogation means in the key for obtaining data from the lockbox indicating the number of such data entries in the lockbox memory means; and

display means on the key for indicating to a key user said number of data entries.