Homeowner key for an electronic real estate lockbox system

• US 5,815,557 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SLC Technologies, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Larson, Wayne F.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US08/486,957
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 379/103, 379/100, 379/106, 379/105, 379/88, 379/99, 379/98, 379/97, 379/93, 379/102.06, 379/102.01, 379/106.01, 379/100.05, 379/100.13, 379/100.01 , 379/93.37, 340/825.31, 235/382
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• 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 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• 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 9/215 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: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/022 Paging systems personal calling arrangements or devices G08B3/1008; selective calling networks H04W84/022
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7446 Multiple keys

Abstract

A secure entry system makes use of radio transmissions to communicate with locks, keys, and related components throughout the system. The radio transmissions can be made using a paging system, a cellular telephone system, or any other RF carrier. Some embodiments employ a cellular telephone in lieu of an electronic key. Others integrate a paging receiver within an electronic key to provide a unit with dual functionality. The system is illustrated with reference to exemplary applications in the industrial site security, real estate lockbox, and transportation fields. A homeowner key allows the homeowner greater oversight and involvement. The key includes a privacy feature, enabling the homeowner to disable the lockbox for a predetermined period if privacy is desired.

Claims

1. In a method of operating an electronic real estate lockbox system, the method including providing a house listed for sale with a lockbox, the lockbox containing a key to the house, compiling data relating to accesses of the lockbox in a lockbox memory, transferring data from the lockbox memory to a key associated with a real estate company, and transferring data from said key to a central database, an improvement comprising:

providing an owner of the house with an electronic key;

using the owner key to obtain data from the lockbox memory;

telephonically transferring the obtained data from the owner key to the central database by acoustically coupling the owner key to a telephone mouthpiece;

transmitting, by FAX, an interpreted report corresponding to said obtained data from the central database to a real estate company; and

voicing less than all of the obtained data to the owner over a telephone link using a voice synthesizer system in conjunction with the central database.

2. An electronic real estate lockbox system that includes an electronic real estate lockbox attached to a home, a homeowner key secured by the owner of the home for use with said lockbox, said homeowner key including a microprocessor, a battery, a button to request privacy, and communications means for exchanging data with the associated electronic lockbox, the key further being characterized by means for restricting access to the lockbox for a predetermined period, said means including said button operable by the owner at any time selected by the owner.

3. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 2 in which the key further includes radio transmitter means for relaying a privacy request from the homeowner key.

4. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 3 in which the system further includes a clearinghouse with an associated radio receiver for receiving said privacy request, and responding in accord therewith.

5. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 2 in which the key further includes an audio transducer for relaying an acoustic privacy request for the homeowner key.

6. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 5 in which the system further includes a clearinghouse with an associated telephone connection for receiving said privacy request, and responding in accord therewith.

7. The electronic real estate lockbox system of claim 2 in which the communications means includes means for relaying a privacy request from the homeowner key to the lockbox.

8. In a method of operating an electronic real estate lockbox system, the system including an electronic real estate lockbox attached to a home and an electronic key, an improvement comprising the steps of providing the owner of the home with an electronic key temporarily limiting access to the lockbox for a predetermined interval in response to the owner'"'"'s pressing of a single button on the owner'"'"'s key associated therewith, whereby the owner is able to press the button at any time for limiting access to the lockbox for the predetermined interval.