Electronic lock box with transponder based communications

• US 8,451,088 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SentriLock, LLC
• Original Assignee: SentriLock, LLC
• Inventors: Fisher, Scott R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ghayour, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/954,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20080246587A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,994 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/10 Key holders; Key boards key cases A45C11/32
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit

Abstract

An electronic lock box contains a secure compartment for storing dwelling keys to a structure, and is typically mounted outside the dwelling structure. When properly instructed, usually with a coded message, the dwelling key can be accessed by opening the door to the secure compartment; such message can be manually entered on a keypad, or a programmed electronic key device can make the process more automatic. A lock box system uses a transponder at a dwelling base station (typically within the dwelling structure) to relay lock box status or access event information over a short range radio from the lock box to a remote central computer by using a more traditional communication system that is available within the dwelling. Additional sensors can be used to monitor the status of vandalism attempts. Furthermore, the lock box/transponder communications may be programmed so as to allow detection if the lock box is stolen.

Claims

1. An electronic lock box system, comprising:

an electronic lock box having a first control circuit, a first memory circuit, a first communications circuit, a secure compartment with an access element, and a shackle for attachment to a fixed object;

a dwelling base station having a second control circuit, a second memory circuit, a second communications circuit, and a third communications circuit;

wherein;

(a) said electronic lock box is positioned at a first location that is physically separated from a second location of said dwelling base station;

(b) said first communications circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said second communications circuit, thereby allowing said electronic lock box to exchange data messages with said dwelling base station;

(c) said third communications circuit is connected to a telephone line, and said third communications circuit, under the control of said second control circuit, is configured to automatically answer an incoming telephone call, and then to report a present status of a real estate showing over said telephone line; and

(d) said second control circuit is configured to prevent said third communications circuit from answering an incoming telephone call for a predetermined time interval after said real estate showing has been completed.

2. An electronic lock box system, comprising:

an electronic lock box having a first control circuit, a first memory circuit, a first communications circuit, a second communications circuit, a secure compartment with an access element, and a shackle for attachment to a fixed object;

a dwelling base station having a second control circuit, a second memory circuit, a third communications circuit, and a fourth communications circuit;

an external apparatus having a third control circuit, a third memory circuit, and a fifth communications circuit; and

a separate electronic key that includes a fourth control circuit, a fourth memory circuit, and a sixth communications circuit;

wherein;

(a) said electronic lock box is positioned at a first location that is physically separated from a second location of said dwelling base station;

(b) said external apparatus is positioned at a third location that is physically separated from both said electronic lock box and said dwelling base station;

(c) said first communications circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said third communications circuit, thereby allowing said electronic lock box to exchange data messages with said dwelling base station;

(d) said fourth communications circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said fifth communications circuit, thereby allowing said dwelling base station to exchange data messages with said external apparatus;

(e) said second communications circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said sixth communications circuit, thereby allowing said electronic key to exchange data messages with said electronic lock box;

(f) said electronic key is activated by a human user who is attempting an access of said secure compartment of the electronic lock box;

(g) if said first control circuit determines that said electronic key has transmitted a correct authorization code, access to said secure compartment of the electronic lock box will be granted, and then said first control circuit is configured to disable said electronic key by sending a disable message using said second communications circuit; and

(h) if said first control circuit determines that said secure compartment of the electronic lock box has been properly closed and a separate mechanical key has been properly restored within the secure compartment, then said first control circuit is configured to re-enable said electronic key by sending an enable message using said second communications circuit.

3. The electronic lock box system of claim 2, wherein, after said electronic key is disabled by said disable message from said lock box, said electronic key will nevertheless be able to communicate with said second communications circuit of said lock box, while at the same time said electronic key will be not be enabled to communicate with any other lock box of said electronic lock box system.

4. An electronic lock box system, comprising:

an electronic lock box having a first control circuit, a first memory circuit, a first communications circuit, a secure compartment with an access element, and a shackle for attachment to a fixed object;

an electronic key having a second control circuit, a second memory circuit, a second communications circuit, and a third communications circuit; and

wherein;

(a) said electronic lock box is positioned at a first location that is physically separated from a second location of said electronic key;

(b) said first communications circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said second communications circuit, thereby allowing said electronic lock box to exchange data messages with said electronic key;

(c) said electronic key is activated by a human user who is attempting an access of said secure compartment of the electronic lock box;

(d) if said first control circuit determines that said electronic key has transmitted a correct authorization code, access to said secure compartment of the electronic lock box will be granted, and then said first control circuit is configured to disable said electronic key by sending a disable message using said first communications circuit; and

(e) if said first control circuit determines that said secure compartment of the electronic lock box has been properly closed and a separate dwelling key has been properly restored within the secure compartment, then said first control circuit is configured to re-enable said electronic key by sending an enable message using said first communications circuit.

5. The electronic lock box system of claim 4, further comprising a clearinghouse computer apparatus having a third control circuit, a third memory circuit, and a fourth communications circuit;

wherein;

(a) said clearinghouse computer apparatus is positioned at a third location that is physically separated from both said electronic lock box and said electronic key; and

(b) said third communications circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said fourth communications circuit, thereby allowing said electronic key to exchange data messages with said clearinghouse computer apparatus.

6. The electronic lock box system of claim 5, wherein, after said electronic key is disabled by said disable message from said lock box, said electronic key will nevertheless be able to communicate with said second communications circuit of said lock box, while at the same time said electronic key will be not be enabled to communicate with any other lock box of said electronic lock box system.