Vehicle activity module

• US 8,606,589 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SentriLock, LLC
• Original Assignee: SentriLock, LLC
• Inventors: McGinn, Dennis, Cherukuri, Suman
• Primary Examiner(s): Ouellette, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kirlin, Amanda
• Application Number:
  US13/719,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20130106572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1.1, 340/5.8
• US Class Current: 705/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0067 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0072 Operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/086 using a pair of interlocked keys, one of the keys being non-removable; key-storing devices from which only one key can be removed at a time
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/00 Electric permutation locks; Circuits therefor ; Mechanical aspects of electronic locks; Mechanical keys therefor arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; mechanisms including electronic locks actuated by nonmechanical keys such as passive and active electrical keys and other data carriers G07C9/00, G07F7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0065 Operating modes; Transformable to different operating modes
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0075 for safes, strongrooms, vaults, fire-resisting cabinets or the like safes, closures and fastenings therefor E05G
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for maintaining security and data gathering for a number of vehicles. The systems include a vehicle activity module for each of the vehicles. The vehicle activity module has a wireless transmitter, a storage device, at least one sensor for receiving event information from identification devices, such as RFID cards, keypads, magnetic ID cards, and the like, a releasable key container, and a processor for accessing and analyzing information. The VAMs are wirelessly connected to a computer system. The VAMs control access to the keys, monitor information relating to access, and store and transmit information relating to sales events, non-sales events, and intrusion events. The VAMs are capable of autonomous operation, without the need to access the computer system to verify event information. The VAMs further include signal attenuating mechanisms to facilitate use of “smart keys.”

Claims

1. A system for maintaining security and gathering data involving a plurality of remote locations comprising:

a plurality of activity modules, each of which are assigned to one of a plurality of remote locations, at least one of said plurality of activity modules including a storage device capable of receiving and storing data, a wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, a releasable key container configured to receive at least one key, and a processor operably coupled to;

(i) said wireless transmitter, (ii) said at least one sensor, and (iii) said releasable key container;

a computer having a database for storage of data, said computer being in wireless to communication with said at least one of said plurality of activity modules; and

at least one key identification device for attachment to said at least one key of at least one of said plurality of remote locations;

wherein;

(a) said processor is capable of receiving and transmitting event information to at least one of said storage device and said computer from said at least one sensor; and

(b) said processor is programmed to access and analyze said event information and compare said event information to reference information stored in said storage device for initiation of an event action within said at least one activity module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

(a) said at least one sensor senses a presence or an absence of said at least one key identification device within said releasable key container; and

(b) said at least one activity module transmits information relating to said presence or absence of said at least one key identification device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said event action is selected from at least one of:

(a) triggering an alarm;

(b) releasing said releasable key container; and

(c) transmitting said event information to said computer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an intrusion sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an RFID reader.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a programmable key pad.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a biometric reader.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with said computer through a cellular communications facility.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with said computer through a Zigbee wireless network protocol.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one activity module further comprises a clock, and said at least one activity module transmits information related to said clock.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said event information is transmitted to said computer for storage in said database, and for generation of reports relating to said event information.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said computer generates reports relating to a presence or an absence of at least one of said keys based on said event information.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said computer generates reports relating to attempts to access at least one of said plurality of key compartments.

14. A method for maintaining security and gathering data involving a plurality of remote locations, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of activity modules, each of which are assigned to one of a plurality of remote locations, at least one of said plurality of activity modules including a storage device capable of receiving and storing data, a wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, a releasable key container configured to receive at least one key, and a processor operably coupled to (i) said wireless transmitter, (ii) said at least one sensor, and (iii) said releasable key container;

providing a computer having a database for storage of data, said computer being in wireless communication with said at least one of said plurality of activity modules;

providing at least one key identification device for attachment to said at least one key of at least one of said plurality of remote locations; and

receiving, at said processor, event information from said at least one sensor;

transmitting data representative of said event information to at least one of (i) said storage device, and (ii) said computer;

accessing and analyzing said data representative of said event information, by said processor;

comparing, by said processor, said data representative of said event information to reference information stored in said storage device, for initiation of an event action within said at least one activity module.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing, by said at least one sensor, a presence or an absence of said at least one key identification device within said releasable key container; and

(b) transmitting, using said at least one activity module, information relating to said presence or absence of said at least one key identification device.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of:

selecting said event action from at least one of;

(a) triggering an alarm, (b) releasing said releasable key container, and (c) transmitting said event information to said computer.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one of:

(a) an intrusion sensor;

(b) an RFID reader;

(c) a programmable key pad; and

(d) a biometric reader.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting said event information to said computer for storage in said database; and

(b) generating reports relating to said event information.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of generating reports comprises:

generating reports relating to a presence or an absence of at least one of said keys based on said event information.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of generating reports comprises:

generating reports relating to attempts to access at least one of said plurality of key compartments.