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Contextual data delivery to mobile users responsive to access of an electronic lockbox

  • US 9,053,629 B2
  • Filed: 03/14/2013
  • Issued: 06/09/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for operating an electronic lockbox system, said method comprising:

  • (a) providing a first electronic lockbox having a first processing circuit, a first memory circuit, a first short range wireless communications circuit, and a secure compartment having a movable opening element that is under the control of said first processing circuit;

    (b) providing at least one portable communications device, including a first portable communications device of said at least one portable communications device, said first portable communications device having a second processing circuit, a second memory circuit, a display, a data entry device, a second short range wireless communications circuit, and a first WAN communications circuit for communicating with a wide area network;

    (c) providing a central computer having a third processing circuit, a third memory circuit containing at least one database, and a second WAN communications circuit for communicating with said wide area network, said at least one database of said central computer having a capability for storing information for a plurality of electronic lockboxes assigned to said electronic lockbox system, including said first electronic lockbox;

    (d) in response to a communication event occurring between said first electronic lockbox and said first portable communications device, sending, by use of said first WAN communications circuit, an indication of such communication event to said central computer;

    (e) at said central computer, assimilating a first data set of contextually relevant information relating to a property to which said first electronic lockbox is assigned;

    (f) after assimilating said at least one data set of contextually relevant information pertaining to said first electronic lockbox;

    (i) searching through said at least one database to determine whether at least a second data set of contextually relevant information pertaining to said first electronic lockbox is already stored in said at least one database;

    (ii) if so, then comparing said second data set to said first data set, to determine if substantially identical information exists in both said first and second data sets;

    (iii) if so, then identifying, by the central computer, said first and second data sets as being duplicate data sets;

    (iv) then filtering, by the central computer, said duplicate data sets, by combining said first data set and second data set into a remaining data set of contextually relevant information pertaining to said first electronic lockbox;

    (g) generating a history report about property visits by a first user of said first portable communications device, said history report including;

    (i) said remaining data set of contextually relevant information pertaining to said first electronic lockbox; and

    (ii) a history log of property visits; and

    (g) sending, by use of said second WAN communications circuit, said history report to said first portable communications device.

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