Real estate wireless lockbox

• US 9,704,319 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garcia Desinor Jr
• Original Assignee: Garcia Desinor Jr
• Inventors: Desinor, Jr., Garcia
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LAURA N
• Application Number:
  US14/937,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20160180621A1
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00325 and the lock having only one limited data transmission range
• 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 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• 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 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

A system and method are described regarding a wireless lockbox that can be used to manage real estate sales tours. A system can include various owners and buyers that create a searchable real estate listing. Buyers can review the list via computing device, such as a smartphone, and request home tours. Owners can review requests and approve potential buyers to tour their property. When the potential buyer approaches the property, software on their computing device can communicate via Bluetooth, or another wireless network, and unlock the wireless lockbox.

Claims

1. A wireless lockbox comprising:

a Bluetooth interface, the Bluetooth interface operable to communicate with a plurality of mobile devices;

a cellular interface, the cellular interface operable to communicate with a plurality of servers and an owner mobile device;

a motorized tray, the motorized tray operable to open and close and to hold a house key, wherein the motorized tray is driven by a motor;

a key sensor operable to detect proximity of the house key to the wireless lockbox when the house key is removed from the wireless lockbox; and

a microprocessor, the microprocessor coupled to the Bluetooth interface, the cellular interface, the motor, the key sensor, and the motorized tray, the microprocessor operable to open and close the motorized tray by controlling the motor, and further operable to open the motorized tray upon receiving an unlock command from one of the plurality of mobile devices over the Bluetooth interface, wherein the unlock command is received during a predetermined time period and if the unlock command is received outside the predetermined time period then the microprocessor does not open the motorized tray, the microprocessor further operable to send a notification to the owner mobile device if the key sensor indicates that the house key is outside a predetermined proximity.

2. The wireless lockbox of claim 1 further comprising a separate sensor, and wherein the microprocessor is coupled to the separate sensor and is operable to send a notification over the cellular interface if the wireless lockbox is moved a predetermined distance.

3. The wireless lockbox of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time period is received by the wireless lockbox over the cellular interface from the plurality of servers.

4. The wireless lockbox of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time period is received by the wireless lockbox over the cellular interface from the owner mobile device.

5. The wireless lockbox of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of LED lights.

6. The wireless lockbox of claim 5 wherein the plurality of LED lights are configured to turn a first color when opening the motorized tray and a second color when closing the motorized tray.

7. The wireless lockbox of claim 5 wherein the plurality of LED lights are configured to indicate power on, power off, opening of tray, closing of tray, charging, and low power with different colors.

8. The wireless lockbox of claim 1 further comprising a GPS interface.