Lockbox access device and method with biometric security data

• US 9,836,897 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2016
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Briskey, Teri Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUIN, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US15/143,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20160321847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 584 Days
• Field of Search: 340 553
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration

Abstract

A lockbox access apparatus comprising a wireless communications device having a stored program configured to: cause the wireless communications device to communicate an access request to a lockbox; and receive lockbox identifying information from the lockbox. The wireless communication device is further configured to: record biometric identifying information of an individual; take entry from a user of non-biometric identifying information of the individual; and transmit the lockbox identifying information, the biometric identifying information, and the non-biometric identifying information to a remote destination.

Claims

1. A combination of a lockbox and a lockbox access apparatus, the combination comprising:

said lockbox, said lockbox having a lockable compartment for storing a key; and

said lockbox access apparatus comprising a wireless communications device having a stored program configured to;

cause the wireless communications device to communicate an access request to a lockbox; and

receive lockbox identifying information from the lockbox,

wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to;

record biometric identifying information of an individual;

take entry from a user of non-biometric identifying information of the individual; and

transmit the lockbox identifying information, the biometric identifying information, and the non-biometric identifying information to a remote destination.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the stored program is configured to receive said lockbox identifying information as a result of the communication of the access request.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the stored program is configured to prompt the user for:

entry of the biometric identifying information and non-biometric identifying information;

or

selection of already stored biometric identifying information.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the biometric identifying information comprises a photograph.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the stored program is configured to prompt the user for entry of personal security information of the user.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the personal security information is a PIN.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications device is a wireless telephone.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications device is configured to initiate the communication to the remote destination via a data communication sent over the wireless communications device'"'"'s wireless carrier network.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the remote destination to which the wireless communications device initiates the communication includes a central authority having a computer receptive to communications from the wireless communications device over the wireless communications device'"'"'s wireless carrier network.

10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications device and the lockbox are configured such that the access request is communicated wirelessly.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication includes Bluetooth communication.

12. A method for using the combination of claim 1, the method comprising:

recording with the wireless communication device said biometric identifying information of the individual;

communicating via the wireless communications device the access request to the lockbox; and

transmitting with the wireless communication device the lockbox identifying information, the biometric identifying information, and the non-biometric identifying information to said remote destination.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

taking entry with the wireless communication device of said non-biometric identifying information.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the recording is via taking a digital photograph.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the lockbox is used to secure a key to a premises; and

the individual is a visitor.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the lockbox is used to secure a key to a vehicle; and

the individual is a prospective test driver of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the communicating of the access request is via Bluetooth communication; and

the transmitting to the remote destination is via the wireless communication device'"'"'s wireless carrier network.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein:

biometric identifying information of the individual is not already stored at the remote destination.

19. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lockbox and wireless communication device are configured for direct wireless communication with each other.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the direct wireless communication is Bluetooth communication.

21. A combination of a lockbox and a combination system comprising:

said lockbox, the lockbox having a locking compartment for storing a key to a property secured via the lockbox; and

said lockbox access apparatus system comprising one or more servers having a stored program configured to receive from a wireless communication device;

lockbox identifying information, biometric identifying information of an individual seeking access to the property secured via the lockbox, and non-biometric identifying information of the individual.

22. The combination of claim 21 wherein the stored program is configured to:

generate a report output for a remote device that includes, in visual form, the biometric identifying information and the non-biometric identifying information.

23. The combination of claim 21 further comprising:

at least one said wireless communication device.

24. A method for using a lockbox access apparatus the lockbox access apparatus comprising a wireless communications device having a stored program configured to:

cause the wireless communications device to communicate an access request to a lockbox; and

receive lockbox identifying information from the lockbox,

wherein the wireless communication device is further configured to;

record biometric identifying information of an individual;

take entry from a user of non-biometric identifying information of the individual; and

transmit the lockbox identifying information, the biometric identifying information, and the non-biometric identifying information to a remote destination,

the method comprising;

recording with the wireless communication device said biometric identifying information of the individual, biometric identifying information of the individual not already stored at the remote destination;

communicating via the wireless communications device the access request to the lockbox; and

transmitting with the wireless communication device the lockbox identifying information, the biometric identifying information, and the non-biometric identifying information to said remote destination.