CA1222038A - Electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method - Google Patents
Electronic secure entry system, apparatus and methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA1222038A CA1222038A CA000464263A CA464263A CA1222038A CA 1222038 A CA1222038 A CA 1222038A CA 000464263 A CA000464263 A CA 000464263A CA 464263 A CA464263 A CA 464263A CA 1222038 A CA1222038 A CA 1222038A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- access
- compartment
- code
- lock
- case
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
- G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
- G07C9/00896—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys specially adapted for particular uses
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
- G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
- G07C9/00896—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys specially adapted for particular uses
- G07C2009/00936—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys specially adapted for particular uses for key cabinets
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
Lock box for use in a secure entry system comprising a case with a key compartment therein. The key compartment has at least a portion thereof movable between key retaining and key access positions. A
shackle is mounted in the case and is movable between locked and unlocked positions. First and second electromagnetic latches are carried within the case for use in operation of the key compartment and the shackle respectively. A power supply is provided in the case.
Circuitry is provided within the case connecting the power supply to the first and second electromagnetic latches. A keyboard is carred by the case and is accessible from the exterior of the case. The keyboard is connected to the circuit means for selectively operating the first and second electromagnetic latches.
Lock box for use in a secure entry system comprising a case with a key compartment therein. The key compartment has at least a portion thereof movable between key retaining and key access positions. A
shackle is mounted in the case and is movable between locked and unlocked positions. First and second electromagnetic latches are carried within the case for use in operation of the key compartment and the shackle respectively. A power supply is provided in the case.
Circuitry is provided within the case connecting the power supply to the first and second electromagnetic latches. A keyboard is carred by the case and is accessible from the exterior of the case. The keyboard is connected to the circuit means for selectively operating the first and second electromagnetic latches.
Description
1~Z~d~
ELECTRONIC SECURE ENTRY SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD
This invention relates to an electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method and more particularly to one which can be utilized by realtors in showing homes and places of business in which an electronic lock box 5 or key safe can be provided as a safe or secure recep-tacle for the key(s) to obtain access to the buildings to be shown.
Lock boxes and key safes have heretofore been provided as, for example, of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent 3,436,937. Sueh key safes or lock boxes have security problems associated wi~h them. One principal security problem is that once a realtor loses a key by which he obtains access to the key safes or lock boxes and it is found, access can be obtained to many hundreds if not thousands of lock boxes or key safes, particularly in a large real estate multiple listing system. Another security problem which is present in the existing system is there is no record of which sales agent for a sales agency in a multiple listing service entered a building. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to track down who may have been responsible for thefts from the houses or doors being left open. There is therefore a need for a new A 39278a/HCHU `
3~3 and improved security system, apparatus and method which overcomes these disadvant~ges.
In general it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method which can be used by realtors and particularly realtors in multiple listing systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the use of a mechanical key is eliminated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a record is made of the real estate salesman gaining access to the system, apparatus and method.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character which limits access to realtors who have an assigned code.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a lock box or key safe is provided in which access to the key(s) in the lock box or key safe can only be obtained by the use of a code.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the code is inserted by the use of keyboard means carried by the lock box or key safe.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, appara~us and method in which the lock box or key safe can be interrogated to supply information regarding the realtors obtaining access to the lock box or key safe.
A 39278a/HCHU
Anothex object of the invention is to provide a lock box which will give a tone each time a key of a keyboard is depressed.
Another object of the invention is to provide 2 system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a shackle movable between locked and unlocked positions is provided.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a key compartment is provided as a part of the lock box or key sae and is mounted for movement between a key retaining and key access positions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a separate electromechanical latch is provided for the shackle and also for the key compartment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which each of the electromechanical latches are operated by separate and independent codes.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a central station is used and which is provided with a control unit.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the control unit can be interrogated by a real estate broker to obtain his code.
A 39278a/HC~U
3 1~
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the code of an interrogating realtor can be verified.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the lock box or key safe and the control unit at the central station are provided with independently synchronized timing means.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which codes are changed under the control of the timing means.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which voice synthesizers are utilized for supplying codes to realtors.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the timing means of the lock boxes and the timing means in the control unit are generally at the same time.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which algorithms determine the access codes for the lock boxes based upon the time of issuance.
Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments are set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A 39278a/HCHU
31~
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a lock box or key safe incorporating the present invention for use with the system and me-thod and shows the key box or key compartment in an open position.
Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the lock box or key safe shown in Figure 1 with certain portions of the case being broken away.
Figure 3 is a slde elevational view of the lock box or key safe shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry utilized in the lock box or key safe.
Figure 5 is a block diagram of an electronic secure entry system incorporating the present invention and utilizing the method of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a bloc]c diagram representing schematically how monthly access codes are provided in the electronic secure entry system and method of the present invention.
Figure 7 is another block diagram showing the manner in which the electronic secure entry system is utilized in conjunction with the method of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a block diagram of the circuitry utilized in the control console in the central location.
In general, the system, apparatus and method of the present invention utilizes a case. A compartmen-t is mounted in the case for movement between retaining and access positions. An electromagnetic latch is carried by the case and the key compartment for latching the compartment in a key retaining position. A retainer is 3~
mounted in the case for movement between latched and unlatched positions. An additional electromechanical latch is carried by the case and the retainer for retaining the retainer in a latched position. A power supply is provided in the case. Circuitry connects the power supply and the first named and additional electromechanical latches. A code actuated means is carried by the case and is connected to the circuitry for selective operation of the first named and additional electromagnetic latch mechanisms.
A lock box or key safe 11 to be utilized in ~he electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 through 3.
As shown therein, it consists of a housing or a case 12 which in the embodiment shown is generally rectangular in cross-section and is provided with spaced apart parallel front and rear walls 13 and 14. A large opening 15 is provided in the front wall 13 for a purpose hereinafter described. The case 12 also includes spaced apart parallel side walls 16 and 17.
The upper and lower ends of the housing or case 12 are open. The case 12 can have suitable dimensions such as 5.5 inches in height 3.125 inches in width and 1.125 inches in depth. A top cover 18 is seated within and closes the top opening and is secured to the case 12 by suitable means such as pressed-in blind pins 19.
The housing or case 12 is formed of a suitable material such as hardened steel. A key box or compartment 20 is slidably mounted in the housing or case 12 and serves to close the bottom opening in the case 12. The key box or key compartment 20 is also formed of a similar material such as hardened steel. The key box or key compartment 20 consists of first and second spaced apart parallel side walls 21 and 22, a lower or bottom wall 23, a partial rear wall 24 and a relatively small 1~ 3~
~7--front lip 26. The key box or key compartment 20 is sized in such a manner so that it can slide upwardly into the bottom opening in the case 12 so that the bottom wall 23 is slightly recessed with respect to the lower extremity of the housing or cover 12 so as to form in combination with the case 12 a completely enclosed enclosure. The space 27 in front of the rear wall 24 behind the lip 26 can be utilized for retaining one or more keys 28 in the key box or key compartment 20~ A forwardly extending lip 29 is provided which is formed integral with the rear wall 24. The lip 29 also can be secured to the side wall 21 by suitable means such as spot welding. The lip 29 is provided with a hole 30. A sleeve 31 has its lower extremity mounted in the lip 29 and is provided with a hole 32 which extends parallel to the side wall 21.
A retainer in the form of a generally U~shaped shackle 36 is provided which has a longer leg 37 and a shorter leg 38. The longer leg 37 is slidably mounted in a hole 41 provided in the top cover 18 and extends downwardly through the hole 32 in the sleeve 31, as shown particularly in Figure 2. The other shorter leg 38 of the shackle 36 is slidably mounted in an offset hole 42 provided in the cylinder 43. The cylinder 43 is threaded into the top cap 18 and serves as a cover for a battery compartment 44. The battery compartment 44 is provided in a cylindrical block 46 secured to the top cover 18 by screws 47. An O-ring 48 is provided for establishing a seal between the cylinder 43 and the top cover 18. A battery 49 is mounted within the compartment 44 and has its bottom end engaging a spring urged battery terminal 51 which extends through the bottom wall of the block 46. A tool slot 52 is provided in the cylinder 43 to facilitate insertion and removal of the cylinder from the top cover 18. The slot 52 is of a size so that a coin can be used for 3~
rotating the clyinder 43. T:he cylinder 43 however cannot be removed without the shackle 36 being moved to an out-of-the-way unlocked position because of the offset position of the hole 42.
The shackle 36 is movable between locked and unlocked positions. It is latched into a locked position by electromagnetic means in the form of a relay 56. The relay 56 is of a conventional type and is provided with a generally L-shaped framework 57. The L-shaped frame-work 57 is supported upon a block 58 of a suitable insulating material such as a ceramic. The block of insulating material is supported by a bolt 59 that is fastened to a generally Z-shaped bracket 61 which is secured to the lower side of -the top cover 18 by a screw 62. The block 58 carries terminals (not shown) which are connected to a coil 63 forming a part of the relay 56. The coil 63 is mounted on a magnetic core 64 which is mounted upon the framework 57. A latching member 66 formed of a suitable magnetic material such as steel is hingedly mounted on the L-shaped framework 57 and has its lower extremity as viewed in Figure 2 yieldably urged in an outward direction by a coil spring 67 having one end secured to the latching member 66 and havlng the other end secured to the L-shaped framework 57. Energization of the coil 63 will cause the latch member 66 to be attracted to the core 64 against the force of the spring 67. The latching member 66 is adapted to engage a notch 69 formed in the leg 37 of the shackle 36 to xetain the shackle in a locked position as shown in Figure 2. When the shackle is unlatched by movement of the latching member 66 into engagement with the core 64 of the relay 56, means is provided for yieldably urging the shackle into an unlocked position and consists of a spring 71 which is coaxially disposed on the leg 37 of the shackle 36 and has one end engaging a C-ring 72 mounted in an annular slot (not shown) provided on the leg 37. The other end of -the spring 71 fits over the sleeve 31 and engages the lip 29~ Thus it can be seen that when the latch member 66 is moved to the unla-tched position, the spring 71 will yieldably urge the shackle 36 upwardly out of the case so that the ley 38 will clear the hole 42 and permit the shackle 36 to be rotated so tha-t it can be attached to or detached from a doorknob, gas pipe or other suitable loca-tion.
Means is also provided for latching the key box or compartment 20 in a closed, key retaining or locked position and consists of a latch member 76 of additional electromagnetic means in the form of a relay 77. The latch member 76 is adapted to engage a notch 78 formed by a lip or catch member 79 on the sidewall 22 of the key box or compartment 20. The relay 77 can be identical to the relay 56 and is provided with an L-shaped framework 82 which is carried by an insulating block 83. The block 83 is secured by a bolt 84 to a Z-shaped bracket 86. The bracket 86 is secured to a larger L-shaped bracket 87 by a bolt 88. The bracket 87 e~tends upwardly in th.e front of the case 12 and is secured to the front side of the top cover within the interior of the case 12 by suitable means such as screws 89. The bracket 87 is formed of a suitable material such as hardened steel and covers the opening 15 in the front wall 13. Small positioning protrusions are provided on the top cover and engage holes provided in the bracket 87. The L-shaped framework 82 carries a core 91 and a coil 92. The latch member 76 is hingedly mounted on the L-shaped framework 82 and is yieldably urged into a latching position to engage the notch 78 by a spring 94 which has one end secured to the la-tch member 76 and the other end secured to the L-shaped framework 82.
3~
A printed circuit board 96 is mounted on posts 97 carried by the bracket 87 by use of screws 98. The printed circuit board 96 carries circuitry of the type hereinafter described. The printed circuit board is provided with a connector 101 of a female type. A male connector 102 is mounted in the female connector 101 and is connected to a flexible tape cable 103. The flexible tape cable 103 extends sidewardly and upwardly around the side of the bracket 87. The tape cable 103 is formed integral with a keyboard or key pad 107 of the type manufactured and sold by the Brady Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota under the trademark XYMOX.
The keyboard 107 is of a type well known to those skilled in the art and is comprised of two layers of plastic which have silver contacts silk-screened on the inside surfaces of the same and which are hermetically sealed with a spacer sheet of insulating material therebetween with cutouts for key areas. When pressure is applied to a specific region a conductive path is established to the printed circuit board as hereinafter described. The keyboard 107 is mounted upon the front side of the bracket 87 within the opening 15 in the front wall 13 by suitable means such as an adhesive. A
face plate 109 formed of a suitable flexible material such as a stainless steel sheet is disposed in a recess 108 in the front wall 13 and is secured to the inner margins of the wall 13 defining the opening 15 in the front wall 13 by suitable means such as an epoxy~ The face plate 109 covers the opening 15 in the front wall 13 and overlies the keyboard 107. Thé face plate 109 is provided with graphics in the form of indicia 111 imprinted therein as shown particularly in Figure 1 which serve as keys that correspond generally to the twelve push buttons on a conventional telephone and carry the numbers 0-9 and the star and a number sign~
6D3~3 Means is provided for preventing the key box or key compartment 25 from being retracted or pushed out of the case 12 and consists of a lip 95 which is carried by the side wall 21 which is adapted to engage a sidewardly extending portion 87a of the bracket 87.
Thus it can be seen that when the latch member 76 is retracted) the spring 91 engaging the lip 29 will push the key compartment or key box 20 outwardly to the open position shown in Figure 1 to permit the access to the key or keys 28 contained therein. The lip 95 prevents projection of the key compartment or box beyond a predetermined position as shown in Figure 1.
A small piezoelectric acoustical transducer 116 is provided which is connected to the printed circuit board and is secured to the bracket 87 beneath the printed circuit board 96 and overlies a hole 117 provided through the rear wall 14 of the case 12 and extending through the bracket 87 so that sound waves produced by the transducer 116 can pass through the hole 117.
The circuitry which is used in the lock box or key safe 1l is shown in Figure 4. The circuitry which is provided on the printed circuit board 96 is enclosed within the broken line 96 shown in Figure 4. Those components which are not on the printed circuit board are outside of the broken lines and include the key pad 107, the coils 63 and 92 and the battery 49. An integrated circuit 121 is mounted on the PC board 96 and is of a suitable type such as a COPS 410 manufactured by National Semiconductor which serves as a microcontroller. This microcontroller is provided with additional memory 122 such as the No. 6514 made by Harris Semiconductor which provides an additional 256 bytes of random access memory. A timer chip 123 is also connected to the integrated circuit 121 and by way of example can be of a type manufactured by National Semiconductor utilizing a CMOS timer chip. The tirner chip 123 is coupled to a crystal 124 of a suitable frequency as, for example, 32 megahertz. The timer divides the crystal frequency by 32000 to provide a wakeup signal to the microcontroller 121 of once per minute in order to keep track of the current time.
Operation of the lock box or key safe 11 hereinbefore described may now be briefly described in conjunction with the system and method of the present invention.
Let it be assumed by way of example that a multiple listing service has, for example, as many as 10,000 real esta-te brokers desirous of utilizing the system.
Such a system would include a control location or station such as in the headquarters of a multiple listiny service as represented by the block 131 in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, the multiple listing service headquarters or control location would typically include a computer 132 with its keyboard 133.
The computer would be connected to a conventional printer 134 and in addition to a contro] console or station 136.
The multiple listing service would have a plurality of the lock boxes 11 which would be given to the listing agents. The listing agents in turn would utilize them in connection with the buildings or houses 137 which are listed with the multiple listing service.
In Figure 6 there is shown a block diagram of how a real estate agent would utilize the present system and method in conjunction with the lock box or key safe 11.
Fiyure 7 shows the manner in which the listing broker would utilize a lock box or key safe in conjunction with the present system and method.
In Figure g there is shown the elec-tronic circuitry which wou:ld be provided in the control console or station 136 provided at the multiple listing service.
As shown therein, typically four incoming telephone lines 141 would be provided for a multiple listing service having as many as lO,000 brokers. These four telephone lines would be connected to a conventional phone interface provided by Mitel. The telephone interface 142 is connected to an integrated micro~
controller chip or microprocessor of the type hereinbefore described, namely, a COPS 410 manufactured by National Semiconductor. This COP~ 410 has access to additional memory 122 which includes in its memory a memory for codes which are required to obtain access to the system.
The integrated circuit 121 is connected to the computer 132 at the multiple listing service control center as shown in Figure 5. The integrated circuit 121 is also connected to a voice synthesizer 146. The voice synthesizer 146 is of a conventional type such as a National Semiconductor DT 1000 chip set which is provided with a standard microprocessor interface which is utilized to determine what words are spoken. The voice synthesizer 146 basically has a digital select input and an analog voice output.
The system and method of the present invention is based upon key codes consisting of 9 digits with the first 5 digits being the permanent identification code for the real estate broker and the other four digits being a private code which is periodically changed as hereinafter described. Typically a broker for a multiple listing service will be assigned his specific five-digit code as, for example, on a small iden-tification card together with a four digit private code known only to the real estate broker which permits 3~
him to obtain access to all of the lock boxes 11 for houses in the multiple listing service for that particular month.
Let it be assumed that a broker has been issued the two codes with 9 digits and that it is desired to show a prospective buyer into one of the homes or buildings 137 in the multiple listing service which has been provided with a key lock or safe 11 of the type hereinbefore described by the listing broker. Such a key lock or safe 11 typically can be locked and retained thereby onto the doorknob on the outside of the entrance door to the home. Alternatively, it can be mounted on the gas pipe next to the gas meter for the home.
The broker then uses two codes provided on his identi-fication card and inserts the two codes into the lock box or key safe by depressing the indicia 111 on the keys of the key pad 107 in the order that they appear in his code. Thus the five digit code and the four digit code are entered sequentially~ Each time a key is depressed, an audible signal will be produced by the transducer 116 to verify that he has, in fact, pressed a key. When the proper sequence of keys has been entered, the microcontroller supplies electrical energy to the coil 92. At the same time energy is supplied to the transducer 116 to supply an audible tone for a period of three seconds. During this time, the real estate broker can obtain access to the key compartment by pressing upwardly on the key compartment to permit the latch member 76 to become frictionally disengaged from the notch 78 and to be pulled over to the core 91 of the relay 77. The movement of the box by the real estate agent reduces the frictlonal engagement between the latch member 76 and the catch member 79. As soon as this occurs, the key box or key compartment 20 will 3~3 be urged outwardly under the force of the spring 91 until the lip 95 comes into engagement with bracket portion 87a. By this time, the real estate agent then will have access to the key 28. If by chance, the real estate agent does not press upwardly on the key box or key compartment 20 during the three second interval during the time when the audible tone is being given, the coil 92 will be deenergized and the latch member 76 will reengage the notch 78. It then will be necessary for the real estate agent to again insert his code to obtain reenergization of the coil 92. Thereafter, the real estate agent will have another opportunity in which to have the key compartment or box 20 open under the force of the spring 71.
After the real estate agent has obtained access to the key, the real estate agent can show the prospective purchaser the home on which the lock box 11 is located.
After the showing has been completed, the real estate agent again places the key 28 in the lock box and pushes the lock box upwardly into the case 12 until the latch member 76 snaps into the notch 78. The key will then thus again be locked within the case and access cannot be obtained to the same unless it is obtained by the same or another real estate agent using his assigned personal code to obtain access to the lock box.
The lock box ll is provided with an algorithm which when a real estate agent obtains access to the bov records in the memory of the integrated circuit 121 or in the additional memory 122 the code number of the agent and the time that the agent obtained access to the lock box~
Now let it be assumed that the listing agent who placed the lock box on the home being shown desires to make a survey of the real estate agents who have shown the home. This can be accomplished by the listing real estate agent going to the lock box 11 and inserting his five digit personal code together with a four digit code assigned to him in conjunction with the particular lock box. As this code is being entered, audible tones are again given by the transducer 116 to indicate when a key has been pressed. When the proper codes have been in~erted, an electrical signal will be supplied to the coil 63. Again an audible tone will be given off for a period of three seconds during which time, the real estate agent can grasp the case with one hand and hold the shackle 36 with the other hand to slightly depress the shackle to release the latch member 66 and to permit it to move toward the magnet core 64 to release the leg 37 of the shade 36. The shackle 36 then will be moved upwardly by the force of the spring 71 engaging the C-ring 720 As the shackle 36 is moved upwardly, the short leg 38 will clear the hole 42 and permit the shackle to be swung to permit release of the lock box ll from the doorknob or pipe or whatever other object to wh ch it is attached.
After the shackle 36 has been released in thi~ manner, the listing real estate agen~ or broker ~an take the lock box and go to the nearest telephone. This mode of operation is shown in Figure 7 in which the lock box ll is shown being placed close to a receiver 151 of a A 39278a/HCHU
.~ 3~3 conventional telephone 152 which is connected to the multiple listing service 131. By placing the recei~er 151 near the small opening 117 provided in the rear of the case 12, the information carried in the memory of the integrated circuit and the additional memory 122 can be released merely by pressing the star and number keys of the indicia 111 which will cause the information contained therein to be passed over the telephone line to the control console or box 136 at the multiple listing service 131 after which it is fed into the computer 132. The information which is received by the computer 132 can be printed out in a conventional printer 134 and then mailed out to the real estate broker. Alternatively, the information on the computer can be sent to a printer to the office of the listing real estate broker as indicated by the printer 153. In this way it is possible for a listing real estate broker to see what activity is being given to the home. In addition, in the event that objects are missing and/or doors left open it is possible to trace which broker or agent entered the house at which particuiar time.
By way of example, the memory carried in the lock box 11 is adequate to carry 64 entries. If information is not erased, the earliest broker entering the house will be erased and the latest broker will be entered with always at least the last 64 real estate agents to enter the house being carried by the memory.
The lock box has been designed in such a manner that it can operate for a period of two years before the battery needs replacement. This two-year period is based on four key box accesses per day and one shackle access per week. When a shackle has been accessed and if a battery is relatively low, as for example, with only three months of lifetime left, an audible beep will be A 39278a/HCHU
supplied through the speaker 116 to advise the lis~ins agent that the battery should be replaced.
Because of the timers 123 provided with each of the lock boxes, each lock box knows the month, the week, the day of the week and the nearest minute in each day. The same is true with respect to the timer provided in the integrated circuit for the control box 136. The lock boxes 11 are provided with an algorithm which is executed whenever codes are entered into the lock box.
The lock boxes combine the code which are entered with the day of the year with the first five digits of the personal code of the real estate broker and then determine whether the next four digits of the code entered are valid. The algorithm provided in the lock box is such that a code is only valid for 30 days, for example. After the ~0 days elapse, it is necessary for the real estate broker to obtain a new four digit code.
This new four digit code can be obtained by the real estate broker by contacting the multiple listiny service. This can be accomplished as shown in Figure 6 by the real estate broker contacting a multiple listing service by telephone 156 or through a terminal 157 and obtaining access to the control console shown in Figure 8 to obtain the appropriate four digit code for the ensuing 30 days. This is accomplished automatically by the use of the voice synthesizer 146 or by a printout on the terminal 134.
A current code can be obtained by the real estate agent calling the phone number of the multiple listing service and entering his personal identification code after which the access code is spoken by the voice synthesizer 146. If the real esta~e agent has access to a multiple listing service terminal 157, the access code can be obtained by entering his personal identification code A 39278a/HCHU
and then the access code is given directly to the real estate broker.
From the foregoing it can be seen that an apparatus, system and method has been provided which provides authorized home entry upon the entry of a code into a lock box or key safe. A destruction proof lock box holds the key. With the present system, additional sales agents can be entered rapidly by providing them wi~h a personal code. Similarly, removal of a sales agent when necessary can be accomplished rapidly. There are no keys to be lost, forgotten or stolen.
With the system and method, a printed record of who entered the home and when is readily provided. This information can be very valuable for follow-up calls and for a review of sales staff activity.
Under the system and method, a permanent personal code used by only one individual is issued to an authorized sales agent of a multiple listing service. The sales agent receives an access code by calling the multiple listing service computer on any telephone and dialing his permanent code. The authorized sales agent will then have access to any home listed and controlled by the multiple listing service. Each lock box is identified by a serial number as, for example, on the top cover 18. The shackle code can be selected by the owner so all of one owner's lock boxes can have the same shackle code. The lock boxes can be programmed so that no access can be obtained to the key compartment during certain hours as, for example from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to give home owners certain hours of privacy.
A listing agent in the multiple listing service would typically purchase a lock box or key safe and would A 39278a/HCHU
receive a special code for the shackle of that lock box.
The agent would then locate the lock box at the listing site. The agent would thereafter visit the site period-ically to retrieve information from the lock box. The listing agent can retrieve complete entxy information simply by calling the multiple listing service computer and holding the lock box to any telephone. The informa-tion is automatically transferred and is available immediately from the brokers terminal. As an option a printout of the same information can be mailed to the broker or listing agent.
A 39278a/HCHU
ELECTRONIC SECURE ENTRY SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD
This invention relates to an electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method and more particularly to one which can be utilized by realtors in showing homes and places of business in which an electronic lock box 5 or key safe can be provided as a safe or secure recep-tacle for the key(s) to obtain access to the buildings to be shown.
Lock boxes and key safes have heretofore been provided as, for example, of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent 3,436,937. Sueh key safes or lock boxes have security problems associated wi~h them. One principal security problem is that once a realtor loses a key by which he obtains access to the key safes or lock boxes and it is found, access can be obtained to many hundreds if not thousands of lock boxes or key safes, particularly in a large real estate multiple listing system. Another security problem which is present in the existing system is there is no record of which sales agent for a sales agency in a multiple listing service entered a building. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to track down who may have been responsible for thefts from the houses or doors being left open. There is therefore a need for a new A 39278a/HCHU `
3~3 and improved security system, apparatus and method which overcomes these disadvant~ges.
In general it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method which can be used by realtors and particularly realtors in multiple listing systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the use of a mechanical key is eliminated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a record is made of the real estate salesman gaining access to the system, apparatus and method.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character which limits access to realtors who have an assigned code.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a lock box or key safe is provided in which access to the key(s) in the lock box or key safe can only be obtained by the use of a code.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the code is inserted by the use of keyboard means carried by the lock box or key safe.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, appara~us and method in which the lock box or key safe can be interrogated to supply information regarding the realtors obtaining access to the lock box or key safe.
A 39278a/HCHU
Anothex object of the invention is to provide a lock box which will give a tone each time a key of a keyboard is depressed.
Another object of the invention is to provide 2 system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a shackle movable between locked and unlocked positions is provided.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a key compartment is provided as a part of the lock box or key sae and is mounted for movement between a key retaining and key access positions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a separate electromechanical latch is provided for the shackle and also for the key compartment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which each of the electromechanical latches are operated by separate and independent codes.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which a central station is used and which is provided with a control unit.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the control unit can be interrogated by a real estate broker to obtain his code.
A 39278a/HC~U
3 1~
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the code of an interrogating realtor can be verified.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the lock box or key safe and the control unit at the central station are provided with independently synchronized timing means.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which codes are changed under the control of the timing means.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which voice synthesizers are utilized for supplying codes to realtors.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which the timing means of the lock boxes and the timing means in the control unit are generally at the same time.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system, apparatus and method of the above character in which algorithms determine the access codes for the lock boxes based upon the time of issuance.
Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments are set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A 39278a/HCHU
31~
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a lock box or key safe incorporating the present invention for use with the system and me-thod and shows the key box or key compartment in an open position.
Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the lock box or key safe shown in Figure 1 with certain portions of the case being broken away.
Figure 3 is a slde elevational view of the lock box or key safe shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry utilized in the lock box or key safe.
Figure 5 is a block diagram of an electronic secure entry system incorporating the present invention and utilizing the method of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a bloc]c diagram representing schematically how monthly access codes are provided in the electronic secure entry system and method of the present invention.
Figure 7 is another block diagram showing the manner in which the electronic secure entry system is utilized in conjunction with the method of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a block diagram of the circuitry utilized in the control console in the central location.
In general, the system, apparatus and method of the present invention utilizes a case. A compartmen-t is mounted in the case for movement between retaining and access positions. An electromagnetic latch is carried by the case and the key compartment for latching the compartment in a key retaining position. A retainer is 3~
mounted in the case for movement between latched and unlatched positions. An additional electromechanical latch is carried by the case and the retainer for retaining the retainer in a latched position. A power supply is provided in the case. Circuitry connects the power supply and the first named and additional electromechanical latches. A code actuated means is carried by the case and is connected to the circuitry for selective operation of the first named and additional electromagnetic latch mechanisms.
A lock box or key safe 11 to be utilized in ~he electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 through 3.
As shown therein, it consists of a housing or a case 12 which in the embodiment shown is generally rectangular in cross-section and is provided with spaced apart parallel front and rear walls 13 and 14. A large opening 15 is provided in the front wall 13 for a purpose hereinafter described. The case 12 also includes spaced apart parallel side walls 16 and 17.
The upper and lower ends of the housing or case 12 are open. The case 12 can have suitable dimensions such as 5.5 inches in height 3.125 inches in width and 1.125 inches in depth. A top cover 18 is seated within and closes the top opening and is secured to the case 12 by suitable means such as pressed-in blind pins 19.
The housing or case 12 is formed of a suitable material such as hardened steel. A key box or compartment 20 is slidably mounted in the housing or case 12 and serves to close the bottom opening in the case 12. The key box or key compartment 20 is also formed of a similar material such as hardened steel. The key box or key compartment 20 consists of first and second spaced apart parallel side walls 21 and 22, a lower or bottom wall 23, a partial rear wall 24 and a relatively small 1~ 3~
~7--front lip 26. The key box or key compartment 20 is sized in such a manner so that it can slide upwardly into the bottom opening in the case 12 so that the bottom wall 23 is slightly recessed with respect to the lower extremity of the housing or cover 12 so as to form in combination with the case 12 a completely enclosed enclosure. The space 27 in front of the rear wall 24 behind the lip 26 can be utilized for retaining one or more keys 28 in the key box or key compartment 20~ A forwardly extending lip 29 is provided which is formed integral with the rear wall 24. The lip 29 also can be secured to the side wall 21 by suitable means such as spot welding. The lip 29 is provided with a hole 30. A sleeve 31 has its lower extremity mounted in the lip 29 and is provided with a hole 32 which extends parallel to the side wall 21.
A retainer in the form of a generally U~shaped shackle 36 is provided which has a longer leg 37 and a shorter leg 38. The longer leg 37 is slidably mounted in a hole 41 provided in the top cover 18 and extends downwardly through the hole 32 in the sleeve 31, as shown particularly in Figure 2. The other shorter leg 38 of the shackle 36 is slidably mounted in an offset hole 42 provided in the cylinder 43. The cylinder 43 is threaded into the top cap 18 and serves as a cover for a battery compartment 44. The battery compartment 44 is provided in a cylindrical block 46 secured to the top cover 18 by screws 47. An O-ring 48 is provided for establishing a seal between the cylinder 43 and the top cover 18. A battery 49 is mounted within the compartment 44 and has its bottom end engaging a spring urged battery terminal 51 which extends through the bottom wall of the block 46. A tool slot 52 is provided in the cylinder 43 to facilitate insertion and removal of the cylinder from the top cover 18. The slot 52 is of a size so that a coin can be used for 3~
rotating the clyinder 43. T:he cylinder 43 however cannot be removed without the shackle 36 being moved to an out-of-the-way unlocked position because of the offset position of the hole 42.
The shackle 36 is movable between locked and unlocked positions. It is latched into a locked position by electromagnetic means in the form of a relay 56. The relay 56 is of a conventional type and is provided with a generally L-shaped framework 57. The L-shaped frame-work 57 is supported upon a block 58 of a suitable insulating material such as a ceramic. The block of insulating material is supported by a bolt 59 that is fastened to a generally Z-shaped bracket 61 which is secured to the lower side of -the top cover 18 by a screw 62. The block 58 carries terminals (not shown) which are connected to a coil 63 forming a part of the relay 56. The coil 63 is mounted on a magnetic core 64 which is mounted upon the framework 57. A latching member 66 formed of a suitable magnetic material such as steel is hingedly mounted on the L-shaped framework 57 and has its lower extremity as viewed in Figure 2 yieldably urged in an outward direction by a coil spring 67 having one end secured to the latching member 66 and havlng the other end secured to the L-shaped framework 57. Energization of the coil 63 will cause the latch member 66 to be attracted to the core 64 against the force of the spring 67. The latching member 66 is adapted to engage a notch 69 formed in the leg 37 of the shackle 36 to xetain the shackle in a locked position as shown in Figure 2. When the shackle is unlatched by movement of the latching member 66 into engagement with the core 64 of the relay 56, means is provided for yieldably urging the shackle into an unlocked position and consists of a spring 71 which is coaxially disposed on the leg 37 of the shackle 36 and has one end engaging a C-ring 72 mounted in an annular slot (not shown) provided on the leg 37. The other end of -the spring 71 fits over the sleeve 31 and engages the lip 29~ Thus it can be seen that when the latch member 66 is moved to the unla-tched position, the spring 71 will yieldably urge the shackle 36 upwardly out of the case so that the ley 38 will clear the hole 42 and permit the shackle 36 to be rotated so tha-t it can be attached to or detached from a doorknob, gas pipe or other suitable loca-tion.
Means is also provided for latching the key box or compartment 20 in a closed, key retaining or locked position and consists of a latch member 76 of additional electromagnetic means in the form of a relay 77. The latch member 76 is adapted to engage a notch 78 formed by a lip or catch member 79 on the sidewall 22 of the key box or compartment 20. The relay 77 can be identical to the relay 56 and is provided with an L-shaped framework 82 which is carried by an insulating block 83. The block 83 is secured by a bolt 84 to a Z-shaped bracket 86. The bracket 86 is secured to a larger L-shaped bracket 87 by a bolt 88. The bracket 87 e~tends upwardly in th.e front of the case 12 and is secured to the front side of the top cover within the interior of the case 12 by suitable means such as screws 89. The bracket 87 is formed of a suitable material such as hardened steel and covers the opening 15 in the front wall 13. Small positioning protrusions are provided on the top cover and engage holes provided in the bracket 87. The L-shaped framework 82 carries a core 91 and a coil 92. The latch member 76 is hingedly mounted on the L-shaped framework 82 and is yieldably urged into a latching position to engage the notch 78 by a spring 94 which has one end secured to the la-tch member 76 and the other end secured to the L-shaped framework 82.
3~
A printed circuit board 96 is mounted on posts 97 carried by the bracket 87 by use of screws 98. The printed circuit board 96 carries circuitry of the type hereinafter described. The printed circuit board is provided with a connector 101 of a female type. A male connector 102 is mounted in the female connector 101 and is connected to a flexible tape cable 103. The flexible tape cable 103 extends sidewardly and upwardly around the side of the bracket 87. The tape cable 103 is formed integral with a keyboard or key pad 107 of the type manufactured and sold by the Brady Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota under the trademark XYMOX.
The keyboard 107 is of a type well known to those skilled in the art and is comprised of two layers of plastic which have silver contacts silk-screened on the inside surfaces of the same and which are hermetically sealed with a spacer sheet of insulating material therebetween with cutouts for key areas. When pressure is applied to a specific region a conductive path is established to the printed circuit board as hereinafter described. The keyboard 107 is mounted upon the front side of the bracket 87 within the opening 15 in the front wall 13 by suitable means such as an adhesive. A
face plate 109 formed of a suitable flexible material such as a stainless steel sheet is disposed in a recess 108 in the front wall 13 and is secured to the inner margins of the wall 13 defining the opening 15 in the front wall 13 by suitable means such as an epoxy~ The face plate 109 covers the opening 15 in the front wall 13 and overlies the keyboard 107. Thé face plate 109 is provided with graphics in the form of indicia 111 imprinted therein as shown particularly in Figure 1 which serve as keys that correspond generally to the twelve push buttons on a conventional telephone and carry the numbers 0-9 and the star and a number sign~
6D3~3 Means is provided for preventing the key box or key compartment 25 from being retracted or pushed out of the case 12 and consists of a lip 95 which is carried by the side wall 21 which is adapted to engage a sidewardly extending portion 87a of the bracket 87.
Thus it can be seen that when the latch member 76 is retracted) the spring 91 engaging the lip 29 will push the key compartment or key box 20 outwardly to the open position shown in Figure 1 to permit the access to the key or keys 28 contained therein. The lip 95 prevents projection of the key compartment or box beyond a predetermined position as shown in Figure 1.
A small piezoelectric acoustical transducer 116 is provided which is connected to the printed circuit board and is secured to the bracket 87 beneath the printed circuit board 96 and overlies a hole 117 provided through the rear wall 14 of the case 12 and extending through the bracket 87 so that sound waves produced by the transducer 116 can pass through the hole 117.
The circuitry which is used in the lock box or key safe 1l is shown in Figure 4. The circuitry which is provided on the printed circuit board 96 is enclosed within the broken line 96 shown in Figure 4. Those components which are not on the printed circuit board are outside of the broken lines and include the key pad 107, the coils 63 and 92 and the battery 49. An integrated circuit 121 is mounted on the PC board 96 and is of a suitable type such as a COPS 410 manufactured by National Semiconductor which serves as a microcontroller. This microcontroller is provided with additional memory 122 such as the No. 6514 made by Harris Semiconductor which provides an additional 256 bytes of random access memory. A timer chip 123 is also connected to the integrated circuit 121 and by way of example can be of a type manufactured by National Semiconductor utilizing a CMOS timer chip. The tirner chip 123 is coupled to a crystal 124 of a suitable frequency as, for example, 32 megahertz. The timer divides the crystal frequency by 32000 to provide a wakeup signal to the microcontroller 121 of once per minute in order to keep track of the current time.
Operation of the lock box or key safe 11 hereinbefore described may now be briefly described in conjunction with the system and method of the present invention.
Let it be assumed by way of example that a multiple listing service has, for example, as many as 10,000 real esta-te brokers desirous of utilizing the system.
Such a system would include a control location or station such as in the headquarters of a multiple listiny service as represented by the block 131 in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, the multiple listing service headquarters or control location would typically include a computer 132 with its keyboard 133.
The computer would be connected to a conventional printer 134 and in addition to a contro] console or station 136.
The multiple listing service would have a plurality of the lock boxes 11 which would be given to the listing agents. The listing agents in turn would utilize them in connection with the buildings or houses 137 which are listed with the multiple listing service.
In Figure 6 there is shown a block diagram of how a real estate agent would utilize the present system and method in conjunction with the lock box or key safe 11.
Fiyure 7 shows the manner in which the listing broker would utilize a lock box or key safe in conjunction with the present system and method.
In Figure g there is shown the elec-tronic circuitry which wou:ld be provided in the control console or station 136 provided at the multiple listing service.
As shown therein, typically four incoming telephone lines 141 would be provided for a multiple listing service having as many as lO,000 brokers. These four telephone lines would be connected to a conventional phone interface provided by Mitel. The telephone interface 142 is connected to an integrated micro~
controller chip or microprocessor of the type hereinbefore described, namely, a COPS 410 manufactured by National Semiconductor. This COP~ 410 has access to additional memory 122 which includes in its memory a memory for codes which are required to obtain access to the system.
The integrated circuit 121 is connected to the computer 132 at the multiple listing service control center as shown in Figure 5. The integrated circuit 121 is also connected to a voice synthesizer 146. The voice synthesizer 146 is of a conventional type such as a National Semiconductor DT 1000 chip set which is provided with a standard microprocessor interface which is utilized to determine what words are spoken. The voice synthesizer 146 basically has a digital select input and an analog voice output.
The system and method of the present invention is based upon key codes consisting of 9 digits with the first 5 digits being the permanent identification code for the real estate broker and the other four digits being a private code which is periodically changed as hereinafter described. Typically a broker for a multiple listing service will be assigned his specific five-digit code as, for example, on a small iden-tification card together with a four digit private code known only to the real estate broker which permits 3~
him to obtain access to all of the lock boxes 11 for houses in the multiple listing service for that particular month.
Let it be assumed that a broker has been issued the two codes with 9 digits and that it is desired to show a prospective buyer into one of the homes or buildings 137 in the multiple listing service which has been provided with a key lock or safe 11 of the type hereinbefore described by the listing broker. Such a key lock or safe 11 typically can be locked and retained thereby onto the doorknob on the outside of the entrance door to the home. Alternatively, it can be mounted on the gas pipe next to the gas meter for the home.
The broker then uses two codes provided on his identi-fication card and inserts the two codes into the lock box or key safe by depressing the indicia 111 on the keys of the key pad 107 in the order that they appear in his code. Thus the five digit code and the four digit code are entered sequentially~ Each time a key is depressed, an audible signal will be produced by the transducer 116 to verify that he has, in fact, pressed a key. When the proper sequence of keys has been entered, the microcontroller supplies electrical energy to the coil 92. At the same time energy is supplied to the transducer 116 to supply an audible tone for a period of three seconds. During this time, the real estate broker can obtain access to the key compartment by pressing upwardly on the key compartment to permit the latch member 76 to become frictionally disengaged from the notch 78 and to be pulled over to the core 91 of the relay 77. The movement of the box by the real estate agent reduces the frictlonal engagement between the latch member 76 and the catch member 79. As soon as this occurs, the key box or key compartment 20 will 3~3 be urged outwardly under the force of the spring 91 until the lip 95 comes into engagement with bracket portion 87a. By this time, the real estate agent then will have access to the key 28. If by chance, the real estate agent does not press upwardly on the key box or key compartment 20 during the three second interval during the time when the audible tone is being given, the coil 92 will be deenergized and the latch member 76 will reengage the notch 78. It then will be necessary for the real estate agent to again insert his code to obtain reenergization of the coil 92. Thereafter, the real estate agent will have another opportunity in which to have the key compartment or box 20 open under the force of the spring 71.
After the real estate agent has obtained access to the key, the real estate agent can show the prospective purchaser the home on which the lock box 11 is located.
After the showing has been completed, the real estate agent again places the key 28 in the lock box and pushes the lock box upwardly into the case 12 until the latch member 76 snaps into the notch 78. The key will then thus again be locked within the case and access cannot be obtained to the same unless it is obtained by the same or another real estate agent using his assigned personal code to obtain access to the lock box.
The lock box ll is provided with an algorithm which when a real estate agent obtains access to the bov records in the memory of the integrated circuit 121 or in the additional memory 122 the code number of the agent and the time that the agent obtained access to the lock box~
Now let it be assumed that the listing agent who placed the lock box on the home being shown desires to make a survey of the real estate agents who have shown the home. This can be accomplished by the listing real estate agent going to the lock box 11 and inserting his five digit personal code together with a four digit code assigned to him in conjunction with the particular lock box. As this code is being entered, audible tones are again given by the transducer 116 to indicate when a key has been pressed. When the proper codes have been in~erted, an electrical signal will be supplied to the coil 63. Again an audible tone will be given off for a period of three seconds during which time, the real estate agent can grasp the case with one hand and hold the shackle 36 with the other hand to slightly depress the shackle to release the latch member 66 and to permit it to move toward the magnet core 64 to release the leg 37 of the shade 36. The shackle 36 then will be moved upwardly by the force of the spring 71 engaging the C-ring 720 As the shackle 36 is moved upwardly, the short leg 38 will clear the hole 42 and permit the shackle to be swung to permit release of the lock box ll from the doorknob or pipe or whatever other object to wh ch it is attached.
After the shackle 36 has been released in thi~ manner, the listing real estate agen~ or broker ~an take the lock box and go to the nearest telephone. This mode of operation is shown in Figure 7 in which the lock box ll is shown being placed close to a receiver 151 of a A 39278a/HCHU
.~ 3~3 conventional telephone 152 which is connected to the multiple listing service 131. By placing the recei~er 151 near the small opening 117 provided in the rear of the case 12, the information carried in the memory of the integrated circuit and the additional memory 122 can be released merely by pressing the star and number keys of the indicia 111 which will cause the information contained therein to be passed over the telephone line to the control console or box 136 at the multiple listing service 131 after which it is fed into the computer 132. The information which is received by the computer 132 can be printed out in a conventional printer 134 and then mailed out to the real estate broker. Alternatively, the information on the computer can be sent to a printer to the office of the listing real estate broker as indicated by the printer 153. In this way it is possible for a listing real estate broker to see what activity is being given to the home. In addition, in the event that objects are missing and/or doors left open it is possible to trace which broker or agent entered the house at which particuiar time.
By way of example, the memory carried in the lock box 11 is adequate to carry 64 entries. If information is not erased, the earliest broker entering the house will be erased and the latest broker will be entered with always at least the last 64 real estate agents to enter the house being carried by the memory.
The lock box has been designed in such a manner that it can operate for a period of two years before the battery needs replacement. This two-year period is based on four key box accesses per day and one shackle access per week. When a shackle has been accessed and if a battery is relatively low, as for example, with only three months of lifetime left, an audible beep will be A 39278a/HCHU
supplied through the speaker 116 to advise the lis~ins agent that the battery should be replaced.
Because of the timers 123 provided with each of the lock boxes, each lock box knows the month, the week, the day of the week and the nearest minute in each day. The same is true with respect to the timer provided in the integrated circuit for the control box 136. The lock boxes 11 are provided with an algorithm which is executed whenever codes are entered into the lock box.
The lock boxes combine the code which are entered with the day of the year with the first five digits of the personal code of the real estate broker and then determine whether the next four digits of the code entered are valid. The algorithm provided in the lock box is such that a code is only valid for 30 days, for example. After the ~0 days elapse, it is necessary for the real estate broker to obtain a new four digit code.
This new four digit code can be obtained by the real estate broker by contacting the multiple listiny service. This can be accomplished as shown in Figure 6 by the real estate broker contacting a multiple listing service by telephone 156 or through a terminal 157 and obtaining access to the control console shown in Figure 8 to obtain the appropriate four digit code for the ensuing 30 days. This is accomplished automatically by the use of the voice synthesizer 146 or by a printout on the terminal 134.
A current code can be obtained by the real estate agent calling the phone number of the multiple listing service and entering his personal identification code after which the access code is spoken by the voice synthesizer 146. If the real esta~e agent has access to a multiple listing service terminal 157, the access code can be obtained by entering his personal identification code A 39278a/HCHU
and then the access code is given directly to the real estate broker.
From the foregoing it can be seen that an apparatus, system and method has been provided which provides authorized home entry upon the entry of a code into a lock box or key safe. A destruction proof lock box holds the key. With the present system, additional sales agents can be entered rapidly by providing them wi~h a personal code. Similarly, removal of a sales agent when necessary can be accomplished rapidly. There are no keys to be lost, forgotten or stolen.
With the system and method, a printed record of who entered the home and when is readily provided. This information can be very valuable for follow-up calls and for a review of sales staff activity.
Under the system and method, a permanent personal code used by only one individual is issued to an authorized sales agent of a multiple listing service. The sales agent receives an access code by calling the multiple listing service computer on any telephone and dialing his permanent code. The authorized sales agent will then have access to any home listed and controlled by the multiple listing service. Each lock box is identified by a serial number as, for example, on the top cover 18. The shackle code can be selected by the owner so all of one owner's lock boxes can have the same shackle code. The lock boxes can be programmed so that no access can be obtained to the key compartment during certain hours as, for example from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to give home owners certain hours of privacy.
A listing agent in the multiple listing service would typically purchase a lock box or key safe and would A 39278a/HCHU
receive a special code for the shackle of that lock box.
The agent would then locate the lock box at the listing site. The agent would thereafter visit the site period-ically to retrieve information from the lock box. The listing agent can retrieve complete entxy information simply by calling the multiple listing service computer and holding the lock box to any telephone. The informa-tion is automatically transferred and is available immediately from the brokers terminal. As an option a printout of the same information can be mailed to the broker or listing agent.
A 39278a/HCHU
Claims (40)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In an apparatus for use in a secure entry system, a case, a compartment provided in said case and having access means movable between locked and access positions, a retainer receivable by said case and movable between latched and unlatched positions with respect to said case, first and second electromagnetic latch means carried within the case for use in operation of the access means of the compartment and the retainer respectively, a power supply in the case, circuitry within the case connecting the power supply to the first and second electromagnetic latch means, and code actuated means carried by the case and connected to the circuitry for selectively operating the first and second electro-magnetic latch means.
2. Apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes a memory, said memory having a first code therein for the first electromagnetic latch means and a second code therein for the second electromagnetic latch means whereby access to the compartment and to the retainer only can be obtained by inserting said unique codes into the code actuated means.
3. Apparatus as in Claim 2 wherein said circuitry includes means for recording the identity of any user who obtains access to the container.
4. Apparatus as in Claim 2 together with timing means in the case and wherein said circuitry includes means connected to said timing means whereby the second code is changed periodically under the control of the timing means.
5. Apparatus as in Claim 4 wherein the circuitry means includes a memory for recording the codes of the users obtaining access to the container and for recording the dates and times of access.
6. Apparatus as in Claim 5 together with loudspeaker means for emitting audible tones connected to the circuitry.
7. Apparatus as in Claim 6 wherein said circuitry includes means for interrogating the memory and for causing signals to be supplied to the loudspeaker means.
8. Apparatus as in Claim 1 together with timing means connected to said circuitry to only activate said circuitry at periodic intervals to conserve the use of energy from the power supply.
9. Apparatus as in Claim 1 in which the circuitry includes means for energizing the first and second electromagnetic latch means for predetermined intervals of time.
10. Apparatus as in Claim 9 wherein the power supply is a battery.
11. In an apparatus for use in a secure entry system, a lock box with a compartment therein, the lock box having a memory with the capability of having stored therein a plurality of compartment access codes, timing means, and circuitry connected to the memory and the timing means for determining which compartment access code is to be utilized for the lock box during a predetermined interval of time.
12. In an apparatus for use in a secure entry system, a plurality of lock boxes with a compartment therein, each of the lock boxes having a memory with the capability of having stored therein a plurality of compartment access codes, timing means, circuitry connected to the memory and the timing means for determining which compartment access code is to be utilized for the lock boxes during a predetermined interval of time, a control station having a computer, timing means, a memory for the compartment access codes, a voice synthesizer and control means connected to the computer, the timing means, the memory and the voice synthesizer, a voice communication link coupled to the voice synthesizer and the control means at the control station for supplying the compartment access codes for the lock boxes to the users and for receiving information from the lock boxes.
13. A system as in Claim 12 wherein the circuitry in the lock box includes means for recording in the memory in the lock box information about users obtaining access to the compartment in the lock box and wherein the control means includes means for recording information recorded in the lock boxes and transmitted over the voice communication link from the lock boxes, the circuitry in each of the lock boxes having means for transmitting over the voice communication channel the information about the users stored in the memories of the lock boxes.
14. In a secure entry system for a plurality of locations, a master console and a plurality of lock boxes for use at the locations, each of the lock boxes having a retainer movable between latched and unlatched positions and a compartment movable between locked and access positions, and code actuated electrical circuit means for operating said retainer and said compartment, said electrical circuit means including a memory having a compartment access code stored therein for access to the compartment and a retainer code stored therein for operation of the retainer, said master console having a memory for storing compartment access codes for obtaining access to the compartments and electrical circuit means for permitting a user of the system to obtain access to the computer access code in the memory for the compartment in a lock box.
15. A system as in Claim 14 wherein the master console includes means for limiting access to the code in the memory to predetermined users.
16. A system as in Claim 14 wherein the lock box includes a key pad and wherein the compartment access codes are introduced by use of the key pad.
17. A system as in Claim 15 together with a voice communication link for establishing voice communication between the control console and a lock box, the electrical circuit means of each lock box and the control console having a voice synthesizer for supplying information over the voice communication link.
18. A system as in Claim 17 wherein the lock boxes includes timing means and wherein the electrical circuit means of the master console includes timing means and wherein the codes in the master console and in the lock boxes for the lock boxes are changed at predetermined times in response to the timing means in the master console and in the lock boxes whereby access to the compartments in the lock boxes under a certain code can only be obtained during a predetermined interval of time.
19. A system as in Claim 18 wherein the electrical circuit means in each of the lock boxes includes means for storing in its memory, the code of the user obtaining access to the compartment with the date and time of entry.
20. A system as in Claim 14 wherein the electrical circuit means includes means for permitting interrogation of the memory in the lock box and means for supplying information which can be sent over a voice communication link.
21. A system as in Claim 14 wherein said lock box includes transducer means for supplying an audible signal.
22. In a method for providing secure entry to a plurality of entrances in a secure entry system in which the users of the system are each assigned a user code in conjunction with a master console and a plurality of lock boxes, the lock boxes each having a compartment therein, the lock boxes and the master console each having a memory, causing the master console to assign a compartment access code for a predetermined period of time, causing the lock boxes to permit entrance to the same upon insertion of a compartment access code for that predetermined period of time.
23. A method as in Claim 22 together with the step of changing the compartment access codes in the master console and in the lock boxes at synchronized predetermined intervals.
24. A method as in Claim 23 wherein the compartment access codes to the lock boxes are changed in the master console and in the lock boxes in response to timing means carried within the master console and in the lock boxes.
25. A method as in Claim 22 wherein the lock boxes are provided with retainers, together with the step of assigning a retainer code to each lock box for controlling the operation of the retainer shackle.
26. A method as in Claim 22 together with the step of recording the user coe and the date and time of entry of every user gaining access to the lock box.
27. A method as in Claim 26 together with the step of interrogating the lock box to ascertain the users obtaining access to the lock box.
28. A method as in Claim 22 together with the step of interrogating the master console to ascertain the compartment access code for the lock boxes.
29. Apparatus as in Claim 28 together with the step of supplying the lock box code to an interrogator over a voice communication channel.
30. A method as in Claim 28 together with the step of providing human readable information obtained from interrogating the lock box.
31. In an apparatus for use in a secure entry system, a case, a compartment mounted in the case and being movable between locked and access positions, retainer means carried by said case movable between latched and unlatched positions, first and second electromagnetic latch means carried within the case for use in operation of the compartment and the retainer means respectively, a battery, circuit means within the case connecting the battery to the first and second electromagnetic latch means and code actuated means carried by the case and connected to the circuit means for selectively operating the first and second electromagnetic latch means.
32. Apparatus as in Claim 31 wherein said code actuated means for operating the first electromagnetic latch means includes first and second codes.
33. Apparatus as in Claim 32 wherein said code actuated means for operating the second electromagnetic latch means includes an additional code separate from the first and second codes.
34. Apparatus as in Claim 33 wherein said second code is introduced through a key pad usable with the case.
35. Apparatus as in Claim 31 together with memory means carried within the case for recording all users who obtain access to the compartment.
36. Apparatus as in Claim 35 together with means carried within the case for transmitting from the memory in the case information on all users having access to the compartment.
37. Apparatus as in Claim 31 wherein said retainer is in the form of a shackle.
38. Apparatus as in Claim 31 wherein said first and second electromagnetic means each include a latching member, yieldable means for urging said latching member into a latching position, a post carried by said container and means carried by said latching member adapted to be engaged by said post whereby said post is urged upwardly to move the latching member out of engagement or an unlatching position with respect to the post against the force of the spring together with a solenoid adapted to be energized and having sufficient strength to hold the latching member in an out-of-the way position after it has been moved to that position whereby the container can be moved from its retaining position into an access position.
39. Apparatus as in Claim 31 together with key pad means associated with the case for causing operation of the code actuated means.
40. Apparatus as in Claim 31 together with timing means for causing the code actuated means to change its code at predetermined intervals of time.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US53742583A | 1983-09-29 | 1983-09-29 | |
| US537,425 | 1990-06-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1222038A true CA1222038A (en) | 1987-05-19 |
Family
ID=24142583
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000464263A Expired CA1222038A (en) | 1983-09-29 | 1984-09-28 | Electronic secure entry system, apparatus and method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1222038A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9704319B2 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2017-07-11 | Garcia Desinor, JR. | Real estate wireless lockbox |
| US10403069B2 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2019-09-03 | Garcia Desinor, JR. | Real estate wireless lockbox |
-
1984
- 1984-09-28 CA CA000464263A patent/CA1222038A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9704319B2 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2017-07-11 | Garcia Desinor, JR. | Real estate wireless lockbox |
| US10249121B2 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2019-04-02 | Garcia Desinor, JR. | Real estate wireless lockbox |
| US10403069B2 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2019-09-03 | Garcia Desinor, JR. | Real estate wireless lockbox |
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