Patent Publication Number: US-11386736-B2

Title: System and method for monitoring an access key from a key-box

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/146,245, filed Sep. 28, 2018, which claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from Indian Provisional Application Serial No. 201811011031 filed Mar. 26, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to key tracking and more specifically to monitoring an access from a key-box. 
     A real estate agent may show an available property to a potential buyer by opening a lock box or a key container, removing an access key chain or an access key card, and accessing the available property. The access key may be small and the agent may forget to replace the access keys in the key-box, or the access key may become misplaced before leaving the property. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed is a system for monitoring a location of an access key relative to a key-box, the key-box including an electronic controller, wherein the controller is configured to perform steps comprising: a first step of providing access to the key within the key-box while the key-box is in a locked configuration, the first step including: communicating over a personal area network with a first mobile-device for the first user as the first user approaches the key-box in an attempt to obtain the key, obtaining first credentials from the first mobile-device, determining whether the first credentials are valid or invalid, when the first credentials are valid: putting the key-box in an unlocked configuration, a second step of tracking a location of the key to determine whether the key is being returned to the key-box, the second step including: communicating over the personal area network with: the key and/or mobile-device to determine whether the key is being returned to the key-box, wherein upon a determination by the key-box or the mobile-device that the key is not being returned, an alert is provided by the mobile-device to the first user. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, in the first step: when the first credentials are valid the controller performs the step of securing the key-box in the unlocked configuration, and the second step comprises tracking a proximate location of the key and further comprises: communicating over the personal area network with the first mobile-device as the first user approaches the key-box in an attempt to replace the key, wherein when communicating with the first mobile-device, the second step includes: transmitting first instructions the first mobile-device to query the first user whether the key is being returned to the key-box, and receiving from mobile-device a response to the query, determining whether the response obtained in the second process indicates that the key is being returned to the key-box, and when the response indicates the key is not being returned to the key-box: instructing the mobile-device to provide a first alert to the first user, and when the response indicates the key is being returned to the key-box the controller performs the step of releasing the key-box from the unlocked configuration, so that the key-box may be locked by the first user. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, the controller performs a third step of tracking a distal location of the key relative to the key-box, the third step including: communicating with mobile-device after the first process; determining a travel distance from the key-box to the mobile-device; comparing the travel distance to a threshold distance; determining if the travel distance is greater than the threshold distance, wherein when the travel distance is greater than the threshold distance: instructing the mobile-device to provide a second alert to the first user. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, the first step includes recording in a first data-log a first log entry indicative of the first user being provided with access to the key, the second step includes recording in the data-log a second log entry indicative of the response to the query from the first user, and transmitting to the mobile-device the data-log, for transferring the data-log over to a central server. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, the controller performs a fourth step of tracking a duration the key-box is opened to identify a potentially a misplaced key, the fourth step including: tracking a time that the key is removed from the key-box after the first step, comparing the tracked time against a threshold time, wherein when the tracked time is greater than the threshold time: recording in the first data-log a third log entry indicative of the first user being having the key for a time greater than the threshold time, communicating over the personal area network with a second mobile-device for a second user as the second user approaches the key-box in an attempt to obtain the key, obtaining second credentials from the second mobile-device, determining whether the second credentials are valid, transmitting to the second mobile-device the data-log, for transferring the data-log over the cellular network to the central server. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, the personal area network applies Bluetooth Low Energy protocols and/or radio frequency identification protocols. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, the mobile-device is a mobile phone and in the second process the mobile phone transfers the data-log to the central server over a cellular network. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, in the first step, responsive to receiving the first instructions, the mobile phone presents on a screen for the mobile phone (i) a query of whether the first user is returning the key to the key-box, and (ii) a plurality of engagable radial buttons to receive as input from the first user an indication of whether or not the key is being replaced in the key-box. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, in the first step the first alert is one or more of a first email, a first Short Message Service text, a first audio alert, a first video alert and a first vibratory alert. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, in the third step the second alert is one or more of a second email, a second Short Message Service text, a second audio alert, a second video alert and a second vibratory alert. 
     Further disclosed is a method for monitoring a location of an access key relative to a key-box, including one or more of the above features and or steps. 
     Further disclosed is a system for monitoring a location of an access key relative to a key-box, wherein the key-box includes a controller that transmits over a personal area network periodic advertisements of whether the key is in the key-box, the system including a mobile-device configured to perform steps comprising: a first step of monitoring over the personal area network for advertisements, a second step of receiving over the personal area network the periodic advertisements from the key-box, a third step of determining whether the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the key-box or removed from the key-box; wherein when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the key-box, the mobile-device is configured to return to the first step, and when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being removed the key-box, the mobile-device is configured to perform steps comprising: a fourth step of monitoring elapsed time against a predetermined time period, a fifth step of monitoring a distance from the key-box against a predetermined distance, a sixth step of continuing to monitor for transmitted periodic advertisements over the personal area network from the key-box and determining whether the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the key-box or removed from the key-box, wherein when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the key-box, the mobile-device is configured to discontinue monitoring elapsed time and monitoring the distance to the key-box and to return to the first step, and when either of the elapsed time becomes greater than the predetermined time period or the distance from the key-box becomes greater than the predetermined distance the mobile-device is configured to provide an alert. 
     In addition to one or more of the above features and steps, or as an alternative, following providing the alert, the mobile-device is configured to: monitor for transmitted periodic advertisements over the personal area network from the key-box and determine whether the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the key-box or removed from the key-box, wherein when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the key-box, discontinuing the alert and returning to the first step. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates features of an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates features of an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a process according to embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a process according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a process according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6 and 6A  illustrate a process according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a process according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate environments in which the disclosed embodiments may be practiced. A user in the embodiments may be real estate agent  100  who may intend to access an available property  104  to display to a customer, that is, a potential buyer  108 . A key-box  112  may be disposed proximate the property in which an access key  116  is maintained. The key-box may include an electronic controller  118  to control electro-mechanical functions of the key-box and to provide the key-box with telecommunication capabilities. Access to the key may be through a key container  120  in the key-box. The key container may be capable of being secured in an opened state by electro-mechanical control from the controller, during which time a key  116  may be removed and replaced in the key-box. In a locked or closed state the key  116  in the key container  120  may be locked within the key-box  112 . 
     The key-box may be a first smart device that may communicate over a personal area network (PAN)  122  with a mobile-device  124 , which may be a mobile phone that may be a second smart device and which may be in possession of the agent  100 . PAN protocols may include, for example, NFC (near field communication), BlueTooth Low Energy (BLTE) or ZIGBEE. The mobile-device  124  may be equipped with an App  128 , available from an App Store, providing program level communications between the key-box  112  and the mobile-device  124 . The agent  100  may interact with the App  128  via a screen  130  on the mobile-device  124 . In addition, using the APP  128 , the mobile-device  124  may communicate over the Internet  132  with a central server  136 . Moreover, the mobile-device may use a cellular network  140  for access to the Internet or the mobile-device may access the Internet by, for example, a connection over Wi-Fi  144  (trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , at step S 50  the controller  118  may monitor a location of the access key  116 . Under this step, the controller may perform a first step S 54  of providing access to the key  116  within the key-box  112  while the key-box  112  is in the locked configuration, which is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The controller may also perform a second step S 58  of tracking a proximate, or near field, location of the key  116  to determine if the key is being returned to the key-box  112  by the agent, which is discussed in greater detail in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . The controller may also perform a third step S 62  of tracking a distal, or far field, location of the key  116  relative to the key-box to prevent the agent  100  from potentially leaving with the key, which is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . The controller may also perform a fourth step S 66  of tracking a duration the key-box is opened to identify if the key  116  is potentially lost by the agent, which is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 2 and 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , as indicated, at step S 54  the controller may execute the first step of providing access to the key  116  within the key-box  112  while the key-box  112  is in the locked configuration. Initially the key  116  may be in the key-box  112 , the key-box  112  may be in a closed state. At step S 104  the key-box controller  118  may communicate with the mobile-device  124  of the agent (using the App  128 ) when the agent seeks to obtain the access key  116 . These communications occur, for example, using BTLE. At step S 108  the controller  118  may obtain credentials from the mobile-device  124  which may represent the agent  100  credentials for accessing the key. 
     At step S 112  the controller  118  may determine whether the credentials are valid. If the credentials are not valid then at step S 116  the controller may not grant access to the key  116  by, for example, not unlocking the key-box  112 . If the credentials are valid then at step S 120  the controller  118  may record a first audit log entry in an audit log stored on the controller  118 , where the first entry may include the credentials or at least an identifier of the agent  100  and may indicate that access to the key  116  is being provided. At step S 124  the controller  118  using electromechanical controls may configure the key-box  112  to the unlocked or opened state to provide access to the key container  120  and hence the key  116 . At step S 126  the controller may secure the key-box in the unlocked state. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , as indicated, at step S 58  the controller may execute the second step of tracking a proximate, or near field, location of the key  116  to determine if the key is being returned to the key-box  112  by the agent  100 . After showing the property to the customer  108 , at step S 128  the controller  118  may again communicate with the mobile-device  124  of the agent  100  as the agent attempts to return or replace the key  116 . At step S 132  the controller may instruct the mobile-device  124  to interactively engage the agent to determine whether the key  116  has been replaced in the key-box. For example the mobile-device may provide a visual query on the screen  130 , responsive to which the mobile-device may receive a “YES” or “NO” using respective first and second radio buttons  150 ,  154 . 
     At step S 136  the controller  118  may receive data from the mobile-device  124  indicative of the response from the agent  100 . At step S 140  the controller  118  may record a second audit log entry indicator of the response of the agent  100 . At step S 144  the controller may transfer the audit log data to the mobile-device  124 , which may transfer the audit data to the central server  136 . The audit data may serve as a digital check to ensure that the agent  100  left the key  116  in the key-box. At step S 148  the controller may determine whether the response from the agent indicated that the key  116  was being replaced in the box. 
     If the response was “YES” then at step S 152  the controller may enable closing of the key-box by the agent, for example, by releasing the key-box from the unlocked state and allowing the key container  120  to latch into the key-box  112 . If the response was “NO” then at step S 156  the controller may again communicate with the mobile-device and cause the mobile-device to interactively engage the agent with an alert indicating that the key must be replaced. 
     On one embodiment, in addition to or instead of asking the agent at step S 132  and S 136  whether the key is being returned, the key-box  112  may directly detect whether the key  116  is being returned. For example, the key  116  could have a Bluetooth chip  115  on a key ring  117  ( FIG. 1 ) that advertises periodically. Based on proximity, for example, whether the key  116  is inside the key-box  112 , outside the key-box  112  but close in proximity to the key-box  112 , or relatively far away from the key-box  112 , the key-box  112  may determine whether and which key  116  is in the key-box  112 . If other keys have similar technology implements, the key-box  112  could determine when a key belonging in another key-box is accidently placed in the key-box  112 . When a key belonging in a different key-box is placed in the key-box  112 , an alert may be sent to the agent which requests that the agent confirm the correct keys are being positioned in the key-box. 
     Alternatively, the key  116  could have a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that may be on the same board as the Bluetooth chip  115  and that may be read by an RFID reader upon insertion of the key  116  into the key-box  112 . The RFID reader may be part of the controller  118  within the key-box  112 . Yet alternatively the key could have a chemical signature, a visual identifier (barcode, QR code, etc. that is scanned by the box when it is returned). Moreover, the sensor in the key-box could be a mechanical tamper spring, or a magnetic sensor such as a magnetic reed proximity switch. In one embodiment the presence or absence of the key container  120  can be determined by the key-box  112  to determine if the key  116  is present or absent respectively. 
     In one embodiment the key-box  112  determines at any time from one or more above disclosed features and/or steps that the key  116  has been returned. In such an instance, procedures disclosed herein which may subsequently create an alert may be aborted. This may avoid the controller  118  or mobile-device  124  from creating undue alerts. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 , and as indicated, at step S 62  the controller may execute a third step of tracking a distal, or far field, location of the key  116  relative to the key-box  112  to prevent the agent from potentially leaving with the key. At step S 200  the controller  118  may periodically communicate  204  ( FIG. 2 ) with the mobile-device  124  to determine a proximity  208  of the mobile-device to the key-box. At step S 204  the controller may determine whether the mobile-device has moved beyond a predetermined distance threshold while the key-box is in the opened state. While the determination at step S 204  is “NO” the controller may keep monitoring proximity to the mobile-device. If the determination is “YES” at step S 204 , then at step S 206  the controller may cause the mobile-device to interactively communicate with the agent. This interaction may be in the form of an alert which may be a visual, audible and/or vibratory alert. The controller may then perform step S 208  of determining whether the mobile-device has returned to a position that is within the threshold distance. So long as the determination at S 208  is “NO” the alert may stay active on the mobile-device of the agent. If the determination is “YES” then at step S 212  the controller may cause the mobile-device to turn off the alert. 
     In one embodiment, the key  116  may be equipped with BTLE communication implements  115  as indicated above. In addition to or as an alternate to the features and steps performed in  FIG. 6 , tracking of proximity of the key  116  may be performed by communications between the key-box  112  and the key  116 . Such tracking may be based on periodic BTLE advertisements from the key  116 . The lock controller  118  may track the distance to the key  116  as compared with tracking the distance to the mobile-device  124 . Alternatively, the mobile-device  124  may determine when it is proximate the key  116  using periodic BTLE advertisements from the key  116 . If the key  116  is not in the key-box  112  and the key  116  is not proximate the mobile-device  124 , the mobile-device  124 , may be disposed to provide the agent with an alert to indicate that the key  116  has been left in an unsecure location. A determination to provide the alert, in this embodiment and in each embodiment provided herein, may be based on instructions from the controller or may be automatically created based on protocols in the App  128  on the mobile-device. 
     In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6A , in addition to or as an alternative of the features and steps disclosed under step S 62  in  FIG. 6 , the mobile-device  124  may perform step S 62 A in  FIG. 6A  to determine whether the key  116  is accidentally being removed from the property by the agent  100 . At step S 200 A the mobile-device  124  may listen to a BLTE advertisements from the key-box BTLE transceiver  118  so that the mobile-device may determine a distance to the key-box  112 . As long as the mobile-device  124  is within a predetermined range of the key-box  112 , and the mobile-device  124  receives the BTLE advertisement from the key-box  112 , and the determination is “yes” at step S 204 A. As a result, no alert may be created by the mobile-device  124 . 
     When the agent with the mobile-device  124  moves outside the range, the determination is “no” at step S 204 A. At step S 205 A, a timer may be triggered on the mobile-device  124  for allowing the agent to return within range. When the timer elapses, or if the agent leaves a geofence range around the key-box  112  or property  104 , at step S 206 A the mobile-device  124  may remind the agent with an alert to return to the key-box  112  and return the key  116 . If the key-box  112  advertisement indicates the key  116  has been returned or if the agent returns to the threshold zone at step S 208 A, then the mobile-device  124  may abort this reminder procedure at step S 212 A. 
     It is to be appreciated that in such embodiment the APP  128  on the mobile-device  124  may autonomously monitor a distance from itself to the key-box  112 . In addition, then the mobile-device  124  may autonomously alert the agent if the agent has been out of range for too long or if the mobile-device  124  has moved too far away. That is, the mobile-device  124  may not need instructions from the key-box  112  in order to create an alert for the agent. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , as indicated, at step S 66  the controller may execute a fourth step of tracking a duration the key-box is opened to identify if the key is potentially lost by the agent. At step S 250  the controller may monitor the duration of time, illustrated schematically as an hour glass  212 , that the key-box has been in the opened state. At step S 254  the controller may determine whether the duration is greater than a predetermined threshold. While the determination is “NO” at step S 254 , the controller may continue to track the duration of time the key-box is opened. If the determination becomes “YES” then at step S 258  the controller may record a third audit log entry indicating that the key-box has been opened for a duration that is greater than the predetermined threshold, indicating the key may be lost by the agent. 
     At step S 262  the controller may communicate with a second mobile-device for a second agent seeking to obtain the key from the key-box. At step S 266  the controller may obtain second credentials from the second agent and at step S 270  the controller may determine whether the second credentials are valid. If the determination is “YES” then at step S 274  the controller may transfer the audit log to the second mobile-device for transferring to the audit log to the central server. If the determination is “NO” then the controller may wait to communicate with another mobile-device for another agent and cycle back to step S 262 . 
     The above disclosed embodiments may prompt the agent with a message such as an alert to determine whether a key is inside a key-box before the key-box is closed as the agent leaves the property. The disclosed embodiments may electronically transmit a message, an auditory, vibratory or other typical alert to the agent via the mobile-device for the agent, indicating whether the key is in the key-box. The disclosed embodiments may ensure that the key is replaced in the key-box. In addition, creation of the audit logs may enable tracking of the location of the key and who last used the key. 
     The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.