Patent Publication Number: US-11384565-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-in-Part 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, and a Continuation-in-Part of International Application No. PCT/US2019/054786, filed Oct. 4, 2019, which claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from Indian Provisional Application Serial No. 201811039483 filed Oct. 18, 2018, the entire disclosures of each prior application are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to key tracking and more specifically to monitoring an access from a keybox. 
     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 keybox, 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 keybox, the keybox including an electronic controller, wherein the controller is configured to perform steps comprising: a first step of providing access to the key within the keybox while the keybox 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 keybox 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 keybox in an unlocked configuration, a second step of tracking a location of the key to determine whether the key is being returned to the keybox, 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 keybox, 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 keybox 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 keybox 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 keybox, 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 keybox, and when the response indicates the key is not being returned to the keybox: 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 keybox the controller performs the step of releasing the keybox from the unlocked configuration, so that the keybox 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 keybox, the third step including: communicating with mobile-device after the first process; determining a travel distance from the keybox 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 keybox is opened to identify a potentially a misplaced key, the fourth step including: tracking a time that the key is removed from the keybox 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 keybox 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 keybox, 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 keybox. 
     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 keybox, 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 keybox, wherein the keybox includes a controller that transmits over a personal area network periodic advertisements of whether the key is in the keybox, 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 keybox, a third step of determining whether the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the keybox or removed from the keybox; wherein when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the keybox, the mobile-device is configured to return to the first step, and when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being removed the keybox, 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 keybox against a predetermined distance, a sixth step of continuing to monitor for transmitted periodic advertisements over the personal area network from the keybox and determining whether the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the keybox or removed from the keybox, wherein when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the keybox, the mobile-device is configured to discontinue monitoring elapsed time and monitoring the distance to the keybox 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 keybox 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 keybox and determine whether the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the keybox or removed from the keybox, wherein when the periodic advertisements are indicative of the key being within the keybox, 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; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a process according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing a method of finding a key with a mobile-device according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing a method of method of finding a keybox with a mobile-device according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     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 keybox  112  may be disposed proximate the property in which an access key  116  is maintained. The keybox may include an electronic controller  118  to control electro-mechanical functions of the keybox and to provide the keybox with telecommunication capabilities. Access to the key may be through a key container  120  in the keybox. 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 keybox. In a locked or closed state the key  116  in the key container  120  may be locked within the keybox  112 . 
     The keybox 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 keybox  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 keybox  112  while the keybox  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 keybox  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 keybox 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 keybox 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 keybox  112  while the keybox  112  is in the locked configuration. Initially the key  116  may be in the keybox  112 , the keybox  112  may be in a closed state. At step S 104  the keybox 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 keybox  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 keybox  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 keybox 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 keybox  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 keybox. 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 keybox. 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 keybox by the agent, for example, by releasing the keybox from the unlocked state and allowing the key container  120  to latch into the keybox  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 keybox  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 keybox  112 , outside the keybox  112  but close in proximity to the keybox  112 , or relatively far away from the keybox  112 , the keybox  112  may determine whether and which key  116  is in the keybox  112 . If other keys have similar technology implements, the keybox  112  could determine when a key belonging in another keybox is accidently placed in the keybox  112 . When a key belonging in a different keybox is placed in the keybox  112 , an alert may be sent to the agent which requests that the agent confirm the correct keys are being positioned in the keybox. 
     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 keybox  112 . The RFID reader may be part of the controller  118  within the keybox  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 keybox 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 keybox  112  to determine if the key  116  is present or absent respectively. 
     In one embodiment the keybox  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 keybox  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 keybox. At step S 204  the controller may determine whether the mobile-device has moved beyond a predetermined distance threshold while the keybox 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 keybox  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 keybox  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 keybox BTLE transceiver  118  so that the mobile-device may determine a distance to the keybox  112 . As long as the mobile-device  124  is within a predetermined range of the keybox  112 , and the mobile-device  124  receives the BTLE advertisement from the keybox  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 keybox  112  or property  104 , at step S 206 A the mobile-device  124  may remind the agent with an alert to return to the keybox  112  and return the key  116 . If the keybox  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 keybox  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 keybox  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 keybox 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 keybox 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 keybox is opened. If the determination becomes “YES” then at step S 258  the controller may record a third audit log entry indicating that the keybox 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 keybox. 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 keybox before the keybox 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 keybox. The disclosed embodiments may ensure that the key is replaced in the keybox. In addition, creation of the audit logs may enable tracking of the location of the key and who last used the key. 
     In addition to the above,  FIG. 8  shows a block diagram illustrating a method of finding the key  116 , by the agent  100 , with the mobile-device  124 . As shown in block  810 , the method includes the mobile-device  124  receiving a request to locate the key  116 . 
     The request may come from the agent  100  directly engaging the App  128  via the mobile-device  124 . The agent  100  may only know the identity of the key  116  by inference: the key  116  is attached to a processor or chip  115  in a tag  117  that has a unique identifier (id) that is associated with a street address, an agent, and a keybox  112 , for example. The request can specify the street address, for example, and by inference there can be a determination as to which key  116  is being requested also potentially which keybox  112  it is associated with/inside of, and what property/real estate listing this key  116  is for example. 
     As shown in block  820 , the method includes the mobile-device  124  displaying, on its screen  130 , keybox positioning information defining a last known position (e.g., GPS coordinates) of the key  116  or its keybox  112  That is, the last known position may be of the key  116  or the keybox  112  as both the key and the keybox are advertising a Bluetooth signal as indicated above. The key  116  and keybox  112  can be tracked independently of each other, though in association with each other. For example, if it is known that the key  116  is in the keybox  112 , and if a location of the keybox  112  is known, then the location of the key  116  may be inferred. Alternatively, the key  116  and keybox  112  can be tracked separately. For example, if the last known location of the key  116  is known as determined by another mobile-device (using that other mobile-device&#39;s GPS at the same time that the other mobile-device received the last Bluetooth signal from the chip attached to the key  116 ), this last known location could be communicated to the mobile device  124  from the other mobile device or from the central server  136  prior to the request in step  810  or even as part of step  820  to display the last known position. 
     As shown in block  830 , the method includes the mobile-device  124  communicating mobile-device key location request data, including a request for a location of the key  116 , over a wireless network  140  with the central server  136 . Other networks identified herein may be utilize for this communication. 
     For example, the mobile app is being used by a Real Estate agent. In the app is a list of listings (homes for sale) that the agent is managing. For each listing there is a keybox  112  and a housekey  116 . The agent can select the key  116 , or the keybox  112 , via the mobile app and ask ‘where is it’. The app may have a location already based on the agent&#39;s own activity (i.e. the agent was recently near a keybox  112  or key  116 ). This location can be displayed, e.g. by indicating the key  116  and/or keybox  112  was at an identified location at an identified date/time. 
     The agent can select an option to ask the server (step  830 ) to identify who else has seen the key  116 . The server can respond with any known location data from others. The agent can see data that identifies the last date/time that others were able to locate the key. The agent can then select to request to find the key at that time, e.g., dynamically. This is a request to the server that is transmitted to all the other agents&#39; mobile-devices to search for the key  116 . If the key  116  is found by any one of the respective other mobile-devices, a signal is returned to the server  136  by that other mobile-device, identifying that the specific key  116  is found. The server then sends a message back to the requesting agent&#39;s mobile-device  124 , e.g., indicating that the key  116  is found at that time by another agent, via the other agent&#39;s mobile-device. Otherwise, after waiting a predetermined period of time, the server transmits to the agent&#39;s mobile-device  124  that the location of the key  116  is not yet known. 
     Thus, as shown in block  840 , the method includes the central server  136  transmitting central server location request data over a wireless network  140  to the mobile-devices operationally associated with it, e.g., due to having the app uploaded to it. Any of the networks identified herein may be used for this communication. The mobile-devices will scan for Bluetooth advertisements from the key  116 . If the mobile-devices find keys, then they respond back to the server with their current location and the specific keys they respectively identified. 
     As shown in block  850 , the method includes the central server  136  monitoring for a response from the mobile devices for a predetermined period of time. That is, the central server  136  is monitoring for responses coming back from the mobile-devices with information about the specific keys they have individually found. In one embodiment, the predetermined period of time is 5 minutes. 
     As shown in block  860 , the method includes the central server  136  receiving key location reply data, including key positioning data, from the mobile-device, within the predetermined period of time. In one embodiment the key positioning data is global positioning data. 
     As shown in block  870 , the method includes the central server  136  transmitting central server reply data, including the key positioning data, to the mobile-device  124 . In one embodiment, the central server reply data includes a map link to find the key  116 . Alternatively, the mobile-device  124  displays a map that includes the location of the key  116  based on the data returned from the central server  136 . 
     With the above embodiments, an agent is looking for potentially misplaced housekeys used during, e.g., multiple showings of a property, would be able to locate the housekeys by means of the mobile APP  128 . 
     In addition to the above,  FIG. 9  shows a block diagram illustrating a method of finding the keybox  112  that houses the key  116 , by the agent  100 , with the mobile-device  124 . As shown in block  910 , the method includes the mobile-device  124  receiving a request to locate the keybox  112 . 
     The request may come from the agent  100  directly engaging the App  128  via the mobile-device  124 . The agent  100  may only know the identity of the keybox  112  by inference: the key  116 , normally stored in the keybox  112 , is attached to a processor or chip  115  in a tag  117  that has a unique identifier (id) that is associated with a street address, an agent, and the keybox  112 , for example. The request can specify the street address, for example, and by inference there can be a determination as to which keybox  112  is being requested also potentially which key  116  it is associated with/carrying, and what property/real estate listing this keybox  112  is for, example. 
     As shown in block  920 , the method includes the mobile-device  124  displaying, on its screen  130 , keybox positioning information defining a last known position (e.g., GPS coordinates) of the keybox  112  that houses the key  116 , or the key  116 . That is, the last known position may be of the key  116  or the keybox  112  as both the key and the keybox are advertising a Bluetooth signal as indicated above. The key  116  and keybox  112  can be tracked independently of each other, though in association with each other. For example, if it is known that the key  116  is in the keybox  112 , and if a location of the key  116  is known, then the location of the keybox  112  may be inferred. Alternatively, the key  116  and keybox  112  can be tracked separately. For example, if the last known location of the keybox  112  is known, as determined by another mobile-device (using that other mobile-device&#39;s GPS at the same time that the other mobile-device received the last Bluetooth signal from the key  112 ), this last known location could be communicated to the mobile device  124  from the other mobile device or from the central server  136  prior to the request in step  810  or even as part of step  820  to display the last known position. 
     As shown in block  930 , the method includes the mobile-device  124  communicating mobile-device keybox location request data, including a request for the location of the keybox  112 , over a wireless network  140  with the central server  136 . Any of the networks identified herein may be utilize for this communication. 
     For example, the mobile app is being used by a Real Estate agent. In the app is a list of listings (homes for sale) that the agent is managing. For each listing there is a keybox  112  and a housekey  116 . The agent can select the key  116 , or the keybox  112 , via the mobile app and ask ‘where is it’. The app may have a location already based on the agent&#39;s own activity (i.e. the agent was recently near a keybox  112  or key  116 ). This location can be displayed, e.g. by indicating the key  116  and/or keybox  112  was at an identified location at an identified date/time. 
     The agent can select an option to ask the server (step  930 ) to identify who else has seen the keybox  112 . The server can respond with any known location data from others. The agent can see data that identifies the last date/time that others were able to locate the keybox  112 . The agent can then select to request to find the keybox  112  at that time, e.g., dynamically. This is a request to the server that is transmitted to all the other agents&#39; mobile-devices to search for the keybox  112 . If the keybox  112  is found by any of the respective other mobile-devices, a signal is returned to the server from that other mobile-device, identifying that the specific keybox  112  is found. The server then sends a message back to the requesting agent&#39;s mobile-device, e.g., indicating that the keybox  112  is found at that time by another agent, via the other agent&#39;s mobile-device. Otherwise, after waiting a predetermined period of time, the server transmits to the agent&#39;s mobile-device that the location of the keybox  112  is not yet known. 
     Thus, as shown in block  940 , the method includes the central server  136  transmitting central server location request data over a wireless network  140  to the mobile-devices associated with it, e.g., due to having the app uploaded to it. The mobile-devices will scan for Bluetooth advertisements from the keybox  112 . If the mobile-devices find keyboxes, then they respond back to the server with their current location and the specific keyboxes they respectively identified. 
     As shown in block  950 , the method includes the central server  136  monitoring for a response from the mobile devices for a predetermined period of time. In one embodiment, the predetermined period of time is 5 minutes. That is, the central server  136  is monitoring for responses coming back from the mobile-devices with information about the specific keyboxes they have individually found. 
     As shown in block  960 , the method includes the central server  136  receiving keybox location reply data, including keybox positioning data, from the mobile-devices, within the predetermined period of time. In one embodiment the keybox positioning data is global positioning data. 
     As shown in block  970 , the method includes the central server  136  transmitting central server reply data, including the keybox positioning data, to the mobile-device  124 . In one embodiment, the central server reply data includes a map link to find the keybox  112 . Alternatively, the mobile-device  124  displays a map that includes the location of the keybox  112  based on the data returned from the central server  136 . 
     With the above embodiments, an agent is looking for potentially misplaced keybox  112  used during, e.g., multiple showings of a property, would be able to locate the keybox  112  by means of the mobile APP  128 . 
     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.