Patent ID: 8912884

Claim:
A method for operating an electronic lockbox system, said method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of electronic lockboxes and a plurality of electronic keys; (b) of said plurality of electronic lockboxes, providing a first electronic lockbox having: a first processing circuit, a first memory circuit, a first short range wireless communications device, a first secure compartment having a first movable opening element that is under the control of said first processing circuit, and a first sensor for detecting whether a predetermined dwelling key security apparatus is present within said first secure compartment; (c) of said plurality of electronic keys, providing a portable first electronic key having a second processing circuit, a second memory circuit, a data entry device, a display, and a second short range wireless communications device; (d) initiating a data exchange between said first electronic lockbox and said first electronic key, using said first and second short range wireless communications devices; (i) at said first electronic lockbox, receiving a first data message from said first electronic key, said first data message containing at least one of: (A) identity information for said first electronic key, and (B) personal ID data regarding a specific human user; (ii) if a user is attempting to access said first secure compartment, then allowing access if said first electronic key's identity information and said specific user's personal ID data are authorized to access the first secure compartment, so that said predetermined dwelling key security apparatus can be removed from the first secure compartment; and (iii) temporarily disabling effective operation of said first electronic key from accessing any other of said plurality of electronic lockboxes except said first electronic lockbox, until said predetermined dwelling key security apparatus is returned to said first secure compartment, as determined by said first sensor; (e) sending a second data message from said first electronic key to said first electronic lockbox that contains an identity designator of the “last lockbox visited” by said first electronic key; and (f) if said identity designator in said second data message corresponds to said first electronic lockbox, then said first electronic key automatically remains enabled to function in all normal ways, including for accessing the other of said plurality of electronic lockboxes.