Patent ID: 7123127

Claim:
A key management system for controlling access to a vehicle key stored proximal to a remotely located vehicle, comprising: a key container located proximal to one of the remotely located vehicles, the key container having a key storage area for storing a vehicle key associated with the respective vehicle and being secured by an electronic lock, the key container having a memory; a key tag associated with the vehicle key, the key tag having an electronically stored identifier and being detectable by the key container when placed in the key storage area; and a portable electronic key transportable from a key authorization site where the key is authorized to locations of key containers to allow an authorized user to access a selected key container, the electronic key being operable to establish a communications link with the electronic lock of the key container and having a memory, wherein information about access events is stored in at least one of the memory of the key container or the memory of the electronic key, and wherein the electronic lock is prevented from being actuated to secure the key container unless the key tag is placed in the key storage area.