Patent ID: 7734068

Claim:
A method for operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising: providing an electronic lock box with a secure compartment therein, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, a first communications port, and a first processing circuit; providing a portable memory device, which interfaces to said electronic lock box processing circuit; providing a biometric identification device that determines observed biometric identification data of a user; providing a central computer, having a second processing circuit, a second communications port, and a central database that is accessible using said second processing circuit, said central database containing enrollment biometric identification data for a plurality of human users; providing an external portable computer that is in communication with said biometric identification device, and having a third communications port, a fourth communications port, and a third processing circuit; providing a first communications link between said second communications port and said third communications port; providing a second communications link between said first communications port and said fourth communications port; scanning a biometric characteristic of said user, using said biometric identification device, and determining said observed biometric identification data; transferring said observed biometric identification data from said biometric identification device to said external portable computer; transferring said observed biometric identification data from said external portable computer to said central computer; comparing, at said central computer; said observed biometric identification data to said enrollment biometric identification data stored in said central database, and if there is a sufficient correlation between said enrollment biometric identification data and said observed biometric identification data, transmitting an authorization message from said central computer to said external portable computer over said first communications link; writing authorization code data on said portable memory device, under control of said external portable computer; placing said portable memory device in communication with the first processing circuit of said electronic lock box, using said second communications link; and determining if said portable memory device contains correct authorization data to access said secure compartment of the electronic lock box, and if so authorizing access to said secure compartment.