US5245652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secure entry system with acoustically coupled telephone interface
Assignee: SUPRA GROUP Inc
•
Filing: 1991-12-05
•
Granted: 1993-09-14
•
Expires: 2011-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A comprehensive real estate lockbox system is disclosed which provides a variety of operational features. One of these includes a reader key that can retrieve access data from a system lockbox. The reader key is provided with an audible tone generator which can be selectively enabled by the user. The tone generator can be used to download data from the reader key over telephone lines.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne F. Larson
- 👤 Walter G. Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:24
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00571; G07C1/00; G07C1/32; G07C9/00309; G07C9/00817; G07C9/00857; G07C9/00896; G07C9/20; G07C9/21; G07C9/215; G07C9/27; E; E05; E05B; E05B19/00; E05B19/0005; E05B47/00; E05B2047/0048; E05B2047/005; E05B2047/0053; G07C2009/00753; G07C2009/00769; G07C2009/00825; G07C2009/00865; G07C2209/00; G07C2209/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009; Y10T70/5031; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7006; Y10T70/7028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
In a method of operating an electronic real estate lockbox system comprising a lockbox, a key, and a computer, the lockbox including: communication means for relaying data, including access log data, between the lockbox and the key; a key compartment for releasably containing a house key; a key compartment lock for controllably securing the key compartment means in a locked state; key compartment control means for unlocking the key compartment lock means upon receipt of proper data from the key via the communication means; a shackle for releasably fastening the lockbox to a fixed object; a shackle lock having released and retained states for controllably securing the shackle means in a locked position; the key including: communication means for relaying data, including access log data, between the key and the lockbox; circuitry for controlling operation of the key; battery means for supplying power to the key circuitry; a keypad comprising a plurality of switches for permitting a user to enter data into the key; and indicator means for providing feedback to the user on an operational status of the key; the computer including: means for receiving access log data from the key; means for presenting access log data to a user; wherein the improvement comprises: providing an audible tone generator in the key and using said audible tone generator to download access log data from the key to the computer over telephone lines through a telephone mouthpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
In a method of operating an electronic real estate lockbox system comprising a lockbox, a key, and a computer, the lockbox including: communication means for relaying data, including access log data, between the lockbox and the key; a key compartment for releasably containing a house key; a key compartment lock for controllably securing the key compartment means in a locked state; key compartment control means for unlocking the key compartment lock means upon receipt of proper data from the key via the communication means; a shackle for releasably fastening the lockbox to a fixed object; a shackle lock having released and retained states for controllably securing the shackle means in a locked position; the key including: communication means for relaying data, including access log data, between the key and the lockbox; circuitry for controlling operation of the key; battery means for supplying power to the key circuitry; a keypad comprising a plurality of switches for permitting a user to enter data into the key; and indicator means for providing feedback to the user on an operational status of the key; the computer including: means for receiving access log data from the key; means for presenting access log data to a user; wherein the improvement comprises: providing an audible tone generator in the key and using said audible tone generator to download access log data from the key to the computer over telephone lines through a telephone mouthpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 which further includes: providing, over telephone lines, lockout list data representative of keys that are to be locked out; coupling said lockout list data to a key; transferring said lockout list data from the key to a lockbox; and preventing keys identified by the lockout list data from gaining access to the key compartment of the lockbox.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 which further includes providing lockbox operating power from a battery.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-13 | 1997-03-15 | 1997-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-13 | 2001-03-15 | 2001-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-13 | 2005-03-15 | 2005-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |